HOW TO PACK WITH JUST A CARRY-ON SUITCASE

When it comes to packing for a trip or vacation, you definitely are. Experienced travelers will tell you that the number one mistake most beginners make is bringing too much luggage. Of course, we want to make sure we're ready for any weather or situation, but that doesn't mean packing our entire lives into one suitcase. Extra clothes mean more weight to carry, more items to keep track of, more time spent packing and unpacking, more worry about lost luggage, and more wasted time (arriving earlier much for checking luggage at the airport) at the baggage carousel). while waiting for your bag to appear).

Packing light and traveling by carry-on is becoming more and more attractive to many travelers. There are very few things more freeing than flying with just your carry-on over your head and your personal belongings at your disposal. For one thing, you don't have to deal with the hassle of baggage claim, and who wants to spend their day standing next to that "not-so-funny" conveyor belt after getting off the plane? Not to mention, every single bag you check these days is going to cost you an arm and a leg.

When we say 'carry on', we mean only the items you can bring with you on the plane. This means you won't need to worry about checked luggage. Baggage allowance will vary depending on the carrier you're travelling with and the fare you have chosen. However, it typically includes one personal item (e.g. a handbag or laptop bag) and one carry-on.

Different airlines have different rules about how big your carry-on bag can be, but a good rule of thumb is 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches. It's best to check with your airline before you fly, but there's no better feeling than not having to worry about the hassle of going to the baggage claim after a long flight.

What to Expect When Traveling With Only a Carry On

• It's gonna be a bit tighter when it comes to toiletry packing. You'll have to be a little more careful about what you put in your kit since it all has to fit into the "3-1-1" rule. Keep it all small, repack it, and try to mix and match when you can.
• You might have to wait a bit longer to get through security. Going carry on only means you'll have more stuff on you since you won't have to check things in another bag. Keep your stuff in one place so there won't be as much chaos at security.
• You'll probably need more room for your carry-on luggage over the top of the plane. Instead of having a smaller bag that can fit under the seat, you'll probably have to jump on the plane early so you can get some extra space.
• Anticipate a shorter wait. After a lengthy flight, you'll spend less time at the baggage carousel and in lines that are primarily for checking bags.
• Expect to be less concerned. Be less concerned about whether or not your luggage will arrive at your destination!
• Expect less stress. The physical stress of carrying too much luggage is real, but so is the mental stress. You have more mental bandwidth when you have less to manage.
• Luggage will be less expensive. Check fewer bags and pay less money.

Let's take a look at some tips for packing light and only bringing carry-on luggage on your next trip!

Believe it is possible

Get away from the idea that it's impossible to travel lightly or because of your particular circumstances. It's been done by people all the time. Indeed, the people of all walks of life can easily pack for a trip. All age, all gender, every length of journey, any family size. Well, if they're capable of doing it, so are you.

Adopting a minimalist packaging approach requires careful planning, thinking about your daily needs and choosing items that meet those requirements without going overboard. But a thoughtful effort at the beginning of the trip will help save physical and mental effort (stress) throughout the trip.

Stay within the weight limit

While many airlines currently only weigh checked luggage, some do weigh carry-on luggage as well. The weight limit for carry-on bags varies by airline, but it is typically around 7-22kg or 15-20 lbs. If your bag is overweight, you'll have to repack or check it, which defeats the purpose of traveling with only carry-on. Even if your bag is not weighed, you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin.

Choose the Right Carry-on

Besides size, other important things to think about when buying a carry-on are weight, durability, and how easy it is to use. Let's start with weight first. Not only do you have to lug it around the airport, and lift it up and down in and out of the overhead storage bins, but a lot of airlines have weight limits on carry-on bags. We'll talk more about that later, but the heavier the luggage is, the less you can add. Basically, you'll have a better chance of stuffing your bag to the brim without going over these limits if it's not already weighing a ton when it's empty.

If you're packing all your stuff in one carry-on, it's important to make sure it's durable, so go for a top-notch bag. Hard-case carry-on bags are perfect for keeping your stuff safe and easy to move around the airport - as long as you make sure it's got good wheels. Soft bags, like duffles, usually take up more space but you can easily squeeze them into your overhead bin, even if they're filling up. Ultimately, it's just a case of personal preference - just make sure the bag you're traveling with is built to the right size and doesn't go over the airline's size limit.

Pack only what you need

Think about where you're going, what time of year it'll be, and what kind of weather you can expect. If you're going to a tropical place, you'll probably want to leave your winter coat and socks there. But if it's gonna be hot and muggy, you might want to ditch those jeans. Not only will they be uncomfortable in the heat, but they'll also take up a lot of space on your carry-on. This might sound obvious, but it's worth repeating. You won't be able to pack everything you want when you're travelling with just a carry-on. You'll have to be more careful and only bring the essentials. And don't forget that you can usually buy whatever you need when you get there.

