Packing your toiletries for a trip can be a real headache. Between TSA’s liquid rules, limited space in your bag, and the fear of forgetting something important, it’s easy to overpack or miss something essential.
The good news? With the right toiletry bag for travel and a few packing tips, you can breeze through security without sacrificing any of your daily items from home.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to pack toiletries for carry on, what type of toiletry bag for travel is best suited to your needs, and even give you a comprehensive checklist of must-have travel toiletries.
Start With The Right Toiletry Bag
Before getting into which travel toiletries to bring, we need to figure out what you’re bringing them IN. Sure, you could grab any old catch-all bag from Walmart, or even shove all your things in a 10 gallon ziplock from your kitchen drawer. They’ll take your toiletries from point A to point B, no doubt about that.
But believe me when I tell you. Your travel experience is going to go a lot smoother if you invest in the right bag to keep your toiletries organized.
What Makes A Travel Toiletry Bag Good?
A good toiletry bag for travel doesn’t just hold your items. It saves space, keeps liquids contained, and makes it easy to grab what you need without having to dump it all out on the airport floor.
Gravel offers four smart options, all made from durable, easy-to-clean materials and designed with a hideaway strap so you can hang them anywhere. The best part? You can take our quick toiletry bag quiz to find your perfect match.
Here’s a breakdown of each amazing option!
Explorer MINI Toiletry Bag – Minimal Travel
Best for short trips or minimalists, the Explorer MINI has 2 pockets to keep essentials tidy. Perfect if your packing style is “less is more.”
Explorer SLIM Toiletry Bag – Traveling Lighter
With 6 pockets, the SLIM strikes a balance between compact and organized. It’s a great choice for travelers who like things neat but don’t want extra bulk.
Explorer PLUS Toiletry Bag – Packing More
The PLUS is built for longer trips or anyone who likes a little extra room. It has 7 pockets for ultimate organization and comes with a clear TSA-compliant shower bag that makes getting through airport security a breeze.
Explorer MAX Toiletry Bag – Packing the Most
If you tend to overpack (or just don’t want to sacrifice your favorite products), the 8-pocket Explorer MAX has you covered. One of the pockets is deep enough to hold a full-sized shampoo, contact solution, a hairbrush, or even electric razors. Basically, if you want to bring it, the MAX can hold it.
Whether you’re a full-blown minimalist or a chronic “just in case” packer, we’ve got a toiletry bag that perfectly fits your style.
The TSA Rules You Need to Know
One of the biggest questions travelers have is how to pack toiletries for carry on without running into issues at airport security. So if you’re going to take anything away from this post, let it be this. The 3-1-1 rule.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a simple guideline called the 3-1-1 rule:
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3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per liquid, gel, or aerosol
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1 quart-sized clear bag to hold all your liquids
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1 bag per traveler in your carry on
This applies whether you’re just bringing a tube of toothpaste, or you’ve packed the entire “everything shower” line-up.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Bringing full-size bottles (they’ll get tossed at security).
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Forgetting that items like liquid foundation and toothpaste count as liquids.
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Packing liquids in different bags instead of one TSA-approved bag.
Pro Tips for Stress-Free Screening
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Use refillable bottles to pack only what you’ll need.
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Switch to solid toiletries like shampoo bars, lotion sticks, or bar soap to save liquid space.
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If you have the Explorer PLUS or MAX from Gravel, you’ll already have a TSA-compliant shower bag included, which makes it even easier to breeze through security. And it’s reusable too!
Learning how to pack toiletries for travel with TSA rules in mind means less stress, fewer surprises, and more room in your bag for the things that matter.
Travel Toiletries Checklist
Once you’ve got the right toiletry bag for travel and understand TSA’s rules, it’s time to decide what actually goes inside. A smart list keeps you organized, saves space, and ensures you never forget the essentials.
We’ve put together 4 travel toiletry checklists for you to choose from based on which Gravel toiletry bag you’ve got. And if you’re using a different brand of toiletry bag, no worries. Just pick the checklist that best matches your bag size or the length of your trip, and you’re good to go!
Explorer MINI — Overnighters Or Ultralight Travel
Click here for the printable checklist!
Daily Essentials
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Toothbrush (compact or regular size with a travel cover)
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Toothpaste (mini tube or toothpaste tablets)
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Floss (flat pack or pick-style)
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Deodorant (stick or travel mini)
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Shampoo (solid bar or Gravel travel bottle)
Skin Care
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Moisturizer (face + body combo)
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Lip balm (SPF)
Wellness
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Medications/vitamins (pre-packed in a small pill organizer)
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Contacts case
Extras
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Hairbands + bobby pins (stash in a small pouch)
Explorer SLIM — A Weekend Trip With Room For A Few Extras
Click here for the printable checklist!
