How to Pack in a Carry On – No Matter the Trip Length
Learning how to pack in a carry on is a valuable skill for any traveler. It will not only save you money on the steep luggage fees most airlines now have, but you’ll also save time at the airport. By knowing the key strategies to packing everything you need and nothing more, chances are you’ll never go back to dragging a full sized suitcase around again! You’ll be a convert to packing light!
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Strategies for Packing Just a Carry On
Packing light can be a challenge for many people, but with a few packing hacks you can set yourself up for success. It all starts at the very beginning, with the luggage you select.
1. Choose the Right Luggage
Knowing how to pack in a carry on starts with finding the right carry on luggage. This means understanding the baggage allowance on the airlines you are taking and planning accordingly. If you’re only allowed one item, you’ll also need to make sure you can stash your purse and/or computer into your carry on bag.
As an avid traveler of all kinds, here are my favorite carry on luggage options for different kinds of trips:
- Carry On Suitcase: Best for business trips
- 46L Osprey Porter Backpack: Ideal for adventures around the world
- Stylish Duffle Bag: Perfect for low cost airlines with low luggage limits which require carry on bags to fit under the seat in front of you
I have literally taken my 46L Osprey Porter Backpack around the world for over a year, up to Everest Basecamp, hiking through Patagonia, and beyond.
It’s my favorite travel accessory – and it’s still in amazing shape 10+ years later! (Even after testing the zipper to the limits…)
2. Roll Your Clothes
To make your clothes as compact as possible, roll them rather than fold them. It not only makes them smaller, but it also makes them wrinkle less. It’s also easier to grab one and go versus having to unstack or unroll every item leaving your bag neater over time.
3. Use Packing Cubes
Make the most of the space in your carry on luggage by using packing cubes. They’re simple to use. Just tightly roll your clothes, line them up in the packing cubes, and then zip the packing cubes up to keep them compressed. It keeps your clothes and luggage compact and organized. You can even use the smaller sizes to organize your cords and other little items, like luggage locks, headlamps, adaptors, etc.
I know packing cubes seem like one of those magic fix alls that don’t make a lot of sense in how they save room or keep you organized.
However, imagine being able to neatly unzip your bag and see 3 individual pouches sitting inside, where you can easily pull out what you need from one of the cubes and rezip it without your luggage looking like a bomb went off inside. It’s pure magic – especially if you’re moving hotels a lot. Try it.
4. Wear Your Bulkiest Items
Nothing will fill up your carry on quite like trying to shove a bunch of sweaters, boots, and coats into it. Plan to wear your clothes and accessories that take up the most space and carry on your coat. You can use it as a blanket on the freezing plane or as a pillow for an in-flight nap.
5. Separate In-flight Necessities
If your carry on luggage fits under the seat in front of you, you don’t need to worry about this. Otherwise, you’ll want to separate out your in-flight necessities, like headphones or snacks. This makes boarding the plane a seamless process as you can remove them ahead of time and then pop your carry on bag into the overhead bin without holding up the boarding process.
6. Optimize Your Limited Packing Space
With limited room in your luggage, you won’t want to waste any space. Pay attention to where you might be able to find extra space, like inside your shoes, a hard sunglass case, or even a structured purse. Then fill them with clothing that easily molds into other shapes, like socks or a sarong.
7. Pack Heavy Items at the Bottom
If you are planning to use a carry on roller bag, this is particularly important. You’ll want to pack the most weight closer to the bottom to keep the bag from toppling over when you release the handle. It’s also great practice to ensure you aren’t smashing anything fragile in your carry on luggage.
Roller bags can be the perfect carry on luggage – particularly if you don’t want to be constantly carrying the weight of your bag on your shoulders!
Check the current price of this beautiful carry on roller suitcase.
8. Keep Your Bag Smelling Fresh
No matter where you’re going or for how long, you’ll want to make sure your carry on bag keeps your clothes smelling fresh. The easiest way to do this is to shove a dryer sheet or two into the inside of the bag. It weighs nothing but adds a hint of fresh laundry to everything in the bag. This is particularly helpful if you are traveling for a long time.
