Packing Tips for Carry-On Bags: What You Need to Know

Archived Comments:

• Ric - August 4, 2009

  My favorite source for light packing advice is onebag.com This is an entire site dedicated to the convenience and safety of traveling with only on carry on. If this subject appeals to you, or if you are just tired (literally) of trying to get multiple suitcases through the airport, this is a must-read. I have, at times, travelled across multiple continents, and I always strive to travel with just one bag. The airlines can't lose what you don't give them. Happy travels!

• MDTraveler - August 4, 2009

  I use ziplock bags when I pack. Everything stays clean and my clothes & things use much less space. Plus no wories about anything being damaged from other leaking bags.

• jesgoinup - August 4, 2009

  In case I get chosen to have my bag searched at the security checkpoint, I put my clothes in plastic bags. It is especially important for my underwear. So if one falls out, they are bundled together for less chance of an underwear fashion show!

• Golightly - August 4, 2009

  I send a box to my destination with shoes, jacket, toiletries, etc. My carry on is a smaller suitcase plus a backpack that will hold my handbag, book, camera, cell phone and charger, snacks, gifts. I repack & tape the box before returning, either sending it myself or asking my host to do it.

• Elizabeth - August 4, 2009

  I only pack what I absolutely need. Anything that can be bought at the destination I leave at home and leave what I don't use behind when I return. Besides, especially when traveling out the US, it can be great fun to figure out what "toothpaste" is in Hungarian.

• DRB - August 4, 2009

  Vacuum sealed bags rock! You can pack more, keep things organized (tops, bottoms and underwear each in their own bag), keeps out bugs, keeps moisture from getting into your clothes when traveling to a humid climate and keeps your dirty clothes separated from clean on the way home! Just remember to take along an extra vacuum bag - if one rips and your bag was full to your destination; you may not get everything back into your bag without a vacuum bag. I only do carry on - I take a solid shampoo/conditioner from Lush, solid bar of soap w/ sun screen, no make up, mosquito repellent bracelets, sun screen wipes and 100% Shea butter for my face & body moisturizer - basically I have about nothing in my 3-1-1 bag!

• rebzim - August 4, 2009

  Remember that you can buy your personal items at your destination. I never carry toiletery items, extra shoes, or a lot of books. These items are readily available where ever you travel. I always carry a Pashima shawl. The shawl will dress up an outfit and also keep you warm. It takes up very little room in your suitcase. I pack only black and white clothing, including a scarf or 2 to dress up the outfits. Never take expensive jewelery, purses or clothing. These items make you a target for theft.

• Light-Weight Packer - August 4, 2009

  Take some old clothes and leave them behind. Underwear can be thrown away and, depending on where you are traveling, other used clothing might be quite welcome. On the return trip, you can either enjoy the extra lightness or fill the space with new purchases.

• emmatravel61 - August 4, 2009

  I just bought Briggs & Riley's new 20" Upright from their Baseline Collection-- it's the perfect carry-on! It's very light and has a shorter and wider design that provides enough room to pack folded shirts side-by-side.

• sherrytrip - August 4, 2009

  Another advantage to using ziploc bags for all clothing,etc. When I was pulled out to have my bag searched - the TSA agent said- wide eyed- "this is the neatest bag I've ever seen!" No need to rummage around or destroy your packing.

• Linda - August 4, 2009

  I used to pack at least two suitcases and a carryon when I traveled. Not anymore! My son told me, "Mom, as long as you have your medicine and a charge card with you, you can buy anything you need here. Now I use only a carryon.

