Note: All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips. This article was updated October 2020.
Nobody wants to spend extra money carrying around clothes they won’t wear! Erin Holmes of Explore With Erin certainly doesn’t, and so she has come clean on how she spends more on her vacation and less on baggage fees with her carry-on tips.
RELATED: Best vacations to recharge, reboot and recenter in 2021
Since airlines introduced paid luggage, we have tried everything to avoid those fees. And it’s not just the fees, but the wait for the luggage to come out, or the chance of the luggage being lost or worse, your brand new Italian shoes being stolen.
Checking in baggage is no longer the luxury it formerly was and so I’ve had to come up with alternatives. The only alternative is to travel with a carry-on. So I devised ten carry-on tips to help pack for ten days. Plus, you’ll get to save money on fees and spend more money on your dream vacation.
Credit: @ExploreWithErin
2×5 = 10
Here’s an easy equation to remember. For 10 days of travel, 2 bottoms, and 5 tops. That’s right. You are going to become the King or Queen of travel with this number one tip. 2 bottoms – shorts, skirts or pants. 5 tops – t-shirts, shirts, etc.
This also doesn’t include the outfit you wear on the plane, which is a bonus to your ten items. Females may also want to add on a dress, so I’m giving you a cheeky plus one.
This algorithm also goes for shoes, socks, and underwear – 2 shoes, 5 underwear = 10 days. Again, ladies, I’m going to give you a plus one for your brassieres.
Finally, depending on the weather you may need to add a bikini or swim shorts.
Mix and match
So you only have 2 bottoms and 5 tops. It’s time to mix and match. Make sure all your outfits go together so you have any number of outfits to choose from during your vacation.
Be savvy about the clothes you wear
With most bags tipping the scales these days, you have to think smart. Wear the heaviest clothes you own. Your hiking boots, your jeans. That great big, utility jacket is perfect to stuff the pockets with battery packs and power adapters.
Pack travel-size toiletries
Most pharmacies sell travel-size toiletries, but if you can’t find what you are looking for then purchase travel-size bottles under 100ml to keep in your carry-on. Not only are these small enough to make your packing relatively easy, but you don’t have to check them. Best tip: Use your hotel’s shampoo and conditioner to avoid carrying your own, or use throw away items that you can get rid of at the end of the trip and replace with gifts.
Use packing cubes
With a whirlwind 10-day trip, you don’t want to spend time rummaging through your suitcase or having everything out of place. Chances are you will be living out of that suitcase, so invest in some packing cubes to find what you are after quickly and keep things in order.
Choose your electronics wisely
Avoid weighing down your bag with heavy electronics that you won’t even use. Make wise decisions on whether you really need a camera or just your phone. Whether you can use a lightweight tablet or if you need a laptop. Whether you can do without your Kindle and use your phone instead.
Minimize cables and chargers
Once you have your electronics all set, minimize the cables and chargers. A computer can charge a phone, as well as an external battery pack. Chose a lightweight universal power board to avoid multiple plugs and adapters.
Do laundry
Carry a spare packing cube or bag to stuff that laundry in. If possible, get it laundered 2 days before you are due to leave. They will ensure its folded so neatly you’ll be surprised how many extra things you can take in your bag. No laundry service? Keep your clothes clean during your travel by hand washing in hotel sinks. This will inevitably also help you avoid packing a mountain of underwear and socks.
Take scales
The best way to be prepared for 10 days in one carry-on is with a travel scale. I never leave home without it. It’s saved me too many times to count.
Buy smart gifts
Avoid liquids and heavy items. Pick gifts like magnets, key rings, items of clothing, plush toys, postcards, stickers. All these things make perfect small gifts that you can take with you. Pop them in shoes, pockets, or books.
Erin Holmes
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So many great tips! I need to buy a scale. I usually pack an extra bag just in case I’m over, especially on the way home.
How heavy is the scale?
Just a few ounces, it’s a small device with a hook that you lift the bag or suitcase with to get weight. Sold in travel sections of many stores.
Why do you need to take the scale with you?
So that your suitcase is not overweight when it is time to return home.
Do they weigh carry-on bags?
On many flights within Europe carry-ons, and even small personal items, have weight limits.
My question exactly. When do they weigh your carryon? Mine have never been weighed.
The ticketing agent requested to place my carryon on the scales and it was double the weight allowed. I had to repack the weight from my carryon into my checking and pay an overweight fee.
I take stuff that u can throw away! Old under wear,socks etc!!!
On a recent flight a flight attendant came and checked a fellow passenger’s carry-on. It was stowed away and he took it, saying it was too heavy. This was United out of SF. I have never seen a posted weight limit on United.
You take a small scale and I also carry a tape measure which is very tiny to ensure I have not exceeded any bag or weight limitations
For return flight weight.
You can also use a fish scale found in many sporting goods stores.
A couple of ounces at the most .
The hand held scales are very small, extremely lightweight and inexpensive. We spent just over $10 for one from Amazon. It is incredibly handy for travel.
