13 Little-Known Packing Hacks for Carry On Travel 

I brought a carryon from the US to Europe and then realized it's too big to qualify as a carry on in Europe. So learn from me and make sure your carryon is actually carryon size where you're going.

I travel monthly for a week. First thing to go was additional jewelry. I carry a lipstick and gloss in my handbag, but no other makeup. (If they love me, makeup doesn't matter and if they're strangers, I don't care.) Shampoo bar, lasts forever. Single hair product, a leave in conditioner, which doubles to style my hair. I coordinate colors for outfits, neutral except for a single color, so I have interchangeable looks. This trip was black, white, red. Scarves are small, packable accessories, can be used in multiple ways, and can double as a shawl or belt. Two pairs of shoes, one sandals. Full coverage pajamas. Swimsuit in waterproof bag. My philosophy is if I forget it, there's a place to get it.

International carryon size limits are smaller than what you mentioned. PLEASE check with your airline before you buy a new bag that will be too big and become clutter. Also check weight limits, which vary widely by airline. I often max out the weight before I fill the bag, depending on the season of clothes I'm packing.

My husband and I are going to japan this upcoming winter and we discovered through some research that prescription pills need to be in the original containers! We also discovered that one of my daily medications is very *very* illegal there like you could go to jail even if you bring it on accident levels of illegal. If you're going to another country always double check their policies on medications!!

There is so much PRACTICAL advice here and not the same old same old travel tips. Great video!

I have come to find (through trial and error) that I love rectangular shaped bags, they fit more, especially packing cubes. I tend to be a modular bag-in-a-bag style packer and some of the bags that I pack in are actually the day bag or purse that I would be using at my destination. With that point I love being resourceful and packing multi use items, like bread ties, binder clips, safety pins and a multiplug.

Packing earlier might have saved me from missing a recent flight! Some of my favorite packing hacks are Colorescience powdered sunscreen, laundry detergent sheets, prioritizing mix-and-match tops and ultra-light scarves for visual variety, and limiting bottoms and shoes. Highly recommend tour guide Sarah Murdoch's ultra-light packing tips (e.g. weigh clothes and pack the lightest). Having a lighter bag really does make travel more fun. : - )

I always check the max bag size for each airline and flight. There are differences, especially for the budget airlines.

As was already mentioned, International size limits are much smaller than what you are stating. In addition, size limitations vary by airline, not just measurements, weight limitations too. I am planning an upcoming trip and will be using three different airlines with three different size requirements .

Here in Australia and for much of Asia, they a very strict on size and weight of carry on luggage, mostly it's 2 items at a maximum of 7kgs together. At some airports here, there's even airport staff going around with weigh scales and a visa card charger after security

I just used packing cubes this past summer and wow game changer! Also next time you travel can you film a what I’m packing for a week(end) in a carry on. I love to see the clothes people choose and how they use creativity to mix and match outfits!

One helpful thing I've discovered-the tote bag with trolley sleeve personal item works great if you're mostly rolling your suitcase through an airport and into a hotel. But if you're on the move a lot (for example, rolling your suitcase along cobblestone streets and up and down hills to public transportation where there are often no elevators or escalators) you'll end up PULLING and lifting (rather than rolling) your suitcase a lot and pulling the extra weight of the tote bag gets really heavy. For this type of trip a light backpack (not overpacked) is a much better personal item. Then you don't have to carry two things up and down stairs and the only thing you're pulling is the suitcase, which is designed to pull easily. Also, for this type of trip you want the lightest possible suitcase-I recently got the Osprey Daylite 40 liter (carry on size) rolling duffel, which weighs a bit less than 5 pounds!

I do believe in outfit repeating- but I think on vacation 1. You want to look your cutest because you’re taking pictures, 2. You’re doing lots of different things that require different clothes compared to just going to work every day- long flights require lounge wear, tours require comfortable walking clothes/shoes, nice dinners out require more dressy outfits etc. the sweet spot are clothes that photograph well but are comfortable.

Airlines have different sizes for carry on and personal item restrictions. And always check that the dimensions of your suitcase is accounting for the wheels and handles

I just got back from a city break with my family and I for the first time ever brought only ma favourite things, apart from one t-shirt they were all neutral, black and khaki green and everything looked good together and a new addition to my wardrobe - a button down dress that doubles as a thin jacket.

