10 Essential Carry-On Only Packing Tips for Easy Travel
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This post shares packing tips for travellers who only want to use carry-on luggage for summer holidays.
Getting ready for a summer adventure and only want to bring a carry-on with you?
Traveling with just a carry-on is a game changer, I promise!
I know packing can be a bit tricky, especially if it’s your first time and you’re worried about fitting everything into one bag without it exploding. Don’t worry, though; I’ve got you!
Imagine travelling with no baggage fees, no waiting around at baggage claim, and no dragging a heavy suitcase everywhere.
Whether you’re off to a sunny beach or discovering a new city, I’ve got 10 super easy tips to help you pack like a pro.
Let’s dive in and make your packing smooth and fun! Get ready to master the carry-on life!
The Benefits of Traveling with a Carry-On Only
I promise that travelling with just a carry-on bag makes everything so much easier!
You don’t need to worry about lost luggage and airport transfers? So much smoother.
With just a carry-on, you become more organized and will definitely avoid overpacking, taking the stress away from your trip.
1. Choosing the Right Carry-On Luggage That Works for You
When choosing the right carry-on, suitcases, both hard-shelled and soft-sided, and backpacks have pros and cons.
All that matters is what fits you, what you’re comfortable with, and, of course, what fits the airline’s measurements.
I personally love suitcases over backpacks. I love the wheels, and I find them a lot easier to navigate. You just pull them along and rest your personal item on top.
Hardshells are more durable and will protect any valuable or fragile items you might be travelling with. Soft-sided suitcases are more flexible and can easily expand or be compact, making them easier to fit into airline sizers at the gate.
The flexible cloth makes carry-on backpacks just as flexible. Plus, when you’re traveling, they’re a breeze on public transport when you finally get to your destination!
Whatever you decide, make sure it has a compartment or pocket for valuables, like a passport, that will keep them hidden and safe!
2. The Personal Item is an Essential
Travelling with only carry-on luggage means one personal item is essential to the packing process!
I keep my passport, phone, earbuds, and anything else I want easily accessible on the plane.
Picking the perfect personal item for your trip depends on your needs. Since this should be the only bag you’ll have for everything!
A small backpack might be ideal for exploring a new city. Heading to an all-inclusive resort? Consider using a tote bag or belt bag.
The best advice I can give is to look for anti-theft bags, which can also be really cute and stylish!
3. Choosing What Clothes to Bring to Avoid Overpacking
When you’re planning what to pack, think lightweight and versatile.
To save space, pack multipurpose pieces, like a lightweight jacket that doubles as a raincoat or a maxi skirt that you can turn into a dress.
Adopt a capsule wardrobe and use the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method; these are game-changers when you only want to pack a carry-on for international vacations!
With a capsule wardrobe, everything you pack just clicks together! Mix and match all your tops, bottoms, and shoes. Use your accessories to switch up the vibe for endless possibilities.
The 5-4-3-2-1 packing method involves only packing 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dresses/skirts, and 1 set of accessories.
Feel free to tweak it to fit your personal style and where you’re headed. However, sticking to the countdown can help keep you organized and prevent overpacking.
Embrace this approach, and you’ll make your trip much smoother and more enjoyable!
Travel Hack: To keep clothes fresh while travelling light, bring a packet of laundry detergent and a portable clothesline. Hang clothes in the bathroom after showering to reduce wrinkles; the steam will help!
4. The Best Packing Tips for Your Carry-On Only Adventure
I always roll my clothes because it helps minimize wrinkles and maximizes the space in my carry-on luggage.
If you’re travelling with more structured items, like a blazer, folding them might work better. Then, place the item on top before closing your luggage.
My other tip is to use packing cubes! They make it much easier to find what you need and keep your suitcase tidy. Plus, they help compress your clothes, which saves valuable space.
Lastly, wear the bulkier pieces—usually sweaters—on the plane. This way, you’ll be comfy and save room for other items in your carry-on luggage while travelling.
Packing Hack: To keep your accessories neat and tangle-free, use a straw for each necklace. And for your earrings and rings, pill organizers are a total game-changer—they fit perfectly!