Do you mean the scale or the luggage supposed to be? If you are asking for the luggage it is supposed to be 110 pounds.
Amazon $10.00 Great stocking stuffers
I use contact lens cases and fill them with foundation, moisturizer etc. I find it is much easier to pack than a 3oz bottle.
Great idea. Those products use up a lot of space and weight
Excellent idea!
I take disposable underwear. Light and no washing. On the way home have more room for things you buy.
Where do you buy disposable underwear?
I take underwear I hate and throw each pair away as I travel
Goood idea!
You can also get free foundation samples from department stores. They usually give me 3-4, which lasts me at least a month.
You can buy small clear make up pots with lids. I use them for everything from 1st aid ointment to my earrings.
My new favorite gifts to lug/bring home are reusable shopping bags. They can be found a street stalls and even fun ones at overseas grocery stores. Lightweight, unbreakable, and something everyone ( hopefully) will use regularly.
Great idea!
Great idea! Never thought of that.
Great idea! I usually buy them for myself as souvenirs!
I purchase several reusable shopping bags in Japan. I think they were well-received.
I do that too!
I buy earrings & other jewelry for myself & women friends. Sending post cards is a rarity these days (been known to send to myself & even hang them on the tree 😉 or tuck away a few as souvenirs for future scrapbooks.
I take all silk or silky type underwear and sleepwear. An entire weeks worth takes up almost no room in the suitcase. I also use silk camisoles under wrinkli free blouses and sweaters to get more outfits. I did two weeks in Wintertimy Germany with a carry on. The ticket guy at the airport teased my husband and brother about their big suitcases and my carry on, he said it was the first time he had ever seen the female carrying half the luggage as the males.
Hi Brenda,
Do you have a favorite seller for silk or silky type garments and undergarments? TIA
WinterSilks catalog or online.
Winter silks has great underditties to put under shirts or sweaters fir winter
Another tip we use is to bring old worn out underwater that can be left behind. I usually wear a shirt or even jeans on the flight that have seen better days and leave those behind also. Frees up space for the return flight.
Great suggestion! My biggest problem is the return home and having more stuff than I left with.
Exactly!!! I also raid Goodwill for shirts that will make it one more trip, but are cheap enough to toss when they are dirty. I come home with less than I went with.
If you have garage sales or estate sales to go to garage &estate sales have the cheapest clothes, especially on the last day of their sale also some thrift stores-all clothing $1
ha! We do that too. We call them one-way undies!!!!
So,you are dumping all your used clothing in another country….in the garbage? In the US, clean thread bare clothing can be recycled and turned into things like car insulation. Leave them in another country and you’ve likely added more junk to waste management facilities that are already stretched or non existent. Think globally.
My guess is that they are leaving the clothes in hotel room…which will then go to lost /found and if not claimed, will go to staff or a charity there…
Really ? You think the staff wants dirty underwear ? Charitites don’t wash things and they do not give the poor someone’s dirty underwear.
I thinks that gives Americans a bad image of being wasteful
When I worked at a motel, we never kept dirty underwear or socks, we tossed them. Everything else, yes then we bagged and tagged it.
Charities often do wash clothes that are given to them… it helps against the spread of disease.
Really. They aren’t talking about a garbage bag of clothes 6 pair of undies one a day.
Jewelry packing: Don’t take all the “cute” stuff – too heavy & bulky. If you’re taking necklaces on fine chains, thread each through a drinking straw to keep them neat and untangled.
Awesome idea about the straws to keep jewelry untangled! Thx!
I wish that worked. I put all my necklaces through straws as I had to pack them away for a while. They are a horrible mess now. Great in theory, but not in application.
Maybe use Press and Seal instead? Secures the chains better. Press each piece between a sheet of Press and Seal and seal around each piece.
I used Press & Seal to seal wine, hot sauce, and other items I brought as a hostess gift to someone. When I arrived all items were sticky with residue that I couldn’t remove. So embarrassing since they were gifts!
I used press and seal on jewelry one time. Never again. The seal was too strong around the dainty chain and the chain broke as I tried to remove it. Great idea in theory though.
Sorry that happened to you. I’ve never had a problem & been doing it for years.
I tried the drinking straw idea on our last trip and my necklaces tangled just the same. I try to wear one all-purpose necklace that goes with most of my clothes. Pack anything else individually in tiny ziplock bags
You unhook the chain and thread one side of the chain through the straw then reattach the clasp.
You have to roll the in paper towels. Role one around once then place the next and roll around it then place the next. I usually get three to a paper towel. Then place in a plastic bag and roll
You only put one end of the necklace thru the straw, then fasten it. It keeps it from getting tangled, since it is stretched out flat.
Another idea: I’ve placed jewelry onto ‘Press N Seal’ , then placed another piece on top & ‘sealed’ it. (Hint: fold an edge over so you can get it apart and reseal it after using your stuff)
I don’t take my good jewelry when I travel. Too easy to lose or get stolen. To dress up basic day outfit for evening wear, I take a couple of bright silk scarves. Weightless, eye catching, who cares if you leave one in a hotel room.