Very very good tips! Especially bringing the favourites! One point about size that may help- The limits are smaller outside the US. Where I live they’re very strict about measurements and even zipper stretch is enough to have them put in the regular luggage (where they have destroyed several nice cases). I look for luggage that is at least 1/2” or 1.5 cm less on all dimensions including the wheels always in order to sidestep the gate agents and hang onto my luggage. We used to have a 10 kg limit for any carryon but thankfully they stopped that. I was a few grams over on one trip and the agent made me remove something and move it to my purse. And they’re very strict about the liquid allowance bags. I use the medium freezer ziplocks- 1 quart size and I have had them force me into their version which is much smaller and a long thin rectangle. They don’t allow those clear squared off zip bags that Amazon sells as TSA approved. It all depends on how crabby they feel that day. I’ve noticed that they’re much more relaxed about everything travelling in the States.

To cut down on overpacking, I always, always pack a travel size bottle of wrinkle remover. Spray on a shirt or other piece of clothing that you have already worn, iron, and that piece smells and feels like it is freshly laundered!

I'm flying to Oregon for a week soon. All I'm taking is a 15.9" Loveook backpack purse. If it doesnt fit, it doesnt go. Seems like every trip, I pare it down more.

I love the idea of packing outfits together rather than all things separately. Easy to find clothes and get dressed

Great tips, I'm a big fan of light travel. I'm planing a two month trip to Japan next year and my target weight is 5kg's or less.

I travel 6 /8/12 weeks with carryon only. Europe is hard with luggage. Silk is your best friend. Jeans stay home. I wear silk and warm under garments. 1 blazer and one down coat. Get a practical hair cut/do/treatment that requires minimum effort. I wear my heaviest shoes on the plane and still have room for my hiking boots and outfit in my carry-on

Minimal pill organizer is a good a idea in general but not when flying. I’m pretty sure meds still have to be in their original bottles with prescription. TSA might not have noticed if you’ve done it before, but eventually one of them will call that out and you may have them confiscated.

Getting ready to pack for 8 days in Hawaii and am hoping to do a carry on only. We did two weeks in Europe with only one carry on each and no extra "personal item" bag. Boy that really lets you know what you need and what you don't.

Wow! this is the best video I have seen on helping u pack and pack less. Thanks so much for this video

Yes I also have some things packed just for traveling. I have one packing cube with just the things that I need for all of my electronics that I bring. And yes like you mentioned I also have a toiletry bag just for traveling. A tip to check those bags just to be sure your not missing anything.

Great tips! Thank you 😊

Great video!!! Thanks 😊

Always a Blessing !🙂

Love this. I am not able to travel much wory work and school. However the end is near and more trips are a goal. I appreciate these tips, which I will use.

Using many of these tips now!

So relatable. With traveling on the 31st of August for a few days I have looked over the RU-vid for pointers. Point on with checking on the carry on by size and not what is labeled. Yes with the sleeve on the personal bag to hook onto the suitcase. I am already preparing by day to evening since this is a meeting for pkanning returning there next year with a huge attendance of military women from all over the world. I have gotten to the point of makiing out my list by day to include travel. I have seen individuals take a photo with accessories to shoes. I will do this for next year when stay is longer and have evenings to dress up. Love your travel outfit. I always lean to closed toe slip on shoes or trainers. Loving your attitude of being a smart pacjer,, I tend now to solids that I can mix but throw in a maxi a few light weight shawls.

The bigger Away bag does not meet restrictions on non US airlines. Also certain countries require meds in their original packaging. And lastly, some trips such as a nile river cruise does not off the opportunity to purchase many what if items.

Hi! I just discovered your channel and am hooked! I’ve been on a minimalism journey for a couple of years and am still very much a “work-in-progress” with organizing, decluttering, shopping less, traveling lighter, etc. Thank you for the fantastic content.

I packed my suitcase for two weeks with all my favourite clothes. I then decluttered everything left in the wardrobe and drawers. Now packing clothes for a week is super easy. I have a drawer for travel essentials instead of excess clothes (I did not like). Packing is quick and easy. Getting ready each day is quick and easy too.I love my wardrobe and packing.

I always repack my toiletries case as soon as I get home from a trip and I’m putting them away. That way I remember to always take everything and also remember if I missed something on the previous trip. All great tips.

Thank for sharing

My husband and I travel on a motorbike- so it's just three small suitcases ! There is only trouble when we buy something while on holiday 😅

I'd be careful about pushing the dimension limits because some airlines are major sticklers and will totally make you check it

They may want to know what your pills are and have them packed in the original package and your prescriptions along too. Please check before travelling.

I use lots of those tips, ranger roll, pack early, always packed toiletry bag, and packable tote.

Great info, thank you! Do you have the personal item bag link available?

