Traveling with only a carry-on is a wonderful way to keep things light and stay nimble. It also saves time having to wait in line to check your bag and then muscle through the crowds to secure your luggage from the baggage claim.
It’s a bit of an art (and a science), but there are seasoned pros out there who can even go two weeks with just a simple carry-on. What do you say we map out a battle plan together? By the end of this article, you’ll be convinced that anything is possible!
Check the Rules
Before you start making any preparations, check the website for the airline you’re flying. You need to know what size and weight you’re dealing with. As a rule of thumb, a 22” suitcase should fit the bill for more airlines.
But, sometimes, budget airlines have even tighter rules. In your own travels, you’ve probably noticed that some airlines are more forgiving than others if you go a little bit over in size. But, you don’t want to go through all the trouble to pack perfectly, only to be forced to check your bag in the end.
Review Your Itinerary for the Week
It’s helpful to write down your itinerary for the week. For example, will you be hiking in the mountains of Ireland or strolling through museums in Paris? This will help you map out the clothes you need, as well as your footwear and any other pertinent accessories.
Remember Your Personal Item
While the focus here is challenging yourself to get everything into your carry-on for a week, don’t forget you’re also allowed a personal item – generally speaking. That means one 22” suitcase and one backpack or messenger bag that you can put beneath the seat in front of you.
This allows you to get strategic about what you’ll place in your carry-on and stow in the overhead compartment vs. what you’ll have access to throughout the flight in your personal item.
This personal items packing list will help you divide and conquer. For example, you might want to keep your electronics and toiletries in your personal item so you can enjoy some entertainment during the flight and freshen up at the end.
Wear Your Bulkiest Items In-Flight
It might be tempting to wear your sandals at the airport to make going through security easier. But your better bet is to wear your bulkiest pair of shoes and just deal with the minute or two it takes to lace them up and down while you’re being pushed through the security line.
The same goes for your bulkiest sweater or hoodie. Wear that through the airport; you can always tie it around your waist if you get too hot in the hustle and bustle of it all. But this will save space in your carry-on and also work double duty as a cozy in-flight blanket.
Consider a Capsule Wardrobe
Have you ever looked into a capsule wardrobe for everyday living? It’s a fantastic way to streamline your closet and practice minimalism. Even if you don’t live that way regularly, you can for a week.
The basic rule is 3 + 3 + 3. That is three tops, three pants, and three pairs of shoes. (If you can squeeze a little black dress in there, as well, you can really have it all.)
Make sure everything is of a neutral or complementing tone. Each of the three items needs to be interchangeable with one another, resulting in nine outfits out of six articles of clothing.
Pack Detergent Sheets
If you can’t imagine wearing the same shirt twice, that’s totally understandable. One way around that is to pack a few detergent sheets in with your clothes so you can do a little hand washing at night.
This will quickly bring new life back to the same shirt. The one caveat here, of course, is that it has to be a material that doesn’t wrinkle easily and can hang dry overnight.
If you’ve played the game right and have an extra little bit of space in your carry-on, you may be able to fit in a travel steamer to balance the act of rolling your clothes and hand washing them at night.
Be Strict About Your Accessories
There’s a secret trick to making capsule wardrobes work: accessories. A thin, silk scarf or a simple statement necklace can dress up any neutral-toned outfit. Add in a colorful pair of chandelier earrings and a bangle or two, and you’re ready to take on the world.
Use Packing Cubes
Packing cubes seem counterintuitive. Wouldn’t they take up more space when you’re trying to conserve it? And how did people survive without them through the centuries? None of that matters – they work.
If you roll your neutral-toned wardrobe into your packing cubes, you’re saving space upon space and being increasingly organized. It makes unpacking at your next destination twice as easy and you never have to fumble around, wondering where anything is.
Make Items Work Double Duty
The art of rolling your clothes can be a tricky thing to learn. Don’t worry; there are plenty of YouTube videos out there to walk you through the process.
But, you do want to teach yourself because, then, the items in your suitcase can work double duty. For example, after you’ve rolled one of your three pairs of pants, you can tuck them in your shoes.
Skimp On the Toiletries
Yes, we all have our favorite haircare and beauty products. But, just for a week, could you manage to wash your body and face with the same bar of soap? It’s something to think about.
Also, pre-packaged toiletry sets from our favorite beauty supply stores don’t often offer the best bang for your buck. You’re better off buying empty travel bottles from your local drugstore and filling them with your at-home products or picking up sample sizes wherever you can.
Second Guess the Appliances
It seems like the beauty world is innovating as fast as the tech space. Have you ever tried satin heatless curlers? You simply roll your hair in them at night and then wake up in the morning with beautiful beachy waves. This could save on the space it would take to pack a curling iron.
Or, you can learn the technique of using your flat iron to create beachy waves. If you’ve checked and confirmed that your accommodation doesn’t have a blow dryer and you absolutely need to bring one, then it’s worth your while to invest in a travel-size dryer.
Strategy Is Key
In the end, it’s all about strategy. Map out your week, see what’s required, and try to make everything work double-duty. Some of these tips are a matter of preference, as well. Perhaps you won’t need a travel steamer or blow dryer. Or, maybe you can’t live without them.
Either way, where there’s a will, there’s a way. And traveling with only a carry-on keeps you light on your feet and a little less stressed. Wherever you’re headed next, we’re right there with you to help you plan the perfect week. Check out our destination guides to craft the itinerary of your dreams.