Packing light is a game-changer for travel. I opt for carry-on only about 95% of the time. It simplifies the airport experience and frees you from the burden of bulky luggage, giving you more flexibility and ease throughout your journey. Read the pros and cons of carry on packing here.
- Less Expensive: Checked bags cost money, save yourself some money by packing carry on only
- No weight limit: In the USA there is no set weight limit on carry on luggage. If you check a bag there is a weight limit and you will get charged extra fees if your bag is overweight
- No wait at baggage claim: Grab your bag out of the overhead bin and go. This saves valuable time at your destination, since you won’t be forced to wait at baggage claim for your luggage
- Forces you to only pack the essentials: Do you overpack and bring a bunch of things that you never wind up using? Carry on only forces you to par down the items you bring, so you only bring the essential
- No lost luggage: Lost luggage can really ruin your trip, forcing you to buy all your essentials at your destination, if you bag can’t be found and sent to you in a timely fashion. There was one trip I made to Europe in the middle of winter and my bag was lost. I wound up having to wash laundry in the hotel room sink, and froze because my coat was in my lost baggage.
Carry on only packing tips
- Plan your outfits: Bring comfortable clothes that you will actually wear. Travel is not the time to pack all those new fashion items. Pack for how you actually dress.
- Consider each day and what you will be doing. Are you going to be sightseeing in the city? Pack comfortable shoes for walking and dress in layers for the weather. Will you be hiking? Pack leggings and a t-shirt.
- Always pack a swimsuit. I learned this as a child traveler. ALWAYS pack a swimsuit, even if you think you won’t need it.
- High Quality fabrics like Merino wool, can be re-worn without wrinkling or getting smelly. Merino wool is a non itchy wool fabric that resists oders, and wrinkling. It wicks moisture, and helps regulate temperatures, making you warmer in the cold or cooler in the heat.
- Most pants (especially jeans) can be reworn at least once without having to be washed
- Roll your clothes: rolling clothes instead of folding them can add more room to your luggage by allowing you to fit in more clothing.
- Use compression packing cubes for organization and a bit more room in your bag: Compression packing cubes are handy for compressing down your clothes and allowing you to pack more. They are also really handy for clothing organization in your bag. Pack all your shirts into one cube, so you will always know where all your shirts are same with pants and etc.
- Buy liquids at your destination: Save precious room in your toiletries bag by buying larger liquids at your destination. I will buy sunscreen at my destination instead of packing sunscreen.
- Pack the Solid version of toiletries to save on precious liquid restrictions. There are so many solid versions of toiletries out there, you can make room for other non-negotiable liquids. I like solid items like this stick sunscreen or this stack of makeup. Instead of liquid foundation I will bring my favorite stick foundation here . They also have solid versions of shampoo and conditioner that actually work!
- Do laundry at your destination: Rent a home with a washer and dryer, or do a load of sink laundry. Solid detergent sheets are lightweight and take up no room in your luggage, but allow you to do laundry at your destination.
- Pack versatile clothes: Consider packing within a color family so that all of your tops match all of your bottoms. Packing neutral colors is another good way to do this. Neutral colors can be things like, whites, grays, blacks, creams/beige or even navy colors.
- Limit your shoes to 2 – 3 maximum. Wear your heaviest/bulkiest shoes to the airport and save space in your luggage by bringing only one other pair of shoes. This will save much needed room in your luggage. I always pack a comfy pair of tennis shoes, and usually a pair of comfortable flats. The only exception I make to this is bringing a light pair of flip flops if I’m going somewhere warm.
- Consider a travel capsule wardrobe: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method. Keep on reading for how to utilize this packing method. This is how I pack for 2 weeks in a carry on only.
10. Overpacking is LAZY packing: I heard this once and now I can’t forget it. Plan out each day and what outfit you will need for the itinerary for that day. A little planning will save you precious room in your bag, and limit carrying around clothing your never going to wear.
Read my article here on how to utlitze 5,4,3,2,1 packing.
- Beck
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