How to Pack Light: Traveling with Just a Carry-On
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How to Pack Light
Packing light is more than just a travel trend—it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re heading on a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, learning how to pack light with only a carry-on can save you time, stress, and potentially a small fortune on baggage fees.
But how do you manage to pack enough to feel prepared, without overloading your bag?
I’ll show you how to maximize space, minimize stress, and pack light like a pro—without sacrificing what you truly need.
Let’s dive in and make your next trip the easiest (and lightest!) yet.
DISCLAIMER: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Packing light looks different for everyone. What works for one traveller may not work for another. YOU get to determine what “packing light” means to you. Also, trips vary one from another, so it’s important to set a goal for each trip and pack according to your needs and style.
1. The Packing “Rule of Halves”
If you take away one piece of advice from this guide, it’s this: Lay out everything you think you’ll need, then cut that pile in half.
It sounds simple, but it’s actually revolutionary.
Most of us tend to over-pack, convinced that we’ll need every single item we bring. In reality, we end up carrying around things we don’t even use. The “rule of halves” forces you to focus on the essentials and encourages thoughtful packing.
Try this technique: Lay out all your items, then ask yourself:
- Will I definitely need this?
- Is there a lighter or multi-purpose alternative?
- If I leave this behind, will I actually miss it?
If an item doesn’t make the cut, it stays home!
2. How to Pack Light: Clothing Tips
Here’s how to pack light to keep your wardrobe compact without sacrificing style:
- Wear Your Bulkiest Items: If you’re traveling with bulky shoes or jackets, wear them on the plane. This frees up valuable packing space in your bag.
- Skip the Individual Outfits: Instead of packing separate outfits for every occasion, choose clothing that can do double duty.
- Coordinate Colors: Stick to a color palette that makes it easy to mix and match pieces to create several outfits from a few clothing items. This ensures it doesn’t look like you wore the same outfit in every vacation photo.
- Try It On: What looks good together laid out on the bed doesn’t always translate to your body! Try on all of your outfits before you go to ensure you are only packing outfits you love!
- Pack Laundry Detergent Sheets: These compact detergent sheets allow you to wash clothes in a sink, eliminating the need to pack excess clothing. Remember, in a pinch, you can wash clothes in the sink with shampoo, too!
- Leave Your Laundry Behind: Pack clothes you don’t mind leaving behind so you can make room for souvenirs, or have less to wash when you get home. I do this with my socks and underwear. I pack my old stuff so I can toss it in the trash when I’m done using it on my trip.
- Wrinkle-Free Fabrics: Choose fabrics that are wrinkle-resistant and can be worn multiple times without looking disheveled.
- Lightweight Fabrics Save Space: Denim takes up so much space, so avoid bringing more than one pair of jeans.
- Layering is Key: Packing for varying temperatures? Layering pieces—like lightweight sweaters, cardigans, and scarves—can save space and provide options without bulk.
- Packable Jacket: Invest in a good packable jacket that can keep you warm in cooler temps without taking up valuable space in your suitcase.
- Quick-Dry Clothing: If you’re heading to a destination with unpredictable weather or need to wash clothes on the go, opt for quick-dry fabrics. Lightweight travel pants, shirts, and undergarments that dry quickly save space and are incredibly practical.
- Jewelry: Leave your jewelry at home (for convenience and safety) or wear your jewelry while traveling so you don’t have to pack it.
3. Packing Tips: Shoes
Learning how to pack light means you can’t take all your shoes with you. But you’ll be fine, I promise!
Choose two pairs of shoes that are versatile enough to go with both casual and dressier outfits.
- Pair #1: Comfy Walking Shoes – For all your sightseeing adventures, and casual meals and events.
- Pair #2: Sandals: For the pool/ beach or dressier meals and events.
Even on trips without a beach day in the itinerary, sandals are a great back up shoe option should anything happen to your comfy walking shoes. They are light and compact so they take up very little room in your suitcase, and you can use them in a pinch to get to the nearest shoe store should something happen to comfy walking shoes.
TIPS:
- Take along some shower caps to use as shoe covers to keep your clothing in your luggage clean.
- Pack socks or underwear inside your shoes to save space!
4. Luggage, Packing Cubes/ Compression Bags
Most airlines allow you to bring one small suitcase that goes in the luggage compartment above your head, and one personal item, like a purse or a backpack, that must fit under the seat in front of you.
Choose a High-Quality Bag/ Backpack: Keep everything you might need to use during your flight in this bag at your feet – a small blanket, snacks, headphones, etc. I also keep my purse (if I’m bringing one) in this bag, too.
Rolling Luggage: Invest in a sturdy, compact rolling bag that fits your airline’s carry-on guidelines. (HERE are the luggage sets our family uses and loves!)
Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are your best friend. Not only do they help organize your items, but they also allow you to maximize your space.
- How to Use Them: Pack your clothes in individual cubes based on type (shirts, pants, undergarments, etc.).
- Don’t Overstuff: Though it’s tempting to cram everything in, overstuffing your cubes can leave you with wrinkled clothes. Allow some room for expansion when packing to avoid the stress of squeezing everything back in.
- Compression Cubes: For even more space-saving, use compression packing cubes that squeeze the air out, allowing you to fit more in your carry-on.
5. Toiletries
When you’re packing light, it’s important to simplify your beauty routine too. Many of us feel the need to bring along an entire arsenal of cosmetics and hair tools “just in case,” but in reality, most of these items can stay at home. Here’s how to cut down on your beauty essentials:
- Stick to the Basics: Choose a minimalist makeup routine that covers your essentials. Avoid bringing along your entire makeup collection. You’re on vacation, not in a beauty competition.
- Hair Tools: Hair tools are some of the most space-consuming items in a bag. If you can’t imagine leaving home without them, opt for a dual-purpose device like a blow-drying round brush (THIS has replaced all of my hair tools!) or a travel-size straightener that can also curl. Remember, most hotel rooms come with a blow dryer, so consider leaving yours at home, even if it’s nice and fancy!
- Toiletry Bag: A clear, compact toiletry bag not only allows you to see everything at a glance without rummaging, but it also passes TSA requirements for having all liquids in clear bags as you go through security.
- Travel-Sized Everything: Invest in travel-sized containers, and transfer your toiletries into smaller bottles.
- Liquid Limit: TSA says all liquids have to be 3.4oz or less, BUT you can take more than 1 3.4oz bottle! I think the rule in the US is that liquids have to fit in a quart-size plastic bag, but split your liquids up between all travelers and you should have everything you need. Also, the travel-sized containers usually available in the store are only an ounce or so. Do a search on Amazon for “3.4oz sunscreen” or whatever you need so you can get the biggest bottles allowed. We brought 4 of these sunscreen bottles on our trip to Thailand and it was more than enough to get us through the week.
- Medications: Always pack your medications, but streamline the process by bringing only what you’ll need for the trip. Pack your pills in a weekly or monthly pill organizer to save space.
- Solid Toiletries: Opt for solid versions of your favorite shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Solid items take up less space, don’t count as liquids, and won’t spill in your bag.
- Medical Tip: Keep a list of your medications, emergency contacts, doctors phone numbers, etc. in the front of your carry-on. That way, if there is a medical emergency, that information will be handy.
6. Simplified Packing List
Rule of Thumb: Even if you are going to be gone for more than a week, pack as though you’ll be gone for 1 week.
Clothing:
- Pants – Wear a pair, pack 2 pairs.
- Shirts – 1 shirt for every 2 days you plan to be gone
- Shoes – Wear a good pair of tennis shoes and pack a smaller pair (even sandals). On the off chance something happens to your good pair of shoes, the sandals will be sufficient to get you to the nearest shoe store.
- Socks – 1 pair for each day
- Underwear – 1 pair for every 2 days
- PJs – one pair
1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Packing Rule:
1 jacket or outer layer
2 pairs of shoes
3 bottoms (pants/shorts/skirts)
4 accessories (hat, bathing suit, scarf, etc.)
5 pairs of underwear
6 tops
7 pairs of socks
Toiletries:
- Oral Care:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Lip balm
- Hygiene & Personal Care
- Deodorant
- Perfume/body spray
- Feminine hygiene products
- Travel laundry detergent (for hand-washing clothes)
- Shower & Bath:
- Shampoo & conditioner (travel size or solid bars)
- Body wash or soap
- Razor + Shaving cream or gel
- Skin & Face
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Makeup
- Tools & Accessories
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers & file
- Q-Tips
- Hair
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hair ties, clips, & bobby pins
- Dry shampoo
- Hairspray or styling gel
- Hair tools
- First Aid & Medications
- Prescription medications
- Pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Tylenol)
- Allergy medication
- Band-aids
- Antiseptic wipes
- Motion sickness pills
- Cold & flu medicine
- Digestive meds (Pepto-Bismol, Tums)
Tech:
- Phone and charger
- Portable phone chargers
- Headphones
- E-reader or small book
- Universal outlet adapter
Miscellaneous:
- Passport/ID
- Travel documents (boarding passes, hotel info)
- Snacks (protein bars, nuts)
- Small blanket
- 2-3 gallon-sized Plastic Bags (for wet items, liquids, food, etc.)
Printable Packing List
Enter your name and email address into the form below for access to this free printable:
With a little planning and a focused approach, you’ll be amazed at how much you can fit into a carry-on—and how much more enjoyable your travels become when you’re unburdened by excess luggage.
Happy travels! ✈️
