You don’t necessarily have to pack lightly — although that’s advisable — to maximize the space in your carry-on. You just have to pack smartly.
With a little bit of foresight and preparation, you can have everything at the ready with a neatly packed carry-on that delivers the goods, no matter where you’re traveling next.
1. Make a List
Strategy is everything, especially when it comes to travel planning and packing. Start by listing the outfits you’d like to wear each day, including your shoes and accessories.
Then, you can get a feel for what is essential, what can be mixed and matched appropriately, and what can be sacrificed if you run out of room.
2. Keep It Organized
Most backpacks and suitcases come with various compartments. But, even if your carry-on is just a tote bag with one large, open space, you still want to keep it organized.
There’s nothing worse than fishing through a large bag for something that’s fallen to the bottom. You can find plenty of bag organizers online that can be placed in a large tote, creating secret compartments and zippered spaces.
3. Invest In a Hardshell Suitcase
Hardshell cases are invaluable when it comes to protecting our valuables. We can hope the flight crew will take good care of our luggage, but that isn’t always a guarantee. If you’re able to invest in a quality hardshell case from reliable brands like Samsonite or Tumi, it could last you a lifetime.
4. Use Small Pouches
In line with your organization techniques, also consider using small pouches. One might be for hand sanitizer, lotion, and tissues.
Another might be for stationery items. Another might be for headphones, chargers, and other electronics. This will help you know which one to choose without an ounce of struggle.
5. Make Sure the Wheels Turn In Every Direction
Nowadays, it’s fairly standard for suitcases to have wheels that turn in every direction. This increases its maneuverability, allowing you to twist and turn in an array of directions, instead of being stuck only pulling it in one forward direction.
6. Invest In Packing Cubes
Let’s take this one step further. Packing cubes make it very easy to find things when you’re on the other side. Because of how they help us stay organized, they actually create more space within our luggage, instead of eating it up.
7. Roll Your Clothes
There’s definitely a technique to this. But, rolling your clothes is not a myth. It can save a ton of space in your carry-on suitcase, leaving room for a few extra trinkets to make their way back home with you.
8. Separate Electronics from Toiletries
If you’ve ever had a bottle of lotion expand and leak on a flight, you probably found it quite difficult to clean up the mess in your bag.
These organizational tactics won’t just help you find things quickly, they may also save your laptop, trackpad, or headphones from a fate worse than death.
9. Make Sure You Have All Your Medication
Using whatever system works for you, make sure you have all your medication at the ready. Whether you separate it out into a weekly container or bring the entire bottle with you, it’s important to know where your medication is at all times.
10. Buy an AirTag
Stick an Airtag in your carry-on. Even though it’ll be with you at all times, you never know what might happen.
And what if you’re forced to check your bag for some reason? And AirTag is a small and easy-to-use device that packs a whole lot of comfort and stress relief.
11. Choose a Design That Works for You
With so many options, take some time to figure out which type of carry-on you’d like to lug through the airport. A backpack leaves you hands-free and often provides the most convenience.
A rolling suitcase back may work, as well, but you won’t be able to easily access things inside once you’re on board the plane. If you do opt for a rolling case, make sure the wheels turn in all four directions.
Crossbodies also have some nice features and help you keep one hand on your bag at all times. They’re also fairly easy to open and get to what you need, especially if you’ve stayed organized.
Large tote bags often provide ample space. You just want to be sure that lugging a hefty tote bag on one shoulder is really the way to go.
12. Separate Your Carry-On From Your Purse
You can typically bring a carry-on and one personal item on the plane. Whether that’s a purse, waist bag, or small crossbody, it’s helpful to make a distinction between the two.
For example, your carry-on may contain your clothes for a few days, toiletry items, and shoes. Meanwhile, your personal items should contain your wallet, important documents, cellphone, charger, and tablet or laptop.
To maintain your safety at all times, read these safety tips for female solo travelers. They apply to everyone and can be the difference between life and death
13. Load Up On Entertainment
In your carry-on or purse, you may want to have a few forms of entertainment at the ready. All the streaming apps, including Netflix and the premium version of YouTube, allow you to download videos offline.
Queue up an entire season of a new show and download those YouTube tutorials you’ve been meaning to watch. With your earbuds in place, this could make the entire journey fly by in a breeze.