The only jewelry I take is what I wear. I figure I can wear the same thing for a week.
If I take any (I usually don’t) I put my chains and earrings in weekly pill case. Great way to carry small things.
I use a weekly pill box for jewelry. You have 7 separate compartments and can easily see what’s inside if you buy the clear ones!
I love the idea of using straws to keep necklaces tangle free!
I tried that, sadly as we were moving the straws were all placed into one small box, previously held biscuits. on opening all the chains had knotted together and took me about a frustrating week to unravel each chain. Next time we travelled, i again used the straws but wrapped each one into one kitchen towel paper sheet, then wrapped another around them all and three strips of sellotape, top, middle and bottom. This kept\ everything in one neat package and much easier to simply open on arrival at destination. Hint take a small roll of sellotape for the return journey.
Never thought of the straw, I just returned from Greece and chains were so tangled.
Instead of packing cubes, use plastic or reusable grocery bags. They can be shaped depending on contents and will also protect from leaks and hold wet things if necessary. Packing cubes cost a lot of money.
We us 2 gallon zip lock bags
I use the 2 gallon size zip lock bags
for clothing too! I use snack size bags for jewelry. (My jewelry is placed in my underseat tote bag.) Easy to see what’s contained, and I can roll out the excess air.
Great idea—we also use plasti bags, preferably ziplock. They keep wetness and smell INSIDE.
Amazon basics packing cubes are a great and affordable option.
I use ziplock bags to divide. Pill dividers to hold loose jewelry.
I buy my packing cubes at TJ Maxx. Very inexpensive. Love using them.
Thanks for the tip! I want to get some for my next trip.
I agree with packing cubes. Plastic bags will not work as well. They’re not that expensive and they zip close to hold more things and keeps things separated. If i’m Stopping more than one place I will pack a cube with clothes for those days and then I don’t have to go through my whole suitcase.
I love that idea, we usually have one night in transit before settling in for the vacation or cruise.
Consider saving the zippered plastic “bags” that are used when buying new bed linens. Perfect for using as “cubes!”
Packing cubes can be compressed and they zipper shut with a handle attach. Durable and reusable. I won’t pack without them
That’s what I use now. Actual compression packing containers.
I save the zip bags sheets and bedspreads come in. Perfect, free and repurposed.
We have been using vacuum bags that you roll to squish out the air. They work really well.
Which ones do you use? I’m trying to figure out if I want packing cubes or compression bags or a combo.
I save mine also. Pillow slip zip bags are perfect for holding toiletries and the sheet size perfect for outfits and shoes. It is recycling a product .
$20 for four bags that provide more structure than a gallon bag.
Plastic bags contribute pollution-in landfill or worse end up in the ocean. Packing cubes compress your clothing, not expensive, and last forever. I am trying to reduce my use of everything plastic
Good point, we are doing the same after learning that we now don’t know if our plastics are truly being recycled! It’s killing our oceans. Thanks
We will be away for five months with 3 days for traveling
The main problem is we will be there thru 3 seasons Last year froze really only want to pack large duffle for each also have the problem that most things I left down in storage no longer fit lost weight just want to scream help
I will use the hotel shampoo, but I do take my hair conditioner and styling gel. I simply put just enough for the number of shampoos I’ll do in small ziploc snack bags or in some of the ziplock type bags spare buttons to new shirts come it. My hair is easy to style as usual.
Totally clever idea!!
Excellent suggestions and they work!
Use a pill case (days of the week) to hold earrings and dainty necklaces.
I roll my clothes they fit better. I went to Rome with 1 luggage and a backpack. I put my pocketbook inside the backpack. No need to check a luggage it was fantastic!
Did you check your 1 luggage or was it a carry on?
Not sure you can do this? Try packing the suitcase before you leave and living from it for ten days at home. It will help you discover what you can omit and what you forgot!
Love this!
This is the best idea! Of them all
Super idea!
That’s a great idea! I’m going to try that before my trip to Israel! Thanks!
2 things in common—My name is also Brenda; I am going to Israel in October with a church group. Do you have any specific suggestions about what to take? I’m not one to wear dresses or skirts, so do I need to have one to be able to enter some sites? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Love your idea?
I love this idea! Thank you for sharing.
That’s brilliant! Rolling saves space & wrinkles
I like rolling better that packing cubes. I think I get more in.
I usually carry on for a 2 week trip.
I roll, then put in a packing cube. This way, I place my shoes, brush, jewely case and any other incidentals in the bottom of the suitcase and my cube with clothes on top. It’s easy to lift in and out without the clothes unrolling.
Thats a wonderful idea. You get an idea what needs to be packed and what can be avoided
Hand washing items is easy if you do it in the shower. There are plenty of suds going on and water pressure to rinse well plus there is not the wet mess around the sink.
