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19 Carry-on Travel Hacks For Travelling Light

By: Author Vagrants of the World Travel Writer

Posted on Last updated: November 18, 2023

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Carry-on travel is on the rise, and there are some great carry-on travel hacks for travelling light you should consider before your next trip. Avid travellers are avoiding checking bags to minimise the risk of lost baggage, lugging heavy bags from place to place, and reducing their travel impact on the environment.

Jump onboard the hand luggage-only trend with these carry-on travel hacks!

Whether you’re flying domestically or travelling abroad and want to save some money, travelling with carry-on luggage can save big bucks as well as time and stress.

I think we’ve all either experienced, witnessed or heard the stories of lost luggage and how it can really put a damper on your travel plans. Consider purchasing luggage trackers or smart tags. You can find a list of the best ones here .

Travel itineraries are often jam-packed, leaving little to no time to file a baggage claim, purchase new clothing and wait for your baggage to arrive. 

This year, lost luggage, travel delays, and cancellations have skyrocketed and will most likely continue as travel increases and there are worker shortages. The key to avoiding some of this chaos, carry-on travel !

Fortunately, I have many excellent carry-on travel hacks to help you pack lightly and strategically in your carry-on luggage. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or it’s your first time flying, in this post, you will pick up some new travel hacks. 

 But first, let’s cover why carry-on travel is a great option for you and unpack the key benefits .

Table of Contents

Should I travel with a carry-on?

Carry-on travel makes life so much easier on the road when on shorter trips, a lesson I learned in my twenties! 

Most low-cost carriers or domestic/short-haul services, only include carry-on luggage in their basic or lite ticket prices. Checking in a bag will cost you extra on top of your plane seat.

Save yourself $30-$70AUD or possibly more by travelling light . You can fit what you need for your next trip into a carry-on if you know how to pack!

Now that you’ve saved yourself some money let’s take a look at the time-saving of carry-on travel.

Most airlines have online check-in options, so skip the queues at the check-in desk and head straight through to security. You can get to your gate with plenty of time to grab a coffee or snacks or just sit back and unwind.

When arriving at your destination, skip the baggage carousel and the stress of dealing with delayed or lost luggage.

With just a carry-on, you can hop straight into a taxi or public transport and head up the many floor stairs at your AirBnB with ease. We’ve all been there, struggling up narrow stairways with 30kg of luggage; it’s not fun!

Carry on Travel Hacks!

Here are 19 of my top carry-on travel hacks! Skip the hassle of lugging heavy baggage around, and the fear of lost luggage and spend more time enjoying your trip!

• Preparation is key

Firstly, getting organised and planning ahead is essential for packing your carry-on luggage. Lucky for you, by reading this you are halfway there! 

I’m a huge fan of making packing lists ahead of packing. I find it reduces my chances of leaving something behind. 

Carry-on travel, means you have to be more strategic with the items you pack. Take the time to make a note on your phone or on a piece of paper with the essentials you need.

• Take photos of your outfits

Go an extra step further and plan out your daily outfits so you only pack what you will wear. 

Take photos of the outfits and pack them in the order you will be wearing them to avoid ruffling through your suitcase in the early morning. 

• Choose your carry-on luggage wisely

Set yourself up for carry-on travel success by choosing a lightweight bag that maximises your hand luggage allowance. 

When shopping for new carry-on luggage consider the following factors: 

• Manoeuvrability and ease of travel
• Organisation such as pockets
• Distinctiveness such as colour or personalisation

The Samsonite Ascella Carry-On Spinner Travel Bag is my go-to when travelling with hand luggage only. Weighing in at 2.95kg, this suitcase has plenty of room with zip compartments and an extendable section. It is also extremely high quality, has 4 wheels for ease of travelling and comes in a range of colours to suit your preferences. 

• The Carry-On features Dual Spinner Wheels for effortless maneuverability and a smooth glide while a large pull handle provides a comfortable grip. Thoughtful organizational pockets give you the flexibility to pack your way, including a removable Wetpak(TM) pocket designed to hold toiletri

Another carry-on luggage favourite is the Rockland London Hardside Carry-On. This is a great option if you prefer hard-shell luggage and don’t want to invest as much money. Weighing just over 3kg, fully lined zip enclosures, mesh pockets, and 4 wheels for maneuverability. 

• 22X13. 5x9 (with wheels)
• Lightweight yet extremely durable ABS material
• Multi-directional double spinner wheels

4. Check maximum carry-on baggage allowance

The next carry-on travel hack is maximising your baggage allowance. Choose an airline that allows up to 14kg in carry-on baggage , either as part of the airfare or through an additional carry-on allowance that can be purchased. Additional baggage fees purchased online will be lower than the fee applied at the airport.

Check the carry-on baggage weight requirements with your airline as they can differ from airline to airline. Generally, 14kg is the maximum carry-on allowance, sometimes it is only 7kg. 

Additionally, most airlines allow one additional personal item that can fit under the seat in front, such as a backpack or handbag. Use this allowance to pack more essentials. Here is a comprehensive list of travel essentials for women .

If you are flying on several carriers, check all allowances. The last thing you want is to arrive at the airport and be struck with excess baggage fees. 

5. Bring a personal carry-on bag

As I just mentioned, carry-on allowances usually include one additional item that can fit under the seat in front. 

Pack a backpack or large handbag to bring more essentials on the road. I also will carry bulky clothing items such as jackets or hoodies to save space and weight. 

If travelling internationally, you should consider a good anti-theft backpack or sling bag. Here are the best anti-theft backpacks or, for something smaller, the best sling backpacks for your next destination travel.

Usually, my personal carry-on bag contains the following items:

• Headphones 
• Earplugs & Eyemask (If you’re an anxious flyer like me these are very helpful) 
• Water bottle
• Essential medications for longer flights
• Hand sanitiser
• Small toiletry essentials 
• Roll on deodorant 
• Any important printed travel documents
• Change of clothes for longer travels

Weight your bag after you’ve finished packing to ensure you aren’t over the allowance. Target has a great baggage scale that is super affordable. If you are planning on doing some shopping make sure to leave some room! 

6. Roll, don’t fold

If you’ve never rolled your clothes to fit more in your suitcase, you need to start! 

Rolling your clothes squeezes the air out and can also prevent wrinkling.

Roll your jackets, coats, jeans, towels, activewear and shirts. 

Another pro of rolling instead of folding is you can easily see more of your clothes. This is important if you are on the go and keen to stay organised. 

The only items I won’t roll are evening wear such as nice dresses or dressy tops or really bulky jackets that are best placed on top of your suitcase, particularly for added protection if opting for a soft shell suitcase. 

7. Packing cubes to stay organised

Stay organised with packing cubes if you have a hard-shell suitcase with no pockets or want to categorise your items for quick access. They will seriously change the way you travel for good!

Packing cubes will also help you re-assess if you need to pack that extra T-shirt or dress. 

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8. Downsize toiletries, makeup and liquids

Toiletries such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant, dry shampoo and makeup are often the culprits for excess baggage weight or taking up too much room. Avoid taking anything that isn’t essential, such as your collection of serums or hair care products. 

Where possible downsize your shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, body wash, sunscreen and moisturiser into travel-sized containers. Pick up some reusable travel containers from Target, Amazon or your local pharmacy. 

And don’t forget a travel-sized dry shampoo, my favourite is Bastisse by far! If you are only going for a few nights skip the shampoo and conditioner and make do with dry shampoo!

Opt for a roll-on perfume over a full-sized bottle, choose a small roll-on deodorant over an aerosol and avoid value-sized toothpaste. 

Leave your overloaded makeup bag at home and just bring your absolute essentials such as mascara, foundation, concealer, powder, brows, lips, bronzer and brushes.

9. Book a hotel with a good range of amenities

If you have extra budget available and are booking a hotel over a hostel or Airbnb, reduce the need to pack all your essentials by choosing a hotel with premium toiletries. 

Leave the hair tools, shower products and skincare behind and make do with the supplied products. 

Pack any further essential toiletries in travel sizes, ensuring they adhere to airline guidelines on liquid items.

And take any leftover hotel travel products with you for your next trip!

10. Basics are key

Next up on my list of carry-on travel hacks is to travel with a minimalist-style capsule wardrobe .  

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about travel packing it’s basics are key. Select clothing pieces that are versatile and go with lots of different options. The aim is to create many different outfits from just a few pieces. 

Basic colours such as black, white, nude and denim are luckily right up my alley. Avoid bright colours, crazy patterns or pieces that aren’t easy to throw on. 

TIP: Here is a short list of Best Travel Pants for Women!

Consider what pieces you can wear from day to night, to the beach, out for dinner, shopping, sightseeing and road-tripping. Comfort is also key on long travels. And don’t forget to consider sun safety!

Consider what you will be doing on your travels when creating your capsule wardrobe. Below are some questions to ask yourself and points to consider when creating outfits. 

• What is the average temperature of the destination/s I am travelling to? 
• How many nights am I travelling for? 
• Will I be going out to nice dinners, parties or events?  
• Will I be out in the sun or water? 
• What will I be mostly doing during the day?
• Will I have time to work out?
• Am I visiting any countries or attractions where modest dress is required? 
• Is this outfit comfortable for a full day of walking? 
• What will I wear on travel days, to and from the destination?

11. Avoid items that wrinkle 

Avoid items that wrinkle, point blank. Trust me you won’t have the time or energy to be ironing your favourite shirt. 

Whether you’re travelling for work or leisure, save space and leave clothes that wrinkle behind. 

Moving on to more carry-on travel hacks.

12. Don’t forget insurance 

Just because you are carrying light doesn’t mean you’re not still at risk. Yes, you have minimised or eliminated the risk of lost luggage but you are still at risk of sickness, injury, theft, travel cancellations and other unfortunate circumstances. 

It’s simple, if you can’t afford travel insurance , you can’t afford to travel.

Besides your passport, travel insurance is the most important thing to take with you, even if you’re only travelling a short way. I’ve heard way too many horror stories from people who either needed it and didn’t have it or had to use it, and it’s just not worth the risk. And be sure to read your insurance policy carefully so you are aware of what you are and aren’t covered for. 

For example, riding a Vespa is not generally covered under a standard policy. If you fall off, injure yourself, damage the vehicle and need to book the first flight out for medical care, you won’t receive any compensation. 

Why do I know this, cause it, unfortunately, happened to my housemate. She was left with a huge bill that could have been avoided. 

Plus travel insurance does not have to be an expensive bill. It’s usually pretty cheap, especially for quick trips so there’s literally no excuse not to get it!

Safety Wings, Nomad Insurance is a program worth checking out, but you should always speak to your travel agent or do your own research to find the right fit for you. 

13. Consider your gadgets and entertainment 

If you are travelling with tech, take an ultra-slim, lightweight laptop or even better a tablet.

For shorter trips consider what you really need. Are you actually going to spend any time on a laptop or can you make do with your phone? Can you make do with taking photos on your phone instead of bringing your camera?

Planning on reading several books on your trip by the beach? Trade the hardcopies for a lightweight Kindle or tablet. 

The more tech you travel with the more chargers and adapters you will need which will add weight to your luggage fast. 

Speaking of adapters, don’t forget your international travel adapters. If you are on the go for an extended period of time and need to charge your phone, pack a wireless portable charger. 

Earphones are a non-negotiable and a must for my travels, especially if travelling via a plane. Pack your favourite earphones instead of your bulky headphones. 

14. Layer your travel outfit

Wear your bulkiest jacket, your scarf, and bulky sneakers on the plane. If you get warm on the plane, simply un-layer. Doing so will save you from shoving even more items into your hand luggage and going over the weight restriction. 

Even better, if you have a jacket with pockets, use that as storage! Pop additional items that you may need on the first day of your travels in the jacket such as your iPhone charger, wallet and a few toiletry necessities. 

This is great if you are also over the baggage allowance after doing a bit too much shopping on your trip! We’ve all been guilty of that!

15. Utilise empty spaces in your luggage items

When packing, cleverly place smaller valuables inside other items. 

Pop your jewellery or sunglasses inside your shoes or coat pockets. Roll up valuables in your clothes to protect them and make use of luggage pockets for extra storage and organisation. 

16. Consider using a packing app

Free phone apps such as PackKing can create free packing checklists based on the travel destination, duration of stay and planned activities, plus information on nearby laundromats. 

17. After you pack, try to reduce your luggage by another 20 per cent

Once you have finished packing, step back and re-assess whether your packed items are essential or can be left behind. 

After all, you can purchase additional essentials at your destination if you change your mind and plan to visit a local laundromat or do a load of washing in your hotel. You won’t be stuck wearing dirty clothes with unwashed hair. 

18. Wash as you go

Do your research ahead of time to choose accommodation with laundry facilities. Or, check out where the closest laundromat is. 

Luckily, if you’re travelling on a budget, hostels generally have laundry facilities on site. If you’re splurging on a luxury hotel, check out if they have washing services. Even some Airbnb hosts offer washing and folding for you for a small fee. 

If not, as long as you have access to a sink or bathtub, you can wash clothes while you’re travelling if you really have to. Or do what I’ve done in the past and bring your dirty clothes in the shower with you. I prefer to bring a laundry bar of soap to scrub the dirt away and avoid spillage. 

Once you’ve washed your clothes, grab some coat hangers and find spots around the room to hang them dry.

19. Keep calm and carry on! 

Last on the list of my carry-on travel hacks is to act confident and no one will question you!

If you think your hand luggage is slightly over the limit, don’t panic. Oftentimes times airlines won’t weigh carry-on luggage unless it is visibly over-size. When lugging your bag around make it look easy. 

If you make your bag look light as a feather you will likely not have any trouble. If you do run into trouble and can’t place items in your person or in your personal bag, consider whether it’s cheaper to pay the excess baggage charge, or to dispose of some items such as toiletries that you can buy at your destination. 

And remember, if you do forget something, it’s usually not a big deal. You can often make do without it or purchase it at your destination. 

I hope these carry-on travel hacks have helped you plan what to take next time you’re travelling with hand luggage only. 

FAQs: Best Carry On Travel Hacks

How do i maximize my carry-on luggage.

To maximize your carry-on luggage, start by selecting versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. 

Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space and reduce wrinkles. Use packing cubes or compression bags to organize and compact your belongings efficiently. 

I also suggest you invest in travel-sized toiletries or reusable containers to minimize liquid restrictions. 

Wear your bulkiest items, like jackets or heavy shoes, on the plane to free up space in your carry-on. Lastly, be mindful of the airline’s specific carry-on size and weight restrictions to avoid any surprise fees or issues during boarding.

What is the 123456 rule?

The “123456 rule” is a handy principle for efficient packing when travelling. This rule recommends packing one hat, two pairs of shoes (one for walking, one for dressing up), three bottoms (like pants or skirts), four tops (such as shirts or tanks), five pairs of socks, and six pairs of underwear. 

Following this rule can help you ensure you have a variety of outfits for different occasions while still keeping your packing manageable and organized. It’s a practical way to plan your travel wardrobe without overpacking.

What is the rule of 3 when packing?

Here’s the lowdown on the ‘Rule of 3’ for packing . Instead of overloading your suitcase with outfits for every possible scenario, pack with the mindset that every item you bring should work for at least 3 different occasions. 

Think of it as your clothing’s triple duty – it should fit in at dressy events, professional settings, and casual outings. So, when you’re putting together your travel wardrobe, choose pieces that can be mixed and matched to create versatile outfits for various occasions. 

This way, you can pack light and still be prepared for whatever comes your way during your trip.

What can I pack with only a carry-on?

Packing with only a carry-on requires careful selection of versatile and essential items to maximize space while adhering to airline size and weight restrictions. 

Here’s a list of what I pack in my carry-on-only bag. 

1. Tops -Pack 3-4 tops that can mix and match with your bottoms.

2. Bottoms – Include 2-3 bottoms, like pants, skirts, or shorts.

3. Outerwear – One lightweight jacket or cardigan for layering.

4. Underwear and Socks – About a week’s worth.

5. Pajamas – A comfortable set or just a sleep shirt if space is tight.

6. Swimwear – If needed for your destination.

7. Shoes – Three pairs max—comfortable walking shoes, casual shoes, and maybe a pair of dressier shoes if required.

8. Accessories – A versatile scarf, belt, and minimal jewellery.

Toiletries and Personal Items

9. Travel-sized Toiletries – Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, and a small razor.

10. Toothbrush and Floss – A compact toothbrush with a cover and a small roll of dental floss.

11. Medication – Prescription medications and basic first aid supplies.

12. Cosmetics – Essential makeup items in travel-sized containers.

13. Haircare – Minimal hair styling products and tools.

14. Travel Towel – A compact, quick-drying towel.

15. Personal Documents – Passport, ID, travel insurance, and copies of important documents.

Electronics

16. Laptop/Tablet – If necessary for work or entertainment.

17. Chargers – Chargers for your devices.

18. Adapter – If traveling internationally.

Miscellaneous

19. Travel Pillow -An inflatable or compressible travel pillow.

20. Reusable Water Bottle – Stay hydrated on your journey.

21. Entertainment – A book, e-reader, or tablet for entertainment.

21. Snacks – A few snacks for the journey.

Remember to wear your bulkiest clothing items and shoes on the plane to save space in your carry-on. 

Thank you to our Guest Writer, Olivia!

Olivia is an accomplished Australian travel blogger in her 20s on a mission to seize every opportunity, one destination at a time. Defining Decade is here to be your trusty travel sidekick, your go-to for inspiration, and your roadmap for making the most of this pivotal chapter in your life.

14 Travel Hacks For Packing Hand Luggage Only To Avoid The Queue

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Whether you’re looking to swerve the sky-high hold luggage prices, or just can’t face any more queueing than is necessary when airports are in such chaos , there’s never been a better time to go hand-luggage only for your holidays.

While some tickets entitle passengers to store a 10kg cabin bag in the plane’s overhead lockers, the more budget airlines charge extra for this, and insist your free carry-on bag must fit underneath the seat in front of you.

But don’t let this deter you; according to the many travellers of Tiktok , it’s totally possible to fit everything you need for up to a week away in a rucksack, holdall or mini-suitcase.

Alongside key tricks like rolling your clothes rather than folding them, and wearing your bulkiest items for the flight, these hacks will help you fit everything you need in your hand-luggage.

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37 Packing Hacks: The Best Travel Hacks For Packing

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

Packing hacks are the best way to take your travel game to the next level. We have rounded up the top travel packing hacks designed to save you space, time and money – so you can focus your energy on enjoying your trip. Clever and inventive, packing hacks for traveling will enhance your packing skills and overall travel savviness.

37 Best Travel Packing Hacks

I used to be terrible at packing for trips; first I was an over-packer, then an under-packer. Now, as a full-time world traveler, I rely on packing hacks for travel to keep me organized and efficient on travel days. Some hacks for packing have become so ingrained in our travel routine that packing without them is unimaginable.

Our Travel Hacks For Packing

Our list of packing hacks ranges from absolute game changers to creative tricks. Some are tried-and-true traveling hacks for packing, while others are insider tips we gleaned from expert travelers. These packing hacks will work for all travelers – so whether you are seeking backpack hacks or cruise packing hacks, you will surely find a few gems on our list.

We have categorized our list into three sections: Hacks for Packing Clothes, Toiletry Hacks, Carry On Hacks and a few miscellaneous tips, too. This is a mega list of the best packing life hacks – so grab your coffee and settle in.

Get started now with your FREE Packing Checklist !

Clothing Packing Hacks

Because clothing is the main component to packing, we are kicking off our list with hacks for packing clothes.

#1 Packing Cubes Hacks

Of all luggage packing hacks, packing with Packing Cubes ranks most supreme. Providing organization and structure to your suitcase or backpack, Packing Cubes are space-saving superstars. The cubes come in a variety of sizes, styles and materials – all of which need to be considered in order to attain your ultimate packing goal.

Pro Tip : We discuss the different kinds of cubes – and the best packing cube hacks – in detail in our post: Ways Packing Cubes make Travel Easier . 

#2 Cheap Packing Travel Hacks

While Packing Cubes are – hands down – one of the best packing hacks that we use, Packing Cubes are pricey! Personally, we think they are worth every single cent. However, if you are not ready to take the plunge and buy some, rather than packing using Packing Cubes, try Ziplock Bags. This is one of the top travel organization hacks that will save space in your suitcase. 

Gallon-size bags are ideal for organization and compression; however, unlike the quality Packing Cubes we use, Ziplocks have an incredibly short lifespan.

Pro Tip : I used to pack using Ziplocks (before I learned how incredible actual Packing Cubes are!). I would pack one complete outfit in each gallon bag and label it so I could easily find the outfit I was looking for. On the way home from vacation, I used the zip-top bags for my dirty laundry, too!

#3 Clothes-Rolling, Space-Saving Packing Hacks

Rolling clothes – rather than folding them – has long been one of the best suitcase packing hacks for saving space. Travelers can either roll each item individually – or, take it up a notch, and roll an entire outfit (pants, shirt, socks and underwear) together. By rolling a complete outfit, your suitcase becomes a grab-and-go destination when getting ready for the day’s adventure.

Pro Tip : For a tighter roll that stays together, use a ‘military roll’ or hair ties to secure the rolled clothing. If you use hair ties, you will also have backups if you lose or break one on your trip. (Plain rubber bands can be used, too, if you don’t use hair elastics.)

Roll vs Fold Debate

While many travelers rave about the benefits of rolling, it is not one of the packing luggage hacks that we use for our shirts and pants. We find that rolling is time consuming – and although many travelers claim that it can save even more space to pack rolled clothes in Packing Cubes, we have not found that to be true.

That said, the one item of clothing I do roll is my bikini underwear . I start by folding the underwear into thirds – folding each side in to the width of my small Packing Cube. Then, starting at the bottom, I roll up to the waistline. This is actually one of my airport hacks, as much as it is a packing hack, because this way, if my undergarment Packing Cube gets tagged for inspection, the agent rifling through my clothes will be less likely to touch the part of the panties that goes against my skin.

Pro Tip : Another clothes packing hack for underwear is to pack quick drying underwear that will be easy to wash in the sink and dry fast – if need be. A brand that fellow travelers love is Ex-Officio , but I prefer inexpensive and functional Fruit of the Loom . We talk more about clothing materials in a minute!

#4 Folding Hacks for Packing

If you are like us and decide to fold your clothes (instead of roll), then it is key to fold all of your clothing to the exact same size. After spending 10 years working in retail, I am fairly skilled at folding random sized clothing into neat stacks. However, for travelers who find it challenging, one of the packing folding hacks is to use a Folding Board , which will ensure you get a perfect fold on every piece of clothing.