9. Consider Doing Laundry on the Road
If you’re only taking a short trip, determining how to pack in a carry on is easy. For longer trips, you’ll need to plan on doing laundry on the road. This means you just need to pack enough clothes for 1 to 2 weeks, and then do a load of laundry and you’re off to the races again. To make laundry super easy and convenient, pack a few laundry detergent strips. They’re lightweight, take up no space, and make having laundry detergent on the road simple.
These are super lightweight and come in handy in a pinch!
10. Maximize Your Personal Item
If you’re flying on an airline where you’re allowed a personal item and a carry on bag, life just got easier. Leverage the space in your personal item for your in-flight necessities as well as any medication, jewelry, electronics, etc. to keep them close-by. With any remaining space, you can add the other items that don’t easily fit in your carry on luggage or that you might find helpful in-flight, like a sweatshirt, coat, or sarong to be used as a blanket.
11. Weigh Your Carry On Bag
Before heading to the airport, weigh your bag with a portable luggage scale. Many airlines, especially low cost airlines, have been cracking down on the weight of carry on luggage. And, it can be very expensive to go over their limits.
Check out this complete beach packing list.
Focus on Packing the Right Items
With limited space for all of your travel necessities, you’ll need to pack the right items to meet your trip’s needs, and nothing more. To pinpoint what those items are, here are some tips.
1. Make a Packing List
To kick off the packing process, make a packing list or start from one online and customize it to your own needs. This will not only help you identify what you should pack, but it will also ensure you don’t forget anything critical, like your phone charger or toothbrush.
2. Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Rather than packing an outfit (or two) per day, pack an assortment of clothing that you can mix and match. This makes it easy to adapt to any changes in travel plans or weather, and you’ll have a variety of outfits to choose from. The key to this is selecting versatile colors and patterns, including plenty of neutrals. My favorite of course is black as it doesn’t show dirt and matches everything.
3. Dress in Layers
One bulky sweater can quickly ruin your plans to pack light. Instead, perfect your layering technique to get warmth from many thinner layers of clothing. This allows you maximum flexibility to adjust your wardrobe based on the change in temperature. Not to mention, you’ll have lots of outfit options all in the same carry on that would fit just a couple of bulky items.
4. Pack Clothes You Love
If you don’t love your clothes at home, you probably won’t love them on the road either. Packing light means focusing on the clothes you’re comfortable in and know you can go all day happily in. You’ll also likely be taking some pictures that will live on forever, so pack only the clothes you love to maximize your carry on space.
5. Manage Your Liquids
Liquids can be hard to travel with due to air travel limitations. Verify the TSA limits and then carry travel sized toiletries or use refillable TSA approved bottles to make sure you have no problems with your carry on. Current liquid limitations allow one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry on bag and through security. Each individual container can be no more than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. If you need more liquids, consider purchasing a necessity or two at your destination.
One of the most frustrating parts of carry on luggage is having to coral your liquids and keep them in tiny bottles.
Stop letting travel size toiletries frustrate you. Use refillable TSA approved bottles. They’re inexpensive and reusable. Your life will be that much easier.
6. Pack a Lightweight Tote Bag
Generally you don’t want to pack “just in case” items, but some items, like a lightweight tote bag or backpack, have a lot of uses. Need a beach bag? No problem. Want a laundry bag? You’ve got that covered too. Not to mention day trips just got easier. Best of all? This lightweight add on will take up very little room.
7. Leave Behind the Towel
Nothing makes me cringe more than packing a full-size, fluffy towel for a trip. First of all, most places will have towels available, but let’s say you’re camping, hitting the pool or beach, or hostel-hopping… that’s still no excuse. Pack a sarong or a quick dry travel/camping towel. They take up a lot less space and a sarong can double as a blanket, scarf, swimsuit coverup, and more!
