Bare Minimum: How to Pack Less in a Carry-On Suitcase

These tips and tricks teach you how to pack the bare minimum amount in only carry-on luggage. Pack less weight. Pack light. Pack smaller things with these travel hacks. #travelhacks #traveltipsandtricks #carryononly #packingtips #minimalism

My lightweight essentials:

Airplane outfit:

Cashmere (back in stock July and Nov):

Merino wool no show socks: Nordstrom or Walmart
Shampoo bar: Lush
Tripped travel gear compression cubes are in almost every video.

Chapters:
00:00 How to pack less in carry-on bag
00:27 Tip wear heavy outfits in airplane
:40 Travel hack with bag
1:24 Research bag size requirements
1:46 Do not pack bulky outfits
3:33 Pack one pair of pants.
3:40 Pack versatile colors.
3:57 Pack a color scheme.
4:06 Do not pack shoes.
4:29 Travel hack for thin shoes
4:50 Pack less toiletries
5:39 Pack minimum makeup
7:14 But toiletries when you land
7:29 Swap liquids for solids
9:05 Do not pack vitamins
9:43 Travel hacks for carry-on only
10:20 Tips to reduce weight in luggage

POP over and say hi:
Instagram: @TravelTipsByLaurie (My former channel name was LauriePOP Ideas That POP, but now I produce travel tip videos only)
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Occasionally I use affiliate links, and all opinions that POP into my head are my honest ones.

[TravelTipsbyLaurie]

My lightweight essentials:

Airplane outfit:

Cashmere (back in stock July and Nov):


Merino wool no show socks: Nordstrom or Walmart
Shampoo bar: Lush

[susanwexler]

Laurie, although I agree with you on most things, I disagree with taking only one pair of pants and one pair of shoes. If you spill or get wet, you need a backup and sometimes you need a different pair of shoes to give your feet a change to prevent blisters. I learned that the hard way years ago when I took two pairs of shoes that were the same style. Now I always take a pair that fits differently--especially if I'm going to be walking a lot. Thanks for all your work informing the public. Your approachable ways are very much appreciated.😊

[bearisland]

After traveling to 38 countries what seems to work best for me is the 2-2-2 rule. Two bottoms, two tanks, two tshirts, two long sleeve shirts and two pairs of shoes. Add in a sweater or jacket depending on the weather. All in lightweight fabrics, of course.

[sunnyrlc]

I have never met you however I adore you and appreciate you.
Even your voice is comforting.
Thank you for sharing what you know. ❤

[lilivanv]

Best advice from my stylish French niece: pack only 3 colors! Magic formula to stress less and make sure everything matches while looking effortlessly elegant.

[dc]

After 1+MM miles and 30+ countries with carry on only, I learned to only use baggies. No cute pouches, no tech pouches, no makeup bags, no pill organizers, etc. Super light weight and space saving. Cheers!

[Mamakate]

I thought of another hack learned from a friend. Pack clothing you’ll either toss or give to a charity. Except for what you’ll definitely take home, on your last wear of each item either leave it or toss in the trash. You’ll have lighter luggage or room for souvenirs/purchases on the return trip home. LOL

[wandrousvindella]

Goals ! I always take a pic of what I'm packing & then another pic on my return. This will help your future self to pack with less. This video is so timely. Hello Aullie & Nathan 🐾🦩🌴

[Shelley-uw]

Laurie - you communicate so smoothly that it’s obvious that you do a lot of planning and preparation. I so appreciate your many hacks- they are incredibly helpful, and you are a delight to watch. Thank you very much. You are a rockstar!