I opt to not be particular about the soap I use for travel laundering….shampoo and soap works fine….concessions must be made when traveling. Oh, and I take individual packets of Shout wipes in case something needs pretreated.
Viva la carry-on bag!!!!!
My favorite comment. Wearing your jeans or shorts in the shower is the best way to wash and rinse, especially if there is a hand-held shower head.
Have to say I love this tip about washing things as you shower. And I’m sure when I try it I will think of the episode of “Seinfeld” when Kramer used this methid to wash his salad greens.
Me too! Love that episode
Great idea!
I save an old pair of tennis shoes to travel with and leave them behind.
When washing things out in the hotel, roll each piece of clothing in a bath towel and walk all over it before hanging to dry on a plastic hanger. Helps to squish out a lot of the moisture, much more than wringing out can do!
I shop at better thrift stores and pick up suitable clothing to wear on the trip and leave them behind after a couple wearrings. It frees up my case for gifts. On one trip some of the women found out what I was doing and actually wanted my throw away clothing.
Same has happened to me. I go shopping before a trip so I come home to new clothes and underwear. Makes it easy to leave behind clothes.
I’ve done this, too. Needed extra towels, but housekeeping is usually happy to provide.
Done the first part but never thought of walking all over it. Thanks for the tip.
I read to bring a chamois cloth for helping dry hand washable. I did that on European river cruise and will do it again.
I always lay a shamwow cloth in my one bag or one backpack. Roll up the wet wash after I take it out of the rolled up towel. Yes I walk on both rolled. Drys faster. I also carry in same a cloth to use in ironing over my clothes. No matter the packing method, I roll in packing cubes, I iron the first night…unless I’m outdoor camping.
It’s a problem to bring a carry on when you’re short, 5’2” & older, 77. Hard to lift, especially on international flights. I use a carry on size but check it.
Gate check the carry on. YIU wont pay for it and you won’t have to deal with it on the flight
Concept is good,
but gate checking does NOT always work if you have tight connections
I always ask a young guy on the plane to help. Never had a problem putting my bag up or getting it down. They seem quite happy to help.
Me, too! If I cannot lift it, I check it. Almost 80 also!
If you are in the aisle and people are packed behind you someone will always help you get your bag up. Plus a sweet smile works wonders.
I am 4’8” and 66. I just roll that carryon on board (spinner wheels help it fit thru the aisle) and then ask another passenger or a flight attendant to stow it in the overhead for me. Problem solved.
I have to carry a CPAP where ever I go = heavy. Sooo: plastic ziplock – dental care, deodorant, rolled tee shirts, one extra leggings, one dress, dress shoes, undies, bra, med pack with prescription photos on phone. Wear it don’t pack it: coat, puffy vest, walking shoes or boots, leggings and shirt. Same for 1 or more weeks. There’s always shampoo to wash clothes. I’m trying to think of my phone as my camera on long trips but it’s hard to leave the Nikon behind.
I hear you about that Nikon. We just returned last week from 10 days in Europe. Used both phone and Nikon. Nikon takes the best photos, of course. But I just take it plain….with a 50mm lens….no separate camera bag. Fits in larger cross body bag with comfy strap. But, yes, it doesn’t get heavy.
FYI. A year ago, Canada started X-raying CPAPs.
Yes! They took mine apart!
My cpap comes in,2, just have the motor ready for separate him..i take cpap and nebulizer, in smaller roller bag. Durable medical allows 2nd bag.
Re: CPAP machines: Mine has been put through an Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) test using a small white cloth that is rubbed around the machine, as well as being x-rayed, in the U.S. every year for several years. One week ago for the latest inspection.
Airlines everywhere are required to accept your cpap as carryon besides anything else (carry on and personal item). I load my cpap case with electronics, chargers, whatever and put my cpap hose in my carryon to free up space in the cpap case. Strap it on top of your bag and wheel it through the airport. Might as well make the best of a bad situation.
Don’t know if you’re interested, but I just had the Inspire implant for sleep apnea and now, no more CPAP. I’m ready to travel.
I’m interested in what you said about prescription pills. Do you mean you remove them from bottles and take along pics of prescriptions? Also wonder about taking along supplements and how to handle that.
I use diabetes test strip canisters for my meds — one for each day- I take about 12 pills per day. The canisters are about 1-1/2 inches long by 1 inch tall. Takes up a lot less space than 12 original bottles. I never take copies of prescriptions with me; I’v never been asked. Besides each of my p[ills is a different size, color and shape so it’s obvious I’m not feeding an illegal drug habit.
I’ve seen people with battery CPAP machines that don’t need a plug unless charging. As a frequent traveler, I now use a tiny rechargeable nebulizer that is lighter and easy to pack into my carry-on backpack.