Understand that you can buy when you arrive but not the normal sometimes if plus size helpful video 😊

First your grey slip dress looks wonderful. Living in Europe for some time, I usually take 5 solid T-shirts and one solid long sleeve shirt ( usually white or black). Throw in some color with scarves that are easily packable. Lastly, easier to pack is a light summer skirt instead of jean shorts, look is more elegant too. And lastly, lastly how about a trench coat over the Jean jacket?

Where did you get you slip dress seen wearing in video? Love it!

This intro is TOTALLY me to a T. Researching obsessively until you feel like an expert on the topic 😂😄 totally guilty

❤ I really think your necklace is so pretty. A staple piece, do you mind sharing where you got it? ☺️

Great ideas!!! Just to reiterate other comments - be sure to check your airline's requirements for size as this video may not be accurate for all airlines. For example, on Aer Lingus your personal item may be no larger than 13" x 10" x 8 which is like a mini backpack unfortunately.

Cover your shoes to protect them from scuffs and scratches while in transit. And to protect your other belongings from dirt and germs. Travel size toiletries would save a lot of room, so would a smaller hairbrush. Safe travels!

I have to weigh my carryon suitcase several times to check if it's 7kls required for a carryon...in case they're in doubt

I like the idea of keeping toiletries packed :-)) I love your duffel bag, but it's pretty pricey. One of my travel philosophies is to make use of what you already have. That goes along with a minimal approach. Thanks for your vid!

Something I do is lay the jeans flat at he bottom of the bag. In some cases it takes up less space and put the packing cubes on top of them.

where to get that pill case

For your young age, you are quite wise! Great video! There are some of us who will chime in about international travel having some different requirements than the US, but for domestic travel, you did a great job. Thank you for posting.

Do you have a source for that pill container?

I’d like to know the carry-no’s weight after you finish to packing.Tks

shoes!! my issue is shoes!! i want to bring all the shoes🩵🩵🩵

Do not pack pills separately from their bottles. If your bag gets searched you can get suspected for drug possession. There is a reason they require you to have your medicine in their original labeled bottle and that is for identification

A scheduled airline allows a bit more Ejet Ryanair Wiz Norwegian are way too strict. If I can therefore prefer BA etc unless you want to take 1 tiny bag!!! I have a tiny scale to finally weigh main bag and 10 kg max is what am aiming for. Last long trip bag was checked in cost me 2 13 days xtra to wait to see if was found then got lost twice yes twice by bus cos. After that I will hopefully never check in again. Plus gave away ltop to getweight down and many photos ended up lost forever thanks to webstick and cloud . A lesson learnt sadly. Before never ever had one single issue with bag checked in 50 years, Things have changed drastically with no come back. I like to change clothes and harder to travel hot and cold climates longer term. There is only so much you can fit in. I bought a totally weightless Amazon personal bag for anything valuable or my meds but they checked through it 1 billion times no idea why at all didnt even have liquids ..they said had a lot of electrics 2 cameras and a laptop!!!

Beware European restrictions! Swissair carry-on: 21.5 x 15.7 x 9", Personal item: 15.7 x 11.8 x 3.9" (less than 4" wide!), weight for each: 8 kg = 17.63 lbs.

No shoe bags? I never pack shoes directly in my suitcase.

Seems like enough Togo to Europe!

On international flights, you must leave medication on their original containers.

And don’t forget in Australia … the weight limits for carry on are very small … and they DO get weighed

Carryon measurements must include the wheels. And all carryon requirements are not the same. It varies by airline.

You’re always required to take out your liquids to go through Security so keep your TSA bag in your personal item for easy access. It’s super awkward to get into that suitcase to pull them out.

Packing into carry on is not the problem. The issue is the 7kg weight limit. How is that possible.

Dimensions here are too big for European flights. Buy a bag that is no bigger then the smallest dimensions listed for all the flights on your particular trip. You might leave on a N.American airline and return on a European one. Ask me how I know……. Also: get a hand held scale….you’ll be amazed at the differences in weight between items that are very similar.

U are packing just for a weekend: I have to Pack for two weeks hiking

One of the reasons people made fun of outfit repeating the next day was that the assumption was that dirty clothes were worn again and they didn't take a shower. Also, if you outfit repeat too often it looks like you're in a character in a TV show and only have like 2 outfits to wear in total

And nobody when you are travelling will even notice if you've worn something before, or care (everybody is in the same boat when traveling). And besides, get over it!

Am not into outfit repeating...

Do not pack shoes without coverings disgusting

😮 I learned NOTHING from this video. Very disappointing