Pack 4-7 days worth of clothing

When trying to travel with just carry-on luggage, one of the best ways to do it is to pack enough clothes for the number of days you'll be away. If you're just going on a short trip, this means you can pack light and leave with just a few days' worth of clothes. Even if you're traveling for more than a few days, you can still travel with just carry-on luggage, doing your laundry while you're away. Decide what type of clothing you will need for your trip and plan to bring 4-7 days of clothing. Cutting everything down to just enough for a week is difficult - but this is when you'll have to force yourself to leave behind most of the "just in case" items you might want to pack if you had more space.

Use every inch of space

After you've packed all of your clothes and toiletries, check your bag to see if there's any extra space you can make use of. Filling empty shoes with small items like socks or underwear is one example. Alternatively, roll up a scarf or sweater and place it between two pieces of clothing.

Plan outfits in advance

Avoid the common mistake of tossing items into your suitcase at random. Plan your outfits for the day based on your activities. Consider opportunities to mix and match and repurpose (especially outerwear), as I'll discuss later. Many people will tell you to pack a variety of neutral colors that you can mix and match, but I don't always follow that rule. I consider where I'm going and what outfits will work best, but I also pack items that I know I'll enjoy wearing. Remember, you can wear things multiple times - no one will know except you!

Have you ever heard of a capsule closet? It's the idea that you can get by with fewer pieces of clothing if they're versatile and complement one another. A white T-shirt, for example, can be worn with jeans one day, under a blazer the next, and with high-waisted slacks the next. It also helps if items can be worn in a variety of ways. When I pack for a trip, I make sure that every piece of clothing can be worn with multiple outfits. Pack solids, white and black tees, plain bottoms, and a neutral jacket for this trip.

If your travel jeans are too tight, or if you have an overnight flight and want to be extra comfortable, pack a pair of joggers and a clean shirt in your backpack. When I know I need to sleep on the plane, changing into "travel PJs" helps me get in the mood, and there's nothing like a fresh pair of clothes after a long day of traveling.

Make sure everything in your carry-on suitcase is security proof

I like to pack my carry-on suitcase so it can get through security, which means I can throw it in my belt without worry. The key here is to keep electronics, snacks, and liquids OUT of your carry-on bag. Check thoroughly before going to the airport and make sure you're not carrying anything that could slow you down. And since your carry-on will be stored in the overhead bin, your backpack should be where you pack everything you need to grab during the flight, like headphones, earplugs, and fountain music.

Rely on Layers

Not to rehash the obvious, but it's advisable to minimize the amount of large, bulky items you bring on a carry-on flight. Of course, if you're going somewhere colder, this is easier said than done. You will have to pack carefully for your carry-on because you will only be bringing a small amount of clothing. Bringing clothing that is layered is the key to packing light. In addition to saving up space in your bag compared to, say, one enormous coat, wearing multiple layers will keep you warm in a range of temperatures and provide you with more outfit options.

Keep Toiletries to a Minimum

Before you start packing your toiletry bag, keep in mind the strict restrictions on liquids in carry-on luggage. All liquids and non-solid foods must have a volume of 100 ml/100 grams (3.4 oz) or less and must be in a 1 liter/1 liter clear bag. You will need to remove this bag for security checks, so make sure it is easy to access

Most hotels and vacation rentals include free basic amenities like body wash and shampoo. Furthermore, travel-sized toiletries are always available for purchase once you arrive at your destination, ensuring that you have just the right amount of product to last the duration of your visit (without any taking up space in your carry-on, whether you're coming or going).

Do Your Laundry at the Destination

People are always wondering how you can travel all week with just a small carry-on bag. But the truth is, there are washing machines all over the world! If you're traveling for seven days or more, you should pack no more than a week's worth of clothes in your bag. But what if you're staying for more than that? Even if there's no washer or dryer in your hotel or hostel, you can hand wash your lightly worn clothes in a bath or sink and leave them to dry overnight - as long as you buy some washing powder when you get there. That way, when it's time to go to bed, you won't have to worry about your underwear being dirty - you'll just give them a quick soak and they'll be ready to wear in the morning.

Roll your clothes instead of folding them

Folding your clothes is the traditional way to pack, but it's not always the most space-efficient. You can roll your clothes instead. It will help you to fit more in your bag and prevent wrinkling. And it's not just the shirts and pants you can wear, but any type of dress, skirt, jacket or even shorts. I find it useful to arrange clothing together when packing my kids' carryon. Put this shirt on the top of your trousers or shorts, add a pair of briefs and then roll it all over in one piece. Then I roll the remaining shirts and underwear separately.