[HomeEc]

We're in the midst of packing for a trip that will include no checked luggage on an Ait Lufthansa flight- WOW, very limiting sizes and weight (8kg-about 16lb). So yes, mulit layers being planned for what we are wearing on the plane. Dark colored bottoms and tops that go with mutiple items, including layering. 2 pair of flat shoes will go in the bottom of my personal item. And we aknowledge that we will A) do laundry and B) probabaly buy one or two shirts of some kind. Add to that we took out the insides of our neck pillows and filled them with socks and undies. I have a fresh outfit for 9 nights of cruising dinners, and a total of 16 nights of vacay. This puzzle has been challenging- and a little fun at the same time. Hoping to take photos each day of the outfits to share at some point ;)

[jenharvey]

Toothpaste tabs were definitely a game changer for me! Another thing I do to reduce liquids: normally I wear contacts that last for a month - they must be cleaned every night and morning, which means packing lens case, cleaning solutions, and lens wet drops. For travel, however, I use one day/disposable lenses. I don't need a case or cleaning solutions that way, and it does save space. I do need to pack an extra pair of bottoms and shoes, but I choose thin gauzy cotton for summer - I need something nicer for going out, and I need to change around my shoes or I get blisters. But I'd only pack sandals or walking flats in summer, so not much extra space or weight. If I'm limited to a personal item, I'll wear a shell tank, short sleeve blouse, layering shirt, and sweater or light jacket on the plane, and only pack 3 short sleeve and 1 long sleeve tops as well. And a packet of dry laundry soap sheets meant for camping. I wash the day's top, socks and unmentionables every evening and hang to dry, so I don't need as many tops even for a longer trip. In warm weather, a tank and a few gauzy scarf-like tops to go over will fit in a quart size baggie and give plenty of fashion options.

[Mamakate]

One of the comments here reminded me of a packing hack I learned from a trip involving both indoor dinner functions and outdoor painting. Take a photo of HOW you packed everything. This helped me remember how to repack as well as how to pack for similar future excursions.

[firecat-dygo]

Laurie’s tips are the best! She helped me break my bad habit of over packing!

[angelaharmon]

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making these videos. I have struggled with packing but after watching several of your videos I was able to go 1 personal item & 1 carryon for a 7 day cruise by myself. And it was heaven!! Thanks so much!!

[lisamerriman]

Hi Laurie, I normally use pre-moistened makeup remover wipes, both at home and when traveling. I’m planning for a long trip and recently became aware of water activated wipes, so I bought some. A package of 25 pre-moistened wipes weighs 6 ounces MORE than a package of 33 water activated wipes! So I saved 6 ounces and got to pack even more wipes!

[EXLN]

Love your videos. First time commenting. I've never heard this tip mentioned by anyone. Pack old underwear, socks, toothbrushes or anything you want to get rid of and then dump them at your destination when you're done with them. Then you'll have room for any souvenirs and less laundry to do when you're back! 😁

[richdebcutsor]

I did it. Thank you!! 2 carry on & personal bags for husband & I for cold temp Canadian Rockies 12-day. Leave Sat May 18; 1st time air travel since 2013. I am packed & less stressed. Used gallon freezer bags, pressed out air and used straw to suck out air🙃

[joisan]

Love your tips, Laurie. My niece and I are going to Japan next February for a couple of months and I’m challenging myself to go carry-on only. My niece has always been much more low-maintenance than me, so it’s a piece of cake for her. One thing I find helpful is to leave my phone at home and just take my iPad mini. It has a great camera, google maps, Netflix, all my e books, etc. I use Skype to call home if I need to. Very inexpensive and I don’t have to worry about roaming charges. And only one charging cord required.

Another thing I like is that a lot of places have donation boxes at the airport to drop whatever change and small bills you have leftover in the local currency. It goes to local charities and your pockets are lighter for your trip home.

[deborahconkle]

Love, love these tips Laurie! Just returned from our yearly vacation, and had to laugh at myself last night when I squeezed a little packet of oil and vinegar and it splattered on my white shirt. I immediately thought of you and how you say don’t wear white on a plane! ❤ Lesson learned.

[sherryschumacher]

I got this tip from "Adventures with Sarah", a former Rick Steves tour guide: weigh your clothes and if it is a toss up between items, take the lighter ones. I use a digital kitchen scale to weigh them and it definitely makes a difference. Also, if you wear a jacket with pockets onto the plane, you can stuff small items in the pockets.