Believe it or not, traveling with only a carry-on is very feasible no matter how big the adventure! Bringing less luggage is cheaper, easier, and less worrisome. We try to only carry on for every trip we embark on because it allows much more flexibility in travel plans. Below I’ll explain the major advantages of the “carry-on only method” and tips we’ve learned to make it possible!
Advantages of Carrying-On
When planning a major vacation there is so much to consider: where to go, how to get there, what to bring, how to spend your time, etc. In my opinion, many of these tough planning decisions can be made much easier by limiting what you bring to carry-on luggage only. By bringing less, you will increase your ability to travel inexpensively and quickly, not to mention there is less to worry about. No more fearing lost luggage or waiting at baggage claims! Most major airlines will include a carry-on and personal item in your ticket price, and even budget-friendly ones across the globe charge less for small carry-on bags. Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll find public transport MUCH easier to navigate with smaller pieces of luggage, and walking from place to place becomes a feasible option with your luggage in tow. While you will be limited in how much you can bring, you will find yourself spending less time deciding between outfits for the day which allows more time for exploring and making lasting memories. This also means you’ll spend less on vacation outfits prior to embarking on your trip. You’ll feel less pressure to buy silly souvenirs for those back home, and you’ll think more clearly about what items you’d like to return home with to commemorate your travels.
Is "Carry-On Only" Right for You?
With every great idea there are of course some drawbacks. Make sure that you consider what only bringing a carry-on might mean for your trip. As mentioned above, you will be limited by how many clothes you can fit into your suitcase. This will require planning ahead and may limit your choice of destinations. For example, cold weather clothes take up much more space, and traveling between two destinations with differing climates will be difficult to achieve. Also, you’ll probably have to re-wear outfits or mix and match pieces for different days of the trip. Bulky items such as extra pairs of shoes are usually the first thing to go. The amount of personal hygiene products you can bring will be limited; one quart size bag is allowed by TSA in the United States. You likely will not have a ton of room to bring back belongings, so if you’re a collector you might struggle to make this work. Bringing back large liquids (liquor, wine, etc.) is not possible. Finally, you’ll have a hard time fitting even the smallest, travel-sized gadgets, especially if you are planning a long trip with multiple stops. These items just aren’t very compressible which is the key to smart packing.
Planning Your Carry-On Trip
There are several important things to consider when planning your next trip with just carry-on luggage. Consider looking in to most of these details prior to booking any flights or trip details so that you know whether or not your trip will be possible without a checked bag.
- What does your airline allow for carry-on? Not only have certain airlines started to restrict which passengers may bring carry-on items based on the ticket they purchased, but the size of carry-on luggage is often strictly enforced. Be sure to check that your piece of luggage fits the airline’s allowable dimensions. If you are traveling on multiple airlines throughout a longer trip, it is safest to use the airline with the smallest allowable dimensions as your reference point. Furthermore, some airlines also have a weight limit for carry-on, so be aware!
- How do you plan to travel between the airport and your lodging? Your luggage size and how much you bring can impact your decision making when deciding how to get from here to there. It is much harder and more exhausting to use public transportation with full-size suitcases as it often requires squeezing through narrow turnstiles, time-sensitive gates, and crowded escalators.
- Will you need heavy or cold weather clothing during your trip? As mentioned above, traveling to cold weather destinations with just a carry-on can be more difficult. The easiest way to succeed is to limit the number of thick outerwear items. Make sure to wear your bulkiest item on the plane to save room in your carry-on. Trips to warm weather destinations are much simpler.
- Do your accommodations provide electrical appliances such as a hairdryer, iron, or steamer? These are space-occupying items that are necessary for some people. Travel-sized versions are one option, but it is usually easier to book a place that will provide you with what you need. This also eliminates the need for converters that are often needed for voltage conversions in overseas locations. Most major hotel chains and many private residence rentals will provide these gadgets, and you can often filter results during your search based on their availability.
- Will you have access to laundry during your trip? This detail can be a game-changer. Access to a washing machine gives you the ability to re-wear certain items of clothing and thus pack less. Think and plan ahead about when you will do laundry, as you often will not have access to a dryer. But be creative – hair dryers and sunny balconies go a long way! Don’t waste your money on expensive laundry services. Consider packing laundry detergent sheets that are small and lightweight, and don’t be afraid to wash clothes by hand in the sink or tub.