Pro Tip: One of the great business travel packing hacks is to fold your delicate work clothes in dry cleaning bags as it will help eliminate wrinkles on arrival!

#5 Packing Hacks: Travel Clothing

One of the top packing clothes hacks for traveling is to only pack clothing that travels well. There are numerous clothing lines that are designed specifically for traveling, but most travelers don’t need to get that technical – and many items you already own might fit the bill.

The features of clothing that are most important when it comes to packing are moisture-wicking, quick-drying, odor-eliminating, wrinkle-resistant and washable clothing items.

That said, if you do pack clothing that wrinkles, bring travel-size Wrinkle Release Spray  to avoid having to iron on vacation.

Pro Tip : While the right clothing material is essential for travelers, it is equally important to pack clothing that you like and are comfortable wearing…because if it is not comfortable, it will likely stay folded in your suitcase. I share more tips about my packing experience for full-time travel in My Long-Term Travel Packing List: What I Pack To Travel the World .

#6 Pack Multi-Functional Clothing

There are no better packing hacks for traveling light than packing versatile and multi-functional clothing. One of the most useful items I have in my backpack is my wrap – and it has about a million uses.

I have used it as a scarf, a beach cover up, a bath towel, a picnic blanket, a pillow cover, a bedsheet, a head cover, an ear cover, an eye cover, a curtain and a bus seat cover…just to name a few. As long as the wrap is lightweight, dark and washable, the possibilities are endless.

Convertible clothing – like this dress/skirt combo – are awesome packing hacks to save space. Other clothing that can be multi-function are yoga pants (which can double as sleepwear), leggings (which can be layered in cool weather), a casual dress (which can be a beach cover up) and bikini tops (which can be worn as a bra).

Pro Tip : A pillowcase is another good item to pack that is multi-functional. Use it to cover the pillow you sleep on in your accommodations, then fill it with dirty clothes for the trip home.

#7 Capsule Clothing Packing Travel Hacks

Packing a capsule wardrobe is one of the smart packing hacks used by travelers. 

To assemble a capsule wardrobe, first, choose a color scheme of similar shades – like black, dark blue and shades of purple – and only pack clothing that falls into the color palette. Each item – tops and bottoms – need to be able to be mixed, matched and layered with all other items. Outfits can be accessorized with colorful scarves and jewelry.

By using this trip hack, you can pack minimal pieces of clothing that can be combined to make numerous different outfits. Done right, it is one of the space saving packing hacks that allows travelers to pack carry-on luggage only. 

In addition to coordinating my entire wardrobe, one item that I always like to pack is a black skirt . It is something that is comfortable and casual for sightseeing, but can be dressed up with a nicer shirt and a scarf for going out in the evening.

Pro Tip : A life hack for packing clothes for a vacation is to use the Countdown Rule. For example, if you are taking a 5-day trip, pack 5 shirts, 4 pants (or shorts/skirts), 3 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes and 1 colorful scarf (or bold piece of jewelry). Additionally, pack one pair of underwear for every day of the trip, but only one set of pajamas.

#8 Clothes Packing Hacks for Vacation

One of the simple traveling packing hacks that is often overlooked is Destination Research. What I mean by this is that, before you start packing and choosing clothes for your trip, first check the weather forecast for your destination. Also, gain some insight to the destination’s clothing culture and have a basic understanding of what apparel is acceptable at tourist destinations, religious sites, restaurants and clubs.

Pro Tip : Use your itinerary to help decide what clothes to bring. How the Packing Hacks Travel Itinerary works is that, based on your planned activities that you select in advance of your trip, you determine which outfit to wear for each day of your trip. (To book your activities in advance, we use Viator !)

#9 Clever Packing Hacks for Clothing

One of the life hacks for packing that we have long used – and is commonly used by fellow travelers – is to pack clothing items for a trip that you no longer want to keep. After you wear them on your trip, you can donate the clothing at your destination (or, if there is really no life left in the item, just toss it!). This is an especially good tip for families traveling with growing kids.

Pro Tip : One of the truly Travel Light hacks is to reverse this idea slightly. When you leave for vacation, only pack personal items – like undergarments and toiletries. On arrival at your destination, make your first stop a thrift shop and buy new-to-me clothes for the entire trip. On the last day of the vacation, return to the thrift shop and donate all of the clothing back to the store. We have never personally used this hack – but heard about it from a fellow traveler and love the concept!

#10 Travel Hacks for Packing Shoes

To save suitcase space, on any trip, for any length of time, only ever pack three pairs of shoes – I even follow this rule as a full-time traveler! All shoes should be comfortable to wear for long days of sightseeing and, more importantly, they need to go with all the outfits that you are packing. (This idea goes back to the capsule wardrobe method!)

For more travel shoe tips, read our blog post, The Best Shoes for Traveling .

Pro Tip : A good way to keep grimy shoes from dirtying up the inside of your luggage and one of the little genius packing hacks is to fit disposable shower caps (the kind that are free at many hotels) over the sole of the shoe before you put them in your bag. The empty space inside your shoes can also be used to store items – like deodorant and shaving cream, just put it in a resealable bag first.

Resealable bags are one of our essentials for packing. They come in handy for everything from an open bag of snacks to your wet bathing suit on a travel day. Find out more tips in our blog post, Everyday Items for Traveling . 

#11 Clothing Airport Hacks

One of the ingenious suitcase packing hacks to save space is to actually wear your bulkiest items, especially on long travel days . In fact, this is one of the top Carry On Only travel hacks. Rather than using valuable luggage space to pack your coat and boots, wear them on the plane! Tie a sweatshirt around your waist or wear layers that can easily be removed once seated on the plane.

Pro Tip : Another one of the travel packing hacks that can save space inside your luggage is tying your shoes or flip flops to the outside of your carry on bag. This also applies if you carry a water bottle…simply clip it to the exterior of your bag if possible…or better yet, travel with a collapsible water bottle .

#12 Hacks for Packing a Suitcase…Without Over-Packing

Over-packing is a downfall for many travelers – it certainly was for me when I was a novice traveler. But I have learned what an absolute drag over-packing can be. It can weigh you down (literally) when lugging your suitcase through an airport, down a cobblestone street and up the stairs of a boutique hotel.

One of the best life hacks for traveling and packing – or rather not over-packing – is to simply commit to packing in a carry on size suitcase. By limiting the amount of room you have, you will be less tempted to over pack, which is much more sensible! We discuss more specific carry on packing hacks later in the post!

Pro Tip: If you are checking luggage, invest in an affordable luggage scale to ensure you don’t go over the weight limit. You don’t want to be surprised at the beginning of your trip with an extra charge!

Everything we pack for world travel fits in a Carry On size backpack! Find out what we pack: The Ultimate Packing List .

#13 Packing Suitcase Hacks

We pack in backpacks, but one of the best suitcase hacks I ever heard was to shift your perspective of your suitcase. Rather than packing stacks of clothing horizontally into the suitcase, pack vertically, from the wheels up.

Another one of the best Packing a Suitcase hacks is to take this idea one step further. Pack vertically, but pack complete outfits and stack them in the order that you plan to wear them (according to your itinerary!). This way, when you get ready each day, all you need to do is grab the outfit from the top!

Pro Tip : Don’t let any space go unused! One of the long time travel hacks packing tips is to take advantage of small crevices in your suitcase to slip in things like a comb or other small miscellaneous items.

#14 Luggage Hacks

Day packs and purses can take up a lot of room in luggage. Minimize how many items you carry by selecting one purse that will work for all occasions. It is even better if you pack a purse or bag that can double as a day pack.

One of our favorite packing for travel hacks is to pack a lightweight  foldable shopping bag , which unfolds to a bigger bag for going to the beach or shopping during your trip.

Pro Tip : Read more about day bags in our blog post, The Best Day Packs for Traveling .

#15 Packing a Suitcase: Hacks for Fresh Clothing

One way to keep your clothes smelling fresh during your trip is to layer each clothing item with a dryer sheet. This is one of the double-dip packing travel hacks because later, if you need to do laundry while on your trip, you will have dryer sheets to use!

Pro Tip : Another way to keep clothes fresh is with Fabreeze. Pack a travel-size Fabreeze with your toiletries! And, don’t worry, we are getting to our toiletry packing hacks in a minute!

#16 Holiday Packing Hacks for Souvenirs

If you anticipate collecting breakable souvenirs during your trip, a good suitcase hack is to use bubble wrap in between your clothes or outfits. Then, use the bubble wrap to protect souvenirs that you are bringing home.

Other travel hacks for packing souvenirs (and some of the creative ways to better ensure breakables make the trip home undamaged) is to pack them inside Pringles cans or even use the free hotel slippers as cushioning. On the other hand, if you are  buying wine, actual wine protectors are the best.

Pro Tip : In many cases, the best and safest way to transport fragile souvenirs is to ship them home…rather than trying to jam them into your suitcase. 

#17 Packing hacks for Traveling: Laundry

One of the best space-saving travel hacks is simply to plan on doing laundry during your trip. By planning to do laundry while you travel, you will only need to pack one week’s worth of clothing – or less! – even if you are on a 2-week – or longer! – trip.

We recommend booking accommodations with a washer and (maybe) a dryer ( Airbnb is our go-to resource for finding the best places to stay). It is a good idea to pack a few individual packages of liquid laundry detergent , just in case they do not provide any. 

Pro Tip : If your accommodation does not have a washer, there is likely a nearby laundromat – or even laundry service. Just remember to bring a packable laundry bag so that you have something to carry your dirty clothes in.

#18 Sink Laundry: Packing Tips and Hacks

Learning how to efficiently do sink laundry is one of the packing hacks for long trips, when you will inevitably need to wash at least a few undergarments. Sink laundry is as simple as it sounds: It’s when you hand wash your clothes in the sink, bathtub or shower.

The most important thing to keep in mind when washing items in the sink is allowing enough time for clothes to dry (and, again, why it is so important to pack quick-dry clothing).

Many travelers wash clothes at night, before going to bed, to ensure they will dry. We like to take advantage of the sunshine (if possible) and wash them in the morning (but never the morning of a travel day!).

Sometimes we just use a bar of soap to clean our clothes, but Sink Laundry detergent is probably better. A sink stopper will help for scrubbing and rinsing in the sink – and a travel clothesline is ideal to hang up wet clothes. That said, draping socks over a heater or in front of a fan can help speed drying times…and a hair dryer works, too.

Pro Tip : A Scrubba Wash Bag is often touted by fellow travelers as one of the top packing hacks for backpacking, but we have yet to use one personally!

Packing Hacks For Toiletries

Our list of packing toiletries hacks is full of ideas that will help you pack better for your next trip! These travel hacks for packing toiletries will hopefully help you avoid spills in your luggage…and save you some space in your bag, too.

#19 Travel Toiletry Hacks for Shampoo and Conditioner

One way to avoid any liquid shampoo and conditioner luggage incidents is to simply not pack it! Many hotels and Airbnb apartments provide shampoo and conditioner. And, if they don’t, you can always buy some at a local store when you get there.

That said, did you know that shampoo and condition come in bars just like soap? Well, you are now in on the secret! Using shampoo and conditioner bars – rather than packing bottled liquids – is an excellent travel packing hack that will ensure you don’t have spilled shampoo in your bag on arrival at your destination.

Pro Tip : Shampoo and conditioner are just one of the solid toiletries you can use on your trip. Other packings hacks for traveling without liquids are using toothpaste tabs and solid perfumes !

#20 All-in-One Toiletry Travel and Packing Hacks

What better way to save space than to use products with multiple uses? The all-in-one Dr. Bronner’s soaps are organic and certified Fair Trade products that are designed for multiple purposes. The soap can be used on body, face, hair and teeth…and also to clean dishes, clothes, floors, windows – and even the toilet – making it one of the best travel packing hacks of all!

Pro Tip : The Castille soap collection comes in a variety of scents and is available in liquid or bars .

#21 Liquids: The Best Packing Hacks for Travel

While eliminating liquids from your luggage is one of the top packing hacks for travel, if you are bringing liquids in your bag, we have a few travel hacks and tips on how to keep liquids from spilling inside your bag.

The best travel hacks for liquids is a 3-part process that includes plastic wrap, tape and a resealable bag. First, unscrew the top off the bottle and place a piece of plastic wrap over the top, then screw the top back on (over the top of the plastic wrap). Next, take a piece of tape and tape the flip lid shut. Finally, secure the bottles in resealable bags. By using the three-step method, suitcase spillage is highly unlikely!

Pro Tip : The bottles you pack in can make all of the difference! Liquid travel containers is not where you want to skimp on quality. Therefore, one of the best travel hacks for toiletries is to use refillable GoToob bottles that are specifically engineered for travel – and promise a spill-proof journey!

#22 Save Space in your Toiletry Bag when A Little Dab Will Do

One of the phenomenal travel hacks to save space in your toiletries case is to only bring as much product as you will actually use on your trip. Rather than packing larger bottles of face creams and foundation, pour a small amount into a contact lens case. Use more than one case if you need to…but just remember to use a contact case with screw top lids.

Pro Tip : Small 10ml bottles also work great for liquids that you will only need a little dab of during your vacation. They are inexpensive and reusable, too, making them one of the best travel hacks!

#23 Travel Size Items

When it comes to transporting liquids, one of the travel packing life hacks is to use refillable travel-size bottles. In fact, we think travel-size toiletries are the way to go in general when it comes to packing and carry-on hacks.

It is amazing how many products are made in a smaller, space-saving size. Some favorites are a travel-size hairbrush , travel-size toothpaste , travel-size deodorant and travel-size shaving cream . Products we don’t use – but that other travelers do – are mini-magnifying mirrors , travel-size hair straighteners and travel towels .

Pro Tip : Want one of our top travel hacks that saves money in the long run? When your travel-size toothpaste runs out, don’t throw it away! The tube can actually be refilled from a regular-size toothpaste tube. Just securely hold the openings together and squeeze from the larger tube into the travel sized tube!

#24 Travel Tips for Shaving Cream Alternatives

Using a travel-size shaving cream is not the only way to save space in your suitcase. One of the best travel packing tips and hacks is to not bring shaving cream at all! Instead, just lather up soap or use hair conditioner in place of shaving cream.

Pro Tip : The Schick Intuition razor is another travel gem – in that the shaving cream is right on the razor!

#25 Minimal Hair Products

While we love the innovative travel-size products that are available to travelers, the fewer you bring, the lighter your luggage. It can be tempting to pack a hair dryer, curling iron and straightener, but we don’t recommend it…even if they are all travel size!

First, check to see if your accommodations provide a hair dryer. Second, choose one low-maintenance hairstyle. This way, you can limit the number of hair tools and products you bring on your trip!

Pro Tip : In the case that your accommodations don’t have a blow dryer, rather than succumbing to packing a hairdryer, one of the travel life hacks is to pack a microfiber towel that can be used to help dry your hair more quickly. 

#26 Makeup: Packing for Vacation Hacks

Many minimalist travelers recommend leaving all makeup at home when taking a trip. While I have never been a heavy makeup wearer, I still travel with makeup – but I limit it to essentials only.

I pack one powder, two small brushes, a travel eyelash curler and mascara…and that is it. At the very least, limit your makeup bag to only one eyeliner, one eyeshadow, one mascara and one lipstick (and make sure they go with your capsule wardrobe color scheme!).

Pro Tip : Using makeup samples is one of the great traveling life hacks for trips! If you have collected any sample-size makeup in the months prior to your trip, select a few to use on your vacation!

#27 The Almighty Pill Box as a First Aid Kit

While a Weekly Pill Box is excellent for its intended purpose, it is also a great space-saving travel organizer! Instead of packing bottles of Just-in-Case medications, store each of the assorted meds in a different day of the week. For example, store pain reliever in Sunday, vitamins in Monday, cold meds in Tuesday and belly meds in Wednesday. Pill boxes are also one of the fantastic travel pack hacks for storing and organizing jewelry for your trip!

Pro Tip : For something a little more flexible than a pill box, use individual travel jars  and small 2×3-inch plastic resealable baggies to pack medications…and jewelry, too! Read more about what we pack in our first aid travel kit in our post, Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling .

#28 Toiletry Life Hacks for Packing a Suitcase

One way to make packing toiletries so much easier is to invest in a Travel Toiletry Case that stays packed all the time! With a pre-packed toiletry case, all you need to do when it comes time to pack is grab the bag and go! Just starting out with traveling? This packaged toiletry case is great for beginners!

Pro Tip : Just remember to refill any used items when you return from each trip!

Carry On Hacks

On travel days, we seldom check bags – we each have carry-on-size travel backpacks and a day pack. To stay organized and efficient in airports, carry on luggage hacks are essential!

#29 Carry On Travel Hacks: Airport Security

No one likes a traveler who holds up the line at security, but there are a few packing hacks for carry on luggage that will get you through checkpoints in a flash.

First, if you are carrying liquids onto the plane, make sure they are in 3.4-ounce bottles (100ml) or smaller…and that they all fit into one quart-size resealable plastic bag. Next – and a key to being quick at security – when you pack your bag, place the bag of liquids in an easy to reach spot.

Electronics – especially laptops, but sometimes larger cameras and phones, which sometimes have to be removed when going through security – should also be placed in an easy-to-access part of your carry on luggage.

Pro Tip : Shoes often need to be removed, which is why I like to wear Slip On shoes or flip flops on travel days. However, if you are bringing boots on your trip, you will need to decide whether it is better to wear them to save space in your suitcase or pack them for a swifter pass through security.

#30 Packing Hacks: Carry On Entertainment

The best way to pass time on an airplane is with on-board entertainment, which is why planning your entertainment in advance is one of the best packing hacks for flying. Headphones and portable chargers are a must! 

Once I get settled in my seat, the first thing I do is create a list of movies to watch in-flight. Headphones , however, are essential to enjoying the flicks…so I always bring two pairs (just in case one fails me or gets lost).

On flights where there is no seat-back entertainment, be sure to bring your own entertainment. Make sure your phone is fully charged…and make a few song playlists or download apps in advance. Bring your charging cord (most seats now have USB ports) and a Portable Charger . 

If you like to read on planes (or trains or buses) a Kindle can be a real space-saver and one of the top vacation packing hacks. However, if you are like me and prefer the feel of paper books, then pick up one or two at a used bookstore or free community library…and then pass them along when you’re finished.

Pro Tip : Find out more of the specifics of what should be in your carry on luggage and our other in-flight tips in our blog post, Long Haul Flight Essentials .

#31 Only Hand Luggage Hacks

If you are trying to squeeze all of your items for your entire trip into a carry on, then one way to make a bit more room is to wear a fanny pack onto the plane. What makes it one of the best carry on packing hacks is that your fanny pack shouldn’t count as an extra bag – plus it keeps you hands-free! Besides that, it is a great place to store valuable items (like your passport and wallet), as well as items you want easy access to during the flight (like an lip balm , sleep mask and earplugs).

Pro Tip : Using a backpack instead of a suitcase will also keep you hands-free on travel days! Read more of the pros and cons of each style of luggage in our blog post, Backpack vs Suitcase . 

#32 Organizational Hand Luggage Packing Hacks

There is nothing more frustrating than when the plane is ready for take off…and you realize that your headphones and kindle are stowed in the overhead compartment (which now cannot be accessed until the captain has turned off the seatbelt sign).

To avoid the inconvenience, prepare ahead and pack a small on-board tote that contains your flight essentials, which can fit under the seat in front of you. Items I make sure to have close at hand are sanitizer , wet wipes , water, snacks, phone, headphones, sleep mask, earplugs and compression socks .

Pro Tip : One of the top carry on luggage packing hacks to use if you are checking luggage is to travel on board with a complete change of clothes…just in case your luggage (and clothing) gets lost en route to your destination . I also like to pack a fresh pair of underwear (that I can change into in the airport bathroom to start my trip off feeling fresh!) – as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste to use to freshen up after a long flight.

Miscellaneous Packing Hacks

Our final travel packing tips and hacks are some tricks that we have picked up over the years that make packing so much easier!

#33 Electronic Device Cable Organization

One of our suitcase life hacks is keeping our cables organized. Some of the essential electronics that we travel with are a mini extension cord (because the outlets are not always in convenient places!), a multi-port adapter (because there are multiple things to be charged!) and a portable charger that we carry with us while we are out exploring.

A good way to keep all these cords and electronics organized is with a Grid It board that keeps everything in place and easy to find! 

Pro Tip : For travelers who make frequent trips, an even easier way to stay organized is to purchase duplicate chargers and cables for all of your devices. Secure them on the Grid It – and always keep them packed so they are ready to go when you are ready to go!

#34 Cooking on Vacation

One of the reasons we love staying in Airbnb apartments is that we have access to our own kitchen where we can cook simple meals. That said, not all kitchens come fully equipped. If you plan on cooking during your trip, consider investing in a collapsible colander , a flexible cutting board and an multi-functional knife (but only if you are checking luggage). 

Pro Tip : In our travels, we have found that it is best to pack the spices that we love! To easily pack our spices, we use small resealable bags (the 2×3-inch baggies are the best!) rather than carrying bottles.

#35 Packing Hacks for Traveling as a Couple or with Friends

One thing that we have learned as a traveling couple is to communicate about our packing list. All of the items that can be shared – from lotion to a travel umbrella to a portable Wifi device – are divvied up evenly between us so that we are not carrying duplicates. Whether traveling as couples, friends or families, find out what items might be unnecessary and determine who will carry what.

Pro Tip : Packing Lists are gold! Keep a list of all the items you pack for a trip. When you return, take a few minutes to jot down notes on what you used and what you didn’t and adjust accordingly to make packing easier for future trips!

#36 Packing Hacks for International Travel

As we spend most of our time overseas, we have quite a few international travel hacks for packing. These tips aren’t necessarily travel hacks for packing light, but rather what to pack to make international travel a little bit easier. 

First, make sure you pack your passport and other travel documents in a safe place. We use a Passport Organizer that fits inside a zippered pocket inside our under-the-seat carry on luggage. 

We also think it is important to invest in a Mobile WiFi Hotspot so that you will have an internet connection from the moment you land. We use the GlocalMe device – which can be fitted with a SIM card or you can purchase data online ahead of your trip (the better way to go in our opinion!). 

Next, make sure that you have the right travel apps. Google Translate, Uber (or whatever ride hailing app is popular in the country you are visiting), Booking.com and Google Maps are the basic essentials. 

Bring (and use) a credit card that does not charge international transaction fees (we prefer the Chase Sapphire credit card). 

Pro Tip: We share heaps of tips for traveling from the United States to Europe in this article, How To Plan a Trip To Europe . 

#37 Best Packing Hack for Travel – Make a List! 

We have already touched on making a list as one of the top packing hacks for travel – but it is truly one of the easiest and most often overlooked hacks for organizing your suitcase. 

