Author: Maria Alfano
Just one is all you need when you know how to effectively pack a carry on bag. Flying anywhere costs a small fortune. With airlines charging for baggage these days, why incur the additional expense if you don’t need to. Not only does a well-packed carry-on bag save you money, but it also saves you a ton of time waiting to collect your luggage. If you’re anything like me, my bag is always one of the last to come down the shute.
How many times have you traveled somewhere and packed so many things that you didn’t end up using? You’re in good company. Most people overpack…just in case they may need this outfit, that pair of shoes, or that piece of jewelry. Be honest! Does this ring a bell with you?
No matter where you go, you will need to take a piece of home with you. Of course, it is easier to pack for a warm-weather vacation than it is a winter one but it is not impossible to travel light for anywhere you end up. All it takes is a little planning ahead and you will enjoy a fun-filled, stress-free vacation.
How To Pack A Carry On Bag To Fit More
Probably the worst part of any vacation for me is packing, unpacking, packing again, and unpacking again. So many times, I just could not have been bothered because it is too much effort to figure out what to take with me so I shove everything (sometimes it feels like even the kitchen sink) into a suitcase at the last possible minute before leaving for the airport. When I get to my destination, I could not have been bothered to unpack. I yank things out of my bag as I need them. This was so stressful, I knew there had to be a better way. The more I traveled for business, the better I learned to pack a carry-on so that I did not have to waste time at the airport and I could make my meetings on time. This carried forward to my personal travel as well.
In this post, I will provide you with an essential packing list, share professional tips and tricks for packing the perfect carry-on bag, and provide some of the best options for carry-on luggage.
Packing List
Obviously (duh) the items you take with you will vary dramatically depending on where you go. One thing that everyone forgets is that you can actually take two things with you on the plane. For the ladies, you can have a handbag. When I travel, my handbag is quite large so I can fit more stuff in it. For the gents, you can carry a briefcase or computer bag along with your carry-on bag. Technically, if you are open to the idea, you can have a fanny pack as your third carry-on bag.
Warm Weather Packing Checklist
1 hat – to protect you from the sun
2 pairs of shoes – one for the beach and one for going out
3 bottoms – pants (including shorts) for the men and pants (including shorts) or skirts for the women
4 pairs of socks – might seem odd for a warm-weather vacation but you would be surprised. You can also use them as slippers in your hotel
5 personal care items – shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste/toothbrush, shaver, moisturizer, sunscreen, and mascara/lipstick
6 shirts to mix and match for the week
7 pairs of underwear
Get your free printable travel packing list here.
Cold Weather Packing Checklist
1 pair of shoes or boots – assuming that you will be wearing either or on the plane
2 warm sweaters or hoodies
3 pairs of pants
4 pairs of socks – quick dry socks are the best to travel with so you can wash at night and wear them the next day
5 personal care items – shampoo/conditioner (travel size only), toothpaste/toothbrush, shaver, moisturizer, lip balm, and mascara/lipstick
6 shirts (or t-shirts) – to be worn underneath the sweater or hoodie
7 pairs of underwear – you can take fewer pairs if you have quick dry travel underwear
Get your free printable travel packing list here.
packing the Perfect Carry-On Bag
Now that the “what” has been taken care of let’s look at the how-to pack a carry-on bag. Have you tried laying everything flat in your suitcase only to find that the middle looks like a pregnant turtle and the sides, top, and bottom are pretty much empty? Yup, happens every time. To fit more into the carry-on, everything needs to be folded or rolled with a purpose. Try to make each item the same width when folding and rolling. Keep them between 6-8 inches wide and roll as tightly as you can or fold as flatly as you can. Stack everything in so that they fit snugly into the bag. Be sure to use the built-in straps to hold everything tightly in place.
Stuff small items like socks and underwear into your shoes. Fit your personal care products in between the clothes where there are little pockets of open space. Any liquids that you carry must be travel size in order to be taken onto the plane, but you should also put them in a leak-proof plastic zip baggie to avoid messy spills.
If you insist on taking more jewelry with you than you can wear, then lay them flat on plastic wrap, and add a second sheet on top. Gently fold the film in half and slide it between your clothes to keep it safe.
A special shout out to Kenneth Thomspon and Army Gringo for their Youtube videos on folding clothes
Best Carry-On Options
Most airlines will limit the size of your inflight bag to between 19and 22 inches. They may also limit the weight of your bag. That is totally at the airline’s discretion. The last thing you want is a suitcase to be so heavy that you can’t take what you need with you. The best and favorite carry-on bags of travelers are below.
Hard Case
This Samsonite bag is lightweight. Because it’s a hard case suitcase, it will better protect your personal items. The square corners give you just that much more room and make it easier to pack. The interior is soft and won’t damage your clothes. The swivel wheels make this case super easy to move through the airport. Get it directly from Samsonite.
Dimensions – 22″ x 16″ x 8″ and weighs only 4.9 lbs
Soft Shell Suitcase
Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside is the favorite of more than 2500 people on Amazon. This case is expandable, tip-resistant, and comes with a lifetime warranty. The swivel wheels on this case make it comfortable to wheel through the airport with just one finger (if you choose)
Dimensions – 20″ x 14″ x 9″ and weighs 8.2 lbs.
Duffle Bag
The Olympia 8 Pocket Rolling Duffel Bag is one of the best-selling carryons on Amazon. It comes in a multitude of colors. The handle and wheels are an added advantage that saves you from lugging the heavy bag on your shoulder. Because this is a duffle bag, you should be extra careful about putting breakable items in it. The extra pockets are convenient for packing additional personal items. Since the wheels do not swivel, you will be dragging the bag around instead of moving it with a simple tough as with the above 2 bags.
Dimensions – 22″ x 12″ x 12″ and weighs 5.1 lbs.
In Summary
Knowing how to properly pack a carry-on bag will save you so much time, stress, and effort. You will enjoy your vacation more if you plan ahead and know exactly what you are taking with you. Heck, if you forget something and you absolutely cannot live without it, you can always buy it where you are going.
We would love to hear from you. Would you be able to go on a week’s vacation with only a carry-on bag? Have you done this before? Do you feel like you missed out by not having so many unnecessary personal items with you?