Everyone loves to head out and take off to a far away location. Generally that means you need to fly. One hazard of flying is those pesky checked bag fees and time spent waiting. So many travel with only a carry-on to help avoid both of these hassles. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Let me preface this post by saying I have never done this…..yet. All the wisdom and great tips are provided by a close & dear friend that is the master at traveling with a carry-on only. She graciously offered me her tips so I could share them with my readers.
trekkingandtasting.com is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
Think About Where You Are Going
Carry-on Myth #1: You can only use it when you are going on a short trip. Not true at all, keep reading to find out more.
Think about where you are going and what you may be doing while there as that will determine what needs to be packed. An all-inclusive beach vacation is different in packing needs than a cold weather non all-inclusive vacation. Both can be done with only a carry-on, but cold weather non all-inclusive may take a bit more creativity.
This post will focus on an all-inclusive beach vacation, but it can be easily adapted to any situation.
Know Ahead Of Time What You Plan On Doing During Your Trip
Carry-On Myth #2: I can’t use a carry-on because I need to make sure I have something for every possible situation. Not even close to the truth.
Really think hard about your trip. Are you really going to need 7 pairs of shoes? Will you be using the gym (if there is one) and need special workout clothes and shoes? Will you be going running and need special shoes? Will you be snorkeling and need gear (that can definitely be done in a carry on only bag), etc.
By knowing what you will be doing on your vacation will help you to pack so that you can travel with only a carry-on.
Start With A Few Lists
Carry-On Myth #3: I can’t travel with only a carry-on because I might forget something. False! Planning ahead will take care of that myth!
Those who know me well, know that I LOVE checklists when it comes to travel. And that is especially true when I start preparing to pack for our trip.
Using a packing checklist is key when you want to travel with only a carry-on. By seeing things written out on paper, it can help you with having the right clothing with you.
Remember above when I said to think about what you are doing on your trip? Write the main things down on paper, and then jot a few ideas under each. See what a common theme might be, and and plan your outfits from there.
Choosing The Right Carry-On Luggage
Next Carry-on excuse #4: A carry-on is way too small to fit everything I need for my trip. Nope, not true. Prepare to be amazed.
First we will start with the most important thing: how to choose the right carry-on luggage. There are so many choices out there, that sometimes you can get overwhelmed with the choices. Do I get hard luggage? Soft luggage? Should it be expandable? So. Many. Choices.
My friend highly recommends this carry-on from Travelpro. A key thing to remember is to go with a lightweight version so you can pack more of the things you need. After, most airlines have a weight limit on the carry-on you bring with you. Save the weight for the things you really need, rather on the piece of luggage itself.
Another important consideration in your underseat bag. Most major airlines allow: 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee-free. A backpack is ideal as the personal item. It must be able to fit under your seat so be careful to not over pack it.
My favorite personal item bag is my KYSS bag. It serves several great purposes, and fits easily under the seat. The best part about it is the lock and chain with a combination. You can lock your stuff in, lock it around a beach chair, and enjoy the water knowing your stuff is safe.
For reference, this is the medium sized bag. When we went to Sandals Emerald Bay, I had a packing cube with our swimsuits, & sandals. We also had our refillable cups, my DSLR & Apeman camera, my book, and a few more items. It held A LOT!
I will talk more about other things you can pack in your personal item bag further down in this post.
Know The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule When Flying
Carry-On excuse #5: There is NO way I could pack what toiletries I need in just a carry-on. Oh yes you can, you just need to be smart about it.
Know the 311 rules for traveling with liquids. What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule? Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. These bags are TSA approved and much more durable than a ziplock bag.
Suntan lotion can be challenging as far as how to pack enough when doing carry-on only. Several 3 ounce bottles will fit in one of those TSA approved bags. If you are going to be there for an extended time, then make sure you budget extra money to purchase more when you get to your resort.
Buyer beware: lotion on most resorts is VERY pricey. If you think you are going to use a lot of it, you may want to consider switching to a checked bag instead. The cost of the lotion could end up being far more expensive than a checked bag fee.
As always, the TSA website is your best, and final, resource for adhering to the 3-1-1 rules for liquids. Some people don’t think about liquid foundation or liquid eye liner or gel deodorant. These are all considered liquids in the eyes of TSA, and should be in your TSA liquids bag. You may want to consider changing to a solid deodorant or skipping the liquid make-up all together.
Choose The Best Clothing To Take With You
But what if I slop on myself and I don’t have enough outfits with me? I need more room than a carry-on can give me. Nice try, but there is a simple solution to that.
Mix and match is the key. For instance, 3 pairs of shorts and 3 tank tops can be turned into enough outfits for more than a week. Should outfits become soiled, the sink or bathtub can be your best friend. Just use the provided bath gel or shampoo, it’s easy to wash out what needs washing. Depending on how long you were in the clothes to begin with, they can be worn more than once.
The same mix and match principle can apply to swimsuits if wearing two-piece bathing suits. As for one-piece suits like I wear, 2 would be sufficient. Wear one of the suits one day, wash and allow to dry in an air conditioned room. Wear the other the following day and repeat steps.