Start by making a list of what to pack for your next trip. Then, after the trip, reanalyze the list, eliminating the things you didn’t use – and then make a Master Packing List. For future travels, use your Master Packing List as a base for all of your trips. 

However, as each trip is unique with different climates and activities, it is best to take your list one step further and make an Itinerary of Outfits. On this list, note what outfit (or outfits) you will wear on each day of your trip based on your outlined trip itinerary. This way, you can be certain that you only pack clothes you intend to actually wear – saving you from over packing! 

Pro Tip : Our T rip Planning Printables Kit includes itinerary templates and everything you need to organize your trip! 

More Travel Tips and Hacks

Above, we featured our top travel tips for creative and easy packing hacks – but we have so many more travel hacks to save money! 

Cheap Flights

We use a combination of tricks to find the best fares on flights – and we share them all in our article How To Find Cheap Flights .

Best Hotels

Want to find the best hotels at the best prices? Don’t we all! Get there by using our travel hacks for Booking Cheap Hotels . 

Free Packing Checklist 

With our packing hacks for travel, you will be a packing pro in no time! Get started right away with your  FREE Packing Checklist!

Start planning your next trip ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

We Want To Know: What are your best travel packing hacks? Give us your tips and advice in the comments below!

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30+ Essential Suitcase Packing Tips & Hacks That You Need to Copy ASAP

Last Updated: October 30, 2023

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On the hunt for suitcase packing tips?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this free smart packing guide on how to pack a suitcase like a pro.

If you’re anything like me, odds are: you’re a hopeless over packer. After all, some of us are just born a little weird… like “ I need to pack this parka just in case ” weird or “ of course I’ll read all 7 Harry Potter books this trip ” weird… but this guide will help you get over that.

As someone who has been travelling and living in Europe for the past five years, I’ve learned a thing or two about what packing tips and hacks actually work and what weirdo ones are a total waste of time.

Save these suitcase packing tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

From the basic ‘no duhs’ to some unconventional gems of genius, today, I’d like to share all of my best tips for packing with you!

Especially if you’re headed to Europe.

While I’m still the world master of ‘panic packing’ (aka throwing all my stuff in a suitcase while sobbing), having these tips in mind often helps me hold things together.

So, without further ado, here are my golden essential tips for smart bag packing.

VIDEO: Watch These Travel Packing Hacks and Tips in Video Form

More of a video person? Click here for a video featuring all these tips instead!

Below, you’ll find my full written guide for luggage packing like a pro.

Must-Know Suitcase Packing Tips

Let’s start with some basic luggage packing tips! After five years of travelling professionally, from Indonesia to Germany , these are my best tips to show you how to pack your suitcase like a consummate professional.

1. Always start with a packing list

Packing luggage should always begin with a solid list of what to pack.

I know, this is such a ‘mom’ tip, but there’s a reason why moms are always right. Plus the human brain adores lists.

Especially in the period before a trip when you’re stressed about all the things to do before traveling abroad , it’s all too easy to forget items you need.

That’s why I always make a packing list to keep myself organized!

Feeling lazy? You can steal a comprehensive printable checklist from me below.

Or… if you’re a serial stationary hoarder like me,  this stack of printed packing lists is practical, fun, and will last you a long time.

2. … and always end by reviewing your packing list

It’s silly how often people forget this step.

There’s a reason you made that list!

Make sure you go through all the items the night before you leave (or the morning of) to make sure you haven’t forgotten a single thing, especially the small stuff.

For extra paranoid parrots like me, I always write a “HARDCORE ESSENTIALS” note on my phone that I review the morning of my flight.

Things like passport, money, hair straightener (sorry, I’m vain), and sunglasses (the #1 thing I manage to always forget). This way I know I have everything I absolutely need.

Again, if you buy a packing list pad like this , you can just leave it on top of your bag the night before so you don’t forget to double check it!

3. Know your airline’s baggage fee policy

Every packing guide will give you this tip, but I’m here to underline it and circle it in a bright red pen, especially if you are visiting Europe.

Because seriously, the inconsistency among airlines (especially the budget variety like RyanAir or Wizz Air ) is pretty infuriating.

SO, avoid surprises at the airport by knowing what you’re working with right from the start. A quick Google before you pack can help save you loads of stress (and potential overweight fees!)

You can also invest in a cheap handheld luggage scale  like this one  for less than 10 bucks off Amazon which you can use for years and it’s great for ease of mind.

If you don’t have one already, I also highly recommend buying a compact looking carry-on suitcase like this one.

A lot of the time, attendants don’t care to weigh luggage (when you’re travelling carry-on only) and all they do is take one quick look at the size, so if you have a nice suitcase that doesn’t  look  huge, you’ll be much less likely to get stopped.

Which would I recommend? Well,  this one is near-identical to the Samsonite I travel with, and I’ve never once been stopped for bag inspection! I love the ease of mind it gives me and it can hold a surprising amount of stuff. I travel with it on pretty much every trip!

4. Bring the right bag

One of the most underrated luggage packing tips is to firstly choose the right luggage.

The topic of “best bag for traveling” is highly subjective of course, but I really can’t stress enough how important it is for you to choose the right bag for your travel style and destination.

Bringing the right bag is the difference between breezing through your travel days without crying vs. sobbing in a frustrated puddle on your hotel floor.

Okay – that’s dramatic, but having the right bag is  important. 

For me personally, I’ve outgrown the backpacking stage of my life and tend to do a lot of city breaks, stay in mid-range hotels, and  travel light  because I’m so often on the go.

That’s why I travel with a very compact carry-on hard shell suitcase (almost identical to  this one ).

I think one of these is perfect for European travel because they’re quite handy, easy to carry, fit nicely on trains and overhead bins and still look pretty smart so you don’t feel terribly out of place in fashionable cities like Paris or  Milan .

Of course, if you’re travelling with a family, you’ll need bigger bags, or if you’re backpacking, you’ll need a good backpack.

What’s important regardless of the type of bag you choose is you pick something that…

• A) you LOVE, because you’ll have it ALL the time
• B) something that you’ve tested before
• C) something that you can easily carry because Europe has so many stairs, cobblestones, etc.

5. Roll your clothes

Game. Changer.  

If you’re wondering how to pack clothes for travel, one of my best suitcase packing tips is for you to simply roll your clothes! Seriously, if you’re not currently rolling your clothes instead of folding them, do it!

It saves lots of space, especially when coupled with magical compression bags like these ones (no vacuum needed!) packing cubes (which I’ll discuss later).

The jury is still out on whether it actually saves space or actually minimizes wrinkles but I love it because it makes it way easier to see at a glance what you’ve packed and what items you can choose from.

If you’re feeling especially crafty you can master the art of something called the  Ranger Roll  which apparently is used a lot in the military – it basically rolls your garments into fun little burritos.

This helps compress things but I’m a bit lazy so I just roll like normal and it’s fine.

6. Pick out what you think you need, and cut it in half

The first time I read this tip for packing light , I thought it was absolute insanity.

Then, one time I actually tried it, and you know what? I didn’t regret it at all!

While this may initially feel like a slow painful form of packrat torture, doing this will cut you down to the exact essentials you’ll actually need.

I honestly think that overpacking is hardwired in us, which is why doing this exercise is so helpful.

7. Make use of packing cubes (or in a pinch, Ziplock bags)

If you are wondering how to pack luggage and save space, the answer is packing cubes.

I am obsessed with packing cubes. The amount I own is honestly frightening.

They not only help you stay organized, but also save loads of space in your suitcase/backpack. These are my #1 travel game changers, and if you buy a good quality set, they’ll last a super long time.

I personally use my packing cubes to organize tops, bottoms, etc. but I’ve also heard of people with a different packing cube strategy which involves getting small cubes and separating them into different outfits for each day.

If you want to know which packing cubes to buy, check out my full guide to packing cubes  or watch my video showdown  here.

8. Invest In Protective Covers /Wraps

Now, this tip is more geared towards people like me travelling with any kind of fragile gear like cameras, gimbals, etc.

But really if you travel with anything mildly fragile like perfume bottles or intend to buy anything fragile like mugs… (I love a good a mug) then it’s really handy to have some of these protective wraps with you.

I have two,  this one  from Domke which is a great brand, but also an  Amazon brand one  that does the exact same thing for way cheaper.

They’re basically these padded Velcro wraps that you can use to protect anything. I use them for my camera and gimbal, so I effectively turn any bag of mine into a camera bag and can just wrap any item up really easily and toss it in my backpack.

Of course, you can also use a fluffy scarf or something for the same purpose, but I just think the wraps are a little bit smarter and easier to handle, plus they’re not very expensive so they’re a good purchase if you travel often.

9. Plan Your Outfits

A tough piece of packing advice people hate hearing is that they shouldn’t ever bring things just in case.

This goes for everything, from the random gadgets you think you might need to the extra ballgown you want to bring in case you get invited to a ball.

But really, one underrated packing tip is to plan your outfits in advance – no ‘just in case’s.

Planning your outfits in advance can really help you streamline your vacation wardrobe and ensure you’re only bringing things you’ll actually wear. Plus, it will also help you look better during your trip.

Click here  to check out my minimalist travel packing lists for both Summer and Europe travel.

10. Always pack your absolute essentials and one outfit change in your carry on

Smartly packing for travel means preparing for the worst, so be sure to keep this luggage packing tip in mind!

While only 1% of bags tend to get lost , it will happen to even the best of us at some point… whether the bag is lost,, goes missing or uh, is accidentally taken by someone else in Paris (true story). That’s why it’s so important to have some essentials in your carry-on bag.

Having your essentials and extra clothes on you will bring precious peace of mind, so you’re never that angsty person waiting in fetal position at baggage claim.

11. Keep Some Extra Clothes In Your Travel Buddy’s Suitcase

Another little contingency plan in case your suitcase goes missing is to (if you’re travelling with someone else) make sure to pack some extra outfits in your travel buddy’s bag and vice versa.

This way, if either of you loses your bag, you’ll at least have some backup items. In the crazy off chance that BOTH your bags go missing, well my friends, I’m sorry!

12. Bring a few extra bags (e.g. totes, ziplocks, etc.)

You never know when you’ll need them, especially for things like dirty clothes, which are always an afterthought.

They weigh nothing and come in SO handy, so don’t forget a few!

And if you (like me) are working at reducing plastic usage while travelling , I recently discovered these re-usable silicon Ziploc bags (and mesh produce bags) that would definitely come in super handy for travel as well! Check out reviews and prices here.

 13. Bring A Bag For Dirty Laundry

On that note, even if you don’t bring a bunch of totes or extra bags, make sure at the very least to bring a closable bag for dirty laundry because you definitely want to keep that stuff separated.

… And a bag that zips up or seals is ideal because….. well, I’m sure you’ve smelled dirty laundry before.

14. Keep your liquids in a bag and separate them from your other goods

Many of you probably know this already, but just as a reminder, if you’re bringing any liquids in your carry-on bag, you’ll need to present them separately at airport security so they can be scanned.

One of my favourite carry-on packing tips is to get your own reusable toiletries bag instead of using the bags at the airport.

Since I almost always fly carry-on only, I’ve invested in  this awesome reusable clear toiletries bag  that’s TSA approved so I can easily store all my toiletries in it and just pop it out during security checks.

This is just way more durable and I don’t need to use those dinky plastic bags they provide. 

NOTE: 95% of the time, I’ve had no trouble with this, the only exceptions being random airports here and there mostly in Paris and London I think, but yes if you travel often, a bag like this is a total lifesaver.

If you haven’t yet invested in an excellent travel toiletries bag, I highly recommend you do so. They’re one of the best investments I’ve ever made for travel! You’ll never want to use a dinky single-use Ziplock ever again.

Looking for a durable and affordable toiletries bag for your upcoming travels? Check out my roundup of best toiletry bags you can buy online , or check out this summary table below:

15. Always wear your bulkiest items of clothing on the plane

*Puts on Captain Obvious cape*

Coats and boots are heavy. So, if you plan on bringing them on your trip (when packing for winter in Europe for instance), make sure you’re wearing them so they don’t hog up all the space (and weight) in your luggage.

This is an extreme example (that I do not recommend!!) but check out this hilarious coat that you can stuff all your luggage into.

[Also ideal for smuggling movie theatre snacks]

16. Forget full sized liquids, pack mini versions and buy if you need more

This is one of the top suitcase packing tips for travel I recommend to newbie travellers, and one of my all-time favouite packing hacks.

Seriously, put that full-sized bottle away! There’s zero reason for you to bring it.

There WILL be toiletries to buy where you’re travelling. It’s not worth the unnecessary weight to bring a giant bottle of everything (which I have seen many people do).

17. DIY Your Own Travel Size Toiletries

An additional tip building off the point above is to make your own travel size toiletries instead of buying them.

I still see a lot of people buying mini size toiletries from shops that cost like 1-2 bucks per bottle, but I don’t think this is really practical.

Those mini bottles are a huge waste of plastic and also you’re bound to those specific products, which isn’t great if you use very specific shampoos or cleansers like I do, so I really recommend buying reusable travel bottles like  these affordable silicon ones , which I love.

These are SO handy and SO cheap – definitely travel packing essentials I can’t live without.

With them, you can pack lighter, bring your favourite products with you and it’s a little bit better for the environment.

These leak-proof silicon bottles are perfect for this, and dirt cheap too, but I’ve summarized some other popular options in the table below.

Pssst, if you need a little extra help, read my full roundup of the best travel-size bottles you can buy online.

18. Use Plastic To Avoid Leaks

If you’re packing any liquids, sometimes you might find that they can leak in your bag, which is… obviously not great!

To prevent this from happening, I recommend covering the bottles with something before you cap them.

Now often this tip is given with the assumption that you’ll be using plastic wrap, but this effect can also be achieved if you have a million plastic shopping bags in your cupboard.

Just cut those up and use some little squares to cover instead.

19. Use tissue paper to avoid wrinkles

I haven’t tried this one myself, but many travellers swear by rolling their clothes with sheets of tissue paper, or putting sheets of tissue paper between folded shirts.

This apparently minimizes the friction/pressure, which then reduces wrinkles. Magic!

20. Plan to layer for warmth

Rather than bring chunky sweaters or puffy jackets, think about bringing many layerable items instead.

This is (in my opinion) the most effective way to pack for cold weather, and gives you more outfit choices too!

If you struggle with travelling light, you might also benefit from this guide on how to travel light.

21. Never pack things “just in case”

Let’s be real: more often than not, that case will not come up!

And if by some miracle, you’re in need of a special item, just take that opportunity to indulge in some shopping.

Learn from my mistake: I lugged around a raincoat for 6 weeks in Europe and used it maybe twice… the amount of space it took in my backpack was embarrassing!

And if letting go of the “just in case” mentality sounds impossible, you might benefit from my minimalist packing list/guide .

22. Pack The Heaviest Items On The Bottom Of Your Bag

This is a VERY underrated tip that a lot of people forget about, but when packing your suitcase, make sure to place your heaviest items at the bottom where the wheels are to avoid the suitcase randomly toppling over during your trip. 

Having heavy items on the bottom is the best way to pack a suitcase for stability.

…  The last thing you want is for your suitcase to be imbalanced!

23. Make Sure You Have A Unique Luggage Tag Or Mark Your Suitcase In A Unique Way

Honestly, you’d be shocked at how often people take the wrong stuff at baggage claim.

It happened to me once a few years back. I was travelling with a grey hard top suitcase topped with a cutesy pink tag.

I thought that was already unique, but sure enough, someone took it by accident thinking it was theirs! I only realized when I stood there like a doofus for an hour watching all the bags get taken and the last one left looked suspiciously like mine.

Don’t worry – I eventually got mine after shedding my body weight in tears and whimpering repeatedly.

SO, to avoid this ever happening to you, I suggest you make your suitcase obnoxiously unique… that way it’d be really difficult for someone to think it’s theirs.

Might I suggest this  hilarious sloth cover  urging you to follow your dreams?

24. Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

Most major European cities will have fountains all over where you can get delicious tap water for free and most major airlines are happy to serve you water in your own bottle as well, so that’s why it’s a great idea to take advantage of a reusable water bottle on your travels.

Sure, it may not be the most space-efficient thing to bring but it’s really handy to have, and better for the environment too : )

If you’re worried about bringing a water bottle that’s too bulky, there are a lot of great collapsible water bottles out there with amazing reviews  like this one.

25. Last but not least, don’t forget to leave a little extra space

A list of suitcase packing tips for travel wouldn’t be complete without this important (but often forgotten) gem of wisdom.

Here’s the thing: you’re human… You will inevitably buy something.

The worst feeling is falling in love with an item abroad and having zero space in your suitcase to bring it home.

Pro tip: I have some friends that bring an extra duffle that folds up small so that they have an extra bag for the way home (to hold all the shopping!)

And by ‘friends’, I mean my brother, who once came home from Japan with a suitcase full of Pikachu dolls. Still, a pretty cool packing hack!

More Travel Packing Hacks

Packing for vacation shouldn’t be stressful… and the more packing tips you know, the more prepared you’ll be.

So now let’s move onto some cool travel HACKS, AKA ingenious little tricks that you can use to make packing a little easier and more fun.

26. Pack A Pillow Case

We’ll start with a weird packing hack – pack a pillow case on your next trip!

Why? Well, they weigh nothing and are really multipurpose.

You can, for example, stuff one with clothes or a puffy jacket for a DIY travel pillow, or if you’re staying in a hostel it might be nice for hygiene reasons.

Honestly if you have no other use for it, consider it a dirty clothes bag.

27. Pack A Clothespin Or A Money Clip

Even if you don’t plan to do laundry or um… clip money on your trip, these are great for making a DIY toothbrush stand so you can make sure your toothbrush doesn’t touch the counter or anything gross.

All you need to do is clip it onto the middle of the toothbrush to create a nice little perch for your toothbrush.

28. Use A Tic Tac Case To Store Your Bobby Pins

Bobby pins… you buy them in the hundreds and yet somehow lose them all.

Does this sound like you?

Honestly, bobby pins things go missing ALL the time so it’s really handy to keep them all in one spot, and a Tic Tac case is the perfect size for this purpose.

29. Use A Carabiner For Your Hair Ties

In a similar way, you can use a carabiner to keep tabs on all your hair ties, which means no more digging around in the darkest depths of your bag for one, or keeping one on your wrist at all times. Yay!

30. Store Q-Tips In Old Pill Bottles

If you have any old pill bottles lying around, they’re actually the perfect size for storing Q-Tips, so if you’re big into keeping your ears clean while abroad, be sure to start hoarding those pill bottles ; )

31. String Necklaces Through A Straw To Keep Them From Tangling

This is a really easy thing to do if your necklaces get tangled often – mine personally hold up fine usually so I just keep them in a pouch but if you want an easy way to make sure they don’t get tangled, thread your necklace through a straw and then hook it around.

This way, your necklaces stay in one untangled bundle.

32. Use A Shower Cap To Store Your Shoes

Obviously this is a shower cap you will not be using, but wrapping a shower cap around your shoes is great for keeping your dirty muddy shoes away from the rest of your belongings.

Alternatively, those big zipper plastic bags that bedsheets come in are also great for the same purpose.

33. Stuff Your Shoe With Small Items To Save Space

Ahh yes, efficient packing tips – my favourite!

If you’re really looking to maximize space in your suitcase, consider stuffing your shoes with small items like socks and underwear. You’ll be shocked at how much you can actually cram in there.

NOTE: Just be sure, especially with underwear, to put them in a protective bag first because putting them in your shoes as-is sounds like infection city.

34. Invest In A Universal Adapter

If there’s one travel tool you need in your arsenal (besides my precious packing cubes of course), it’s a universal adapter, especially one with multiple slots for USB chargers too so you can charge multiple devices without a bulky power bar.

This one is great! 

Why should you get a universal adapter?

Well, you can reuse it on every single one of your trips, and even if you’re JUST visiting Europe, there are certain countries that use a different outlet (e.g. the UK, Ireland and Malta), so better safe than sorry. Trust me, the ease of mind is priceless.

35. Bring An Oven Mitt

This is one of my favorite travel packing tips and tricks because it’s so random.

But it’s also super helpful.

If you travel with any heat appliances like I do (e.g. a hair straightener, curler, etc.) then bringing an oven mitt is a genius way to make sure you always have a heatproof surface to rest it on and also a safe place to store it when you need to pack up quickly in the morning.

I have a terrible habit of just tossing my hair straightener on top of my stuff when I travel, which terrifies my boyfriend because… well, nobody likes fires…. but now that I wrap my stuff in an oven mitt, he can breathe a little easier, and we fight a lot less ; )

36. Pack Dryer Sheets To Avoid “Weird Clothes Smell”

If you’ve travelled any time in your life, I’m sure you’re familiar with that “weird clothes smell” that can quickly permeate your suitcase.

Well, packing a dryer sheet or two in your bag will keep that stench at bay! Not only are they very light, they’ll keep your luggage smelling freshy fresh.

Need a recommendation? These ones smell like lavender and are both vegan and cruelty-free.

37. Bring A Frozen Waterbottle Or Frozen Sponge To Keep Your Snacks Cool

Now I’m sure you know you’re not typically allowed any liquids over 100mL on a plane…

But if you want to bring your own drink on board and avoid the $10 airport waters, or if you just want to keep your snacks nice and cool, consider bringing a frozen water bottle as a DIY ice pack and a refreshing drink after you pass security…

Or if you just want an ice pack, a frozen sponge will do the trick.

BONUS: Don’t forget to pack pens!

And okay, here’s a final bonus tip for you, not exactly a hack but something that’s SUPER important and most people forget… Make sure you have a pen in EVERY BAG.

You never know when you need a pen, especially if you need to fill out any customs paperwork, and honestly the little station they sometimes have is like the Hunger Games of pens.

One time I landed at London Stanstead and they didn’t even have ANY pens available, so I had to awkwardly ask a staff person to borrow theirs and it was just… really weird.

#TeamPenForLife

Did I miss any of your favourite suitcase packing tips?

So there you go, years of packing wisdom squished into a single blog post. I hope you found this free packing guide helpful and valuable and if you have any more travel tips for packing you think I should add, Let me know in the comments!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

37 thoughts on “30+ Essential Suitcase Packing Tips & Hacks That You Need to Copy ASAP”

I’m always on the edge about rolling my clothes versus folding them. Right now, I’m still folding them. No matter whatever I hear about the advantages of rolling, I can’t seem to even try to convert!

… and I also have a very, very bad habit of packing things “just in case”, such as extra outfits. Umm… gotta look perfect for my pictures I guess, and have extra changing options. Ha ha.