14. Check the Dimensions
Nothing could be worse than an airline attendant forcing you to check your bag because you exceeded the allowable limits.
Review the guidelines on the airline’s website and then measure your bag to make sure it meets the requirements.
15. Pack Lightly
Sure, it’s nice to have all our creature comforts with us — whether we’re at home or abroad. But, we really make things difficult for ourselves when we overload our bags.
Instead, use your discretion to pack lightly. Leave one of those pairs of shoes behind and trust that you’ll be able to get by with fewer clothes than you think you need.
16. Plan Outfits You Can Mix and Match
If you pack complementary, neutral clothing, you can stretch your wardrobe out by a few days.
Be prepared to mix and match your pants with various sweaters and scarves instead of allocating one specific outfit for each day of the trip.
17. Wear Your Bulkiest Clothes
To maximize the space in your carry-on, wear your bulkiest clothes to the airport, such as your chunky sweater or leather jacket.
You can always take it off and sling it over your carry-on if you get overheated in the hustle and bustle of the airport. But, you’ll be glad you have the option of something more substantial, without eating up too much space in your suitcase.
18. Prepare to Layer
You can also economize your packing strategy if you prepare to layer your clothes. That simple t-shirt you wear throughout the day can pair nicely with a sweater at night.
A light vest, jacket, or blazer can also help you mix and match, change your style, and layer effectively to conserve space and leave room for whatever you pick up along the way.
19. Go Easy on the Shoes
In reality, we only need two pairs of shoes for a weeklong getaway. Like your bulkiest clothes, wear your bulkiest shoes to the airport. Then, in your carry-on, you can neatly tuck in a pair of flats and, if you have some evening plans, one pair of dress shoes.
20. Purchase a Shoe Bag
It’s also nice to protect your clothing and toiletries by securing your shoes in a shoe bag. When you consider all the dirt and debris we walk through on a daily basis, you wouldn’t want any of that to transfer off your shoes and onto your clean clothes.
21. Fold Up a Small Market Bag
A bag within a bag? Yes, this could come in mighty handy, especially if you’re traveling in a country that charges for grocery bags, something we take for granted in America.
Instead, you can be eco-friendly as you pick up a fresh pack of strawberries and a bottle of champagne from the local market.
22. Make Room for a Reusable Water Bottle
Although the name of the game here is maximizing the space in your carry-on, do make room for a reusable water bottle. This will come in handy all throughout your travels, and even save you some money as you avoid the cost of a pricey bottle of water from the local market or grocery store.
23. See What the Airbnb or Hotel Offers
You may be able to skip the shampoo and conditioner altogether if you’re fairly certain your accommodation supplies these items.
Even still, by leaving these at home, you can always pick up a small bottle at a local pharmacy once you land.
24. Secure Your Liquids
If certain toiletries are non-negotiable for you, then be sure you at least separate them from other items in your carry-on. Secure them in a Ziplock bag with the assumption that they may explode due to the in-flight cabin pressure.
25. Have Easy Access to Socks and Underwear
After a long day of travel, it’s astonishing what a fresh pair of socks and undies can do. You might roll up a pair of each into a small pouch in your purse and maintain easy access to them upon touchdown.
26. Bring a Laundry Bag
Similar to how we want to protect our shoes from our clean clothes, we also want to keep our dirty laundry separate. You can invest in a laundry bag from Amazon or you can just bring a pillowcase and let that serve as your laundry bag.
27. Pack Detergent Sheets
Another way to get away with a minimal wardrobe is to pack detergent sheets in your carry-on. In the hotel bathroom, you can hand wash essential items like your favorite long-sleeved shirt or layering tee and re-wear it again another time.
28. Remain Vigilant
Never let your carry-on leave your sight. Don’t even take a quick stroll over to the garbage can or newspaper stand without it.
Pickpockets and thieves are all over airports and you also don’t want anyone putting anything strange in your bag.
Enjoy Your Travels
When packed efficiently, a simple carry-on can get you through even a two-week vacation. There’s no need to skimp too much on your favorite creature comforts; you just have to use your discretion and lean on all the handy tools at your disposal these days like packing cubes and AirTags.
Wherever you’re headed next, we have a destination guide to help you maximize your time abroad. We wish you safe and happy travels as you get on out there and explore this great, big, glorious world.