Planning to bring carry-on luggage on your next vacation and wondering what to pack?
Limited space makes it tough to figure out what we absolutely need and what can be put in your checked luggage. Narrowing down items to fit into the small bag can leave you forgetting essential items or packing incorrectly altogether. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle and the pieces just don’t fit.
Not to worry. Read on to learn about what should go in your carry-on bag and how to approach the packing like a pro.
Clothes
If your carry-on bag is the only one you’ll take on the trip, you need to be very selective about which items of clothing you bring. Sure, it’s fun to plan outfits ahead of time and bring several changes of clothes in case a certain mood strikes, but with a carry-on, this is not an option.
Before you begin packing, think about these two factors; the weather, and what you’ll be doing. These are important to consider when you decide what kind of wardrobe is right for the trip.
You’ll want to pack clothes that are interchangeable; a few key pieces you can mix and match with others and layer or remove as the weather changes. You’ll want to avoid having completely different outfits on as you transition from day to night.
Instead, bring clothes that can easily go from your day-time outfit to dinner-ready with the simple addition of a sleek leather jacket or by swapping out your sneakers in exchange for flats.
A good rule of thumb is to pack one of each when it comes to the main items like jeans, jackets, sweaters or dresses, and then a few more of the smaller items like t-shirts, socks, and underwear. Those are the items that get dirty after one use and ones that you can’t recycle later in the trip without washing.
Since you’re limited with the amount of actual clothing you can bring, you can have a little more fun with the accessories in order to feel like you’re changing up your look. Pack fun costume jewelry that can spice up an outfit or bring a light scarf or funky belt you can add to your outfit to make it more stylish.
Shoes
Shoes take up a lot of space in a carry-on so we suggest limiting your choices to the ones you wear on the plane and one more that gets packed in your suitcase. If you’re planning to do a lot of walking on your trip, you’ll want sneakers, which can be worn on the plane and throughout the day as you travel.
You can pack a pair of boots, flats or heels, depending on how fancy your evenings will be, and put those on as you transition from day to night on your trip. Be sure to pack a pair of sneakers that are neutral in color and can be dressed up a bit if needed.
You don’t want to feel like you’re spending your whole trip in grungy tennis shoes. Pack a pair that is all white so they enhance your daytime outfits and make you feel stylish without having to forgo comfort. Be sure to pack your shoes in a shoe bag or plastic bag so they don’t rub up against your clean clothing while you travel.
Toiletries
These toiletries are going with you in your carry-on bag which means everything you pack can be no more than 3.4 ounces per bottle. We suggest heading to your local drug store and purchasing a pack of travel toiletry bottles.
This way, you can transfer your liquids like shampoo, conditioner, and lotions into them without having to worry about the size of the bottle. The bottles you’re purchasing are measured to work for air travel.
Some sets have bottles with various colors so you are able to tell the difference between different products. For anything not liquid, get a travel size version from the drug store. This goes for toothpaste, hand sanitizer, deodorant and more.
There’s no reason to bring bulky items on the plane that take up space in your bag when the smaller version is available.
Travel Wallet
A travel wallet is essential for staying organized while traveling. You’ll need to have easy access to and keep track of items like your photo ID, passport, flight tickets, and more.
A travel wallet is usually flatter and thinner than a typical wallet so it won’t take up so much room in your bag, but items are still easy to find and you don’t have to rifle through various compartments looking for your credit card.
Electronics
If you can, avoid bringing your computer on your trip. You likely have a smartphone and can connect to wifi from various locations so unless you need it for work, leave it behind. This will save you room in your bag and time as you move through security.
You want to be sure you have a phone charger and ear plugs that will work on a plane. Many earphones are not compatible with the outlets on airlines, so you’ll either need to purchase a headset on the plane or you can travel with an adapter that will make it easy to plug in while you fly.
If the airline you’re traveling on doesn’t have chargers in the seats, consider flying with a small power bank. You can charge this ahead of time before you leave the house then plug in your device should it run low on power. This way, you’re landing at your destination with a fully charged phone and don’t have to worry about a dying battery as you get to your next location.
Just in Case
If you’ve checked another bag then your carry-on bag has now become a backup bag in case the airline loses your luggage. You’ll want to approach the packing differently because you aren’t forced to cram in all your belongings since most items will be able to fit in your larger suitcase.
If the carry-on bag is now your emergency bag, you’ll want to include one of each. Ask yourself what you absolutely couldn’t live without should your main bag go missing. You’ll want to pack a few pairs of underwear and socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, any necessary medications, your electronics and a second change of clothes.
This way, if your bag does go missing, you won’t be totally left in the lurch. Be sure you pack all necessary documentation regarding your trip; itinerary, passports and hotel and car confirmation numbers so you can get where you need to go once you land with ease.
Your Carry-On Luggage Is Ready to Go!
Understanding what to put in your carry-on luggage can alleviate the stress from packing and help you bring the things you actually need and will use.
Don’t forget to keep it simple, mix and match, and pack the items you couldn’t go one day without. Read more from our blog to learn about traveling the world in style.