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

haha why does it worry you? Try it once with packing cubes! Your life will be changed 😉

Great advice! I’m a BIG fan of packing cubes… I can’t believe I had never heard of them until a few years ago. Never have tried the tissue paper method. Will definitely have to, especially on business trips. I also recommend shoe bags as a way to keep organized and clean. Plastic bags are a great alternative but they often leak or get dirty too quickly.

Hey Tam, ahh awesome thanks so much for the link 🙂 <3 And oooh yes shoe bags I love as well! I just got a new packing cube set that came with laundry/shoe bags and I'm in Type A heaven hahah.

Nice Post Christina. I like you tips. Keep blogging

thanks for reading, Julian 🙂

Well I am impressed with these tips always helped a lot

Happy to hear that, Jimmy!

Main thing that i have to add in this list is How do you usually organise all of your electronics, cables, those fiddly bits that take you ages to dig out at security? Stuff them in like the rest of us? Well, if you want to organise your packing then get yourself a stash of ziplock bags. Phone charger, camera charger, adaptors, headphones – take extra plastic bags (the same ones you’d use for hand luggage liquids) and use them to store electrical items, things for the journey home (house keys, parking ticket and car keys), medication and other loose accessories..

well thanks to my packers team a they have did a very well job here

That’s quite an interesting article Christina, and I find it really useful, As a corporate traveler, packing things is literally hectic work, and I am going to follow your tips for my upcoming travels. Hope this parking trick could save some space.

Happy to provide you with any tips to make the experience less stressful! Safe travels, Gloria 🙂

I like how you suggested starting a luggage packing list. I am going on vacation and want to be able to store my luggage properly. Thanks for the tips on suitcase packing tips.

Great article, I believe packing is the most important factor one should keep in mind while traveling, and then comes means of transport which helps to reach your destination on time.

Only buy travel size toiletries once. Refill those small bottles from your large ones at home…or reuse some of those small complimentary ones from the hotel.

Packing is really stressful work. Most of the people are confused about how to the packing. Your blog is very helpful for packing. I also use your tips for packing because your tips are very easy and nice. I like your blog. Thanks!

I have made some packing but after reading this I wondered I havent done anything and so many things to get packed 😀 😀 Thanks for sharing this post <3

Hey, Read your Blog and found these tricks very useful especially that extra bag point because it is very useful and some of us often forgot it.

Rolling clothes is one of my favourite things to do. I find it easier to locate what I need if I’m living out of a suitcase and it stops the clothes creasing too – bonus!

Another article of yours that I have enjoyed. Agree with all of the above & will finally try the dryer sheets next time I’m away. Keep seeing it but have never taken the leap (it might be a boy thing!). Cheers! – Nigel

Really smart ideas and tips especially the Bring dryer sheets to avoid “weird clothes smell” cause everything that we go on a trip my dress has unnecessary odor.

It’s, in reality, a nice and useful piece of information about packing tips.

Great tips, really helpful.

Wow! Amazing tips, really it works & helpful during travel

This is all so true! Thanks for such a wonderful article, it’s quite interesting in reading about the packing tips and hacks.!!

I truly loved reading the blog above; you have explained everything in-depth about relocation. Surely I’ll share the suggestions & guide with clients. Thank you for such a fantastic post, and please keep it up.

Great written and come with approximately all important infos

Love your tips! I have two for having more room for items I purchase. The first is that I place a carry on suitcase inside a larger suitcase for some travel. I live in Europe but travel back to the US and stock up or bring things I already own back to the UK. You need to check with your airline about how many bags you can have though. Nowadays I have to pay a lot for the extra suitcase but it can be worth it. The second is one I did more when I was younger. I would pack a certain amount of times I was willing to part with. Old underwear and socks would go in the bin for the last few days. And I would donate clothes to charity in order to fit souvenirs in.

Very informative blog, thanks for sharing with us

Hey Christina, Nice Post, Thanks for this informative article. I’m a businessman And have to travel so, Its really helpful for me.

Very nice, love it.

I think it would be hilarious if you started a trend where everyone takes your advice, and soon there will be many sloth suitcases showing up at airport baggage claims across the world. I can only hope. I am off to purchase mine right now.

Seriously though, thanks for all of these travel tips. I love the website, and your humor (sorry, I am American so I spell it differently).

I have learned a lot things from your articles, and I am excited for my first-ever trip to Oktoberfest this year. Prost!

You have shared so many awesome tips! I would not have thought about q tips in a little tub or using a straw for necklaces. Genius packing tips

Good tips! I’m definitely a “just in case” packer and need to re-think that. Ireland is one of those countries that insist on ziplock bags only for your liquids. Also, I keep one of those wrapped hotel mini soaps in my suitcase – keeps it smelling nice for a long time – even after you get home and store your bag away.

Awesome! This article is very informative and very good. Thanks for sharing this with us. Keep sharing.

This is a truly helpful and practical piece of information regarding tips for packing.

Very helpful, thanks for the share.

Very helpful, keep sharing the good stuff.

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15 Carry On Packing Tips & Hacks So You Can Travel Light!

Why Travel With a Carry-On Only?

Carry-on only travel is preferred by a lot of people because it makes the trip a lot lighter, less stressful, and a lot more enjoyable. Aside from these reasons, there are some more advantages to traveling with just a carry-on suitcase like:

✓ Less stuff (and weight) to carry.. Dragging a heavy suitcase up the stairs is never fun. Having less luggage to carry around makes it easier for you to move from one destination to another and explore many new places. This is important especially when you’re commuting by train, bus, or taxi or when you’re in a very crowded area. 

✓ Baggage claim is for losers. Since your carry on items are literally always with you, you don’t need to worry about your luggage never showing up in baggage claim. Pack a smaller suitcase and never have to wait around again! 

✓ Save extra bucks by not checking luggage. Though some airlines for both domestic and international flights don't charge fees for passengers' 1st checked bags, some have fees that could range between $30 to $200. Traveling with a carry-on only, on the other hand, is almost always free! Just be mindful of the size and weight restrictions.

General Tips for Packing a Carry-On Bag for Travel

Whether you’re traveling with a carry-on backpack, suitcase, or duffel bag, you can apply these packing tips for any of them. These carry-on packing tips will help you organize your travel essentials into a tiny little carry-on space to make your trip even more enjoyable and comfortable! We’ve covered everything from how heavy your carry on should be to what to actually pack in your bag. Let’s do this!

✅ Carry-On Luggage Size and Weight Limit

Tip #1 - Measure your suitcase.

Different airlines have different requirements on the size and weight limit of the carry-on suitcase that they will let you bring onboard the plane, both for domestic and international flights. Even though they don’t strictly check and weigh it the way they do checked bags, it would be wise to choose a carry-on bag that’s within their limit just to be safe. Check your airline’s website or check this out to find out most airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions.

Despite the differences among airlines, the universally accepted luggage dimensions for a domestic flight within the US is 22" x 14" x 9". For international travel, the rule of thumb is about 21", since the standard carry-on baggage size outside of the U.S. is smaller.

✅ Choosing and Packing Travel Essentials

Tip #2 - Keep your cool, remember TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule.

Going through airport security is a whole different experience in itself. Don’t worry, you’ll do just fine if you keep your makeup and toiletry liquids, creams, and gels packed in 3.4 ounces containers or less, in their own separate TSA approved clear toiletry bag .

Tip #3 - Know which items are a no-no!

There are items that you can pack in your checked luggage that you're not allowed to bring in your carry-on bag. Some of the most common things that you're not allowed to bring are things that are sharp, pointy, dangerous, flammable, liquids and gels over 3.4 ounces, and more. Sometimes, the rules can be different or changing so it's much better to visit the airline’s website and look up the item that you're not sure about and they'll let you know if you can bring it in your carry-on.

If you’re traveling local, you can check the TSA’s website for the full list of prohibited carry-on items . Another option is to take a photo of the item you’re going to bring, go to the TSA’s Facebook Messenger or Twitter and send them a question to ask if it’s allowed.

Tip #4 - Check off a packing list . Just do it. 

Don’t get over confident with your packing skills. Let’s be real, we all forget that one thing we thought we  100% packed. Having a packing list will help you make sure nothing gets left behind. We’ve got plenty of FREE packing lists that you can use here for any of your trips! You’re welcome to download or print them as you like.

Tip #5 - Plan your outfits, discard options.

If you start packing your clothes with, “I think…” you’re heading towards a town called the Overpackingville. Most of the time when you overpack, you end up wearing half of the things you packed. So disregard options, pack clothes that you will definitely wear during the trip. Consider sticking to a color palette and bringing clothing items that can mix and match easily. Plan your outfits in advance (I know it’s hard) so you won't have to pack extras.

Tip #6 - Wear it, don’t pack it.

Wear what you can instead of packing the items. This includes your heavy layers. If you wear your biggest pieces on the flight, like your sweatpants, jacket, gym shoes, and such, you can save a considerable amount of space in your suitcase. Anything that can take up a lot of room in your luggage, if it makes sense to put them on, that's the stuff you should wear to the airport.

Tip #7 - Shoo away germs with a travel shoe bag.

Put your shoes in a travel shoe bag to keep your luggage and other essentials inside free from dirt and germs. Also, bring a travel laundry bag to put your dirty clothes in after you wear them. This will prevent the smell or stain of your used clothes from sticking to your luggage and other clean items inside.

Tip #8 - Downsize containers to upsize comfort.

Transfer any large products into smaller containers. If you have sample sizes of your larger products, bring those instead. If you have no samples or mini size containers, you can always buy those travel size silicone bottles that you can also reuse multiple times for your trip. These are much better than the plastic ones because they don't break easily and they're much better at preventing your liquids from leaking.

Tip #9 - Categorize to be more organized.

Make your brain happy by creating categories. You can put toiletries in an extra small cube , shirts in a small cube , shorts and pants in a medium cube , blankets, and other bulky items in a large cube , jewelry and loose trinkets in a travel jewelry roll , chargers, cords, and wires in circular pouches . Whenever you need any of these things, having them in the same cube together will make it easier for you to access them so you won't spend so much time rummaging through your luggage.

Tip #10 - Take it from KonMari, fold clothes vertically.

The KonMari way of decluttering and organizing things is a game-changer for travel packing. Basically, you want to fold your clothes to the height of your suitcase (or packing cube). That way you’ll have a nice selection of items from a top view glance, without having to dig.

Tip #11 - Use CLEAR packing cubes for everything.

And we mean everything! Packing cubes are a heaven-sent when it comes to keeping all your travel essentials organized. You can use them for small essentials such as toiletries and makeup products, as well as for your jackets, blankets, and any other bulky items you have. 

Packing cubes can transform your carry-on luggage into your very own traveling closet. You don’t need to unpack everything, you just need to take out the cubes, set them where you want them, zip them open, and you’re good to go. Traveling drawers, on the go.

Tip #12 - Make items in your personal items bag easy-access.

Aside from a carry-on bag, you're also allowed to bring an additional small personal items bag which can be something like a purse, a briefcase, or a small backpack. You can pack all your snacks, electronics, and other essentials that you will need during the flight; the rest you can pack in your carry-on bag.

A duffel bag makes a great personal items bag because you can pack quite a bit of stuff and still fit it under the seat in front of you. Make sure you’ve got everything that you’re going to use on the plane in your personal items bag or purse so that you won't have to take your carry-on suitcase out of the overhead bin and rummage through it just to find items, especially when you’re on a long-haul flight.

Tip #13 - Pack empty bags for souvenirs and shopping items.

If you’re going away on vacation, make sure to bring an extra tote bag or an empty bag and pack it in your suitcase flat or folded. That way, if you want to do some shopping and buy some souvenirs for friends and family back home, you can use this bag instead of an extra suitcase (it happens) or an overflowing carry on.

✅ Packing Entertainment

Tip #14 - Ditch the books, bring your nook.

The beauty of smartphones (or ipads) is that they’re incredibly light and everything can be downloaded or installed - be it games, books, movies, songs, and more! So, when you travel, forget about those travel guides, paperback novels, or magazines. You can access everything from your phone and it’s more convenient that way, especially when you’re traveling carry-on only.

Tip #15 - Pack tech in-between clothes to avoid damage.

If you’re bringing some gadgets along with you, and you don’t have separate bags for them (your laptop does and should!)  you can pack them in between your clothes so they won’t get damaged while in transit. Just be more careful when handling your carry on and don’t ever pack your valuables in checked luggage. Important electronics should always be packed in your personal or carry on luggage!  Make sure they have their own padded case to protect them from any harsh conditions of traveling.

When traveling, having a bigger suitcase isn't always better. Yes, you may be able to pack more things in there, but think about your aching back in the middle of your trip and then you’ll know it was a bad idea after all. Traveling with a carry-on (only) will make your trip a whole lot more comfortable and enjoyable because you've got less things to worry about. This will also make you (or force you) to pack way more efficiently, AKA less stuff.  .

Now that you know the best carry-on packing tips, it’s time to put them into practice. If you know more tips that we haven’t mentioned yet, please let us know in the comments.

If you’re a newbie in packing, you can refer to our How to Pack a Suitcase guide for a complete, step by step rundown of everything you need to know and do when packing a suitcase for travel.

Pack Light. Pack Tight. You got this!

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Travelling With Only A Carry-On - Pack Smarter, Travel Lighter

Travelling with only a carry-on is a no-brainer for short trips . But it’s the ultimate travel hack for journeys longer than 10 days. Once converting to a true carry-on traveller, you will never look back. 

No more checked bags before boarding means no more excess baggage fees, which is a welcome change if you plan for budget travel . The horror stories of lost baggage at the carousel will also never happen to you. 

But for many travellers, it's not the saved coins or the fear of lost bags that motivated them to embrace this way of travel. That is, travelling the world with more freedom and fewer things on their shoulders gives them more time to appreciate each adventure .

Now, let's join the carry-on-only team with us, and see how life-changing this way of travelling is!

Choose The Right Light Luggage

The right luggage or bags is the foundation for travelling with only a carry-on. A lightweight luggage companion offers freedom, flexibility, and a serious dose of "I got this!" for any traveller.

Type Of Carry-On Luggage

Each type of luggage has its own advantages, so depending on your destinations and activities, one can outshine the others.

Suitcases are ideal for long travel days when packing ultralight isn't possible to cover all the essentials for the entire trip. But they can be a pain to lug around streets, stairways, etc. Plus, it’s tempting to pack everything into them.

While not as preferred, duffel bags (especially those with wheels) can be squished and shoved into the overhead cabin, even when they are a little “chubby." However, similar to suitcases, they are not ideal to carry around for long.

Last but not least, a travel backpack. But does a backpack count as a carry-on? Yes, as long as it doesn't exceed the size limit . We always prefer minimalistic backpacks whenever our trip involves a lot of movement, as they give us hands-free freedom. This is especially true if you are planning on doing a lot of walking or hiking during your trip.

Before anything else, you need to pick the right carry-on bag. The first thing you want to look at is its measurements. This is an important criterion, as your bag has to deal with carry-on allowances from one airline to the next. 

What size bag is best for carry-on? There's no fixed size, as the carry-on limits vary among airlines . For a rough estimate, the general standard is 56 X 36 X 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches) as per Federal Aviation Administration regulations. This ensures that your carry-on will fit nicely into the overhead cabin. 

Choose a size that fits your travel plans and the airline's restrictions.

Another equally important factor is weight, as you don't want your carry-on to add up too much to your overall luggage allowance. Unfortunately, carry-on weight has no universal (and sometimes official) size limit. 

There are airlines with more generous policies, like British Airways (23 kg or 51 pounds) and those with stricter allowances, like Singapore Airlines or Qantas (7 kg or 15 pounds). 

Though the weight limit is usually not strictly enforced, it's worth double-checking with your airline's policies to know the rules. Regardless of how easy-going the limit is, a carry-on bag made of lightweight materials is your best travel companion.

This tends to be less important than the above factors, but choosing the right features can help your packing process be more enjoyable. 

Some carry-on bags come with basic designs, with a large compartment for you to stuff everything into and one or two pockets, no more. But trust us, you are always better off having a backpack or suitcase with extra organisational features. 

This can be a shoe separator, protective laptop sleeve, zippered pockets, and compression straps. At least, look for bags with a few pockets as this gives you easy access to your in-flight essentials.

If you’re on the go, you'll love the mobility of travelling with a backpack.

Another thing you want to properly research is the mobility of your bag.  Packing all your travel essentials in one place means your carry-on bag will end up heavy. That's why the studier the wheels, the easier the unlock function of the handle, the easier it is while navigating the airport. 

But when flexibility and mobility are your top priority, you can't beat a backpack . Generally, if your backpack is under 50 litres, it can be your carry-on for most mainstream airlines. 

Whether you want to travel to Europe with a carry-on only or do island-hopping in Thailand , a reliable backpack is your best friend.  Check out CabinZero's collection if you want to skip lugging your suitcase around the airport. Be it functionality or style, invest in a backpack you're looking forward to using it.

15 Carry-On Only Travel Hacks For A Smooth Flight

What to do if you only have a carry-on? Flying with only a carry-on can be an efficient and smart way to travel. Here are some hacks to make the most of the only luggage you have!

1. Rolling Is Better Than Folding

When it comes to packing clothes, nearly every seasoned traveller will tell you the same advice: roll them.

Let's be clear, we have nothing against folding . But rolling is the best way to tuck everything into a tight space if you travel the world with one carry-on bag (when every inch counts). It’s easy , and everyone can do it in seconds .

If done in the right way, rolling can also reduce wrinkles on your clothes. Another great thing about this carry-on-only travel hack is you can stack your items vertically instead of on top of one another. This way, you can quickly see and grab at a moment’s notice without rummaging around.

Try Packing Cubes

The real magic to staying organised on the go.

Rolling squeeze-out air between seams. The technique helps everything stay neat and organised. But to truly save space, packing cubes is the ultimate solution .

With these cubes, you won't mindlessly throw all the items into the luggage before zipping up and going. Using them gives you more sense of order and organisation, which, therefore, prevents the urge to overstuff.

To move a step further, consider trying compression or vacuum-sealed bags. They work incredibly well if you’re travelling with fluffy and bulky items like winter clothes. Simply put them into the bags and then deflate the air. While it might take extra elbow grease, you can save up to 50% of the space. 

Extra cubes can be used for dirty clothes and items on your return. This can prevent unpleasant odours from invading all the crooks and crannies of your suitcase. 

For clean clothes, on the other hand, pack each type of clothing item in different cubes (like one for bottoms, one for tops, one for underwear, etc.). This style of organising your luggage also makes it easier to repack your clothes when returning home. 

3. Sharing Is Caring

While regular packing cubes help you stay organised, compressed packages are the master at space-saving.

If you are not a solo traveller, try to share toiletries and electronics (adapters, cords) with each other. You'll be amazed at how much space you can save by combining essentials. Plus, with a helping hand, you can remind each other of what to not leave behind.

Many airlines charge extra fees for checked luggage. By sharing a suitcase or minimising the number of toiletries and personal items, you could end up with fewer bags, and thus potentially avoid additional baggage fees.

4. Check If You’re Entitled To A Personal Item

Make use of the underseat baggage allowance.

Many airlines also allow for one personal item per passenger in addition to your carry-on . Don't forget to double-check with your airline so you have extra space to carry what can't fit into your suitcase.

Your “personal” item can be a smaller handbag or a backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you. Your airline also has a different set of dimension limits for this type of luggage.

There are many strategies to use this extra space. Some passengers sneak in their toiletries, jacket, or extra pair of shoes. This can allow you to focus better on clothing items in your carry-on. The personal item also doubles as a day bag for a day hike or a day trip around your destination.

5. Build A Travel Capsule Wardrobe

A few versatile, quality pieces are all you need to travel light.

One of the best takeaways from any seasoned traveller: Try to mix and match your clothes to have a smart capsule wardrobe. Building multiple outfits out of just a few items is not rocket science. This is when neutral clothes are your best friends. 

For example, a black pant can perfectly match a crisp white top or a grey sweater. Our number one rule is never to pack clothing that only does a single duty. If you live your carry-on lifestyle, space is precious, and anything easier to recycle should be your choice. 

Also, prioritise clothes that can multitask. The mini wardrobe of seasoned packers usually contains items that can double, triple or even quadruple duty.  

When you’ve tried all the outfit possibilities that your wardrobe can offer, don't be afraid of repeating your clothes. No one will ever notice, especially when you're just a strange, foreign tourist somewhere far away from home.

6. Lightweight, Breathable Fabric Is Your Best Friend

The fabric you choose can make a difference in your luggage size and comfort.

Thick and heavy fabrics work incredibly well in cold weather, but they are of little worth if you’re travelling across climate zones. Choosing lightweight materials often means you can pack more clothing items in the same space. 

This not only gives you more choices to refresh your look but also helps you deal with climate switches more easily. For example, a lightweight sweater on top of a T-shirt or tank top can keep you warm on a crispy evening. You can take off the outer layer whenever you feel the heat.

7. Minimise Toiletries

Want to get through the security in record time? Go with solid travel toiletries. Photo by lithiumphoto - stock.adobe.com

Always keep the TSA's 3-1-1 rules in mind when packing toiletries. All of your liquids must fit into a single, clear quart-size bag, and each passenger can only have one bag on their carry-on. Failure to comply with this rule means you're running into trouble in the TSA line at the airport.

To avoid the issues of TSA's liquid policies together, consider switching to toiletries in solid forms. Solid shampoos or perfumes always breeze through the security, last longer, and leave no spillage behind.

Skipping your toiletries entirely and buy anything you’ll need at the destinations is a gamble. Our advice? Bring what you know you can’t find where you’re heading (in travel size of course); ask around on travel forums and communities. If you visit there the second time, you can consider skipping toiletries as a strategy.

8. Plan To Do The Laundry

A visit to the laundromat per week works wonders. Photo by hyotographics - stock.adobe.com

We know holidays are meant to escape mundane tasks, including daily laundry. But if you want to take only a carry-on on a long trip, you're likely running out of clean clothes faster than you think.

Make sure your accommodation has a washer and dryer or sits near laundromats. While on-site laundry service at your hotels can be costly, local laundromats in many parts of the world, like Asia, are incredibly cheap.

Hand-washing your items in the hotel sink and hanging them dry overnight is also an option. If you want to streamline your laundry, travel laundry detergent and portable wash bags are worth a look at.

9. Know The Difference Between Nice-To-Haves And Must-Haves

To pack or not to pack?

We're sure bare necessities like clothes, footwear, toiletries, and sunnies will easily fill up your suitcase. Whenever any new item pops up on your packing list, think about this question: “Will I use this item enough to justify a spot in the luggage for it?”.