If you can afford it the c pap mini is a life changer. There are no interest payment plans
Stuff your frwe carry on neck pillow with underwear,socks,swimsuit. Allows extra room is suitcase
We were lucky that our hotel in Vienna had heated towel racks, which we used to dry our clothing
But if you’re taking it all in a carry-on, you don’t need to scale. I’ve never seen an airline weigh a carry-on, except Virgin Atlantic, one time, 20 years ago.
Norwegian weighed my carry on last month when I checked in for a flight from MCO to ARN. Their max is 10kg (~22lbs) and mine weighed about 12kg but gate agent let it slide because my personal item was small.
European airlines are more strict than US ones. Norwegian has started checking in the last few years.
We had quite the shock when Lufthansa weighed our carry on luggage and declared it over weight when we were fling Seattle to Europe. They made us check the bags, which was really maddening. Only one was over and the other under and they wouldn’t let us redistribute the weight either.
I had a similar experience.They let me redistribute, but I had to do it on the crowded airport floor, and then get to the back of the line again.
Buy a scale. We weigh our luggage every time we fly to and from. Always leave 2 lbs less Incase the airline scale is different. Haven’t had a problem. Put scale in husbands back pack.
Last year Lufthansa weighed my carry-on. It was less than 1 kilo overweight, and they started to make a problem. But finally they let me take it. Now I’m more careful.
Flew Emirates last month. Carry limit for coach passengers is #15. That’s right, 15 lbs and technically no personal item. They didn’t seem too fussy about the second part if it was really small but they did weigh your carry on. But I managed 17 days with a carryon and small collapsible backpack. Temp variances from 43 to 99 Fahrenheit.
Air Fiji weighed our carryons (15 pound limit) in Fiji and Vanuatu in February of this year
Mine was weighed once in Australia and had to pay $50.
It was a surprise after traveling to Hawaii with a carry on, and not having to weigh it. Going from Island to Island, Hawaiian Airlines is very strict about weight. Luckily we had our scales and had to pack and weigh each time we went to the next Island.
Traveling in the US? Take a flat, pre-paid USPS box (fits neatly into the carryon) and ship your dirty clothes home. More room for gifts!
Unrealistic, especially if traveling in warm climates. Unless you do laundry, you smell and doing laundry in the sink is not realistic, other than lingerie. I’ve invested in travel undies and budget for the hotel to do my other items. If you’re not prepared to do those things, take a clean outfit for each day.
I have traveled in Asia and the Caribbean with just a few clothing items and washed them in the sink (using the hotel body wash) They dry overnight and don’t smell. The travel size Febreeze can help with lingering odors.
I did laundry in sinks all over Europe in May/June. I thought about what clothes would lend themselves best to that. It wasn’t difficult or a mess. Usually things were dry by morning.
I use those 2 gallon plastic bags to do my laundry in. You have one for wash and one for rinse. This works well when you have a shallow sink or a stopper that won’t hold water. Just did your clothing your water and your soap or shampoo and /or around a bit drain it and put it into the other bag, drain it and rinse it again… Then dry out the bags and pack your clothing back into them
Great idea! I takebig zip lock bags that compress many of my clothes, but never thought of this!
I traveled to Europe in warm/hot weather for 5 weeks with only a carryon.
This is SO not true. You can buy travel clothing that washes easily in the sink and dries overnight. Llbean, travelsmith, and several other online companies sell a wide range of clothes made for travel conditions.
I buy my travel-size toiletries when I get to my destination.
I take a small Febreze to go for clothes. Freshens the clothes so can be worn several days.
To wash clothes you need something to hang them up with. Often you don’t have enough time to have them dry. Socks for example or a sweater. What about cosmetics and toiletries other than shampoo and conditioner? Medicines? Last thing you want to be doing is finding a remedy for diarrhea etc. And then there’s the weather. Sometimes it’s hot in the day and cool or even cold in the evening. Rain? In the winter, those items in the packing cubes take up more room. And even if you buy the lightest suitcase available, the packing cubes don’t always fit if it’s a small carry on. FYI Longchamp makes a pliage weekender bag. It folds up the size of about 12 x 8″ and it’s light, made of nylon. that goes in my bag so that if I buy anything that is my carry on and my luggage gets checked.
So many great ideas. I travel for 6-8 weeks at a time and am constantly making adjustments to cut down on what I carry, as the weather ranges from 90s to 40sI have a rolling carry-on and a nylon packable backpack & nylon packable rain poncho that I keep in the outside pocket for use when I arrive. I pack a minimal amount of mix and match for each of the three seasons. And I keep notes about what I don’t use, Found some great tips in the comments here!
I have a small square light zippered case that originally had a medicine plastic box in it. Probably 1” thick, maybe 2” x3” – 3” x 4” tops. (Think Vera Bradly like) Removed the plastic box – am a walking drugstore with it – a few of everything – enough to hold you over until can buy more for sure – bandaids, every over the counter medicine you can think of fits. Most come in small blister packs. Even the round pill containers fit.
Traveled with a school tour and used it several times.
I carry it with me anytime I have a back pack. Just refil as necessary.
