8 Little Known Travel Hacks for Flying Carry-on Only (Secret Packing Tips)

There are SO many reasons why you should travel with just a carry-on and no checked bags. I’m going to teach you my best carry-on luggage packing and travel tips so you can pack for your vacation stress-free. I’ll help you choose which type of bag to choose, how to pack for the most space, my secret (and inexpensive) tips for flying with liquids in your carry-on and how to get through airport security smoothly and quickly. At the end of this packing guide, I hope you’ll have the confidence to fly with only a carry on for your next trip!

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[thisminimallife]

I fly a lot and I literally do most of this stuff. The best part about this video is that you got straight to the point and didn’t spend ages waffling so thank you for that it was very informative :)

[barbaragroppomoreira]

I also adopted the practice of solids instead of liquids when I can. I even got a bit further, I got shampoo bars and conditioning bars instead of liquids. They last way longer and you avoid the risk of spills in your clothes.

[loribarnes]

I always bring extra ziploc bags for wet swimsuits or trash or if one breaks. And they came in handy on my recent trip to Coron, Philippines where I bagged the items I took on a boat island tour. We swam all day; it rain on and off; and the boat was a wet mess. Fun times but I was glad to have those bags! Great tips in your video!

[tatiaynnabrown]

I have to be a “carry-on only” girly in March for my first trip to Europe and this was SO helpful bc I’m an overpacker and I was nervous but after this video I am ready to do this! thank you 🩷

[SingDanceKC]

You can also add another carry on by wearing a ScotteVest Travel Vest with a multitude of pockets for packing extra stuff. It doesn't count as an extra carry on because it's an item of clothing.

[moxxibekk]

I LOVE the flat lay reusable pouches! Been a game changer when traveling.

[shafeqah]

Thank you so much for the tip about using a straw flor upper necklaces so they won't get tangled up. I really needed yo know this on my cruise last month. I'll be sure to have some on my next cruise in June 2023.

Thanks a bunch!

[noconspiracytheoriesplease.]

Hi Aly. I just discovered your channel yesterday while researching activities around Jasper. I appreciate your disclaimers on sponsorships and enjoy your upbeat presentation style and all the effort to edit concise videos :) Thank you!

[kimberlylalley]

Great tips! I always travel carry-on only but learned some helpful tips from your video. Thanks!

[andreagriffiths]

I’ve got the toiletry bag in black and I agree, it’s awesome! I would highly recommend that.

[satsuki]

binge watching travel/ packing videos for my next overseas trip. Thanks for this! Helped a lot!

[Holdmymawashi]

Unfortunately, flying from Australia means BOTH carry on and personal item must be within total limit of 7kg. We were charged at check in because we were slightly over. Lesson learned…

[aniveed]

I totally agree about flying carry on only. I like a hard side bag because it won´t get so overstuffed that it doesn´t fit in the overhead compartment. I pack completely the night before and if I have to use the expansion zipper "gusset", I do, but I always find that by the next morning, I can re-zip it back to normal because the air has been squeezed out during the night. I also use compression packing cubes. I do buy gifts but make them small and/or flat (embroidered dish towels in Portugal, Greece, small jewelry and keychains, etc).
COPA will weigh your carry on suitcase and check it in if over 15 lbs.

[pandastamps]

I've flown carry-on only for over a decade. I use soft sided bags because of the weigh limitations on overseas airlines. I have some soft sided wheeled luggage, but almost always use my Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45. It is at the max size for carry-on but because it has no wheels and it's black, I get away with it. I also convert it to duffel-mode and put away the backpack straps for a lower profile. Traveled to India, Vietnam and Cambodia and never once got weighed (and it was way of 7 kgs). I also use the Ziplock bags and I make sure to pack a few extras in case of a torn baggie. As I am sensitive to perfumes/scents, I don't buy products at my destination, nor use any provided products. I bring my own soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion.

[blktauna]

I've been doing this for years. I hate waiting at the luggage carousel. The only time I use big luggage is on the cruise because they left from the city I was living in lol. I always bring extra ziplocks, in case. Others have thanked me. Those little silicon bottle thingies look awesome! Thanks for the tip!

[caseytcat]

I've travelled all over the world and finally figured out what works best for me. I haven't checked a bag since one got sidetracked on a cruise. I use a soft sided carryon for clothing and a Samsonite duffle bag for toiletries, shoes (only sandals) and accessories. A soft sided bag is much more flexible and has never had a problem fitting into the overhead bin. I wear sneakers and a hoodie to save packing space. Both bags have a water proof pouch, so there's plenty of space for personal items. When I pack the carryon, I lay out each item flat to the edges of the interior and fold it over. A shirt would lay flat (or folded once) with sleeves folded over. This uses the entire interior surface. Laying items flat reduces the air in the folds and the bulk. I then stuff socks and underwear in the gaps and edges. I amaze myself every time!! Packing things in other containers, like packing cubes, just takes up space.

[mellinda]

Thanks for the pointers! I’m doing my first carry on only trip on Tuesday but for 8 days, not 3 weeks. We’ll see how it goes!

[georginamercado]

Thank you so much!!!! I've been watching folding army style to get my clothes to fit on 1 carry on that fits in the overhead. And I just couldn't understand the folding. But now I have the overhead and a duffle bag! Everything fits!!!

[kfing]

Nice - some really good tips here. For my next overseas trips, I'm gonna try carry-on only. Considering I only wore a fraction of the stuff I had in the big case on a 6-week trip to the US from Australia, I figured buying stuff I need at destination, or grabbing the odd hotel toiletries to keep me going, was way better than lugging a big case around full of 'might need'

[olivemaycards]

The rules are quite different when traveling through overseas airports. I had to remove items from my carry-on bag in NZ because it was marginally over 7kg whereas I’ve never had a carry on weighed for a US domestic flight. Being able to pull out the things that can’t be checked (valuables, electronics, essentials) is my number 1 priority. I’ve also been on small domestic flights where almost everything has to be gate checked and some people had to carry their laptops on board in their hands or risk checking them.