When packing, lay all the clothes and necessities in front of you. Then, take in what you need the most and leave out the rest. A general rule of thumb is to reduce the initial packing list by 50%, but it's great if you can do around 30% or 40%. Remember, take half the clothes and twice the money, and you’re golden.

Here are some of our must-have travel items. To us, these are dealbreakers as they can make or break your trip.

• First aid kit
• Travel Insurance
• Quick-dry clothes
• Chargers and adapters
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Extra socks and underwear
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for tropical countries.

Anything else? With a fully-charged phone, internet access, and cash/credit card, you can buy almost everything at the destination, especially if you are in a city.

10. Wear The Heaviest Items

You can store your jacket with the compression straps. Photo credit: Marianna / @marynka

This is another key takeaway for carry-on-only travellers. We often avoid packing the heaviest and bulkiest items in our luggage. They eat up too much precious luggage space. 

Instead, wear the big items you want to take along, such as jackets, trainers, or boots, on the plane. If not, consider taking your sweaters or any bulky clothing item on your hands to the plane. Some backpacks have bungee cords or attachment points to hang or store your gear. Make use of them. It's legal, and you won't have to cross any carry-on boundaries or waste luggage space to do so.

11. Choose Your Footwear Wisely

Narrow down your choices to a maximum of 2 pairs of shoes.

Perhaps shoe lovers are those who find it hardest to switch to a carry-on-only lifestyle. With so much love for their collection, whittling down to just a few pairs to fit into the luggage will be an agonising task. 

However, you’ll need only 3 pairs of shoes for a two-week holiday, no more. Many seasoned carry-on travellers even limit their luggage to 2, or even 1, pairs only. However, it won't hurt much to sneak in flat, lightweight flats into your suitcase, especially when you can't live without them. 

Again, stick to footwear that can multitask while travelling to save the suitcase footprint. For example, the trio of running shoes, casual shoes, and sports sandals can work excellently for multiple occasions. 

Yet, depending on your activities on the itinerary, you can also swap in a pair of hiking shoes when travelling to the UK , New Zealand, US National Parks , or anywhere you plan to go on a hike. 

Also, have some strategies when packing your footwear. Your shoes should go to the bottom of the luggage, which helps your bag more stable and prevent wrinkles from clothes.

12. Make The Most Of Your Space

Generally, you should pack your items in order of use. Photo by Kay A/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com

There's always an order that works to make the most of every corner of your suitcase. Start with the heaviest items. They are normally your shoes or bulky outerwear you want to bring along. 

You can also make the most of the space inside your shoes by stuffing socks, underwear, or delicate items like watches and sunglasses. Then, add any thick layers like jeans and jumpers. 

After that, you can cherry-pick lighter items, like shirts and skirts, to go in now. These thin layers can tuck into available gaps to form a sturdy form for your luggage. The last layer is for those items you want to have quick access to in-flight or when landing.

13. Know The Rules

A carry-on-friendly backpack makes everything a breeze.

The most common size limit is 22” x 14” x 9” (56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm), which is applied by many airlines. If you travel with your carry-on only, it pays to double-check with your airline allowances to avoid any surprises at the gate (after all, there are just two criteria to check: size and weight).

Moreover, knowing what is allowed on board is crucial, along with what’s not. Generally, avoid packing the following items:

• Liquids that are 100ml / 3.4 oz or more
• Anything that is sharp and can be used as a weapon
• Flammable materials
• Lithium batteries exceeding 100Wh or 160Wh
• Power tools, drills, saws, and any tool over 7 inches

Don’t pack everything the night before, Once you’ve made up your mind, do a test-run a few days before to see how everything fare. Is the current weight good? If your itinerary involves a lot of walking, can you comfortably carry everything? Is there anything you can’t travel without? 

13. Gadgets Are Bulky, So Reconsider What You Need

Unless you're on a business trip or tied with freelance projects on the go, leave your laptop at home. The same goes for backup drives, iPads, or DSLR cameras, which are considered a luxury for those wanting to travel ultralight.

Again, if you're on a short trip with no remote working commitment, ditch all the stuff. Most of the time, many light travellers can manage with just a smartphone. After all, holidays are all about unplugging from daily life, aren't they?

14. Be Selective When Packing Your Cosmetics

Go for multitasking makeup products to save space. Photo By Merlin Lightpainting On Pexels

Just as with shoes, you don't want to bring the entire makeup collection with you. For most getaways, bring enough beauty products for one night and one day look, and that’ll suffice. 

Like with other travelling essentials, we love cosmetic products that can do more than just one task. Why bring five separate shadows when you can get by with one small palette? Does your collection have a multitasking product that serves as lipstick and blush in one? If not, you can get a bit more creative!

15. Pack Smart To Get Through Security

A little mindful packing goes a long way.

There are two things that you're most likely to take out for security screening : the liquid bags and electronics. So, it’s best to store these items in an easy-to-reach corner of your luggage so you can take them out for X-ray scanning in no time.

1. Do I Have To Go Through Customs If I Only Have A Carry-On?

No matter what you're carrying with you, you still need to go through customs when travelling internationally. Customs are a required process for officers to detect illegal goods that passengers might sneak into their luggage. So, everyone has to go through customs, no matter how many bags he/she is carrying.

2. Does A Purse Count As A Carry-On?

A purse is usually considered a personal item rather than a carry-on. Many airlines normally allow their passengers to bring on additional items, along with a carry-on, like a briefcase, backpack, or purse free-of-charge. 

This piece of luggage will have to fit the seat in front of you, with the most universal limit being 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 36 x 20 cm).

3. What If My Carry-On Is 1 Inch Too Big?

It depends on the airline staff to decide the next step about what to do with your oversized luggage. If you're in luck, a 1-inch difference won't give you any trouble before boarding the plane, especially during those less busy seasons. 

Yet, some airlines will be stricter when it comes to carry-on size restrictions. Again, the final verdict is made by the airline staff. 

If your luggage catches their attention, you might be asked to put your bag in the sizer at the gate. If it crosses the size limit, you might have to check it in the cargo hold or pay for the checked bag fee (around $30-70$). 

4. Does A Pillow Count As A Personal Item?

The answer is No. The travel neck pillow worn around your neck won't be counted as a personal item. Simply make sure there are no TSA’s contrabands inside.

A full-size pillow, on the other hand, can be considered a personal item. Airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and Frontier all classify a pillow as a personal item. 

5. Can I Bring A Backpack, A Carry-on And A Purse?

As a general rule of thumb, passengers are allowed to bring two 2 items on the plane. One carry-on luggage fits in the overhead cabin and one personal item fits under the seat in front of them. The latter can be a backpack, a purse, a briefcase, or a laptop bag. 

If you wish to bring an extra purse, fit your small purse into the backpack, so they are just one item. Remember that this “combined” item shouldn't exceed the personal item size or weight limit. 

6. Do You Have To Check In For A Flight If You Only Have A Carry-On?

When you travel with a carry-on only, you can save the bag-checking step at the bag drop before boarding (and baggage claim later). However, it’s still essential to check in, no matter the number of bags you're flying with. 

To save time, you can do the check-in online, and print your boarding pass at home. Since there are no bags to be checked, you can skip the queue and go straight to security in no time. After that, there will be plenty of time left to nosh on some pre-light drink.

Travelling carry-on only is a delight.

Less Is More: A Golden Rule of Travel

Is it possible to travel with just a carry-on ? Yes, travelling with one carry-on is an acquired skill, and we hope our tips and tricks above can help you along the road.

It's a wonderful goal not to have any bag checked. Travelling with a carry-on only brings more convenience and peace of mind to your experience. And, after all, does anyone not enjoy the freedom of flying with less? 

Once you can shed unnecessary items and focus on what truly matters - the joy of discovery and experience. 

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Travel Smarter With TikTok-Inspired Packing Hacks That Save Money and Space

By Allison Bowsher

Allison Bowsher

Contributor

• Share This Article

If you’ve traveled by plane in the past few months or watched any news coverage on airports lately, you know that lost luggage has also become a major issue, along with delays and flight cancellations. If baggage fees weren’t enough of a deterrent for you to skip full-sized rolling luggage already, images of lost luggage in airports across North America have pushed most travelers into rethinking whether they need to bring a backup outfit for every day they are away from home. If an airport is in your future, you need travel hacks.

Specifically, we’re talking about travel packing hacks, like the newly popular Apple Airtags technique for keeping track of your belongings.

Apple Airtags have become one of the most popular travel companions, helping owners locate their lost luggage that has taken an unplanned detour.

@brieyuh This came in clutch the last time I tried this and ended up with a flight change/delay! #travelhack #traveltips #appleairtag ♬ original sound – Maria Mol

Packing lighter is another way travelers can have a less stressful trip, and that’s why we wanted to put together some of our favorite TikTok-inspired packing hacks. That can mean using space-saving travel hacks so that you’re only checking one bag instead of two or fitting all your belongings into a carry-on for shorter trips.

When making your packing list, keep in mind a few tips that will help pare down your belongings.

• Choose clothes that are from the same color palette. This will make it easier for you to mix and match.
• Look for nooks and crannies. We are big fans of packing socks and underwear into shoes and hats. Not only does this utilize valuable space, but it also helps the larger items hold their shape.
• Don’t pack clothes for every day if you’re gone for more than five days. Whether you’re staying at someone’s house, an Airbnb or a hotel, you will likely have access to a washing machine or laundry service. You can also pack a travel-sized bottle of laundry detergent and wash your clothes in a bathroom sink.
• Roll your clothes. Why does this work? We’re not sure, but it does, and it can help ensure clothes arrive without wrinkles.

@brinie_97 Excited about our trip! #packing #ScreamItOut #colorado #fyp #helpfultips ♬ original sound – Bri

Don’t let baggage fees and lost luggage scare you off your next trip. Instead, pack smarter with a few simple travel and packing hacks that will save you time and space. More room for souvenirs? Yes, please!

1. Stow-N-Go Travel Luggage Organizer and Packing Cube Space Saver

Best overall.

Being organized is one of the best ways to pack less, which is why we like the Stow-N-Go Travel Luggage Organizer and Packing Cube Space Saver. The hanging closet design of the Stow-N-Go helps travelers see all their clothes in one spot, making it easier to remove unnecessary items before leaving home. The Stow-N-Go has a compression feature that helps reduce the size of clothing by 30 percent while still providing structure and organization. A zippered section at the bottom of the case can be used to store valuables at the start of the trip and keep dirty laundry separate from clean clothes. Travelers can fit the Stow-N-Go into carry-on suitcases less than 20” or use two in a full-sized suitcase. We also like the Stow-N-Go for forgetful travelers who want to keep all their items in one place and avoid the risk of leaving items behind in a hotel.

Stow-N-Go Travel Luggage Organizer and Packing Cube Space Saver

$34.99 $39.99 13% off, 2. hibag 12-pack roll-up space saver storage bags for travel, best space saver.

I packed for myself and my two kids for a two-month trip home this past summer in only two suitcases using vacuum-sealed bags. They are a game-changer. If you’re traveling to a destination where you’ll have access to a vacuum, or you have room to pack the included pump, a more robust option like these Spacesaver bags are your best bet since you can fit more in them, and they are highly durable, making it easy to reuse them. This set of Hibag compression bags are also useful because they don’t require a vacuum or pump and still compress clothes efficiently. They do take a bit more work to get the air out but can save you a ton of space and the 12-pack has sizes that work for carry-on luggage and full-sized suitcases.

Hibag 12-Pack Roll-Up Space Saver Storage Bags for Travel

3. leantravel compression packing cubes, best organizer .

Compression packing cubes are another great travel hack to save space in your luggage. They typically don’t compress as much as vacuum-sealed bags, but they still add space and are a great way to keep your suitcase organized. You’ve probably heard of this popular packing hack, but seeing just how easy they are to use may convince you to finally order some of your own.

Read More: The Best Travel Hacks According to a Flight Attendant

@herewegoagain.blog Here is best travel tip🧳 #traveltips #travelhacks #traveltiktok #tiktoktravel #traveltip #travelexpert #highschoolmusical ♬ Get Cha Head In The Game (Cantato) – Duck Gang

To make the most of these packing hacks, you can pack for multiple people in one suitcase using the compression cubes or organize your clothing by days or activities.

LeanTravel Compression Packing Cubes

$46.99 $56.99 18% off, 4. bumkins waterproof wet bag, best multi-purpose.

Bumkins is a baby and toddler company that makes everything from bibs to silicone dishes for little ones, but we love their waterproof wet bag for travel. Initially designed as a place for parents to store their child’s soiled clothes and diapers while on the go, the Wet Bag is also a great travel hack. Throw in your wet bathing suit during a day trip, store your smelly gym clothes after a workout, or keep your toiletries organized. We also like storing just-in-case items, including a shirt, a pair of underwear and socks, a toothbrush and deodorant in the Wet Bag and keeping it with our carry-on in case our luggage is delayed. A side clip makes it easy for users to attach the Wet Bag to their carry-on, meaning it won’t take up room inside the bag. We’ve had our Bumkins Wet Bag for years and washed it countless times. It still looks great and dries fast, another bonus for travel use.

Bumkins Waterproof Wet Bag

5. homest laundry bag, best for dirty clothes.

I’ve previously written about my love for laundry bags while traveling and it’s worth repeating. Affordable, convenient and versatile, the two-pack of XL laundry bags from Homest are a great packing hack when using a full-sized suitcase. They can help organize clothes at the start of your trip and keep dirty and clean clothes separate at your destination. The laundry bags can be used for trips to the laundry mat while you’re traveling and can also double as a day bag for the beach (they hold a lot of towels).

Homest Laundry Bag

6. fjallraven kanken hip pack, best fanny pack.

Hip packs or fanny packs have come back into style and this early 1990s staple is the ultimate traveling companion. Keep your most important items on you with a fanny pack like the Fjallraven Kanken Hip Pack. We especially like this model since it has a stiff exterior that holds its shape, making it easy to quickly find your passport, credit cards, phone, earbuds, lip balm, hand sanitizer and more when going through security or running to make your connection. The adjustable strap allows users to wear it cross-body or around their waist. We also like the top loop for attaching items, including water bottles. A fanny pack helps frees up more space in your carry-on and most airlines don’t count these smaller items as carry-on or as a personal item. If you’ve ever forgotten an item at security, you’ll also appreciate that a fanny pack can provide a convenient place to keep all the items you typically hold in your pockets.

Read More: The Best Fanny Packs You Can Buy Today

Fjallraven Kanken Hip Pack

7. men’s arrowood triclimate jacket, best jacket.

We’ve tried a lot of jackets at SPY, and the Men’s Arrowood Triclimate from North Face is one of our favorites. This versatile jacket is ideal for travel since it has an outer waterproof and windproof shell with a hood and an inner fleece layer that can be removed and worn separately, giving customers three jackets in one. Great for fall or spring, this layer-friendly jacket works for hikes and nights out on the town. It has zippered pockets for securely storing passports, credit cards, phones, and personal items.

Read More: The Best Men’s Technical Jackets

Men’s Arrowood Triclimate Jacket

8. beveetio travel bottles, best for liquids .

We know that suggesting travel-sized toiletry bottles isn’t groundbreaking, but for toiletry bottles to be useful, they must meet certain criteria. Is there a variety of sizes? Are they easy to label? Simple to fill? Will they remain securely closed while in transit? The Beveetio Travel Bottles check all these boxes. The 15-pack includes smaller containers, larger squeeze bottles, and a pump spray. It includes two plastic paddle sticks that help move lotions and creams from larger containers into the smaller, TSA-approved cream boxes. All made with BPA-free material, the leak-proof containers can be stored in the included clear bag, which is great for going through security.

Beveetio Travel Bottles

9. harry’s shave and shower kit, best dopp kit.

This convenient grooming kit is one of the best packing hacks for men worried about losing toiletries when they go through TSA airport security. If you don’t want to make your dopp kit, you can still save space with a set like Harry’s Shave and Shower Kit. It’s one of our favorite dopp kits thanks to its durable design, which consists of tear-resistant fabric. The TSA-friendly kit comes with a Harry’s razor, shave gel, face wash and 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. There’s still room for extra toiletries, making it easy to keep all your grooming goods in one compact space.

Read More: The Best Men’s Toiletry Dopp Kits

Harry's Shave & Shower Travel Kit

10. mophie 3-in-1 wireless charging pad.

Cords aren’t the biggest item you pack when traveling, but you still want to cut where you can. For Apple users, a charging pad like the Mophie 3-in-1 makes it possible to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods in one spot with one cord. Not only does this save space, but it also requires one outlet versus three and means fewer cords to lose/get tangled in your bag.

Read More: Best Mophie Deals

Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad

11. the north face borealis school laptop backpack, best personal bag.

Choosing a personal item for your next trip can be a big decision. You want something that is lightweight but won’t break mid-trip. It needs a thoughtful organizational structure without so many pockets that you can’t find important items. Depending on your travels, it may have to look good in a restaurant and on a hiking trail. That’s why we like The North Face Borealis School Laptop Backpack. The light but durable backpack has Flex Vent technology to help keep you cool, a removable waistbelt and sternum strap that are great for all-day wearing, two extended mesh water bottle pockets and a spacious main compartment that includes a padded laptop sleeve that also works for tablets. We also like the front bungee system that can hold a jacket, shoes, or other items, helping to free up room in your bag that would otherwise be taken up by bulky items.

Read More: The Best Backpacks for College Students

The North Face Borealis School Laptop Backpack

12. the large everywhere bag by away, best carry-on .

Whether your carry-on is your only piece of luggage or you’re using it in addition to a checked bag, make the most of your space with a bag that is easy to organize. The Large Everywhere Bag by Away is one of our favorite carry-on options because the full zip opening allows it to open flat like a suitcase. This makes it easy to see everything in your bag and utilize packing hacks, like compression cubes and vacuum bags. The bag has a padded laptop sleeve and several zippered pockets for secure organization. We also like the trolley sleeve that allows travelers to slip the Everywhere Bag over the handle of a rolling suitcase.

Read More: The Best Weekend Bags

The Large Everywhere Bag by Away

13. freskaro auto locking carabiner clips, best bag extender.

Fear not if you’ve run out of room in your luggage while traveling. A carabiner is a do-it-all accessory that can help extend the size of your luggage. Attach sneakers, a tote filled with bulky items like jackets, a water bottle, or a toiletry bag to the outside of your carry-on by securing it with a carabiner. A carabiner can also be used while you’re traveling to secure the straps of your backpack or duffel to a chair or table to thwart thieves.

FresKaro Auto Locking Carabiner Clips

14. cincha travel belt, best accessory.

The Cincha Travel Belt allows travelers to turn just about any bag into an easy-to-carry personal item. Great for day packs or large totes with souvenirs that your purchase while traveling, the Cincha secures bags to the handle of a suitcase, making it possible to use smaller daypacks, which typically don’t have a trolley sleeve passthrough, as personal items while traveling.

Cincha Travel Belt

15. customizable snap scarf by lululemon, best companion.

One of the best ways to travel light is to find items that can be multipurpose. I’ve been traveling with my Customizable Snap Scarf by Lululemon for about eight years and it has never let me down. Its Rulu fabric is super soft and easy to wash, it is sweat-wicking for active travelers and it has four-way stretch. The scarf comes in black or heathered herringbone and both look great for a night on the town or a day on the trails. It’s a scarf, a hood, a blanket, a pillow and your new favorite travel buddy for temperatures ranging from cool to downright frigid.

Customizable Snap Scarf by Lululemon

I Survived the Layover From Hell Thanks to These 9 Travel Products

Allison spent four years as the Editor and head writer for Much.com, aka the Canadian MTV. During her time at Much, Allison conducted more than 100 on-camera interviews with some of the biggest names…

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9 Easy Travel Packing Hacks to Maximise Your Luggage Space

• 5 June 2024

Are you looking for some packing hacks to help when travelling?

I’ve been travelling professionally for 30 years, I’ve learned lots about packing – mostly the hard way!

Let me share with you my 9 Travel Packing Hacks to shortcut you to happy packing!

So let’s jump into my list of packing hacks to help you travel more lightly on your next trip, but also ensure you have everything you need.

Links You Might Find Helpful: Check Out My Travel Essentials including Packing Cubes Packing Cubes and Compression Packing Cubes

Travel Packing Hacks

Table of Contents

1. Wear Your Heaviest Shoes When Flying

I have to confess I am not a shoe addict – if you are you might find this packing hack a bit tricky!

If you are travelling for a short trip then you probably only need 2 pairs of shoes. Of course that depends on the type of trip a little bit too. If you are going on a cruise with formal dinners to attend two pairs of shoes won’t cut it! Likewise, if you are planning on walking or hiking you will need different shoes. However, for a trip up to around 5 days, a couple of pairs of shoes can be enough.

A good tip is to wear the heaviest pair when you are flying to help make your suitcase a little lighter. You can easily change your shoes when you get your luggage back if it is checked, or once you are past check-in and security if it is hand luggage.

I’m not including flip flops (or thongs as they are known in Oz) in my shoe allowance and I often include a pair of these in my case for walking around hotels, and pools. They are so lightweight and take up so little room that they really don’t count.

There are also some great lightweight shoe options available. Skechers have a good range of comfy yet supportive shoes and sandals that are lightweight too.

2. Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes were a bit of a life-changing thing when I found them some years ago. They are simply little bags that you can pack different items into, generally with zips and handles to keep them organised and make it easy to get out of your case.

Packing cubes are one of my favourite packing hacks!

For many years I had used those vacuum bags that sucked the air out of the bag and kept everything nice and squished so it didn’t crease. However, that often meant rolling around on the floor trying to get the air out of the bags to pack them and it meant doing that every time the bag needed closing again.

Packing cubes don’t require any of that.

There are two types of packing cubes. Regular cubes and compression cubes. Compression cubes generally have another zip to squish the clothing down further so the cube takes up less room in the case. This can require quite a bit of strength to do and a bit of squeezing the zip along – having tried them I’m not a fan as I’m not convinced the compression is worth the effort.

Packing cubes are great because you can organise your clothes. I organise daytime, evening and underwear separately so I easily get to everything.

3. Take Easy to Wash Underwear

Without sharing the details of what underwear I wear, which would just be too weird, when it comes to travelling I like underwear that washes and dries easily, something lightweight.

Having lightweight easy to wash and dry underwear means you can take less with you and wash and dry as you go along.

I know some people who just take a couple of pairs and wash and dry them every couple of days – whether that is practical for you depends on your trip and your itinerary. Personally, the thought of only travelling with 2 or 3 pairs of knickers terrifies me but each to their own!

Shampoo and soap work well for washing so there isn’t really a need to take washing powder or gel with you – it’s just something else to worry about.