Ikea has travel fold up backpacks, weekend bag, shopping bag & rain poncho. All made of a strong nylon fabric. Have not traveled overseas yet but plan to soon. Do all hotels have free soap, shampoo, conditioner & hairdryers. & don’t they have washing machines & dryers. I don’t know what to plan for & carry only what’s needed.
I only use carryon and personal item for 3 week trips to Europe. Depends on your hotel on shampoo and conditioner. Most have them. We use a combination of airBnB and hotels. Many do not have wash cloths.
My tips: pack as light as you can as hauling and lifting your luggage gets heavy; lightweight clothes when possible; rolling carryon (4 wheels); roll clothes; leave copy of passport with friend or family member along with information about flights and hotels; contact bank and/or charge card company of your trip and dates (I use charge card for most things and debit card for cash); Take at least 2 charge cards;
Carryon for 3 weeks I pack: 6 outfits (do laundry once or wash in hotel room), raincoat, 1 pr pjs, comfortable water resistant walking shoes, socks (6 pr), panties (1 for every day – thin silky takes very little room), 6 bras, 2 each (sandwich ziplock, quart ziplock, gallon ziplock, tall kitchen trash bag) for wet cloths, dirty cloths, wet soap, leaky toiletries, etc; fold up bag to use coming home for souvenirs (check my carryon) – I use a Rick Steves zippered bag that folds into a pouch; Oil of Olay disposable dry face cleanser cloths; 4-6 hard laundry detergent pods (buy at Target – no liquids so pack in ziplock in carryon); empty flat cross body purse that zips; extra pair of reading glasses and sunglasses; copy of passport;
Personal Item: ipad and iPhone with charger; travel journal; pen and pencil; snacks (have to eat gluten free so I’m prepared in case my gluten free meal was forgotten 🙁 Socks to wear while seated on plane (usually overnight flight so try to be comfortable and get some sleep); billfold; brush/comb; wisp (disposable toothbrush to freshen up before landing); small makeup purse (dry makeup, tweezers, bandaids, etc); sunglasses and reading glasses; passport holder with passports; small battery pack; electrical adapter; earbuds/headphones;
WEAR: comfortable outfit; sweater; Slip-On sandals (love Birkenstock’s); jewelry (I only take the jewelry I wear -take small baggies to store jewelry if you plan to take it off during flight);
sounds like a lot of “stuff.”
Compression packing cubes are amazing as you can pack so much more in them and because your clothes are compressed they wrinkle less.
Medical items like CPAP aren’t counted when they are carried on, a freebie!
Also, in winter we use a compression bag for sweaters or coats.
I buy packing cubes from Wish.com. Very reasonable!
Take a couple of silk scarves, instead of jewelry, to accessorize. They weigh almost nothing and take up very little room.
I can get 10 FULL outfits plus swimwear and workout wear in a carryon. Compression packing cubes are the secret and well worth the investment. I refuse to do laundry on vacay. Also pack a colapsable hamper for your dirties and they wont stink up your clean stuff.
What brand of compression packing cubes do you recommend?
I like to use “space bags” where you roll out the air & compress contents. this doesn’t lessen weight but takes up half the space. great for bulky things & I put my dirty clothes in for travel home.
To be sure I can get my carryon in the overhead I get in a small closet and try to lift it over my head. If I can’t something has to go. There isn’t always a nice young guy willing to help. I do appreciate it when there is though. Be kind.
Wrap or layer clothes with dry cleaning bags.. Slippery so no wrinkles. I love space bags. You can get them pretty cheaply now. Saves room for my souvenirs.
I’ve traveled Europe and Asia and found some of the best souviners from country or city. They are generally small. Fit in carry on and look from wood plastic or composition acrylic materials. I have at tree of nothing but. Use your clothing to pad breakable items. I got 5 bottles of lemon cello or 5 bottles of steak sauce to relative overseas. Lighten up on makeup hair and beauty routine. Take an extra pair of glasses if you have prescription. Final memento is a Shutterfly type book you can save all your memories. ( now you deal with shelf storage. If you’ve found the Italian potter you have to have ship it
I buy the little umbrella clothespin deal that works real well for hanging socks and undies at any hotel.
By using Space Saver bags (Hand Rolled Double Zipper Vacuum Compression Packing and Storage Bags), I compact my clothes. More room in carry-on = win!
I have collected plastic bags that sheets and curtains come in. They are sturdy and I use one for each type of clothes. On a recent Safari, I put all mosquito repellent sprayed clothes rolled up in one bag. City dress up items in their own container. I agree that scarves are an easy way to dress up outfits.
How do you pack for carry-on 10 day winter trip. Clothes are thicker. I only see people packing for summer trips..please help
If you have a nice heavy winter coat, you don’t need to pack a lot of heavy stuff. Cotton polo neck Long sleeve sweaters and a cami inside will keep you warm. Add a vest if you like. That’s how I pack for 2 Seasons when I have to. Try it out first.
