How to Pack in a Carry On: 5 Tips to Traveling Light
Jet Setting with Jen contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our Privacy Policy for more information.
If there is one thing I have learned over my many years of travel, it’s how to pack in a carry on. Honestly, for the longest time, I always packed with a huge suitcase, bring way more than I needed, and then I fell victim to a lost bag in Portugal. All it took was for one bag to be 48 hours delayed for me to rethink my entire packing strategy. I have watched many YouTube videos and have done thorough research on how to pack light, and in this guide, we will go through it in great deal. And guess what? It is so much easier than you realize.
Introduction: How to Pack in a Carry On
In this guide, I will be sharing my personal packing strategies on how to pack in a carry on regardless of how long you are travelling for. Whether you are a chronic over packer or just need some new tips on packing, I got you! I will walk you through step-by-step on how I went from packing in the biggest suitcase I owed, to condense everything to one carry on suitcase and either a weekender or my backpack. Ready to learn how to pack like a pro? Let’s dive in!
Carry On Suitcase: The Essentials
The first rule of thumb when packing in just a carry on, is making sure you have the perfect suitcase. For me, I always fly Delta or Delta partners, so I went to their site to see what size will fit in the overhead and bought a suitcase of that size. Usually, the standard is 20-22 inches but always check the airlines you fly most often. I also opted for a hardcase and a suitcase with 4 wheels that move 360 degrees for ease of navigation. You do not need to purchase a high-end suitcase. You just need to purchase the largest size that will fit in the overhead, and one that expands so you can expand it if needed.
Pro Tip: If the overhead states 22 inches, there is still room in the bin for an expanded suitcase (in most cases). But don’t tell the airlines I told you that.
Packing Strategies: Maximizing Space and Efficiency
1. Compression Packing Cubes
The one thing I want to call attention to on the packing cubes, is that they have to be compression packing cubes. The compression style packing cubes are life changing, and here’s why. Not only should you roll your clothes in the compression packing cubes, but you also have an added zipper to then compress your packing cube even smaller, allowing you to pack more items (needed items, not “extra” items). You can organize the cubes my daywear, night ware, undergarments, etc., helping to not only keep you organized, but to ensure you pack only what you need. These cubes help keep you organized, condense your packing, and ensures that everything will fit nicely into your carry-on suitcase.
Looking for the best compression cubes? Check these compression packing cubes out!
2. Rule of 3
Now, this rule may be hard for some, but please don’t pack for an Instagram photoshoot. Stick to the basics, neutral colors, and items that you can re-purpose. I like to use the rule of 3 and bring items in duplicates of 3. For example, depending on how long I am gone, I will bring three pairs of shorts, six tops, three pairs of shoes, including the pair I wear on the plane, and 3 pants/jeans, depending on the season, and three dresses.
Another great tip is that I “repurpose” my dress if it’s casual. I will wear it once night for dinner, and the next day I turn it into my daywear, and I do that for several dresses where appropriate. I always wear my heaviest items on the plane, like a light jacket, my sneakers, and a scarf that will double as a shoulder cover for places I go into that requires your shoulders to be covered. It also works well if there is a temperature change, and you need to wrap it around you for a little warmth. Repurposing items and sticking to the rule of 3 has really helped me to lighten my load, both literally and mentally.
3. Wear Your Bulky Items
We touched on this tip above, but tip #3 is to always wear your bulkiest items on the plane. IF you need to bring boots or a heavy jacket, bring them and wear them. You can always have the flight attendant hang your coat or lay it on top of the suitcase in the overhead. Wearing you heavy items saves tons of space in your suitcase. When I am laying out my clothes for my trip, I am now in the habit of ensuring my heavier items that are needed are brought on the plane, so I don’t have to worry about packing them.
4. Streamline Your Toiletries Like a Pro
This one took me a little time to perfect, but bringing travel-size toiletries, is imperative. These items, for me, are always keep these packed and just refill the containers when I start packing to ensure everything is full. I have travel-sizes of everything I need from skincare to body wash to lotion to toothpaste, that are always kept packed and ready to go. I keep everything in clear bags, and I’ve actually never been asked to take them out of my suitcase.
5. Don’t Underestimate Your Personal Item
Now, your personal items selection is what will make or break you. When I travel in the United States, Caribbean, and Central America, I bring my backpack. Everywhere else, I bring a weekender. Both of these items fit tons of things and is why I’ve been able to make packing in a carry on so successful. I am able to put shoes in the bottom compartment of my weekender, snacks, chargers, my iPad, my laptop, water bottle, my crossbody purse, so many things that I don’t necessarily need on the plane but allows me to be able to pack successfully. Both the backpack and the weekender give me so much more flexibility and are a huge part of why my packing strategy works so well.
Conclusion: How to Pack in a Carry On
I can honestly say that being able to pack with just a carry on has been life changing. One of the best feelings in the world is knowing that you no longer have to wait at baggage claim for 30 mins hoping my bag arrives. I never have to worry about the airlines damaging another suitcase, and I know that everything I need will always be with me 24/7. Yes, it’s taken some time and a good strategy to get there, but trust me, with these tips you too can successfully pack in just a carry on as well. I hope these how to pack in a carry-on packing tips, have given you some insight on how to pack efficiently to ensure you too never have to check again bag ever again!
Check out my Amazon Storefront all of my travel must-have’s.