Daily Essentials
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Toothbrush (compact or regular size with a travel cover)
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Toothpaste (mini tube or toothpaste tablets)
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Floss (flat pack or pick-style)
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Deodorant (stick or travel mini)
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Shampoo (solid bar or Gravel travel bottle)
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Body wash (solid bar or silicone travel bottle)
Skin Care
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Moisturizer (face + body combo)
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Lip balm (SPF)
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Sunscreen (stick or silicone travel bottle)
Wellness
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Medications/vitamins (pre-packed in a small pill organizer)
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Contacts case (with mini solution bottle)
Extras
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Hairbands + bobby pins (stash in a small pouch)
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Hand razor (travel guard recommended)
Explorer PLUS — 3-5 Day Trip Without Going Overboard
Click here for the printable checklist!
Daily Essentials
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Toothbrush (compact or regular size with a travel cover)
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Toothpaste (mini tube or toothpaste tablets)
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Floss (flat pack or pick-style)
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Deodorant (stick or travel mini)
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Shampoo (solid bar or Gravel travel bottle)
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Body wash (solid bar or silicone travel bottle)
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Conditioner (solid bar or silicone travel bottle)
Skin Care
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Moisturizer (face + body combo)
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Lip balm (SPF)
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Sunscreen (stick or silicone travel bottle)
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Face wash or cleansing wipes
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Night cream (or heavier moisturizer for evening)
Wellness
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Medications/vitamins (pre-packed in a small pill organizer)
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Contacts case (with mini solution bottle)
Extras
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Hairbands + bobby pins (stash in a small pouch)
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Electric razor (fully charged)
Explorer MAX — Full Routines, Longer Trips, Anytime You Want It ALL
Click here for the printable checklist!
Daily Essentials
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Toothbrush (there’s enough room for electric, or stick with a compact or regular size with travel cover)
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Toothpaste (regular size tube)
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Floss (flat pack or pick-style)
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Deodorant (stick or travel mini)
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Shampoo (solid bar or Gravel travel bottle)
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Body wash (solid bar or silicone travel bottle)
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Conditioner (solid bar or silicone travel bottle)
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Brush or comb (full size or compact)
Skin Care
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Moisturizer (face + body combo)
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Lip balm (SPF)
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Sunscreen (stick or silicone travel bottle)
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Face wash or cleansing wipes
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Night cream (or heavier moisturizer for evening)
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Vaseline or all-purpose balm (multi-use: lips, cuticles, dry patches)
Wellness
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Medications/vitamins (pre-packed in a small pill organizer)
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Contacts case (with mini solution bottle)
Extras
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Hairbands + bobby pins (stash in a small pouch)
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Electric razor (and charger)
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Makeup + brushes (travel set or multi-use sticks)
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Perfume/cologne (solid fragrance or travel atomizer)
Pro Tip: Multipurpose = Less Stress
When deciding how to pack toiletries for carry on, go for products that multitask. A tinted moisturizer with SPF, shampoo bars that double as body wash, or coconut oil which can serve as a makeup remover, lip balm, and even a hair styling cream.
Keeping your toiletry list simple helps you pack toiletries that fit neatly into your bag without weighing you down.
How To Organize Your Carry On Toiletry Bag
Once you’ve narrowed down the travel toiletries you’re bringing, the next step is packing them in a way that’s TSA-friendly and easy to use on the go. The right system keeps leaks contained, saves space, and ensures you can find what you need. Whether you’re mid-flight or getting ready in your hotel.
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Keep Liquids In A Clear Bag. TSA requires all liquids, gels, and aerosols to fit into one quart-sized clear pouch. You can buy ours here! It’s leak proof, easy to seal, and reusable.
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Separate Essentials From Extras. Keep items you’ll need during travel (lip balm, hand sanitizer, face wipes) in an easy-to-grab spot in your toiletry bag. Use the deeper pockets for things you’ll only use when you arrive. (Shampoo, contact solution, razor).
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Use Pockets Wisely. Avoid tossing everything in willy-nilly. Gravel’s toiletry bags for travel are all about the pockets. So you can sort items exactly how you want them and avoid digging through your bag for ten minutes at a time.
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Layer And Protect. Place heavier bottles at the bottom of your toiletry bag and cushion fragile items (such as perfume minis) between softer products. Anything at risk of leaking goes in a leak-proof bag!
When you know how to pack toiletries for carry on in an organized way, your travel days instantly feel smoother and more stress-free.
Pack Toiletries for Travel the Smart Way
At the end of the day, packing doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re a minimalist traveler or someone who loves a full routine, the right toiletry bag for travel makes all the difference.
With a little planning and the right system, you can choose the best travel toiletries, learn how to pack toiletries for carry on without worry, and keep your essentials neat and accessible no matter where you’re headed. The key is knowing how to pack toiletries for travel in a way that works for your trip length and style. Stick to multipurpose products, use TSA-friendly containers, and only pack toiletries you’ll actually use.
With the right setup, your travel toiletries stay organized, your bag stays light, and your journey feels a whole lot smoother.
Happy travels! 🧳🚗💨🛫🌍✨