Wear multiple clothes. Two pair of leggings under a pair of pants. Two pair of socks. Layer camisole, t-shirt, Long sleeve shirt then cardigan or jacket. My male business partner actually wore 3 complete sets of clothing on the plane to make room for two extra laptops in his bag.
I just had a hot flash reading this……
A lightweight vest that zips up and around your neck- worn under a wintercoat can keep you extra warm and doesn’t take up much space. Also a single-piece neck gaiter versus a scarf, keeps your neck warm and takes up less space
I pack half a bag and the other half is packed with empty plastic bottles (varying sizes with tops). They provide a lightweight solution while keeping the structure of the suitcase in the empty section. As I buy souvenirs, the plastic bottle get tossed or recycled.
I always pack a thin rope about 4 ft. Long and some clothes pins. After hand washing you can hang clothes on portable clothes line you strung on your balcony or in your room.
Regarding shampoo, try shampoo bars rather than liquid; they’re small, and can last 60-80 uses! I get mine at Lush.
Make sure you check weight AND dimensions for carry on luggage. Standard European size carry on us different than US dimensions and I have seen airlines both weigh and put carryons in a fit box. If the airlines charges even for a carryon put two wheelies in one lightweight duffle that u check and roll up – even if it rips u still have tagged bags inside
I line my suitcase with bubble wrap. It’s lightweight and you can use it to bring home breakables. Or toss it to make room for dirty clothes which don’t pack as small as when you left home.
This will not work on a cruise. You need shorts/jeans with tops for day time and nice slacks with tops/dresses for dinner. There are usually formal nights and you have to pack cocktail dresses, purse, shoes and wraps then beach time swim suit, cover up sandals, hats etc. So need several different shoes to match outfits etc. Would be nice if you had a format for a cruise. I had 1 big suitcase and a smaller carry on size plus my purse and backpack for 7 days. I take a lot of pills and this package of pills took up most of room in backpack. Also need rain jacket, sweatshirt or light jacket. I use a scooter and have a poncho to cover me and scooter. Then there are make up bag, toiletry bag. I use the small bottles but can’t do that with sunscreen
I also take multiple medications 2x/day. The Grommet website sells a pill packing system with biodegradble small plastic bags that are heat sealed. They can be labled with marker. I carried 3 weeks of meds in small ziplok bag to Italy with no problems with airlines.
I have been to 65 countries, 30 cruises. I wear One pair of Black Pants for the evening. Same Pants for 10 day cruise., Use different tops, no one notices that you have the same pants, they only see your nice evening top.
I love this article, but you recommend two pairs of shoes. There appear to far more than that in the carry on.
I wear a scottevest vest and have just purchased their winter coat. My entire purse fits around my body. In an emergency all is next to me! If a carryon would be weighed, books and iPads fit in my vest! Voila no weight issues! They also have men’s trench coats that hold an entire roll aboard.
I use the ScottieVest too and I never have a problem with it! You essentially have an entire carry on packed around your body I also have a backpack with wheels so it’s easy to use if you get tired of it on your back. Naturally I unload the jacket once I’m unpacking in my hotel. It’s also great to be able to walk around hands free. ScottieVest is made for men and women. Dry cleaner plastic bags can be put over a hangar + dress/suit and hang in closet wrinkle free (good for cruising)
Be aware that some hotel rooms don’t allow you to do laundry in the sink. You can be fined if your things are discovered hanging up to dry. Also, if you are traveling to several destinations in those ten days there might not be time for clothes to dry.
I also have to travel with a c-pap so I try to pack extra light. I buy clothes from a travel outfitter such as travel smith. Generally here is what I take: black silk long underwear pants and camisole. Takes very little room but adds a lot of warmth under clothes and doubles as pj’s. I take two pair of travel pants (light weight, stretchy, quick dry), generally black or khaki color. I wear one and pack the other, I take 4 or 5 tops (wear one). Now I have a bag with long underwear, one pant and four tops in it. Generally I use packing cubes and I only need one for my clothes and one for my accessories and undies. Sometimes I add a lightweight unstructured dress. Also one of my tops is black. I find a black top and pants is suitable fir most evening events, with a colorful scarf and black sandals or flats. So I add 2 or 3 scarves and a pair of black sandals or flats to my bag. I put in 3 underwear and one bra (and of course I also wear one). Wear one pair of sox and pack a spare or 2. Depending on weather I may add a sweater or fleece jacket to my bag. I pack travel size toiletries in a zip lock. I pack a travel clothesline, a flat sink stopper, and laundry soap sheets in a ziploc. This amount of clothing will easily last me two weeks or more if I do laundry in my hotel room. In my C-pap bag I carry my cords and chargers and adapters for my iPhone and iPad mini. I also put snacks in my c-pap bag. I wear a small backpack which I will wear daily on the trip. It’s really purse size. It has my iPhone, ipad and a battery pack. A ziplock with my toothbrush and toothpaste, travel size bottles of moisturizer and sunscreen. My lipstick, mascara and hairbrush. My wallet and passport. A pen or two. Very small notebook. One or two extra earrings and bracelets. None of my luggage is so heavy I can’t lift it as I have packed so light. I’m wearing my walking shoes or boots, a full set of clothing, and a rainproof jacket or coat depending on weather. I have my small backpack on, an 18” spinner carryon, and an ebags crew cooler lunch bag I use for my C-pap which stacks on my small spinner. When I board the spinner goes in the overhead and the lunch box and small backpack easily fit under the seat. I can access my snacks that are in my lunchbox, and my backpack items. I have traveled for 3 weeks in Europe like this and on many other trips all over the world.