8. Lay Everything Out First
Before putting your items into the packing cubes, lay out everything you plan to take with you. Then cut out all of the duplicates, excess, and unnecessary “what if” and “just in case” items. What if we decide to go to a nice dinner? What if it rains all day? Remember: Most destinations do offer clothing, toiletries, and other necessities if you find yourself unprepared.
Check out this complete hiking packing list.
Benefits to Packing in Just a Carry On
Learning how to pack in a carry on will not only make your life simpler, but it comes with a number of other benefits. In fact, once you get the hang of packing light, you will likely never want to go back to checking luggage ever again!
- You will avoid the high baggage fees that airlines charge.
- There’s minimal risk of theft and lost luggage, although that is covered by Travel Insurance.
- Your travel plans can stay agile up until the moment you’re on your flight.
- Nothing will go missing from your bag when its out of your sight.
- You will save time packing, getting dressed daily, and waiting on your luggage at the airport.
- Fragile items will make it to their end destination in one piece.
- You can keep your carry on bag with you on most forms of transportation for convenience and safety sake.
Speaking of safety… don’t miss Traveling Safely Made Simple: 35 Critical Safety Tips for Travelers.
More Packing Tips for Your Adventures
Knowing how to pack in a carry on is important for any traveler. These packing hacks will help you travel light and enjoy your trip without the extra baggage (literally). Continue perfecting your packing skills with these related posts.
- How to Do Laundry While Traveling: 4 Practical Options
- 10 Top Essential Travel Items for Light Packers
- Master Long Term Travel Packing List for Your Next Big Adventure
- The Essential Beach Packing List: What to Pack for a Beach Vacation
- What to Pack for a Day Hike: The Essential Hiking Packing List
- The Complete Packing List for the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek
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What great tips! I’m saving this for when travel can resume. I feel like I’ll need a refresher after being grounded for so long! haha
Totally understandable! With the COVID-19 travel break, it’s definitely like relearning all over again!
All I need is a carry-on. I love using packing cubes. I always leave out my towel , it’s too bulky and most times the hotel will have towels.
Excellent! I feel like packing cubes are the one thing that most changed how I pack, and I want to sing it from the mountaintops for the people who haven’t yet discovered their glory! 🙂
Great tips! Everything is so much easier when you pack lightly and bring everything in a carry on. It’s totally worth bringing fewer clothes and washing them at the destination.
It’s such a good idea to wear bulky items (for me that it my hiking boots.)
100% agree! Being hindered by lots of luggage just makes travel life so much harder!
I tend to pack as light as possible while travelling, which means packing a backpack. I definitely like to roll my clothes but sometimes I use packing cubes too!
I love my backpack – and mine is 46L, so carry on size, but still plenty of space for everything I need for around the world travel! For some trips that even seems like overkill! What size backpack do you usually travel with?
I actually don’t know what size mine is! I just choose the biggest one and hope they don’t make me check it in.
It must be under the limit if it’s working consistently!
The benefits of packing light can’t be overstated. You’ve covered the basics in terms of key tips. Hopefully you’ve convinced readers to cross the divide between checked luggage to carry-on travel. It’s a journey to be taken seriously!!
Packing light really does just alleviate a lot of stress from travel! From the packing to getting dressed every day on your trip to the actual transportation side of things!
These are great tips for packing even if not in a carryon! Personally I don’t prefer to carry on, but maybe I will go back to it one day. 🙂
Very true! I find packing light makes my life so much simpler. Although, it also means I’ll never be the best dressed person in the room 😉
I use all these tips to help me pack light! I travel with the same small case no matter how long I travel for and just do laundry along the way 🙂
It really is helpful! I have a few different bags depending on the type of trip, but I love my carry on size backpack. It has literally gone around the world and to the “top of the world” at Mt. Everest Base Camp with me 🙂
I love all these tips! I found them very useful 🙂 I always try to wear my heaviest clothes, so there is more space to pack other items.
Glad you like them! And it can make such a big difference. Packing in a carry on for a winter destination is way more challenging than a summer destination purely from how bulky the clothes can get!