How To Travel With Only A Carry On

Now that travel is back in full swing, everyone is eager to book their next adventure. But as travel has increased, airline fees for checked bags have too. I remember a time when I never had to pay for a checked bag, but now that appears to be the standard for many airlines. Additionally, international airport staffing shortages have turned lost luggage into a genuine fear for today’s travelers. The solution to saving some money and avoiding lost bags is to travel with only a carry-on, but how feasible is it? 

From packing cubes and tips for organizing clothes to helpful hints on toiletries, I’ve compiled a list of the best tips that helped me go from a chronic over-packer to someone who prefers to travel with only a carry-on. I hope that you'll find these tips helpful and implement them on your next trip!

Wear Bulkier Items

Wearing your heavier items while traveling can save precious space in your carry-on. Unless you are flying to a tropical locale, most of the time you’ll need a jacket, coat, or sweater to keep you warm. Wearing your jacket or coat is one of the easiest ways to save space in your suitcase, but layering up can also help. 

Bulky sweaters can take up space, so try to wear one under your coat. The plus side is that planes can get very cold, especially on long-haul flights, so you’ll have something to keep you warm. And if you don’t want to use your coat as a blanket, you should be able to easily stuff it into the overhead storage bin above your suitcase.

Use Packing Cubes

Pack for 5-7 Days Max

Packing for up to a week maximum, even if you will be gone for longer, will help provide space for additional items you want to bring. It can be easy to keep adding clothes for “what-if” scenarios (I’m guilty of this), but the key to traveling with only a carry-on bag is to pack only what you need. Choosing clothing pieces that are easily interchangeable and can be worn in various outfits is important and will help you keep the number of clothes you bring down.

Plan Outfits in Advance

Give yourself ample time before your trip to get your outfits together. Keeping a neutral or similar color scheme and packing tops and bottoms that can easily match multiple other pieces will give you a ton of variety in your outfits and cut down on the number of clothes you’ll need to bring. Packing lightweight accessories like scarfs can help spruce up an otherwise plain outfit.

Keep your destination in mind and whether the climate calls for additional layers. Two or three thin shirts that can be layered or worn alone will maximize your options more than one bulky sweater. And no, you don’t really need to pack five bikinis for a four-day trip!

Roll, Don’t Fold

The rolling technique has saved me so much space and kept my clothes as wrinkle-free as possible on my travels. This is especially helpful if you use packing cubes; I can fit so much more in my packing cubes when my clothes are rolled instead of folded. Some bulky items don't roll well, such as thick sweaters or jackets, but for most clothes, rolling instead of folding seems to do the trick and saves on space.

I always used to think rolling clothes was ridiculous until I tried it. I’ve never looked back and always roll my clothes (right into my packing cubes)! Don’t be afraid to try this and see just how efficient it can be.

In my medium size packing cube, I managed to fit six pairs of pants (leggings and slacks), four shirts, and one sports bra using the rolling method. When I attempted the folding method with the same items, I needed to remove two pairs of pants and the sports bra in order to zip the cube. The cube zipped fairly easily regardless of the packing method I used, but I did like that I could fit more clothes when rolling!

Make Use of a Personal Item

Many airlines allow a smaller personal item in addition to your carry-on luggage, such as a purse or backpack, as long as that item can fit beneath the seat in front of you. This has saved me from needing to check a bag on many trips! I typically travel with a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, which allows me to pack additional items I might need (like more purses, accessories, and hair styling tools).

Remember to always check with your airline prior to packing to determine what you can and cannot bring.

Washing Your Clothes

To make more use of the clothes you did bring, I recommend washing them as needed throughout your trip. This is especially helpful if you plan to bring just a carry-on suitcase for an extended trip! If staying at a hotel, you can use their laundry services, although that usually comes at an extra cost. I am more of a budget traveler, so if I stay in a hotel, I bring dissolvable detergent sheets to wash my clothes in the sink (these Breezeo detergent sheets are my favorite). Some Airbnbs come equipped with a washer and dryer, and I’ve found that several hosts include a few loads worth of detergent to help you get by!

Utilize Empty Spaces

Making the most of every inch of space is key when traveling with only a carry-on bag. Once your suitcase is mostly packed, you can assess to see if there are any small gaps between items that you could use to pack small or lightweight items. This ensures you are utilizing every available space to pack as efficiently as possible.

While you are packing your carry-on, remember that shoes are a perfect place to stuff smaller items! I recommend packing your socks and underwear in a small bag and then placing that bag in your shoes. Shoes also make a good place to put a small jewelry organizer or a portable charger and charging cords/cables. 

On my recent trip to Nashville, I used the space in my new cowboy boots to store a pair of slippers for the hotel room and my mini emergency kit!

Cut Down on Shoes

While planning your outfits, make sure to determine how many shoes you will really need for your trip. This can change depending on the weather you’ll be expecting at your destination, but a good rule of thumb is to pack two pairs and wear the third pair. Wearing your heaviest shoes is your best bet. I typically wear my sneakers while traveling, but for hiking trips, my hiking boots are far heavier, and I will wear those on the plane and pack a lighter pair of sneakers in my luggage instead.

Be Smart with Toiletries

Bringing only the essential toiletries will save you a ton of space and weight in your bag. Many times, your accommodation will provide the basics. I’ve found that to be the case with hotel chains like Marriott and IHG, as well as plenty of AirBnbs that I have stayed in. Always check before you go, but if your accommodation offers any toiletries, there is no need to waste precious luggage space bringing your own. 

This is a great time to use samples you receive from other purchases. I usually shop at Sephora and Ulta; with each purchase, I end up getting free samples of shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, and makeup. I hoard these in a bag and have plenty to choose from when I need to pack light and bring things that are one-time use and don’t take up much space (check out what's left in my collection below).

Depending on your destination, you may be able to purchase what you need for your trip there. But for those travelers who insist on bringing their own products, be mindful and pack only what you’ll need for your stay. If you can, replace any liquid products with a solid alternative (i.e., bar soap or solid shampoo/conditioner bars).

Here are a few of my favorite travel-size toiletries that I always bring in my carry-on!

A mini Wet Brush

Detangling Spray

Make Up For Ever Powder Foundation

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar

Research Airline Size Limits

Before packing that carry-on luggage, make sure to verify with your airline any size or weight restrictions on carry-on bags. Most domestic airlines allow carry-ons with maximum dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches with no weight restrictions.

However, international airlines are trickier. Many have strict size and weight restrictions, so ensuring your luggage is within those limits will help prevent any surprises at the airport. These limits also can vary airline to airline; if you will be traveling with more than one airline during your trip, be sure to check the restrictions on all airlines you will be flying with. Your plan to travel with your carry-on can quickly be derailed if your bag needs to be gate-checked due to size or weight. If this happens, be sure to have a personal item where you can store your important items (like money, IDs, medications, etc.). 

When I first traveled to Italy on Alitalia (now taken over by ITA Airlines), the weight limit for a carry-on was 8 kg (or about 17 lbs). I made the mistake of not researching the limits in advance and repacked at the airport to move some heavier items into my friend’s suitcase. Not the best way to start our trip!

Travel With Carry On Only Summary

While bringing only a carry-on can be intimidating, you won’t want to go back to checking a bag once you try it. The convenience and cost savings of bringing just a carry-on is worth it. Just think of all the time you will save by not waiting at the baggage carousel with hundreds of other passengers! The less is more philosophy definitely applies here, and I promise you won’t even miss all those extra unnecessary items once you’ve arrived at your destination, ready to explore. 

Now that you know the best tips and tricks for packing with only a carry-on, it’s time to ensure you have the best travel bag and backpack for your trip!