The other thing to consider is disposable underwear. There is plenty of disposable cotton underwear available which seems a bit extreme to me, especially given the environmental cost of making cotton. There is also disposable paper underwear. My Dad used this when he travelled all over the world for business in the 70s to save him from having to bring back underwear for washing.

4. Stuff Your Shoes

Shoes can be quite awkward to pack and can take up quite a bit of room in your case.

Use that room by stuffing your shoes full of socks or underwear. It’s a great way to get more room in your case.

If you have lightweight underwear as I have mentioned above then you can get quite a lot in your shoes!

5. Roll or Tightly Fold Your Clothes

Rolling clothes can be a good way to avoid creases in clothing when travelling and also a good way to get more things in your case or packing cube. Rolling also means you see items more easily rather than having to leaf through a pile of folded items for example.

6. Put a Dryer Sheet in Your Case

If you want your clothes to smell nice why not add a dryer sheet to your case or bag?

If you are checking luggage it can often get quite cold and sometimes your clothes can end up with a bit of a damp odour as a result. A dryer sheet should help your clothes stay nice and fresh smelling – in fact smelling like they have just come out of the laundry.

7. Use Hotel Toiletries

If you are staying in the sort of hotel that has toiletries then why not use them and save yourself some luggage space?

If you are staying in a nice hotel why not take the toiletries and use them for your next hotel?

If you are planning on taking hand luggage only you are going to be limited in relation to the amount of toiletries you can take. Taking your own toothpaste and deodorant means you don’t need much space in your bag. If for any reason your hotel doesn’t have toiletries then just buy some while you are there. If there is some left and you can’t bring it home because it’s too big for the hand luggage requirements why not leave it for the housekeeping team with a little note?

8. Take a Hanging Toiletry Bag

If you are travelling on a longer trip and you are going to need more toiletries, medication etc then a hanging toiletries bag is a great idea.

If you get one that has a hanging hook you can easily hang it up when you get to your hotel bathroom and easily find everything you need.

Hanging your toiletries also means that housekeeping can clean your bathroom and they don’t have to move or rearrange all your toiletries to do so (meaning less risk of any cleaning chemicals ending up on your toothbrush).

9. Ticketless Travel

Oh, tickets seem so old-fashioned, don’t they? Especially in the world of apps.

Apps are fantastic for facilitating ticketless travel – lots of airlines now do ticketless travel which saves the palaver of having to print out a ticket somewhere before you get to the airport if you are doing online check-in.

If you want an app that you can send all your itineraries too and will keep them in one place so you can access all your passes and travel documents then Tripit does exactly that. It’s a trip planner and flight tracker app combined to make everything super simple and find everything very easily too.

One of the issues with ticketless travel is that you need enough battery to scan in and out which can be tricky if you are flying on one or more flights during the day. If you are worried about your battery not making it then perhaps book a battery booster. You need to be careful with some of these to make sure they don’t contain lithium, as some planes don’t allow lithium batteries in your hand luggage.

Check out a selection of mobile battery chargers here.

Travel Packing Hacks – Summary

Generally, you need less stuff than you think when travelling! Here’s a reminder of those tips.

• Wear your heaviest shoes
• Use packing cubes.
• Take easy to wash underwear
• Stuff your shoes
• Roll or tightly fold your clothes
• Put a dryer sheet in your case
• Use hotel toiletries
• Take a hanging wash bag
• Go paperless when travelling

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Cheap Hotel Deals – to get great hotel deals

Fab Flight Hacks – helping you find the best flight prices

Find more on my Travel More and Spend Less page

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Travel Packing Hacks

These 19 travel packing hacks will have you packing like a pro. These hacks will make your travel packing easier and more efficient. They’ll help you to save space through optimising your packing and reducing travel kit that you don’t need.

We’ve all packed overzealously before and ended up regretting those additional dresses and shoes that we’ve had to haul around. This list of travel packing hacks helps you to know where you reduce without regret.

Choose Your Luggage Size First

Before you even start thinking about what to pack and how to pack it, decide on what bag you’re taking. My number one hack is to choose a backpack or suitcase size based on the length of your trip. This will encourage you to only pack what you need because you’ve limited your space. If you take a big suitcase for a week-long holiday, you will end up packing it to max capacity with loads of stuff you don’t need. A bad idea because it’s both heavy and increases carbon emissions from flights!

Here are the ideal bag sizes based on trip length:

• If it’s a weekend away, an everyday 25L backpack is enough. We use an Eastpak (24L) .
• If you’re spending 1-2 weeks away, opt for a 35L backpack. We have an old Fjallraven 35L for these trips.
• For trips that are 2-8 weeks, upgrade to a 45L backpack. We highly recommend the Osprey Sojourn Porter (46L) .
• For a significant backpacking trip that’s 2+ months, a 45L backpack and a day pack may be enough. If you won’t be moving around too much, then opt for a bigger suitcase like the Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Suitcase (80L) .

The only exception to this rule are trips that require more bulky kit that takes up space, such as ski trips or hiking trips. In these cases, opt for a larger bag or suitcase. Make sure to check airline baggage rules so you don’t get charged for excess luggage.

Check the Weather Forecast

Check the forecast in your destination before you start packing and select clothing according to this. You don’t need to pack for all seasons, unless the weather forecast is wild! The one item I do almost always pack regardless of the forecast is a light rain jacket as past experience has taught me that it’s risky to be without one.

Use a Travel Packing Checklist

A travel packing checklist (I’ve got a good one!) is essential so that you both don’t forget anything important or start to get tempted to pack more than you need. Match your packing checklist to the weather where you’re going so that you only pack the clothing you need for the trip.

Opt for Smart Luggage

You might be wondering what an earth I mean by “smart” luggage. Well-constructed backpacks and cases optimise your packing through nifty features such as in-built compression and liner pockets for better organisation.

Osprey packs are particularly designed with smart features. The Osprey Sojourn backpack and Sojourn Suitcase I mentioned above have unique straight jacket compression which means they pull in and compress the contents. I also love this feature because it means the backpack folds neatly and compresses down to a smaller size when empty. Both also feature inside pockets and additional storage compartments for efficient packing.

Use Packing Cubes

Once you’ve used packing cubes, you’ll never go back. These small, zippered pouches help keep your belongings organised within your luggage and compress it down further. As packing cubes are neat, well, cube shapes, it means your bag’s contents stack easily too. The Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes are a good option. Compression bags are another good option. These vacuum-seal clothing, reducing volume even further. Check out how easy it is to pack using packing cubes .

Only Bring What You’ll Wear

One of the most overlooked travel packing tips is only to bring what you’ll wear and to be brutal about it. If you’ve not worn a standard clothing item in the past month, don’t bring it because you won’t wear it. The only exceptions are items such as your swim kit which you’d need for a beach holiday even if you’ve not recently worn it.

Roll Your Clothes

Rolling clothes instead of folding them saves space and minimises wrinkles. Separate out clothing types into different packing cubes and roll them individually, lining them inside the packing cube like a tray of jam roly-polys.

Wear Bulky Items

Wear your bulkiest clothing items, like puffer jackets or hiking shoes, during travel to save space in your bag. I tend to only do this if I’ll be comfortable wearing these items whilst travelling. I rarely wear my hiking shoes on flights, but I often keep a puffer jacket with me as it doubles as a pillow.

Limit Shoes

Shoes are heavy space-eaters. Only bring the shoes you need for your trip. In most cases, I only bring two pairs of shoes: a pair of trainers that I can hike in and a pair of sandals. The exception is if I’m doing multi-day hikes and need a pair of sturdy hiking shoes too.

Store Socks Inside Shoes

Maximise space by placing socks inside your shoes.

Pack Heavy Items First

If you are bringing hiking shoes for example, pack those first so they’re at the bottom of your case. You can more easily position the rest of your kit around them. Packing them at the bottom means your softer items won’t get crushed and you won’t be off-kilter with your backpack on.

Use Travel-Size Toiletries

Use travel-sized toiletries to save space and refill these at your accommodation as you move. If you’re staying put in one or two places when you reach your destination, then simply opt to purchase most of your toiletries when you’re there.

Use Ziplock Bags

Keep small items like cables and accessories organised in clear ziplock bags. This is also a good idea if you’re bag isn’t waterproof to make sure nothing important gets damp.

Carry a Travel Towel

Definitely, definitely don’t pack a normal towel. Not only do almost all accommodations have towels there, but these bulky, fluffy items are a waste of space. If you need a towel for the beach, pool or camping, use a lightweight microfibre travel towel .

Bring Two Empty Tote Bags

I take two empty tote bags with me on every trip. One is for use at supermarkets and to carry with me during the day, and the other is to separate out dirty laundry. Your dirty washing tote bag should have clothes rolled, the same as your clean clothes packing, and can be stored inside a packing cube if you’re taking dirty clothing with you.

Downsize Your Wallet

Somehow our purses and wallets get overcrowded with coffee shops points cards and all sorts. Take all of this out before travelling or use a separate wallet specifically with your travel credit and debit cards. Make sure not to carry around cards you don’t need. I recommend just a credit or debit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction or withdrawal fees.

Pack a Kindle instead of Books

I’m an English Lit graduate, so I don’t say this lightly to fellow book lovers, but a Kindle is the better option. You can carry endless books at a lighter weight than carry paperbacks. I load up my Kindle with a few good books I want to read ahead of every trip so that I’m fully prepared. It’s honestly one of my favourite space-saving and weight-reducing travel packing hacks.

Use TSID Luggage Tags

TSID luggage tags are a nifty alternative to old fashioned luggage tags. Instead of writing luggage tags by hand, TSID ones can be registered online using a QR code. It’s super quick and easy. If your luggage gets lost, whoever finds it only needs to scan the QR code to then find your details and contact you. Osprey packs have TSID luggage tags and registration included on every bag.

Prepare to Leave Space

When you’re packing, prepare yourself to leave space in your luggage so you can bring back souvenirs or gifts. Just because you have some free space doesn’t mean you should fill it all up. You’ll be glad to have that space when you arrive in your destination, especially in countries where local handicrafts are common!

What’s your favourite travel packing hack? Share with me in the comments!

Charlie Marchant

The Essential Travel Packing List

Hiking the inca trail to machu picchu.

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We’re Charlie and Luke — UK travel bloggers, adventurers and storytellers. We travel slow and write about sustainable travel . We want to make responsible travel choices and help you do the same. Get to know us .

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TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES

How to pack light for 2 weeks (with carry-on only).

I cannot remember the last time I checked in a piece of luggage. Whether it’s a weekend in Abu Dhabi , a week in Belgium or two weeks in Japan , it’s travelling with carry-on luggage only for me.

Picture it. No anxious waiting at the luggage carousel; no lost or delayed baggage; no hauling heavy suitcases up steep stairs.

There’s a lot to be said for having control over your luggage at all times.

But whilst it’s easy to travel with hand luggage only for a short break, this can be more challenging for longer holidays.

This is where I can help you. In this article, I will show you how to travel like a ninja by sharing my tried and tested tips for how to pack light for two weeks (or longer!).

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

How to Pack Light for 2 Weeks: My Top Tips

All that said, there are a few negatives to travelling with just a carry-on.

It goes without saying that you will have to take a lot less stuff away with you. There will be tough decisions about what is included, and what is excluded, from your travel packing list.

Airline cabin baggage restrictions also come into play as do those at airport security.

But these disadvantages can be overcome, and they are outweighed by the advantages of travelling with hand luggage only. Many of these hand luggage packing hacks are obvious; others are less so. But collectively they will help you travel with carry-on only with ease

1. Establish the cabin baggage rules for the airline

First and foremost, you need to check what your airline allows as carry-on luggage.

You can quickly look at the requirements for cabin baggage here . However, always check with your airline before you fly, for domestic as well as international flights.

Two factors come into play here: hand luggage size and weight . Some airlines are more generous than others so it pays to do your homework even before booking your flight. 

For instance, as of October 2022, Ryanair’s free hand luggage allowance is one personal bag no larger than 40x20x25cm that must fit under the seat in front of you. By contrast, British Airways allows you to bring a cabin bag that weighs a maximum of 23kg and that measures up to a generous 56x45x25cm.

To maximise your valuable cabin luggage allowance, also check if an additional bag is allowed, a laptop bag or handbag for example.

2. Invest in the best carry-on luggage that you can afford

Of course, you should buy a carry-on that conforms to the cabin baggage requirements of most international airlines. But I would go further to say that you should invest in the best piece of luggage that you can afford at the time.

I’ve learnt the hard way. In more than three decades of travelling, I’ve made some poor choices of backpacks and suitcases, sacrificing quality in favour of economy.

A decent piece of luggage that is durable, comfortable and keeps your stuff dry and safe is one of the best investments that you can make.

I travel with one of two excellent pieces of hand luggage.

Backpacks on wheels offer the best of both worlds. Whilst they keep many of the features of a traditional backpack, transporting your gear is a breeze.

Osprey has a stellar reputation for making comfortable, well-designed backpacks and the Osprey Fairview Wheels 36 is my go-to luggage for 75% of my trips.

It is well-constructed, packed with excellent features, and is super-lightweight yet rugged. Furthermore, using cleverly concealed straps, it converts into a traditional backpack.

For city-based trips, I tend to favour my LEVEL8 Pro Carry-On suitcase. This super stylish wheeled hard-shell suitcase also complies with the size requirements for cabin baggage for most major airlines and has a generous capacity.

If you order your LEVEL8 luggage here and use the exclusive discount code theflashpacker10 , you’ll get 10% off any purchase.

3. Prune your packing list

This may seem blindingly obvious but this has been a game-changer for me.

The adage of making a list of everything that you would like to pack and then halving it may be old advice but that doesn’t make it less true.

About a week before my departure, I lay out everything that I think I will need on the bed in my spare room. Over the next seven days, I whittle this collection by 50%.

It works every time. In recent years, when my inventory has worked well, I make a note of the items I included to form a packing list for future travels.

Practice makes packing light (almost) perfect.

4. Work out your wardrobe

After multiple mishaps, I have finally found the Holy Grail of how to pack light: a capsule wardrobe .

Coordination is the key; all of your tops should go with all of your bottoms. Neutral items are the ones that work best but I usually throw in one colourful, fun top, just to liven things up.

For women, scarves and jewellery are a godsend as they can lift an outfit.

No one will care or even notice if you wear the same outfit three or four times.

5. Check out laundry facilities before you go

Learn to love the laundry machine.

If I am travelling for one week or longer, I always check the laundry facilities at my destination.

Wherever possible, when choosing my accommodation , I will book an apartment or hotel that has a washing machine that guests can use. This is easy to do on Booking.com ; simply tick “Washing Machine” under the Room Facilities options.

Fun fact. I once stayed in a hotel in Himeji, Japan where you could check the status of your load of washing on the screen of your room TV.

Failing that, I will use Google Maps to identify launderettes in the vicinity.

6. Embrace the power of packing cubes

Packing cubes are a ubiquitous hand luggage hack. This packing tip is always there because it works.

Not only do they save you precious space, but they also keep your stuff organised. This makes it so much easier when you are packing and unpacking. You can simply lift them out of your luggage.

There are many types of packing cubes on the market but I have used those from Muji for years. The mesh is see-through and allows items to “breathe” and they add negligible weight to your luggage.  

Although some people swear by vacuum compression packing bags , I have yet to try them.

7. Solve the shoe dilemma

Footwear is one of my biggest packing headaches but one of the most important things to get right when you travel with only carry-on.

As they take up a sizeable chunk of luggage real estate, you will need to make some tough choices.

When I am travelling to warm climates, I take two, or a maximum of three, pieces of footwear: a pair of trainers (sneakers) that will match all outfits, lightweight sandals +/- a pair of flip-flops. For colder climates, it’s just a pair of trainers +/- boots or comfortable shoes.

Skechers trainers are lightweight, comfortable from the first time you slip them on and look stylish.

My sandal brand of choice is Teva . These light-as-air sandals have contoured footbeds and durable soles and come in a range of styles and colours.

8. Rationalise your toiletries and medicines

This is not the time to carry the entire contents of your bathroom cabinet with you. Potions and lotions can take up a lot of luggage space and there are restrictions on what you can take through airport security.

Buy travel-sized products or, better still, decant your toiletries into smaller containers. Rationalise what you pack; do you really need three shades of lippy?

Quart-sized reusable pouches are the best way to go, and I have successfully used a Ziploc bag from Muji for my carry-on toiletries for many years.

As a pharmacist, I have honed my travel medicine kit into a small sturdy pouch.

9. Buy non-travel-sized toiletries at Duty-Free

Teeny weeny travel-sized products are sometimes not the entire solution.

The item that often catches me out is sunscreen. Although mini-sizes are available, this isn’t going to be enough if you are travelling for two weeks.

One solution is to pick up a bottle of Ambre Solaire – other brands are available – at Duty-Free. Alternatively, buy a bottle at a local supermarket when you arrive.

10.  Remember that you can buy almost anything at your destination  

Let’s eliminate one of the main anxieties of travelling light. What if I don’t pack something which I wind up needing?

In our globalised society, it’s rare that you will not be able to find what you need at your destination.

And I love visiting a supermarket when I am travelling. It can often give you a good feel for your destination and forces you to mix with locals.  

11. Be prepared at airport security

Be an airport security staff’s dream passenger.

Before you get in line, make sure that your electronic equipment and toiletry bag are easily accessible. Get ready to remove your jacket, belt, watch and shoes if necessary.

Although there are commonalities, security requirements can vary between counties. Do your research or just ask the staff.

Don’t be that person who faffs around and holds up other travellers.

12. Take the train

Take airport security out of the equation by travelling by train .

From the great railway journeys of the world like the Glacier Express and Flam Railway , to maxing out an Interrail Pass and Japan Rail Pass , I am a massive advocate of train travel.

Not only is rail travel usually more comfortable – and sometimes quicker point-to-point – but there are also few luggage restrictions.

13. Learn to love a Kindle

Like many people, I love the feeling of turning over pages in a book. Nonetheless, I became a Kindle convert some years ago.

My Kindle Paperwhite – also a fabulous present for the frequent flier in your life – weighs in at around 200g and takes up minimal space in my luggage. You don’t need me to tell you that it can hold your entire holiday reading library, including guidebooks.

As a more mature traveller , the ability to adjust the font size and the screen’s backlight is a Godsend.

Final Thoughts on Travelling With Carry-on Only

Travelling with carry-on luggage only is a no-brainer.

Wave goodbye to anxiety about your luggage not being there to greet you on the other side, or being pummelled by baggage handlers. Say hello to speeding through the airport like a travel ninja.

But this is travelling light in another sense of the phrase.

Packing light makes the trip less about the stuff around you and more about the experiences that you will have. A decluttered suitcase is a decluttered and open mind.

And surely that is what matters?

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

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A Flight Attendant's 9 Hacks for Saving Space When Packing a Carry-on — From Just $11

For advice on the best ways to pack a carry-on, we look to flight attendants.

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

At Travel + Leisure , it’s our job to find the best of the best, from must-visit destinations to genius travel hacks for your next trip . And while we pull from our own wealth of experience as travel writers, we also value insight and recommendations from the most frequent of fliers, flight attendants. With how often flight attendants travel, I know I always personally look to them for advice on ways to travel smarter — especially how to make the most of your carry-on — and you should too.

And to help you do just that, I’ve picked the brain of Shanese Stuckey , a Miami-based flight attendant who has worked for United Airlines for the past eight years, to find out her carry-on must-haves from her rock-solid packing routine. Here’s a curated list of her top 9 tips and products that will help you pack more efficiently for your next trip. 

Apple iPad 10th Generation 

Stuckey packs her iPad for a genius reason: they’re  “able to connect to a keyboard so it’s all much lighter than packing a heavy laptop.” Attachable keyboards are incredibly sleek these days, and like she mentioned, really do save some space in your carry-on. Oh, and not to mention that especially with an iPad case, you don’t have to worry about safeguarding your precious laptop.

Hicober 3-in-1 Charging Station

Between your phone, headphones, and smartwatch, all those charging cords can certainly add up in your suitcase. Looking for a solution to streamline your charging needs altogether? Stuckey says, “Because you can’t always charge everything at once, or if you’re somewhere for a short period of time and need to get a charge fast on your devices, this 3-in-1 charging station is incredibly helpful.” It’s fast-charging, compact, and an all-purpose charging pad for just $32.

Bagail Packing Cubes Set

We’ve sung the praises of packing cubes time and time again, and Stuckey also considers them a traveling must-have because they “keep your things organized, but condensed too.” Some can help you fit up to 2 weeks’ worth of clothes in a single suitcase. But they also keep your clothes separated, too. As she explained, “Flight attendants wear tights and you don’t want them to get snagged, so I have a designated cube pack just for my tights.” So if you’re working with a set amount of space in your bag, you really need to grab a set of packing cubes.

EcoGear 28-Inch Duffel Garment Rack

Stuckey explained that although flight attendants have certain requirements for the type of suitcases they can use, when she’s off the clock, she highly recommends this duffel bag with a built-in garment rack and shoe compartment as “a genius way to store and pack your items.” I’ve never seen anything like this before, and I have a few weddings coming up and am considering buying it to hang my many outfits and store my shoes for the weekend.

Kuogo Portable Door Lock Pack

According to Stuckey, “traveling alone creates a whole different set of safety concerns,” and as a result, she recommends keeping one of these portable door locks in your bag for an extra line of defense in your rental or hotel room. It’s incredibly compact, so it’ll hardly take up any space in your carry-on. It comes in a set of two, so you can stay extra alert if your rental has multiple doors, or if you want to keep one at home. 

Traveler’s Club Hardside Expandable 20-Inch Carry-On

Stuckey stressed that the key to packing the perfect carry-on all goes back to a great bag itself, and while her personal go-to is the $750 Tumi 19 Degree International Carry-on Suitcase , we found a more affordable yet equally spacious model for just $59. It’s just under 9 pounds and features smart packing compartments and compression straps to keep your belongings secure and condensed. 

Morfane Travel Toiletries Set 

A common mistake Stuckey thinks travelers make is that they overpack. As a flight attendant, she expressed that they can’t “have the suitcases be too heavy because they are constantly lifting it up and down,” so she encourages travelers “to pack your essentials and nothing you don’t necessarily need.” You don’t need to bring full-size, or even travel-size versions of all your skincare and haircare products for trips that are just a few days long; instead, condense it all down into a convenient travel toiletries set for easy breezy traveling. 

Lura Mini Portable Travel Hair Dryer

Speaking of compact essentials, this hair dryer is almost half the weight and size of a regular one, which makes it the perfect size for your carry-on. Complete with a diffuser and additional blow dryer head for smoothing curly hair and blowouts, it’s the foldable hair accessory you didn’t know you needed. Oh, and as if it couldn’t get any better, it also comes with interchangeable plug-ins (U.S. and E.U.) so there’s no need to worry about buying an additional conversion plug. 