- What will you gain from carrying-on? Like with any decision, weighing the pros and cons is a must. How much will you benefit from this hassle-free style of traveling? Or will you end up regretting not bringing more? Everyone is different, so be honest with yourself and what you want most out of your trip!
- Will you be traveling with other members of a group, and are the others planning to check bags? One important perk of not checking a bag is saving time at baggage checks and claims, but if you’re going to have to wait on others, this might influence your decision.
Tips for Carrying-On
If you’ve decided that traveling with only a carry-on is something you’d like to try, here are some tips to make it even easier. Included are some brand recommendations that I’ve discovered throughout my planning and traveling. These are just my opinions, and there are certainly many brands and styles of each item on the market. So do your research before you make any large purchases!
- Invest in a good carry-on suitcase! A great suitcase is the most important necessity for this carry-on method. Don’t make the mistake of purchasing a cheap piece of luggage that needs frequently replaced or is poorly made. As you’ll be doing extra walking, you’ll want a suitcase that is easy to tote. I recommend choosing a brand that gives you something extra and makes your entire trip easier. As mentioned above, it’s important to pay attention to suitcase sizes, as many of those marketed as carry-ons do not meet the specifications of the TSA (9″ x 14″ x 22″). I recommend The Carry-On by Away. While more pricey than many carry-on suitcases, this incredibly well-made product is made of a durable material that expands impressively to accommodate a tightly-packed suitcase. It also has built-in a TSA-approved combination lock and ejectable battery perfect for charging your phones or devices. Away luggage comes in a variety of colors and sizes, including a larger carry-on variety that can fit in overhead bins but is technically too big for TSA regulations.
- Pack outfits, not options. Rather than bringing a ton of options that you may never wear, think ahead, and plan out what you will wear each day of your trip. Try and choose pieces that will work for multiple days in order to limit how much you need to bring. This will save you space in your bag and time choosing what to wear on your trip! And if you have extra room after you’ve packed your bag, you can always throw in a couple of extra items that you couldn’t leave behind.
- Bring clothing you can toss. Now I know everyone wants to look their best on vacation, and I am no different. So I’m not suggesting that you pack your oldest gym clothes to wear in your new profile picture! Instead, consider bringing your most timeworn of the essentials such as socks, underwear, and t-shirts. By doing so, you can easily free up some room to bring back purchases during your trip and leave these rags behind.
- Look for wrinkle-resistant clothing. Because your items will be packed tightly into the carry-on, they are likely to become very wrinkled along the journey. Try and find materials that are thin and wrinkle-resistant to save you the headache of having to iron or steam on vacation. Many men’s brands offer wrinkle-free dress shirts and pants that are travel friendly. If all else fails, be sure to pack a travel-size wrinkle release spray in with your toiletries.
- Use packing cubes to help fit the most. Packing cubes allow you to organize and compartmentalize your clothing in a relatively inexpensive way. If you have already planned your clothing pieces into specific outfits, you can pack them away accordingly. Doing so will makes things easier to find, and you won’t have to unpack your entire suitcase on each leg of a multi-stop vacation.
- Roll don’t fold! The best way to pack for a carry-on trip is to roll your clothes. Rolling takes up less space and minimizes wrinkles more than folding.
- Don’t bring unnecessary toiletries. Think closely about what toiletries you want to include as part of your quart-sized bag allowance. Many hotels provide basic necessities that you don’t need to pack. Other items can be purchased easily and inexpensively at your destination. Try not to bring expensive items if you can avoid it. Your toiletry bag is another example of something you can empty at the end of your trip in order to make extra room.
- Organize your electronics, and don’t bring what you won’t use. One of the best purchases that I’ve made in order to make traveling more simple was an electronics organizer. This one is made by BUBM and perfectly organizes charging cords and plugs. It has space to store a tablet and several different-sized wall adapters, batteries, etc. If you have multiple electronics that charge with the same wall input, leave the extras behind.
I hope that these tips and tricks make it easier for you to consider a carry-on trip! I’ve found it equally manageable and rewarding to be able to travel with only what I need and not much more. You’ll save time and money if you skip the baggage claim, so give it a try and let me know what you think!