More people are traveling lighter these days to avoid continually rising extra airline fees (Southwest is the only major airline that doesn’t charge for baggage) and the inconvenience of check-in lines or jostling around the luggage carousel once arriving at the destination. Lost suitcases can ruin a vacation or business trip.
While a carry-on bag presents a viable option, it is not without its challenges. The thought of compressing a week or two worth of belongings into the airline standard size of 45 inches (including belts and wheels) can be daunting to those used to living large. It isn’t as difficult as it seems, but requires some extra preparedness and organization.
Your smaller bag must set the limit on what you take for the journey. Rather than stretch your bag to the limit (and possibly ripping the fabric seams), overcome the urge to fill every nook. Be adaptable to living with less and as Deborah L. Jacobs from Forbes.com advises, “take a vacation from your possessions.”
No matter your travel needs or purpose, we have researched the simple steps to solve the main issues of how to pack a carry-on.
A quick list of suggested essentials include a portable snack (such as an apple), documents, wallet, valuables, phone and charger, an empty water bottle, a little emergency bag (containing hand sanitizer, band aids, antibiotic ointment), entertainment (such as an iPad or other tablet/e-reader) and medication.
SmarterTravel.com’s Caroline Costello suggests making a list of all the items you “immediately need at your destination while recalling your last trip to determine whether you packed items you never used.”
Any toiletries not provided by your hotel or host can be purchased at your destination. Bear in mind, you’ll probably get a better price going to a place like CVS than buying them from the hotel gift shop. If you prefer to freshen up immediately upon arrival, then bring travel sizes of your favorite items. Even higher-end brands can be found in sample sizes at retail stores like Macy’s.
Next, choose your travel outfit. According to FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney (via ABC News), “work from there while remembering to wear your heaviest stuff. Pack clothes you like and are comfortable in.”
A good rule of thumb is to bring half the clothes you think you’ll need and pack for one week’s worth no matter duration of the time away. You can wash dirty duds at the laundromat or send them out to be cleaned. Even rinsing out clothes in the bathroom sink with shampoo will more than suffice.
Decide what footwear will be necessary for the activities you have planned but bring only two pairs. Dress in the heavier shoes for the plane. If heading for colder weather, wear your coat. Layering clothes will provide a variety of outfits that work in different climates.
No matter your travel purpose, bring black, white and gray fabrics as colorful ones require more clothes to be matched, reports Expertflyer.com founder John Lopinto. Women can mix and match with easy-to-pack accessories such as vibrant scarves and jewelry. And don’t forget to utilize clothing pockets for extra storage.
Still having trouble choosing which garments to leave behind in your closet at home? You can always ship or take heed from herpackinglist.com contributor Heather Rudd to “pack only the clothes you would HATE to lose.”
However, if you have been hanging on to tacky old underwear or socks then pack them. You can discard them after each use.
Pack wardrobe, underwear and socks inside sturdy freezer bags to easily grab out of your carry-on. Work from the perimeter toward the center while layering items, as you go while packing the larger pieces first.
Small articles can be tucked in the crannies created by the big items, advises Expertflyer.com. You can also roll your clothes to minimize wrinkles and add more room.
The top compartment is perfect for your snack, important documents, wallet, valuables, phone and charger. Place all liquids (in no more than 3 oz. bottles) inside a freezer bag. All liquids must fit into one bag to pass through security. Place the bag at the top of the carry-on for easy TSA access.
Don’t overstuff your bag, which could it make it much more difficult to retrieve belongings while causing other ones to spill out. Simply remember: You don’t need as much as you think.
