I absolutely love traveling carry on only – it just makes life so much easier to pack mindfully and have as little as possible with me when I’m traveling long-term or on a holiday. There are so many reasons why I love traveling with carry on only, including:
- It can often be cheaper
- I pack mindfully and take less – here’s five things to make sure you take with you
- I don’t have to wait for luggage to arrive at the carousel, saving time
- My luggage won’t be lost in transit
- I can just carry your luggage on your back or wheel it along easily
- It makes travel so much simpler.
If you can, I reckon you should travel carry on, especially right now with so much disruption at airports and people waiting for hours for luggage that may or may not show up. It may seem like a challenge at first, but packing for carry on only definitely becomes easier each time and as you learn what you really need and what you will use while you’re away.
We’ve travelled to so many places with carry-on only, and spent months in Asia with just our Kathmandu Litehauls. Here’s me recently weighing in at 8.3 kilos on Scoot.
Here are my tips for packing for carry on only flights.
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Check how many kilos your airline allows for carry on.
There’s no standard amount for carry on. Some airlines allow seven kilos in economy, some allow 10 (more is allowed in business and other classes). Sometimes you can have the allocated kilos plus a personal item like a handbag, some airlines give you a total weight of everything – on our last trip to Vietnam we flew with Jetstar and our total was 7 kilos for EVERYTHING. It’s a challenge but we did it.
Some airlines are VERY strict about weighing you in – strangely I found Qatar Airlines, a full service airline the strictest (I had check in luggage also and they weighed carry on) and they made me repack my carry on and move things to my check in bag. If I’d been carry on lone I would have been in trouble.
Scoot had their eyes on the weight and made us reconfigure a bit between both my daughter and my bag, but let us go over a little. Most don’t seem to worry too much, and will give you a bit of flex, but try not to go over though as that will probably be the time you meet an enforcer on the check in counter. And there are a few tricks I will share that might help too with a couple of kilos.
Also, check the luggage dimensions allowed as you will need to be within them too. But realistically if you’re packing for 7 -10 kg and you go with the below bags or similar its unlikely.
How to check your bag’s weight?
We usually use the scales – I will weight myself first and then with the backpack on. It gives a reasonable estimate.
You can also buy some cheap, portable lightweight travel scales! So handy. My next purchase.
Use a light weight backpack or wheelie cabin bag.
This is super important because the weight of your bag is included in the total. Since usually you are looking at 7 – 10 kilos for carry on you need to pack light but also choose light weight luggage. There are two styles that work best: a backpack or a wheelie cabin bag. You could use a duffle as it’s nice and light but it can be really hard to carry.
Backpacks are so light – ours weighs only 1.2kg – compared with a rolly bag that can weight from 2 – 2.5 kilos. This is critical when it’s counted as part of your weight.
We use this Kathmandu backpack.
I love this Kathmandu Litehaul backpack because it’s light, it has a protected slot for my laptop and a top section for easy access during the flight. I reckon it’s the best bag for carry on travel. It’s easy to carry and has a hip strap as well so your back is supported. It’s weight is 1.4kg (we remove the hard case to reduce the weight by a few hundred grams) We have the 38L and it fits 7 – 10 kilos well. It’s my favourite!
July light weight cabin luggage
This one is the lightest wheel suitcases in the world at 1.8 kilos and it’s gorgeous. I used to be very anti rolly bag for carry on only but July Light Carry On is SO LIGHT for a gorgeous bag with double wheel glides, proper handles, and it just looks so good. For a day or two interstate my July wheelie bag is my go to, and Emmie has begged for a wheelie bag for her carry on only so I’m going to get her the Light Weight (we currently have the standard which is a little heavier) and her use it. Love it. Find out more here and read why we love July here.
I also LOVE the JULY packing cubes. You can buy them in sets, they have a breathable mesh face and Ive been using mine for years and they are going strong. Check them out here.
Duffle bag
Duffle bags are not my favourite but definitely light and you can fit a lot in. It can be very awkward to carry as my daughter found out – and this reel of her went viral.
She loves her Country Road duffle bag. It’s on trend for tweens…but maybe not for carry on.
Check if your airline allows personal items.
Some airlines allow a personal item, which could be a handbag, or a purse. Some include it in the total weight for carry on. Make sure to check. As far as I can see, all airlines allow you to carry on a pillow. We have tested this and it’s worked. This is important and I’ll share why below.
Really consider what you will wear.