5. Picking the Right Shoes
When packing footwear, go for versatile options! Like comfy walking shoes and lightweight sandals—just two pairs will do the trick!
If you need another pair, three should be your absolute maximum!
If you pick the right ones, they’ll go with all your outfits and dress them up or down, however you choose.
To maximize space, wear the bulkiest ones on the plane.
Remember: those shoes go at the bottom of your suitcase, and plastic shower caps keep them away from your clothes. To save even more room, stuff your socks inside them!
6. Travel-Size Toiletries – Packing Only the Neccessities
As you start packing your liquids, remember that you have specific allowances!
To work around them, try solid alternatives like shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, and solid perfumes, which last longer than spray perfumes!
If you can’t find solid options, you can always decant your faves into travel-friendly containers.
You may also want to limit your skin care routine to the basics. I love finding mini sizes of my skincare products, including sunscreen, at Sephora!
Reminder: Each container must be 100 ml (3.4 oz) or smaller and fit into a clear bag no bigger than 1 L (1 qt).
7. Must-Have Tech & Travel Accessories
Remember the essentials! Pack your smartphone, a universal adapter, a portable charger, charging cables, and noise-canceling earbuds.
These can then all be packed into a travel organizer so everything is in one place in your carry-on.
If you’re bringing other gadgets, limit yourself to three. Less is more, right?
The extra gadgets that I usually pack are:
- Tablet – A more travel-friendly alternative to a laptop. I can still send emails when needed and write in a digital travel journal, watch Netflix, and read books, too!
- E-Reader – If I don’t pack my tablet, I’ll bring an e-reader, especially if I’m lying poolside all day. The battery lasts ages!
- Camera – Sometimes, it captures the moment better than a phone. It’s also compact, taking up little room in my carry-on.
8. Going Digital as Much as Possible
Try to go digital as much as possible when travelling with only your carry-on luggage.
Keep digital copies of important documents, such as reservations, tickets, travel insurance, and even your passport (in case it goes missing).
Download travel apps:
- The airline that you’ll be using.
- A translation app.
- Your destination’s transit app, if they have one.
- Google Maps, which you can use offline if you download the directions
- The City Mapper app shares free walking tours of your destination.
If you need to carry physical copies, keep them in a waterproof pouch for easy access and security.
9. Shopping Smart While Traveling With Only a Carry-On
Buying souvenirs is one of my favourite parts of travelling! You’re bringing home memories!
The best practice is to try (and I know it’s hard) and buy lightweight items; the flatter, the better! Think jewelry, ornaments, t-shirts, magnets, and art prints.
Traveling with just carry-on luggage really forces you to think before you buy. With limited space, you want to focus on what souvenirs matter, and it also keeps impulse buys in check.
Travel Hack: Pack a foldable backpack that meets the personal item requirements! If you buy more souvenirs, you can still get away with your carry-on luggage and avoid checked bag fees!
10. Double-check Your List Before You Go
Double-check your packing list to ensure you have all the essentials. Then, have a glance at the airline’s carry-on rules so you can breeze through the airport without a hitch!
The essentials for every spring and summer packing list:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing that you can mix and match.
- Travel-size toiletries with solid alternatives.
- Comfortable walking shoes that look cute with any outfit.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen because being protected from the sun is so important!
- Travel adapters and power banks.
- Reusable, packable water bottle.
- Mini first-aid kit – because you never know.
Travel Reminder: Most places you travel to will have shops to purchase items you may have forgotten. So don’t stress! Think of it as a fun little side quest on your main adventure! You also get to see more of the city.
Travel Light, Travel Happy!
And there you have it, your ticket to a stress-free, carry-on-only adventure!
With these essential packing hacks, you’ll have everything you need without the extra weight dragging you down. Wave goodbye to oversized luggage or those long waits at baggage claim.
Just smooth travels, easy airport navigation, and more time to enjoy your trip!
So pack smart, stay light, and get ready to make some incredible summer memories. Happy travels!
