How to Pack for Long Term Travel in 2024 (CARRY-ON ONLY) | Packing Tips and Checklist

How do you pack for long term travel using only a carry on bag? We get this question all the time so we thought it was time to break down how we traveled Europe and Asia for 6-months in nothing but carry ons.

This packing tip video is our ULTIMATE GUIDE to packing for long term travel using only a carry on.

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LINKS TO MANY OF THE ITEMS WE RECOMMENDED:

CLOTHING AND SHOES

BAGS AND PACKING CUBES

TOILETRIES

MISCELLANEOUS

ELECTRONICS

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We're Nik and Allie, a U.S. based couple with a love of travel and adventure on a 6-month sabbatical through Europe and Asia. We publish new videos every week.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
1:03 What We Packed - Clothing Tips
2:54 What We Packed - Women's Clothing
6:53 What We Packed - Men's Clothing
11:15 What We Packed - Toiletries
16:31 What We Packed - Miscellaneous
25:20 Our Bags
29:20 How We Pack - Packing Tips
29:48 How We Pack - Packing The Bags
30:20 BONUS - MUST or BUST

[conniekershaw]

Actually if you've ever been in a hotel emergency where there were no lights, you would be thankful for the headlamp. It provides piece of mind for very little real estate.

[marylouisetucker]

I'm a fan of packing light and there are some great tips. Others have commented on weight limits, and I have to say that is the most difficult part. Here in Australia ALL airlines have a strict weight limit of 7 kilograms (15.4 lbs) of carry-on luggage per person. As you are boarding, you will likely have your bag weighed, and they will ask you to surrender it to be checked in below. Make sure you have a small carry bag/satchel to keep the things you need to take out and carry on board with you (ID documents, cards, books, devices etc.). Size matters, but so does weight.

Some budget airlines let you prepurchase an additional 7 kilos. Don't wait to do it at the airport as it will cost dearly. Laundromats are fun to visit while travelling. You will meet real people. Plan a laundry day every 10 days or so, and you will manage fine with less clothing. Enjoy it all!

[nexusSix_]

Great information! And I like how you guys didn't talk over one another and interrupt eachother like other videos

[lindagilbert]

Love this video. I would also suggest a clothes line with attached clothes clips to hang in shower, etc. Also, laundry strips so you can do some hand washing along the way. Happy traveling 😊

[jeanam]

Thanks for this! Feel like there's a million carry-on videos about warm weather packing. This was so helpful for packing for all climates!

[joannat]

I haven’t checked a bag in years. It really is freeing and saves so much time at the airport. I always enjoy seeing how other people pack so thanks for sharing!

[AnneMB]

Great thoughts! Many will glean worthwhile ideas from this vid. Personally I do the Rule of 3 for all items except shoes. Wear one on plane the other in my carry-on. One all-purpose jacket. We plan regular laundry stops. Has worked for me for the past 20 years. Isn’t it so freeing having one small travel bag! Cheers from 🇦🇺.

[antoniadawson]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
My husband, who has serious back problems, is planing a 6 week trip to europe with a buddy and he wants to only handle his camera bag and a carry on bag. Until I saw your video I thought it couldn't be done. Hey, if you guys can do 6 months with a carry on 6 weeks now seems like a piece of cake! Hopefully my husband doesn't see this post cuz I'm going to take the credit for all your practical, realistic advice. LOL Can't wait to hear what you are up to next!

[puravida]

I have lived and traveled around the world with a carry-on. I travel ultralight, half of what is presented for men is this video. A packing trick I learned while I was in the military.. One can easily and cheaply often buy things needed in foreign markets and street vendors. I usually keep spare room in my carry-on for newly needed purchased items.

[JustMeB]

Can't believe you guys packed all of that stuff in carry on's.

[michellekoch]

A lot of smaller airlines in Australia were weighing cabin bags which included any handbags and laptops and can only now weigh 7kg

[christinabayma]

Being smaller helps too. The larger you are the larger your clothes and the more room they take up in your bag. Love the parka the packs into what looks like a neck pillow.

[Juliegriffiths]

Just half way through a 6 month travel I wish I’d seen this before we left home. Thank you guys. Very very useful.

[liss]

Love those microfiber towels. I have a couple in different sizes. They are awesome. The beach sized one is my favorite. I still over pack just a little bit but I am getting better. Thanks for all the tips and tricks.

[natalierivera]

This video was awesome. I haven’t traveled much but my favorite thing is using only a carry on bag because it saves you so much time. When it went to DR, I took a carry on suitcase (researched JetBlue thoroughly for requirements), a backpack that carried other things, and a Fanny pack that carried my passport, phone, etc. to have on hand. My biggest mistake was having the backpack not double as a beach bag. It was too bulky so I ended up bringing a smaller canvas bag in my backpack. The ski mask you had can come in handy if you’ll be doing activities that involves dust/dirt as well!

[gabrielas]

Awesome video! Thank you! And actually the locking gadget isn’t so much for if your lock doesn’t work as it is for added security. Very popular amongst solo female travelers because you can put it on hotel doors or air bnb doors, both places where someone else has a key that allows access. 😊

[jennideans]

A lot of airlines only allow 7kg carry on, and that includes your personal item, ....I have seen them weigh carry on bags at the gate, so check with your airline, its not always the size of the carry on

[fabcol]

Didn't see the link for the suitcase, but that's not a Carry-on pro, the pro got the front sleeve for electronics. That looks like a Carry-on Plus if im wrong, which might be too big for international carry-on. Great video keep up the good work

[luvgyllenhaal]

Love how you explained everything and broke it all down. Really love the Must or Bust segment at the end. 👌🏼

[janetcovington]

Nik and Allie, you guys gave the BEST Presentation for traveling with only carryons! I tossed ALL of the previous stuff of which I had made notes. I loved the links to what you used and the Musts or Bust list was a good idea. I will be heading for Barcelona and Marbella with my 4 girlfriends in 2 Weeks. We have always schlepped luggage in the past-but no more! Many thanks. 35:04