Use Compression Bags

Even if you're super careful about packing only the essentials, you might still find that your carry-on bag is a bit cramped. Don't worry though, compression bags are here to help! We suggest rolling up your clothes for a more compact look, but nothing takes away the volume of your wardrobe quite like a compression bag. Compression bags come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from bright fabric packing cubes to giant, hard-wearing plastic space bags. Compression bags let you squeeze more stuff into every inch of your bag. Basically, you put your clothes inside a plastic compression bag and blow all the air out, making the bag flat and compact. This can save you up to 80% on space and let you fit more stuff into your bag.

Generally, cube packaging is a good way to organize your luggage and many have zipper designs which make them feel as though they're compressing. Still, packing cubes don't hold a candle to heavy duty plastic compression bags (i.e., the kind that rely on a vacuum cleaner to suck out every last pocket of air) when it comes to condensing clothing and maximizing space.

Wear Your Bulkiest Items

The easiest way to free up space in your carry-on bag and keep weight within limits is to bring large, heavy items that you want to carry on your person. In other words, bring your favorite sweater and flip-flops, as well as your jacket and hiking shoes. Yes, loafers are much more convenient when going through security, but the added hassle is a small price to pay considering the extra storage space you get. As for the jacket, the airplane cabin is probably cold enough to warrant it, but you can always take it off when you get on the plane, if needed.

Take advantage of the airline's personal item allowance

Most airlines are allowing you to take a small personal item, as well as an overhead bag, on board. The item should fit in well beneath the seat you're sitting next to, and be very spacious so it can store your items of clothing, electronics or passport.

A personal item that you can use as a day pack during your trip is the best choice. It's ideal to carry a small backpack, messenger bag or laptop. Don't forget that this isn't an excuse for packing up another cumbersome carryon, 'cause you'll be carrying it with you wherever you go.

Ladies, don't waste your personal item on a small purse that only holds a few things. Instead, you might want to pack something small and large like a bag or handbag. You'll always be able to put your wallet in it.

Be Selective with Footwear

You want a pair of heels for a night out on the town, office heels for a work conference, hotel slippers, beach sandals and sneakers for sightseeing. We understand. However, shoes are bulky, so if you want to pack smart, you'll need to make them smaller. Leave the bulk of your shoe collection at home and try to take no more than three pairs with you at all overseas bases: two pairs in your carry-on luggage and one pair, the bulkiest, on your feet. For example: Wear your most comfortable sneakers, then sandals and a pair of heels that can be dressed up or down.

Pack solids instead of liquids

However, if you're only bringing carry-on luggage, you won't be able to bring any liquids on the plane that are bigger than 3.4 oz (100ml). This is acceptable for shorter trips; travel-sized shampoo bottles will be more than sufficient. However, what would happen if your trip was longer? Consider getting yourself some solid shampoo/conditioner and switching back to solid bar soap rather than attempting to fit 12 tiny bottles of body wash and shampoo into your carry-on bag. These items are not only more space-efficient and environmentally friendly, but they will also last longer. (Also, you won't have to stress over the shampoo blowing up in your suitcase!)

Lots of airports don't actually say "one single bag" and will let you go through security with 2 or 3 clear plastic bags. But if you're in a strict airport or have a hard time getting through security, it's not worth the hassle of throwing out a whole bag of stuff. Stick to one bag and save yourself some stress.

Skip the souvenirs

You won't have room to bring back a bunch of souvenirs, but you'll love not having to spend time shopping while traveling. Remember, traveling is about experiences, not about bringing back material possessions. If you need to prove to yourself or others that you went on a trip, photos or small mementos like postcards can be just as meaningful, if not more, than mementos big.

Some airports allow duty free as an extra item on-board

Some airports around the world permit duty-free purchases as a possible third bag that you can bring on board in an effort to promote more duty-free sales. In order to utilize this, you'll need to purchase something duty-free, request a large bag, and then fill it with any extra items you may have. Be aware that this isn't always the case; some airports and airlines forbid it, and they occasionally won't give you a large bag unless you make a large purchase. Additionally, airlines have the right to inspect your bag to make sure you aren't being dishonest.

Take a mini first aid kit

When you're on the road, it is always advisable to carry a simple First Aid kit that includes bandages, antibacterial wipes and pain relief at minimum in addition to your prescriptions. You can add Imodium or antinausea medicine if you go on any hikes, and if you visit anywhere with different food hygiene to what you are used to, you can add antibacterial cream and gauze.

Reconsider what gadgets you need

Think about the essentials for a quick trip. Will you genuinely use a laptop or tablet for any length of time? Is your heavy DSLR camera really necessary, or can your phone suffice? To keep yourself organized while traveling, make sure you have all the chargers and charging cables you need for your electronics in addition to portable power banks and international travel adapters.