Outdoor Ventures Packable Puffer Jacket

“I always roll my clothes into my suitcase instead of folding them to save space,” says Stuckey. And while this tip works exceptionally well for shirts and pants, it can be much harder to find a winter coat with the same foldable nature. That’s why she says a puffer coat that’s designed to be packable and rollable, “would be great to travel with and throw into your luggage.” We recommend this one that comes with a convenient bag to save even more space.

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• Packing Tips

10 Space-Saving Packing Hacks for Carry-On-Only Travel

Published April 1, 2023

Written by:

Nick Hilden

Pacific Northwest native Nick Hilden is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Afar, the Daily Beast,...

Fred Perrotta

Co-founder, tortuga.

Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the...

The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

I’ve been traveling more or less constantly for over a decade. As with any skill, there’s a learning curve to being a smart traveler.

For the first several years of my life on the road, I packed the same way I’d seen my parents do it back in the 90s. That meant carrying on a small daypack while I checked a large suitcase crammed with the bulk of my stuff. Sometimes my luggage arrived at the baggage claim like it was supposed to. Sometimes it didn’t. But checking luggage was always a hassle and a worry no matter what.

Two things changed all of that. First, I realized that I should simplify my life of travel and condense everything into a single carry on . That was easier said than done. The second major change came when I bought a travel backpack on the recommendation of one of my travel buddies, which made my new “carry on only” goal significantly easier.

Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.

• Thick comfortable straps
• Easy to organize
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The impact it had on my travels was nothing short of revolutionary. I’m not exaggerating.

The ability to comfortably and efficiently carry on everything I needed for months and even years of continual travel was a game-changer. When you’re getting on and off planes several times a month, the time and stress of checking and collecting baggage takes a toll. My new backpack eliminated all that from the process.

As I traveled, I discovered more and more carry on packing hacks to help maximize the efficiency of my load. My newfound hacks allowed me to get a truly astounding amount of stuff into my backpack.

Packing Hacks for Traveling

The first thing you must do to get the most out of packing your carry on involves getting a bag that maximizes space efficiency and gets the most out of the airline carry-on allowance . We’ve already covered that, so we can move right along to some specific packing hacks.

1. Cut Out the Filler

While it might seem smart to pack along a bunch of random stuff for every possible contingency, the truth is that a lot of it—maybe even most of it—will never leave its place in your bag. Lay out all your travel gear on the floor and ask yourself what delivers genuine value for the space it consumes.  If you think it might not get used, it probably won’t. Leave it at home.

2. Shop for Size

We live in a golden age of gear. Designers of travel goods have gotten smarter about trimming down products to get the most out of the least. So shop with size in mind. 

This doesn’t just apply to luggage itself. Forget about packing a big bulky towel. Instead, look for one of the modern travel towels that fold down to the size of your fist. That’s just one example. Seek out smart, small gear design.

3. Fold and Roll, Don’t Stack

This one is about as tried and tested as they come. Folded clothes eat up too much space. Three rolled pairs of pants , for example, can fit into the same space as a single folded pair.

We have full guides on rolling vs folding clothes and packing without wrinkling your clothes . The short version is that the process actually starts with folding. Fold each item as concisely as possible, smoothing out any wrinkles or air. Then roll them as tightly as you can. Rolled-up clothes can then be placed in packing cubes that help to keep them in place.

4. Be Smart About Your Shoes

Shoes are a space-killer, so be smart about them. The most important thing you can do is to take the fewest pairs possible with you. Instead of packing walking shoes, gym shoes, and dress shoes, find a single pair of nice-looking, durable trainers that can cover all three use cases. Once your shoes are in your bag, stuff them with socks, underwear, or a belt.

Alternatively, I’m a big fan of clipping shoes to the exterior of my bag using a carabiner or cramming them into the water bottle holder. So far I’ve never had an airline complain about having a pair of shoes dangle outside the carry-on size limitations. As a bonus, it keeps dirty, smelly shoes away from your clothes.

5. Everything in Its Place

If you’re going to make the most out of every square inch of your bag, your stuff needs to be as well-organized as possible.

Here again, I need to mention my Travel Backpack , which is unrivaled in its organizational potential. There simply isn’t any other travel backpack with compartments, pockets, and small-item organizers so perfectly laid out.

The Travel Backpack gives you the flexibility to put your stuff where you think it should go. There’s no one “right way” to pack it. But you should decide what belongs where. Having a map in mind of where your stuff belongs allows you to Tetris in more stuff, as well as making it easier to find things when you need them on the go.

Here’s how I do it.

I use the rear laptop compartment as “the office,” with all my work stuff, cords and electronics, art supplies , and Kindle in the pockets. All my clothing and any larger items are in the main compartment. Up front are small odds and ends, anything I might need spontaneously like headphones or sunglasses, pens (always important when it comes to filling out customs declarations), and so on. Even further up front are two outer pockets where I typically keep a couple of books and a two-foot bungee cord that comes in handy in a million surprising ways. I’ll also slip boarding passes in there too when I’m on the go at the airport. Then I’ll often have a charger in one belt pocket while the other is left open for sudden contingencies. Sometimes you need to free up your hands unexpectedly.  

That’s a lot of stuff, but it’s all extremely organized. Because of my map, it all fits and is easy to find.

6. Think in Terms of Bundles

Try to compartmentalize different items as often as you can. For example, corral all your cables, chargers, and other small electronic accessories into a common pouch . Use packing cubes to keep like clothing items sorted. Toiletries go in a dopp kit or a simple plastic bag. And so on. This helps with travel packing hack #5 and makes finding things much easier.

7. Use Solid Soaps Instead of Liquid

There are solid travel versions of every kind of soap you might need, from body wash to shampoo to laundry detergent (which is available in super-packable travel sheets). Solid soaps are easier to pack, TSA-friendly, and will never leak in your bag.

8. Take Advantage of Modern Tech Gear

I used to haul a mini-library around because I preferred reading real books in whatever beautiful setting I happened to find myself. Finally, however, I realized that a good e-reader saves both space and my back.

Ditto goes for a big set of headphones versus a pair of modern earbuds. Or an entire camera setup versus a phone with a good camera. Whenever possible, go for the smaller tech. You’ll get just about the same results but have a much better travel experience.

9. Wear Travel-Smart Clothing

Sure, you could pack shirts for every day of the week.

But a better solution is to buy three shirts made of modern materials that wick away sweat and are stain, odor, and wrinkle-resistant. Then you could wear them multiple times before washing them.

These travel-friendly clothes also tend to be lighter weight and more space-efficient. We particularly like merino wool for travel.

10. Pack the Largest Items First

If you pack your small things first, you’ll discover that you can’t find room for the big essentials . Pack the biggest items into your travel backpack first, then fill in around them using progressively smaller items.

Use the rocks, pebbles, and sand analogy. If you pack the rocks first, then the pebbles, then the sand, you’ll fit everything. But if you start with the sand, you won’t have any space left for the rocks.

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Max Carry On Size

Pacific Northwest native Nick Hilden is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Afar, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Men’s Health, Fodor’s, Popular Science, Scientific American, Thrillist, Vice, Runner’s World, and many, many more. He’s carried a Tortuga Outbreaker through year after year of traveling to places like Turkey, Tunisia, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Serbia, France, Italy, Greece, Mexico, all across the U.S., and beyond. You can follow his travels via Instagram @nick.hilden.

Read more from Nick

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9 travel packing tips to save space in your luggage

As a traveler, I'm proudly team carry-on, striving each time I fly, whether it be for a few days or a few weeks, to fit everything I bring within the confines of my Away carry-on bag .

There are other people, including maybe some reading this article, who prefer to check a bag so they don't have to worry about cramming everything into one or two carry-on bags.

Whether you're firmly team carry-on or team checked baggage, some universal tips can be helpful when packing, regardless of the size of your suitcase.

Read on for TPG's best general packing tips.

General packing tips

Organization hacks

Whenever the topic of packing comes up in conversation among TPG staffers, packing cubes are mentioned over and over again, and they will "change your life," says TPG editorial director Summer Hull.

As a mom of two who frequently travels, Summer recommends families use cubes to divide up the packing by activity and day, rather than each person using a cube for all of their items.

If you're looking to get started with packing cubes, Summer's favorite option is a five-pack from Calpak for $68 , which she raves about for the "thick mesh and polyester material that has held up extraordinarily well across our theme park trips, ski adventures, cruises and beyond," along with the ability to survive multiple rounds of heat in the dryer without any noticeable impacts.

"Additionally, the cubes have waterproof pockets that you can use to keep wet or especially dirty items separate from the rest of the items, meaning that the last morning's jump in the pool won't make your whole bag a bit soupy," wrote Summer .

The great thing about packing cubes is that you can use them to organize your items to your liking. For example, TPG senior editor Madison Blancaflor prefers to organize her stuff in packing cubes by item.

"Packing cubes, packing cubes, packing cubes is my No. 1 tip," Blancaflor told me. "Not only do they help you fit more stuff, but they help you stay organized while you're traveling."

As someone who frequently uses packing cubes myself, I've learned to pack things inside of things in order to fit the intended items in the cube, a concept Blancaflor referred to as nesting.

"Knowing how to nest things is helpful — having your belts lay around the outside edges, fitting socks inside your shoes, putting underwear inside bra cups, etc.," she explained. "Any of those small space-saving things add up to a lot more space by the end of it."

Like all things, though, even packing cubes have their downsides, which is why one TPG staffer recommended using vacuum-sealed bags instead.

"I will never fly anywhere without my vacuum-sealed bags and hand vacuum," said TPG SEO senior associate Hannah Streck, who uses the bags for space-saving, cleanliness and organization purposes.

"I am able to pack so much more into my carry-on and able to see what I packed without having to open or take out the clothes, which is a downside of packing cubes," she said.

Another tip to help you stay organized while packing is to color coordinate your outfits, per cruises editor Erica Silverstein.

"I color coordinate outfits to reduce the number of shoes I need to bring and try to pack pieces that I can dress up or down," she shared. "For example, I could wear a top with a skirt at night and then with jeans the next day."

One space-saving tip that I've been practicing for a few years is rolling clothes versus folding them, which TPG credit cards Ryan Smith echoed, and added that he keeps a toiletries bag ready to go.

"I keep a toiletries case ready at all times that I never touch it while at home unless I'm reloading it with supplies that ran out," he said. "This way, I don't have to worry about packing toiletries or forgetting them."

Read more: I fly almost 100,000 miles per year and don't travel without these packing cubes from Calpak

How to keep your clothes wrinkle-free

One inevitable issue I always seem to run into when packing is keeping my clothes from wrinkling while in my suitcase. I've long placed tissue paper in between articles of clothing, a tactic I learned from my mother.

Though this works to an extent, I am eager to try plastic dry cleaner bags, per the advice of TPG editor Melissa Klurman.

"I use plastic dry cleaner bags to keep my clothes from wrinkling — you pop one item in each bag, although I often double up, then fold them all on top of your bag," she said. "The air in the bags stops the friction, and your clothes don't wrinkle."

Tips for packing carry-on only

One of my favorite features of my Away carry-on is the built-in battery pack since I know I'll always have access to a charger for my phone if needed.

"I always have a portable battery pack in my carry-on since you never know when you are going to be stranded somewhere and not able to find an outlet," said TPG's Executive Editor Scott Mayerowitz. "It also lets you keep moving in delays, and you aren't stuck next to an outlet."

During the holiday travel season, many of us may be packing winter clothing items. Whether you're departing for a cold destination or heading to the ski slopes, TPG editor Christine Gallipeau reminds us to wear those heavy items, rather than take up precious packing space.

"I wear my bulkiest items, which in the winter, usually means jeans, my thicker coat and boots," she said. "That way, I don't have to use valuable carry-on space for them since I never fly with a checked bag."

Bottom line

As you head out on your next flight, keep these simple packing tips in mind.

Whether you try out packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags for the first time or try rolling instead of folding your clothes, these tips should make packing a little less stressful, while saving you space, which is the ultimate goal.

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Carry-On Luggage Essentials to Pack for Smooth Summer Travel, According to TikTok

Save yourself from the headache of checked luggage by following these TikTok travel hacks.

Everyone can use some good rest and relaxation, and we're more than looking forward to getting away for a stress-free summer vacay this year.

But between airlines losing luggage , long waits for picking up checked baggage and  general travel woes plaguing our airlines, it might be time to simplify your travel this season by packing all of your belongings in a carry-on bag. Not sure how you'll fit a week's worth or more of essentials into a TSA-approved 22x14-inch suitcase? TikTok is here to help. 

The video-sharing app is chock full of travel hacks for condensing your clothing and other must-haves into your carry-on luggage . Convenient and affordable products such as packing cubes, refillable toiletry bottles and shoe bags make it easier than ever to pack small. We've also found plenty of little luxuries for making even the longest flights bearable: compact neck pillows, noise-canceling headphones and packable footrests, to name a few. Of course, smooth summer travel starts with a great suitcase, so we've included our favorite carry-ons to shop.

Below, we've rounded up the best TikTok-approved travel products to shop on Amazon and from around the web to help you skip the dreaded check-in line and avoid bag fees, from vacuum-sealed travel bags to the internet's favorite carry-on suitcases. 

The Best Packing Essentials for 2024

It's not really about the luggage, it's about how you pack your luggage that makes the difference. We've found all kinds of nifty packing gear that will make you more organized and more streamlined than ever. 

OlarHike 6 Set Packing Cubes for Travel

These packing cubes are a best seller on Amazon for keeping all your essentials organized, especially for carry-on luggage. 

Vonpri Leak Proof Squeezable Refillable Travel Bottles

Bring your favorite products on board with you using these carry-on-approved silicone bottles.

Yamiu Travel Shoe Bags Set of 2 Waterproof Nylon with Zipper

These zippered bags keep your dirty shoes from touching the rest of your luggage.

Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag

This travel bag can hold all of your essentials in one place, helping you save space in your luggage. Plus, it's water-resistant and can hang on the wall using the hanging hook for easy access to your toiletries. 

Travel Sunglasses Organizer

There is finally a solution to keeping your sunglasses from breaking in your travel bags. This sunglasses organizer can store up to five pairs for your next trip.

Shappy 2-Piece Large Travel Laundry Bags

Separate your dirty laundry from your clean clothes with this two-pack of waterproof laundry bags.

Apple AirTag

Keep an AirTag in your carry-on for security just in case you become separated from your luggage. 

Dagne Dover Frankie Jewelry Case

Keep necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more safe and secure with this jewelry travel case from Dagne Dover.

Best Travel Accessories for 2024

Now that you've packed your carry-on, here's everything you'll want nearby to make your day of travel go as smoothly as possible.

Perilogics Universal in Flight Airplane Phone Holder Mount

For planes without a built-in screen in the seats, enjoy your entertainment without straining your neck using this versatile phone holder and mount.

Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder

In for a long layover? TikTok users love this foldable pouch that can be pulled onto luggage to work as a drink carrier (and it has extra pockets on the back for your phone or boarding passes).

Perfuny Silicone Makeup Brush Holder

Don't worry about damaging your makeup brushes while traveling with this silicone holder. It also grooves inside to work as a brush cleaner.

Tessan Universal Power Adaptor With 4 USB Ports

Don't worry about losing charging power during international travel with this adapter that works in 150 different countries.

Toovren 2-in-1 Luggage Straps

Jealous of travelers who can hook their bags on top of their suitcases? Now you can do it with any type of tote bag that fits on top of your luggage with this highly-rated strap.

With Coupon

Highwind Cruise Luggage Tags for Suitcases

TikTok Cruise travelers love these durable and waterproof luggage tags that will secure your paper luggage tags provided by the cruise line to better ensure your bag makes it to your cabin.

Travel Inspira Digital Hanging Baggage Scale

Never worry about overpacking again. Unlike standing on the scale with your luggage and doing math to figure out the weight, simply loop this around your bag handle and lift it off the floor to see how much your bag weighs.

Saucemoto Dip Clip (Pack of 2)

Dipping fries in ketchup when you're driving can seem impossible, but these sauce holders, seen on Shark Tank , are here to save the day. They attach to the air vent and can hold ketchup in the removable white tray, or the tray comes out to hold bigger sauces that already come in a container with a peel off top.

Beautural Mini Travel Steam Iron With Dual Voltage

If you've been thinking of a travel iron, just read this customer's review: "I originally bought this to use for traveling as I was getting sick and tired of using the irons that come in hotels that are cheap and spill water everywhere. This little iron was such a good buy, very small, easy to travel with, not heavy at all. Heats up pretty quickly and easy to use. I have also started using this for day to day use. Because it is so small, it stores well as well."

Miroposs Rechargeable Slim Makeup Mirror

Airbnbs and hotels are notorious for having dark lit rooms where getting ready can be tricky. This makeup mirror that unfolds to stand up while offering a backlight will stop the dreaded fight for the single bathroom mirror. 

Body Glide Foot Glide Anti Blister Balm

Those prone to blisters know that all the extra walking during your trip can lead to some painful sores, but Body Glide's Anti-Blister Balm can cut down on friction and help prevent blisters from forming. You can also bundle this product with their anti-chafing skin cream.

LokiStashed Velvet Hair Tie Scrunchies (3 Pack)

These work just like your average scrunchie, except they have a hidden zipper so you can hide away cash, lip balm or a single key. You can also choose from a variety of colors. 

Twelve South AirFly SE: Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter for AirPods

Whether traveling for work or play, many flyers use wireless headphones these days — meaning there's no way to plug in to listen when they want to watch the in-flight entertainment on the built-in screen. The AirFly connects via Bluetooth with preferred wireless headphones, including the popular AirPods, and plugs into the screen for seamless listening.

iWALK Small USB C Portable Charger

Keep phones alive throughout the day with the help of this compact and portable phone charger.

MZOO Sleep Eye Mask

Get some shut-eye in style with a classic sleeping mask complete with cozy contoured cushions.

Everlasting Comfort Airplane Footrest

This ergonomic memory foam footrest hangs from the tray table for a much more comfortable flight.

Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

Apple's premium headphones offer crystal-clear clarity with a lightweight rubber headband, spacious and comfortable earcups, and excellent noise cancellation.

$549   $500

Jergens Cloud Creme Hand Cream for Dry Hands

Dry skin can happen anywhere, including in the air. Appropriately named Cloud Creme, this hydrating lotion from Jergens is the perfect size for airplane travel.

lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L

This TikTok-approved belt bag is perfect for anyone on the go. It keeps essentials such as keys, wallet, passport, plane ticket and phone handy.

Trtl Travel Pillow

Avoid waking up with dreaded neck pain when you use this top-rated travel pillow that's easy to slip into your personal item.

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks

These foil patches from Wander Beauty give tired eyes a refresh with hydrating ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Best Travel Entertainment for 2024

If you're in for a long flight or cross-country drive, you'll need some on-board entertainment. Here are our top choices.

ProCase iPad 10.2 Anti-Spy Tempered Screen Film Guard

Before we suggest awesome shows and films for your trip, we recommend securing this iPad protector on your tablet that will black out your screen to those sitting next to you. 

Disney+ Subscription

There are a lot of streaming services you could watch during your travels, but Disney+'s offerings of Marvel, Star Wars and classic movies and shows means you'll have countless hours of content to keep you occupied. Plus, you can bundle it with Hulu for even more hit shows and movies.

Plans start at $8/month

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

A Reese's Book Club Pick, First Lie Wins  is a thriller that centers around Evie Porter, who is actually someone else and was given her identity by the mysterious Mr. Smith. Evie wants a new life, but one slip-up will change her future forever.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet

For a smooth flight, keep your kids entertained with the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet. This product includes a year subscription to Amazon Kids+, so your little ones can stay engaged with the content they love.

$190   $150

Winning Moves Games Scrabble to Go Board Game

The classic board game Scrabble has been miniaturized and modified to be the ideal trip companion. All you need is a travel buddy or some kiddos to play along with you. 

Time To Chill: Coloring Book for Stress Relief and Relaxation

Focus your attention on the beautiful pages of this whimsical coloring book during your downtime for a relaxing activity. 

Best Carry-On Suitcases for 2024 

Now that you have all your other essentials, it's time to get a carry-on suitcase that's ideal for your specific needs. Here are some of the best carry-on luggage options from around the web.

Away The Carry-On

This Away bag boasts flashy features such as a durable polycarbonate hard shell, spinner wheels and a TSA-approved, ejectable USB charger. The classic rolling hardside luggage with a retractable handle is designed to fit in most major airlines' overhead compartments, making it a great go-to Carry-On bag for travel, regardless of your destination.

Samsonite Centric 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage Carry-On

With over 6,000 positive reviews, this lightweight carry-on will ease your overpacking worries.

$151   $139

iFLY Hardside Luggage Fibertech 20"

The internet-famous suitcase features 360-degree rotating wheels, an inner lining pocket and elastic straps for keeping clothes in place.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage

This Travelpro Maxlite softside luggage has spinner wheels and is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver airport terminals and your flight's overhead storage bins. 

$170   $144

Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage

This Rockland Melbourne Spinner Luggage makes traveling easier by being extremely lightweight. While protecting your items, the wheels rotate 360 degrees for a smooth and seamless stride in the airport. Although it is compact, this carry-on luggage has the ability to hold everything you need for a short vacation.

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Our 10 favorite travel hacks

Want to travel better? The Upgrade has your back.

The Upgrade is By The Way’s series offering guest writers a place to share their travel hacks and hot takes. For every edition, illustrator extraordinaire Min Heo animates the advice. Below are some of our most popular entries. Some may look basic, but ask yourself: Are you optimizing your travel routine?

Want to write your own Upgrade? See how to submit here .

Dress up for your flight

David Coggins longs for the Cary Grant era of aviation, wishing more passengers would step up their game to bring some dignity and glamour to the experience. The author of “ Men and Style ” argues that making a sartorial effort shows respect to gate agents and flight attendants in uniforms — and your fellow passengers.

“I realize this is a losing battle, but it’s still a good fight,” Coggins writes. “If a sweatsuit is your truth, then there’s nothing else I can say, other than nobody has looked good in a sweatsuit in the history of the world.”

He’s not sure if wearing that checked blazer will really get you upgraded to first class , but it couldn’t hurt.

Visit ‘second cities’ in Europe

Rick Steves is our favorite pétanque-playing philanthropist . He’s a respected travel expert, too. In his beloved Europe, Rick recommends you break up every visit to a capital with a final day in a “ second city .” Think Porto vs. Lisbon , Glasgow vs. Edinburgh and Marseille vs. Paris .