My husband and I go to Hawaii for 10 days every year. The first day I go to the post office and get a couple flat rate shipping boxes. I mail all my souvenirs home.
I didn’t carry on, but used that size of suitcase for a 12-day trip to Israel. Rolling clothes makes such a difference. I have since bought the compression bags you roll to remove the air. My roommate used them, and they are great! I did not wear or take any jewelry. Take a washcloth. Hand washed a few items every other night. Also, remember to enjoy the experience! A fellow traveler took her own personal coffee pot because she “knew” she wouldn’t be able to drink the coffee, and then left it behind (and a lot of other items) the day we headed back to the US. The one thing I took that I wish I hadn’t? My iPad mini!
Love this! But why are there more than the two pairs of shoes mentioned in this article in the posted picture?
I prefer zip log baggies to packing cubes. They weigh less and can be used if your things do not dry overnight and you are moving on. I pack thin tanks and blouses of washable polyester – very thin, dry quickly. My carryon was weighed by Air France and it passed as we had weighed it before leaving. I wear my heaviest outfit on the plane with a fleece jacket that goes under my raincoat if it gets cold, likely when in the mountains. I wear my sturdy shoes on the plane and pack sandals that are my dress up shoes, my beach shoes, and my bedroom shoes.
3 month around the world 60th birthday trip with 1 carryon and a backpack! Temp range 40-90. Including Europe, Africa, Hymalaian Asia, western pacific islands and Japan.
Backpack- extensive camera gear, documents, meds/first aid, lightweight waterproof trench coat with hood.
Rollaboard- stretch black travel jeans, black travel nice pants, 2 pairs tan nylon adventure pants,
2 linen knit tanks, silk long sleeve T-shirt, 2 bug proof safari type shirts, crinkle silk print dress shirt, black linen knit cardigan, white linen jersey cardigan, 3 coordinating scarves from light silk to wool. 3 underware, 2 bras. Snorkel tights and shirt (pajamas!) snorkel and mask, sandals, black multipurpose walking shoes.
Worn for travel – light weight hikers, stretch travel jeans, long sleeve light sweater, boiled wool mustard colored cardigan.
Black, white, with yellow accents for hot weather; black, grey, mustard yellow for cold weather;
The gortex trench looked good with scarf for dress, and was perfect for wet weather outdoor hikes.
I put my carryon in my large suitcase and packed it with my clothes, etc. going to Europe, and used it for our souvenirs so we weren’t digging through them for 2 weeks. We tried to buy our gifts the 1st week of our trip and then shipped them all home from France. I then had room to buy shoes and a leather coat in Florence (left my old coat behind). We still ended up buying another small suitcase for my husband’s new shoes & souvenirs. I bought ultra lightweight Sketcher slip-ons with tread to wear instead of tennis shoes – very lightweight – saved on space and weight in suitcase – yet worked great on cobblestones.
My parents go on a lot of cruises. In order to cut down on weigh in return flights they take old worn out pajamas, underwear, socks and throw them away at the end of the trip, leaving room for souvenirs without adding extra weight.
thanks for the information
Thank you for the tip about being sure that you have the cords that you bring down to a minimum, and use things like a laptop to charge a phone. My husband and I are starting to travel more, but we aren’t very good at learning what to back. I think maybe getting a new bag might also help up with how to organize our things.
Thanks for sharing these excellent tips. Great post. This is really going to help me with my next Europe Trip.
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En la entrada de aire podemos fabricarnos un pequeño filtro para evitar que entren porquerías al motor, con un trozo de esponja y una brida sobre un trozo de tubo. Si hacemos vacío también podría ser interesante poner un vacuómetro en la entrada de aire (con su correspondiente T), dependiendo del tipo de trabajos que realicemos. Controlo la presion en el cilindro con un presostato de baja y un relevo, lo tengo saliendo en 100 psi y repone en 70 psi, la unidad se calinta mucho.
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No matter what you carry onto your flight, please, please, PLEASE stow it ONLY in the overhead over your seat! I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen selfish passengers stash their stuff in the first empty overhead as they board, then continue down the aisle to their seats. Convenient for them, maybe, but those boarding after are usually left searching for space or waiting for others to disembark before they can retrieve their carry-ons. This becomes very stressful if you’re trying to make a connecting flight.
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