The 12 Best Carry-On Packing Tips – & Don’t Forget to Read all the Way Through for a Carry-On Packing Checklist!

1. Wear your Bulkiest Items on the Plane

2. Use (Compression) Packing Cubes

3.  Pack clothes you can mix & match (in neutrals!)

4. Limit your shoes and make sure they’re comfy!

Shoes are incredibly bulky and you really DON’T need more than 1-2 pairs of shoes for a short trip (REALLY!). I like shoes that work “double duty” i.e. that could be dressed up or dressed down, like these incredibly comfy yet lovely scandals  or a classic white sneaker  (I would again recommend wool to help resist odors, like this pair!). Most importantly, you want to make sure you buy shoes that are COMFY and that you take the time to properly wear them in before a trip – no one likes blisters! Here is a list of my favorite, tried & tested travel shoes.  Recommendation: this blister balm   is INCREDIBLE and I used it heavily in Thailand & places where I was sweating – and happy to report I had NO blisters!

5. Double check your airline’s carry-on weight

One of my top & underrated carry-on packing tips is YES, there actually are carry-on weight limits and you need to stay below them! Whether or not the airline ENFORCES those is honestly wildly different from airport to airport and airline to airline (from my personal experience traveling around the world), but it’s best to plan for the worst. In general, expect budget and smaller airlines to actually weigh your carry-on, as some smaller planes have both weight limits for the plane overall AND the overhead bins. Some airlines impose more stringent limits than others (think island-hopping in Fiji), so always make sure you check with your airlines before your trip so you know what to expect.

6.  Use reusable, carry-on approved toiletry bottles

You also don’t really need your full-sized toiletries – distill them down into reusable bottles! They’re both useful AND eco-friendly, and you won’t have to worry about buying travel-sized versions of your favorite toiletries – you can just pour them into the reusable bottles. Any more toiletries you need or anything you forget – 90% of the time you can just buy it (or something VERY similar) at your destination. Tip: just make sure to double check the airline / airport’s maximum liquid container size AND bag allotment (e.g. only liquids that fit in a quart-sized bag).

7. Lighten up your electronics

Electronics aren’t always the heaviest, but they can take up a LOT of space when you start to get multiple cords, charging cables, and more all competing for space in your bag. Don’t bring a cable for EVERY piece of electronics though – instead look for cords that work for multiple things, like a USB-C that works for 2+ pieces of electronic gear or a USB-C to USB-A cord. Make sure to keep them organized for easy-use too, and try getting a universal plug adapter with multiple charging ports (this is my fav!). Finally, if you’re a bookish girlie like me, ditch the physical books and move your reading over to a waterproof Kindle. 

8. Bring a laundry bag (and wash your clothes!)

9. Invest in quality luggage 

I personally used the Away carry-on luggage (the smaller size so it would fit on ALL airlines) for my world trip and can attest it DID hold up to some of the craziest conditions I’ve ever put luggage through. But if you want to look through my other recommended bags (for a trunk style or for being SUPER light), here are all of my favorite carry-on suitcases & personal items. And speaking of personal item – make sure you select something that pairs well with your carry-on – whether that’s adding more space or specializations (like my camera bag), and of course make sure it follows your airline’s size guidelines!

10. Try the 2-2-2 Method

There are TONS of great packing methods out there, but honestly I just like to keep it simple, and for me, that’s the 2-2-2 method. All it is is just packing ONLY two of each kind of item; for e.g. two T-shirts, two long-sleeves, two shorts, two pants, two shoes, etc. This can be VERY restrictive, but maybe try out a 3-3-3 method first and see how you like it. I think this is best for an overall reduction of items and showing you where you have repeat items that you don’t REALLY need. Check out my carry-on packing checklist at the end of this post, and see how it lines up for what you had planned!

11. Re-Evaluate & Remove

One of the most important carry-on packing tips is to lay out everything you plan on bringing, and then (CRUCIALLY!) taking the time to re-evaluate AND remove items. Having everything in front of you can be helpful to visualize items & areas where you might have overpacked. And do you REALLY need that “just in case” item? Most likely NOT! In the very worst case scenario if you truly did forget something that became essential, you can just buy it at your destination (and what a fun yet highly useful souvenir!). Think back to the 2-2-2 or 3-3-3 method, and see if you can even just trim down one item per each category (e.g instead of having 4 T-shirts and 3 pairs of pants, try cutting down to just 3 T-shirts and 2 pairs of pants).

12. Take a Test Trip

If you have the time and ability to do so (ESPECIALLY if you have a longer trip planned), take a short “test trip” where you bring everything you originally planned on packing, and see how much of it you ACTUALLY wear and use. From there, trim down for your upcoming trip! If you don’t have the ability to do a test trip, simply pack your suitcase for your single trip, and try living out your next week or weekend just from that bag while you are at home. Check things for comfort, fit, versatility, and actual use. Even a home-based test trip can reveal items you THOUGHT you’d want or need, but shockingly didn’t even wear once.

Ultimate Carry-On Packing Checklist:

I hope you found this list of carry-on packing tips helpful for your next trip and let me know in the comments whether you are team carry-on or team checked bag! And of course, if you have any questions about this post, or requests for future blogs, just let me know in the comments! Happy travels!

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