Are you looking to save some money on flights? One of the easiest ways to cut down costs is to travel with just a carry-on. But can it be done? It may sound like an impossible task for the over-packers out there like me, but I promise you if I can do it, so can you.
In the past few years, I’ve made multiple trips taking just a carry-on, from two-night stays in Taranto and Poznan to an entire week spent solo backpacking in Northern Italy and Croatia all using these tips.
Not only does travelling with a carry-on reduce your travel costs but it also makes travelling through an airport so much quicker. You’ll no longer have to be one of those frustrated people waiting in line to check in or stand at the conveyor belt waiting for your luggage to be brought back.
Plus, travelling with just a carry-on gives you that peace of mind that your luggage won’t go missing. Airport strikes are becoming more common, and we’ve all heard horror stories of bags lost halfway across the world.
As someone who carries a lot of camera equipment when I travel, knowing it’s with me at all times is always a positive.
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Here’s how to Travel with Just a Carry-On
1. Choose the right bag
First, when you travel with just a carry-on, you have to make that carry-on count. You have two options: a backpack or a suitcase. There are pros and cons with both and mainly depends on your trip.
If you’re travelling to multiple places, spending just a few might on each, I’d suggest a backpack. They’re easier to move around quickly as you can just pick them up and go wherever and whenever needed.
However, if the idea of lugging around a heavy backpack doesn’t appeal to you, you might want to travel with a suitcase as your carry-on option. If you’re going away for a couple of days but staying in just one or two places, doing minimal travelling, then a suitcase might be the one.
Here are some great carry-ons for you to start your research:
Backpacks
Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Outdoor and Travel Backpack (a reputable brand that will last you many trips)
Large Travel Backpack Women (more fashionable with a good prince, and many compartments, but the quality may be sacrificed. It Would be a good opinion until you can invest in a better bag)
Suitcases
Aerolite Lightweight 34L Hard Shell Carry On Suitcase (Good budget option)
Cabin Max Anode Carry-On Suitcase (suitable for Ryanair specifications)
2. Choose the right airline
When you think about picking the right back, you have to bear in mind which airline you’re flying with. Sometimes the most budget-friendly airlines (cough-Ryanair-cough cough), have smaller restrictions for their carry-on bags.
This is because paid extras are where they make back the money they lost by offering discounted flights. And whilst you could always risk bringing an oversized bag, don’t go too far over. It’s not worth getting that £50 fine at the airport.
Slightly more expensive airlines might turn out to be cheaper in the long run as you can take a larger back, and sometimes even a backpack and a handbag or laptop case, without paying any extra. ags out there with cool USB ports and fancy extras. But try not to get too carried away. You have to invest in a good bag that will last you a while as you will most likely use it again and again. But you also don’t need to break the bank. A healthy balance, as they say.
3. Switch up the toiletries
That pesky little clear bag. It is the nemesis of travelling with just a carry-on. And it’s honestly what I struggle with most. But there are ways to fit everything you need in just one little bag.
Solid toiletries are the way to go. Not only are they better for the environment and reduce plastic waste, they can save you a lot of space in your carry-on.
I feel solid shampoo and conditioners have been around for a few years now. But did you know you can also get solid moisturiser, face and washes, scrubs, deodorant etc? The list goes on.
Lush Cosmetics sells beautiful solid shampoo and conditioners, deodorant, and body scrubs. A discovery of mine that will be great for those in the UK and Europe is Ethique.
Ethique sells solid hair care specialised to your hair type, face and body washes, moisturisers, and deodorants. Plus, they sell bags and storage tins to keep your bars in whilst you travel, helping also to reduce waste. The mini versions of their products as well in case you want to try them before fully committing.
Feel free to also cut your bars into smaller chunks if you are away for smaller trips and want to save space. Every little helps.
4. Buy products at your destination
There are also things that you can buy once you are at your destination. Sunscreen, for example. Whilst there are solid sunscreens out there, they tend to be small and primarily target your face.
And getting a bottle that’s only 100ml is pretty useless. Save yourself the hassle and buy one at your local supermarket from a reputable brand, and just leave it or pass it on to a fellow traveller when you leave.
This can get pretty wasteful though, so try not to do this too excessively. If you’re left with lots of products half used at the end of your trip, look at donating it or see if your hostel has a service for passing it on to fellow travellers.
5. Get yourself a microfiber towel
My micro fibre towel is one of my favourite travel purchases. Firstly, you don’t want to rely upon your accommodation to have towels ready for you to use. Whilst in my experience most good quality provide towels, this is definitely not a given. And often they’re too small anyway.
Secondly, there are so many times I’ve been travelling and found myself in need of a towel. Maybe there’s a spontaneous trip to the beach or you’re hiking and come across a good swim spot.
Thirdly, the beauty gurus tell me that micro fibre towels are better for their hair frizz and who am I to disagree with an expert?
And finally, it folds up so small and compact. You can easily fit a micro fibre towel into your bag. Honestly, they’re the ideal thing to bring with you when travelling.
6. Choose your travel clothing wisely
Perhaps the second hardest thing to pack when you’re an over-packer like myself. Just remember, less is more, and layering is always best.
Rather than bulking out your bag with a single large jumper for those cold nights, try bringing multiple layers that can be built up as well as used separately for different outfits.
Creating a capsule travel wardrobe is also a great idea. This is when you pick a couple of bottoms and a couple of tops that can be interchanged to create multiple different outfits. This way you don’t feel like you’re constantly wearing the same thing over and over, and save much-needed space and money on having a different outfit each day.
If you’re going on a week-long trip, most likely you only need 3 tops, two bottoms, a dress or two, and a layer to go on top. Depending on your trip, you might want to bring a long bikini or some hiking boots. But again, stick to the minimum you need.
Worst comes to worst you can always find a laundromat near where you’re staying to freshen up your clothes
7. Take advantage of every inch of packing space
Whether you roll or fold (I’ve tried both and honestly think it depends more on your bag and the item of clothing so pick which suits you), packing cubes is a must. Not only do they help organise the chaos that often comes from living from a bag, but help use every inch of space.
You can have one for underwear, one for tops, and one for bottoms. Fold each one as nearly y and tightly as possible, and then you only have three items to fit into your bag. Instead of trying to squish in an unorganised mess, I find this so much easier to work and live with whilst travelling.
Also Read: 17 Best Cameras for Travel Bloggers
8. Take only the necessary shoes, and invest in those shoes
What are you planning to do on your trip? Is it just a beach holiday where a good pair of sandals will be necessary? And I say a good pair for a reason. If they’re the only shoes you’re taking, you don’t want to be getting blisters the first day of wearing them.
To travel with just a carry-on, it is ideal for footwear to just take what’s on your feet. That way, there’s no space taken up by the bulky shoes. If you do need two pairs of shoes, i.e. hiking boots and a pair of sandals, obviously wear your boots and pack your sandals.
Alternatively, if you have a bag in which you can tie your shoes to the outside, that’s usually ok. I’ve done this a few times with an extra pair of trainers and haven’t had any issues so far.
Final Thoughts on How to Travel with Just a Carry-On
So there you have it! How to travel with just a carry-on. The first time you try to fit everything in, it’s probably not going to work and you might get a bit stressed. But persevere, and you will find it easier and easier. Realising that you don’t need as much as you think you do can be very liberating.
Travelling light has so many great advantages! If you can nail it, I promise you’ll have a great time getting lost on your adventures.