I try to take swimsuits and cover-ups that match so I can switch them out as needed. I used to take 2 pairs of beach flip flops too, but now that my suits are mainly black(got to hide those vacation pounds somehow), I just take my black pair.
Fun travel hack: bring several towel clips with you. You can hang stuff to dry on the shower bar AND they serve a second purpose of keeping your blinds closed if you want to sleep in.
Less Is More When It Comes To Shoes
I can agree with this for the most part, but man, I have SO many cute sandals I could be bringing!!
This, too, is where assessing what you will be doing comes in handy. If you are primarily going to be on the beach then flip flops are fine. If you are going to be in the water, some places you may want water walkers (they are great for excursions too).
Let’s not forget dress shoes for dinners. A simple pair of elegant sandals for women and man is probably sufficient. Go with a neutral shade like taupe so that it will coordinate with more outfits. I tend to bring a pair of black ones too, but that is generally when I have my checked bag.
I usually bring a pair of sneakers with me, and wear them on the plane. I keep my flip flops in my carry-on packing cube, and change into them as soon as I can. By wearing your sneakers ON the plane, you are saving weight and space in your carry-on.
Small Accessories That Can Enhance Your Trip
A few fun things that you may not have thought of can be great for your trip. Things like:
- A compressible toiletry bag. You’d be amazed how much can fit in this and how small it can be compressed to. This is perfect for those items that don’t have to go in your liquids bag.
- Beach bag for beach days or excursions. This why I love my K.Y.S.S. bag so much, it doubles as both. You can easily add two towels in the bag and still have room to spare.
- Electronic cord organizer. You know those TSA 3-1-1 bags? They aren’t just for liquids. They are a great way to keep all cords and misc. small electronics together. Using a twist tie on cords helps to stop them from tangling. These two items have also been helpful for charging purposes.
- Refillable travel mugs and reusable straws. When we head to Jamaica, this is my favorite travel friend. Especially when we fill it with the rum punch from Club Mobay. They are perfect for frozen drinks and ice water, as they stay cold for hours!
- Towel clips. Towel clips are great too not just for securing towel to beach chair but for keeping curtains closed, hanging clothes, etc. There are so many cute ones out there, and they make finding your beach chair easier in a sea of loungers.
- Wristlet or small purse. You can carry around a key card, your cellphone, and a lipstick for after dinner.
- A good book or two! I don’t have to explain this one. Heading out on vacation is a great time to find a new author or genre!
So How Do I Fit All Of This Stuff In Just A Carry-On?
Carry-On excuse # who knows: There is NO way I can fit everything I need in that little bag no matter how carefully I plan. Think again traveler! Keep reading to find out more!
So now that you have made a list of all the things you should take or might want to take, you are probably wondering: how the heck is all this stuff going to fit? That has always been my fear to travel only with a carry-on because I like my *stuff*.
The solution?
Space bags and packing cubes, of course! I started using them in my checked luggage, and I was amazed at the space they made, plus things stayed neat and didn’t shift much.
Here are some easy tips to get your carry-on packed:
- When packing clothes in space bags, fold the clothes, not roll the clothes.
- Small things like underwear and socks can be packed inside of shoes.
- If you need to take your own pillow, that too can be put in a larger size space bag.
Now it is just a matter of playing Tetris. Pack with large cubes on the bottom and work from there. Remember your snorkel gear? Gently fitting them in between the cubes should be easy and helps keep them safe. If you need to take your own fins, you may want to invest in a shorter pair to make them easier to pack.
Tips For Your Underseat Personal Bag So You Can Travel With Only A Carry-on
Remember when I talked about putting items in your personal bag? Here are a few things to get you started:
- Hand sanitizer wipes(not liquid) to wipe down your seat handles and tray. No one wants to spend their vacation sick.
- Make sure to put all electronics in the bag that will be put under your seat.
- Same goes for any prescription medications you may need.
- Book, too, if you plan on reading on the plane.
- Travel documents.
- Swim suit (if beach destination). Basically anything you will need immediate access to.
A Few More Valuable Tips That You Will Like
She has a few other tips I think you will find extremely valuable.
If traveling in the winter, layer your clothes. Shorts and tank or t-shirt under jeans and sweatshirt. Wear sneakers and pack (in a space bag) flip flops. Once getting close to your destination, go into the bathroom and take layers off. Put jeans, sweatshirt and sneakers in space bag and put space bag(make sure to use a space bag that will accommodate all these items) back in under seat bag.
Also, make sure to have your swimsuit in your under seat bag for easy access. Unless it’s a two piece and then you can just wear that as bra and undies. Do the reverse on the way home.
One Final Thought
If you are a souvenir junkie or enjoy bringing home alcohol from your trip, using only a carry-on may be a bit more challenging. So keep that in mind when you are doing pre-trip packing. Leave a few more things out if you plan on bringing gifts back with you.
However you decide to travel, your destination awaits you!
Even More Carry-On Tips From Other Travelers
- How To Travel For A Month With Only A Carry-On
- 7 Carry-On Essentials You Need To Pack
- What Should I Pack In My Carry-On Bag?
- How To Pack Lighter And Smarter
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trekkingandtasting.com is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
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