You’re not taking maybes. You’re taking the clothes that you’re going to wear so you need to be sure.
Also think about what you can mix and match or wear differently to make it look like a new outfit. Smaller items with lighter material also take less space, but ultimately this is about weight so lighter fabric is definitely a good move!
Only take what you need – be mindful.
I find that I often pack for the space I have, and because we’re used to taking a big suitcase on holidays we’re used to filling it. But that’s why most of the time we get home and talk about how we haven’t worn half of what we packed. So in fact, it’s not as challenging as you think to pack less. I usually take two – three dresses, a pair of shorts and a couple of t-shirts plus a light jacket and my hat that can squish up. Then I have my cossies, undies and bras and sports gear.
Use packing cubes.
Packing cubes are the best for compartmentalising your items and squishing them down – unfortunately this won’t reduce the weight but will help you fit everything in your bag and organising – even a carry on with limited items – makes managing your gear even simpler. Packing cubes are so handy for keeping things separate. I have one for my clothes, one for undies, bras and cossies and one for toiletries.
I have a variety in different sizes.
Take a small first aid kit.
Take the essentials you may need, like bandaids, pain relief, saline and rehydtration tablets. Include hand sanitiser, wipes and masks for high traffic areas and flights.
Carefully pack toiletries.
Toiletries can really add to your weight so really consider what you want to take. Only take liquid 100ml or less and really consider what you need, and also if you can buy it there. For example I take a small sunscreen, but understand I may need to buy more there.
Carry them in ziplock bags (you are supposed to take them through individually in ziplock bags but I’ve never been asked) in packing cubes or wrapped in a plastic bag – you need plastic in case of a spill.
You can reuse small containers you have at home as travel cases and put some of your favourite products in them. I also rely on there being basic amenities at the accommodation like shampoo and body moisturiser – even in cheaper guesthouses you’ll usually get the basics. With make up, I get my eyebrows and eyelashes tinted – it makes life easier anyway, and I don’t need to carry makeup.
Here are some of the all natural toiletries I recommend for travel.
I take:
Deodorant
Mozzie repellent
Small conditioner
Sunscreen
Facewash
Face moisturiser
Nail file and a few other bits and bobs
Note: Don’t pack nail scissors as they’ll be confiscated, and also some Asian countries don’t sell tampons, or they can be very difficult to find, so make sure to pack them.
Wear your heaviest items – and multiple if needed
This is a well known carry on hack but it makes sense to wear your biggest shoes and clothes right? I will always wear my sneakers or hiking boots on the plane and my jacket, pants and any other larger items, I also have a bumbag on my waist (turned to the back) with my camera or other heavy items in it.
If you have a personal item like a handbag that is not included in the carry on weight then put your heavy bits in there too.
Reduce your digital items
I’ve gone from taking huge cameras, a drone, my computer, a GoPro and so many other items to just using my phone on holidays. I don’t really need to take much more although of course if you’re a photographer you’ll be taking your gear in a special bag anyway. I load up my kindle with books, I take my phone and selfie stick. If I will have work to do, I’ll take my computer and if I want t take pics I’ll take my compact camera and compact tripod. my computer. I also charge up my power pack fro the plane especially if traveling on a budget airline as they often don’t have charge ports.
Here’s what I take:
Phone in its case
Camera
Kindle
Selfie stick – I use the Cygnett Gostick Bluetooth Selfie Stick with tripod.
Cygnet power pack
Joby Gorillapod tripod
Take a pillow.
It’s a handy hack (although who knows how long for) and you may choose to add a few things into the pillowcase for carry on. I often slide my computer in, and may people will add excess clothes, using two pillowcases.
Use a bumbag/fannypack.
Similarly, you can wear items on your body, so I have been known to strap a bumbag on that my SLR fits in.
Be creative.
Make use of the space you have. Slip socks or small shorts etc inside shoes, and take advantage of every bit of space you have.
Roll instead of fold.
It’s definitely space saving (but remember your limit is weight related not size related) and folding just makes it so much easier to fit your gear into your packing cube
Wash your clothes while you’re there.
Just take a few pairs of undies and wash while you’re there. I either handwash a few items in the shower or in the sink, OR – and I prefer this – I get it all washed at a local laundry. In Asia I can get everything washed – and it’s always beautifully crisp and folded too – for a couple of dollars. It’s also a good tip to get this done before you head home.
If you have more tips to share please add in the comments!