“While lacking the popularity and the bucket-list sights,” Steves writes, “Europe’s second cities tend to enjoy a creative edge, a strong civic spirit, a Rust Belt toughness, fun-loving eateries with cutting-edge menus, entertaining street art … and far fewer tourists, which also means lower prices, a more authentic welcome and arguably a more honest cultural experience.”

Pick your travel uniform

Like Steve Jobs and many practitioners of quiet luxury , travel writer Jessica Poitevien is all about eliminating decision fatigue. Standardizing a set of clothes only for flying doesn’t just help you streamline your packing routine. Poitevien “doesn’t worry about leaving anything important behind, because I have two of everything: one that’s for home and one that sits in my backpack waiting for the next trip. All I add is my passport, laptop and current reading material, and I’m good to go.”

What’s her uniform look like?

“My top is always a long, loosefitting T-shirt or sweater, so I’m covered through all the bending and lifting that happens with luggage and going through security,” Poitevien writes. “I add a jean jacket to stay warm on those freezing planes and use its inner pockets to keep my phone, passport and boarding pass within easy reach.”

Cut your airport arrival dangerously close

It’s not for the faint of heart, but travel writer Brad Japhe wants to waste as little of his life in airports as possible.

“I live about five miles from Los Angeles International Airport,” Japhe writes, “and if my scheduled domestic flight is at, say, 9 a.m., I’m comfortable entering an Uber up until 8:32 a.m.”

Besides some serious bravado, pulling this off requires the use of PreCheck or Clear, among other conditions:

• Traveling solo .
• Express security lanes .
• A familiar airport.
• No checked bags .

Order the Hindu meal

Food and travel writer David Farley thinks we should reject the binary of chicken or pasta in favor of a plant-based meal that exudes spice . By reserving a Hindu meal on your next long-haul flight, you could be treating yourself to dal makhani and naan, or bhindi masala and raita. As long as you reserve your meal at least 24 hours ahead of your flight, airlines told us, you won’t be taking a special one away from anyone else.

Get up early on vacation

Life is short. So take a cue from the dad playbook, and seize the vacation day with an early wake-up call . For Deputy Features Editor Amanda Finnegan , rising with the sun means hours of calm before your travel partners join you. And by 10 a.m., you’re ready for your first nap.

Make a fashion statement in black and blue

Rachel Tashjian ’s job is cooler than your job. As a fashion writer, she flies to Europe three or four times a year for work, watching extravagant clothes appear in fashion shows for weeks at a time . It’s a dream, but there’s an understandable amount of pressure to look amazing every single day. Enter the black-and-blue hack . By mixing a pop of navy in with a collection of dark pieces, you’re making the daring choice to break one of the primary rules of fashion.

Her packing list:

• Two skirts: something that flows and something that hugs.
• Three jackets: a classic blazer, something weird and an open-front wool jacket.
• One pair of trousers.
• One black dress.
• Three T-shirts.
• Black shoes.

Stop eating airport food

Noah Galuten is a hero hubby. By the simple act of making his wife a sandwich to take to the airport, the Los Angeles-based chef and author had the epiphany that we should all swear off precooked egg patties forever .

Sure, you could settle for upcharged coffee, a Dunkin’ wrap or a sad Caesar from “Weirdly Branded Bar & Grill You Have Never Heard Of.” Or, you could be the game-changer for your household, whipping up breakfast burritos or English muffin sandwiches — or just buying a better sandwich in advance in the real world (see: Emily’s Pork Store , Brooklyn).

Take a solo trip

The secret to a happy relationship is compromise. And giving your partner time to travel solo — especially if you’ve got a kid at home.

That’s the philosophy preached by writer Austin Graff , an extrovert who has learned to appreciate the benefits of going it alone: It’s easier to get into top-rated restaurants, there’s time to wander, and you return to your family more thoughtful and present.

Take a buffer day

The weekend-warrior routine is for people in their 20s. Once you’re in your 30s, Rachel Orr writes, you know well enough to quit pushing so hard and to give yourself an extra day to chill before rushing back to work . “Think of it as a mini staycation at the end of your vacation,” she suggests.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

How to Travel with Hand Luggage Liquids (& fit all your toiletries in that tiny bag!)

By: Author Monica

Categories Blog , Packing Tips

If you’re travelling abroad for the first time in a while you may be feeling confused about the rules surrounding hand luggage liquids. What liquids can you take in your hand luggage and how much are you allowed?

With ridiculously long queues in airports at the moment and huge delays at airport security, the very last thing you want is to be held up due to getting your hand luggage liquids wrong.

At Manchester Airport last week there was an extra hours wait for anyone who needed to get their bags rescanned at security, and most of these rescans were due to people having random liquids in their bags.

So don’t get it wrong. Follow my guide to travelling with liquids in your hand luggage and hopefully you’ll avoid any lengthy delays at security! 

If you’re not a big reader, I’ll make things easy for you.

You need this bag , these bottles and these pots and you’ll be ready for airport security like a pro!

If you’d like a little more information then keep reading…

20cm x 20cm clear plastic bag

First of all, you need to have all of your liquids in a clear, plastic, resealable bag that measures no more than 20cm x 20cm. And yes, some airports will measure it so don’t be tempted to go bigger.

You are only allowed one bag, no more! All of your liquids need to fit in this bag.

If you’ve got a stray lip balm hiding in the bottom of your bag or a few mouthfuls of water left in your water bottle then the machines will spot it and you will have to have your bags searched. So make sure all of your liquids are in your hand luggage liquids bag and it’s no bigger than 20cm x 20cm!

Most airports do hand these bags out at security so don’t worry if you don’t have one.

But the ones they had out are flimsy so I prefer to use my own to avoid single use plastic waste and the possibility of it splitting open if it’s stuffed to the top!

I have these TSA approved hand luggage toiletry bags from Amazon and I can’t recommend them enough. They’re as big as they possibly can be without being too big so they have loads of space.

No liquid bottles bigger than 100ml

The second thing you need to remember is that nothing can be more than 100ml.

For many products this is probably going to mean decanting your liquids into smaller bottlers or buying miniature sizes.

I know it doesn’t really make sense because you could take 8 x 100ml bottles of the same shampoo, but you can’t take an 800ml bottle of shampoo!

It’s much more cost effective to buy hand luggage liquids bottles and decant your normal products into these. Miniature bottles are expensive and it’s even more single use plastic.

• GOOD MATERIAL --- Our empty frosted glass sample containers are made of high-grade glass and PP material. Leak-proof design, environmental protection, odorless, reusable and and recycle.
• LEAKPROOF DESIGN --- Each glass sample containers have a wood grain plastic lid and inner liner to create a tight seal that will not leak or spill out. Easy to carry and convenient to travel with...
• WIDE APPLICATIONS --- Refillable jars to store creams, balms, lip gloss, eye cream, salves, tinctures, makeup, essential oil aromatherapy blends, sunscreen cosmetic product, facial cream, mud mask,...

I have these lovely little jars that are perfect for travelling. They hold 10ml of a product and come with scoops and stickers so you can easily fill and label them. They look tiny but they hold enough product for a week away.

What are the best hand luggage liquids bottles?

The best hand luggage liquids bottles are the silicone bottles. They’re more durable, easier to fill and you can squeeze out the last drops of your product.

Regular plastic bottles tend to split when you’re squeezing them so they don’t last long in comparison to silicone ones.

• Leak Proof Travel Bottles: 3-layer leak-proof design prevents liquid leakage or spillage, offers protection to your luggage and cloths. Opal shape allows no liquids stuck in the bottle corner and...
• Food Grade BPA Free Silicone Designed with safety first and convenience a close second. Our silicone travel bottles are made of FDA approved and 100% BPA free food grade silicone, making it safe for...
• Wide opening for filling and cleaning: Unlike most travel bottles, this one is wide opening makes it easy to fill with thicker fluids, and it easily fits a brush to clean the inside of the tube

I recommend buying high quality silicone bottles with a wide neck so they’re easy to fill.

Whittle down what liquids you really need

If you’re travelling with just hand luggage then I’m guessing you probably won’t be away for too long, so think about what you actually need and get it down to the bare minimum. 

Can you go a few days without a leave in conditioner hair mask? Probably. 

Can you leave your anti-wrinkle serums and lotions at home? I’m guessing so.

Is it the end of the world if you don’t use your tooth whitening gel for a couple of days? Nope.

Cut it back to what you REALLY need before you even begin packing your hand luggage liquids bag.

Some miniatures are worth buying

There are some things that are messy, tricky or impossible to decant into smaller bottles. For me, these things are toothpaste and hairspray. I travel with tiny tubes of toothpaste and little cans of  75ml hairspray. Alternatively, wait until you’ve almost finished a tube of 100ml toothpaste and roll it up and take that with you.

Switch to solid toiletries where you can

Wherever possible, switch to solid toiletries – not just for travelling but for life in general. They’re cheaper, better for the environment and usually better for your skin too.

I’ve switched to solid soap and solid shampoo and I can honestly say I’d never go back to liquids now – it just seems so unnecessary!

I like the Garnier Ultimate Blends Solid Shampoo Bar and I also really like the XHC one. I found the XHC bars in B&M for £1.00 . You can get a pack of 3 for £9.99 on Amazon which really still feels like a bargain if you can’t get to B&M.

• 1 x Banana Shampoo & Conditioner Bar
• 1 x Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner Bar
• 1 x Papaya Shampoo & Conditioner Bar

• Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures Strengthening Shampoo Bar for damaged hair, prone to breakage
• Our first solid Shampoo Bar, with zero plastic waste
• Highly nourishing shampoo, easy to lather and fast rinse FORMULA

Airport security liquids: What is classed as a liquid at security!?

What is actually classed as a liquid can be a bit confusing. I once heard a security guard say, ‘If you can spread it, it’s a liquid!’

So this is obvious things like:

• Liquid medicines
• Conditioner
• Face cleanser
• Liquid foundation
• Roll on deodorant 
• Contact lens solution

And not so obvious things like:

Can you take liquids on a plane if you bought them in duty free?

Yes, if you’ve bought liquids at duty free then you can take them on the plane, no matter what size they are.

If I’m travelling with just hand luggage then I’ll often buy a big bottle of sunscreen at Boots in the airport because I know they’ll have my favourite brand. 

You can even buy things online at Boots and have them ready to be picked up at duty free!

Just remember that some airlines can be funny about you getting on the plane with big duty free bags so I’d always be careful about buying too much.

Does toothpaste count as a liquid in your hand luggage?

Yes, it does!

You can buy dry toothpaste or ‘toothy tabs’ from shops such as Lush but, to be honest, they’re disgusting. They’re dry and gross and don’t give you the clean, minty fresh feeling like regular toothpaste does.

Maybe it just takes some getting used to but I don’t like it!

So yes, you’ll need to put your toothpaste into your clear, plastic hand luggage liquids bag and it must be smaller than 100ml. But actually, a 100ml tube of toothpaste is pretty big and could last a whole family a few weeks.

How can I take perfume in my hand luggage?

You need to get yourself one of these refillable 5ml perfume bottles. You just take the cap off your perfume and you squirt it into this little bottle.

Even if your perfume bottle is under 100ml I would recommend one of these. It’s cheap, easy and lightweight and much easier than carrying a bulky perfume bottle.

• Value Set - Come with 2 Pcs 5ml refillable perfume atomiser in 2 different colours (pink and silver)
• High Quality - The perfume atomiser bottle features a sturdy aluminium body to better store the liquid.
• Leakproof Design. Lipstick size for easy carry.

Do I need to put my liquid medication in my hand luggage liquids bag?

Yes you do.

What happens if I try to take liquids on a plane in bottles bigger than 100ml?

Your liquids will be confiscated and you won’t get them back.

So please, please don’t try and get on the plane with 1 litre of expensive whiskey or a bottle of champagne or a giant bottle of perfume because it will be confiscated.

Can I take a refillable water bottle through airport security?

Yes, provided your water bottle is empty, you can take it through security. Most airports have drinking fountains so you can refill it on the other side of security. If there isn’t a fountain then you can ask a bar or cafe to fill it for you.

How many 100ml bottles can I take in my hand luggage?

You can take as many 100ml bottles as you can fit inside your hand luggage liquids bag.

If your bag is 20cm x 20cm and fairly wide then you can easily fit about 8 100ml bottles in it.

That’s why I highly recommend getting one of these little bags from Amazon as you can fit so much in them. They’re wider than the ones they hand out in the airport so you’ll get way more in them!

Here’s everything I put in my hand luggage liquids bag

Here’s everything I put in my hand luggage liquids bag:

• Conditioner (I haven’t found a solid conditioner that works for my dry hair)
• Roll-on deodorant
• Facial SPF 50
• Moisturiser
• Cream blush
• 2 x contour sticks
• Creamy eyebrow pencil (I have no idea if this actually needs to be in there)
• Liquid eyeliner

Can you take razors on a plane in your hand luggage?

Alia Bashir

Friday 14th of June 2024

Hi, very informative, what about make up brushes? ?

Monday 24th of June 2024

Your brushes don't need to be in your liquids bag, I usually pop them in a separate bag or just squeeze them in somewhere to save space.

Olivia Martin

Sunday 6th of August 2023

Really helpful tips! Did you get through Manchester airport security okay with this toiletry bag?

Monday 14th of August 2023

Yes, I've probably used it about 20 times at Manchester Airport now and it's fine!

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Travel warning for airport passengers after viral packing hack backfires

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We all know it’s better for your back and your budget to pack light when you go away, but sometimes you just need a little extra room for your belongings.

To avoid forking out for a checked bag, some savvy travellers make use of loopholes in hand luggage rules with various packing ‘ hacks ’. Yet although many get away with it, that’s not always the case.

This week, a TikTok video posted by @natashaorganic showed the potential consequences of trying to evade carry-on guidelines.

The clip showed a man being escorted away from the gate at Orlando International Airport by police following an exchange with staff at the desk.

While it’s hard to hear exactly what went down during the interaction, Natasha explained in the caption: ‘This dude was trying to take in a pillowcase full of clothing and other items, which he is stating is simply just a pillowcase.’

The TikToker claimed the man was informed he’d have to pay for the extra ‘bag’ before boarding and he initially declined. After they closed the doors to the jetway he then changed his mind, but by that point it was too late.

@natashaorganic Stop listening to the internet #airline #travelhacks #pillow #frontier #mco #orlando ♬ original sound – natashaorganic

When he tried to push through and get on the flight anyway, staff allegedly told him, ‘we gave you your chance and you didn’t pay for it,’ before eventually calling the police to remove him from the airport.

Natasha warned viewers to ‘stop listening to the internet’, alluding to a viral trick that’s remarkably similar to the one this man tried (and failed) to pull off.

A number of creators have shared their own version of the method, which involves stuffing a travel pillow with clothing you can’t quite fit in your bag. TikToker Anayo Awuzie managed to dodge a $60 excess baggage fee on one trip with a zippable option, for example. Another, Kristen Black created a DIY version by rolling up her garments into a sausage shape and tying it round her neck.

It’s certainly not failsafe, but there is some logic to it: in general, airlines tend not to be too strict about a small travel pillow, especially if you’re wearing it as you board.

@anayotothe My flight is in 3 hours let’s see how this goes! #travelhacks #budgettravel #travelpillow #blackgirltravel #blacktravelfeed ♬ original sound – Ayo!

However, this man was less sneaky about his plan, using a standard pillowcase and filling it right up. Inconspicuous it was not.

Travel writer Matthew Klint, who runs the Live and Let’s Fly blog, previously commented on the trend , saying: ‘Stuffing socks and underwear into a neck pillow is quite a different matter than trying to stuff a ski parka into an oversized pillowcase.

‘Just be prepared, if you use this trick, to pay up if you get “caught” with the extra item.’

That’s a risk you have to accept when you attempt a stunt like this. Since you’re well aware you’re breaking the rules, the civilised thing to do if officials catch on (and the best way to ensure a trouble-free journey) is to put your hands up and take the hit.

Graeme Buck, Director of Communications at  ABTA , tells Metro.co.uk: ‘The best source of advice on what you can take on the plane will come from your airline – not a social media travel hack.

‘Each airline has their own rules around what you can take on as hand luggage and cabin bags, and what you do and don’t need to pay for. So, it’s important you follow their advice – otherwise you could find yourself having to pay extra at the boarding gate.

‘We’re also encouraging people this summer to make sure they don’t carry liquids of more than 100ml in their hand luggage. There had been a planned change around this but that has been put on hold , so we’re advising people to pack their hand luggage and prepare for airport security checks as they always have.’

If saving a few pennies ahead of your next holiday is worth the hassle of a ‘hack’ such as this one, on your own head be it.

There are a range of legitimate ways of optimising your hand luggage, though, from swapping your towel for a sarong to going for flip flops over bulkier shoeslike trainers.

Former flight attendant Daisy White revealed her trade secrets for packing , telling Metro.co.uk: ‘Roll up a pair of socks with two pairs of knickers inside each pair. It sounds weird, but it saves room and keeps everything tidy.

‘Bras can also be folded carefully inside dresses, and T-shirts rolled up from bottom to top.’

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She added: ”Anything that doubles up as an all-purpose (Elizabeth Arden/Clarins/ Elemis/Vaseline lip balm) is ideal. And if you’re going somewhere cold, rather than pack a bulky knitwear collection, layer up and pack lighter camis, T-shirts and roll-necks.’

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Do You Have Food Allergies? Here’s How to Travel Safely.

Airlines, restaurants and hotels are all making travel easier for people with sensitivities to foods like peanuts, wheat and milk, but it’s still critical to be your own advocate.

By Lisa McCarty

For the 33 million Americans managing any of the most common nine food allergies — including milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy, sesame and different types of fish — traveling safely can be challenging, but it’s becoming easier.

In the air, where carriers say they can’t guarantee fully nut-free flights, the recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act will, over the next two years, add epinephrine injectors on planes and provide additional medical training for crew members.

On the ground, hotels and restaurants are also customizing meals, providing menus with allergen symbols, enhancing staff education and instituting better processes for food handling.

But still, it’s critical to speak up for yourself. As a person who is gluten-intolerant and a parent of a child with a serious peanut allergy, I’ve learned simple and effective ways to eat safely and reduce the risk of a reaction while away from home.

Pack to protect yourself

Consider packing allergy-friendly snacks for your trips. Some of the reliable brands without peanuts, tree nuts, gluten and dairy are MadeGood and Enjoy Life . (Make sure to double-check all ingredient labels anyway to be safe.) These portable products include snack chips and granola bars . For travel within the United States you can also store fresh fruit in resealable bags with reusable mini-ice packs, which are permitted in carry-on luggage, but the ice packs must be placed with other liquids when you’re passing through security.

If you travel with an epinephrine injector, insert a tracker like an Apple AirTag or Tile in its case and place it in your carry-on. Then, set an alert to notify you if you forget it at home or misplace it during your travels, so you will never be without it. The Transportation Security Administration limits passengers to two injectors, which should be kept in the original box with a visible prescription label.

The Food and Drug Administration also suggests packing cleansing wipes. Unlike hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes can remove up to 99 percent of allergens, including peanut residue , from surfaces. This can help protect you from cross-contamination. Be sure to wash your hands afterward to avoid direct contact.

Tell your hotel what you need

The Americans With Disabilities Act helps to protect those with food allergies by giving them the right to ask for necessary changes in hotel policies or conditions that place them at a disadvantage. However, hotels and rental properties can’t always guarantee allergy-conscious accommodations. When booking, prioritize establishments rated highly by other travelers with dietary sensitivities in online tools like the Spokin app and blog. The service allows you to search allergy-specific reviews of hotels and restaurants. Walt Disney Resorts, Hilton, Marriott, Fairmont, Kimpton and the Four Seasons are a few highly rated global hotel chains . Additionally, all Kimpton Hotels around the world offer a Forgot It? We’ve Got It program, in which they stock nonallergenic toiletries and snacks.

Most hotel booking apps allow you to limit your search to rooms with a kitchen, should you prefer to have the control that comes with preparing your own meals. If you can’t book a room with a kitchen, you may be able to ask the front desk for a microwave and a mini-fridge to store and reheat your own meals. When you book, personalize your profile with details of your dietary sensitivity and confirm with managers upon arrival. Be sure to ask them to also make their staff aware.

Airbnb and Vrbo properties typically come with a full kitchen, but remember to wash cookware and service items with hot soapy water before use to reduce the risk of contamination.

Fly allergy-friendly skies

The Air Carrier Access Act , like the A.D.A., protects airline passengers with dietary sensitivities by permitting early boarding for travelers to clean the seats and other surfaces. Although many airlines do not currently serve peanuts, a common allergen, there is no guarantee that onboard snacks do not contain traces of peanuts, which could set off a reaction. Some flights have designated areas called buffer zones, where peanut products are not served or eaten by passengers. Contact the airline before booking to learn about the specifics of your flight.

At the airport, Spokin can help locate nearby suitable meal options in 80 countries. You can filter by your specific dietary restriction and view thousands of user reviews for each establishment. The FindMeGlutenFree app searches worldwide airports for celiac-friendly options.

Talk to the chef

It seems simple, but filtering a Google Maps search with the keywords “specialty markets” can reveal a world of allergy-friendly options as well as helpful reviews. Organic markets or health stores are often good alternatives for people with food intolerances.

If you’re planning to eat out, platforms like OpenTable allow you to make direct requests for accommodations in 80 countries. The AllergyEats app lets you search for restaurants with dietary restrictions by state , but it is available only in the United States.

For international destinations, consider carrying a downloadable chef card from the nonprofit group Food Allergy Research & Education to convey, in any of the 10 languages besides English offered on its website, what foods a restaurant must avoid serving you. The iTranslate app can translate from a photograph of a menu or a sign to help you convey your needs to the restaurant staff.

For U.S. getaways, when possible, choose off-peak hours to dine — typically between 2 and 4 p.m., versus during the lunch or dinner rush. At those times, the chef is more likely to be able to speak with you about special meal requests. Also, without orders piling up, the kitchen staff can lower the risk of cross-contamination by taking more time to prepare your meal carefully.

Lisa McCarty is a writer and a women’s health advocate. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter .

For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly included two brands in a list of those with reliably safe products for people with food allergies. Some products from Goodie Girl may contain tree nuts or dairy, while some from Simple Mills may contain peanuts, tree nuts, gluten or dairy.

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Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Ljubljana, Slovenia:  Stroll along the river, explore a contemporary art scene and admire panoramic views in this scenic Central European capital .

Cities With Great Beaches:  Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These five other coastal destinations  are vibrant on land and on the water.

Southern France:  The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels  access to parts of France that are rich in lore .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  Visiting the vast and remote Gila Wilderness, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is both inspiring and demanding .