• Jay - August 4, 2009

  Don't be too determined to use the maximum-size carry-on. Even if you are within the airline's rules but are among the last to board, you are a candidate for having your bag taken from you for because the overhead bins are full. Learn how the airline boards passengers and reserve your seats accordingly when you can. (Check their website or call them.) Not all airlines still board from the rear of the aircraft. The best assurance of adequate storage space used to be sitting in the back of the aircraft. Now, some -- such as United -- board by zones: window seats first, aisle seats last, etc. An aisle seat on a full flight is almost a guarantee of having to surrender your carry-on bag. This is in spite of the fact that others may have boarded with more luggage than the airline's regulations allow. Many passengers are also selectively deaf and ignore flight attendant instructions to store small items under the seat in front of them. They will watch blandly as you lose your bags to be stored in the cargo hold while precious overhead space is cluttered with inappropriate items. Since most airlines I travel allow one carry-on plus one personal item, my solution is to carry a modestly sized carry- on plus a small backpack for my laptop and other electronics. MANY times passengers boarding in front of me have been required to leave their bags at the door of the aircraft while I am allowed to board with my smaller "wheelie." I am grateful when the occasional flight attendant audits the material in overhead bins and redirects much of it to where it belongs. My heroes!

• Jenny - August 5, 2009

  I have a question regarding the compression plastic bags. They generally work by sucking air out with a vaccuum hose. This is easy enough to do at your home as you start your vacation. But how about when you're repacking at the end of the vacation? Most hotel rooms don't have a vaccuum in the room. Do you call the housekeeping department to borrow a vaccuum? Is there some other way? Thank you!

• JimBob - August 5, 2009

  There are roll up vacuum bags which do basically the same thing as the vacuum bags, but no vacuum needed! Check this out ..Space Bag; SpaceSaver Vacuum Storage And Roll Up Bags .. I do not work for these folks ..

• Rubber Frog - August 6, 2009

  For those of us that HAVE to have moist wipes (disinfectant,personal wipes, or shower/towel wipes)...these are packaged small..but the water weight makes them heavy. Open the packages and let them dry out...less weight! Once you get where you're going, add drinking water to rehydrate them, and you are set to go! Also, we have found that Mexican markets sell laundry soap in bar form, great product, small and packable...best to pack in a plastic soap box! To keep your clothes from retaining their washed shape and feeling scratchy , pack fabric softner sheets in with your clothes(keeps your clothes smelling fresher too!)and put one in your rinse water when you're hand washing out your clothes to keep them soft, static free and conforming to your body! :) As always, roll your clothes, wear lighter layers, pack your socks in your shoes, bring only the toiletries that you can't get at your destination, Pack a First Aid kit!! and only leave footprints when you depart :)

• tinsel57 - August 6, 2009

  People always tend to over pack. You can bring a lot less if you color coordinate and swap out pieces of your wardrobe. Any outfit can easily be dressed up or down as the occasion dictates, by the addition of a scarf, shawl, light sweater, even a piece of costume jewelry that you purchased on your travels. I never did get the throw away underwear thing. Lightening your bag up by a few ounces to come home never seemed like much of a saver to me! Plus I'd be scared to death of being in some kind of accident and there I'd be out for the whole world to see in my old underwear...giving the hospital staff a good laugh! LOL!

• ChristineCruiser - August 6, 2009

  Don't your clothes get really wrinkled with the vacuum bags? Thanks.

• travelsalot - August 6, 2009

  I find that rolling up clothes keeps most of the wrikles out. Also putting any type of plastic bag helps, even the vacuum ones. The only problem is that those space saver bags - the ones you roll to get the air out- have a tendency to lose their seal after a few uses. Hope this helps.

• cruisepro - August 6, 2009

  I find that simply rolling up my clothes and packing them in my suitcase not only conserves space but also limits creases and wrinkles. Plastic zip lock bags are also a great help, but not a necessity.

• One-Bag Grandma - August 6, 2009

  No, they get no more wrinkled in vacuum bags than if you packed them loose, sometimes less wrinkled. I have packed 8 changes of clothing in vacuum bags in my backpack for 3-week long trips. Most items look fine if they are dark. Lighter items may need a touch-up with the iron, if going to some place special.

• Getting up there - August 8, 2009

  A work in progress--find the smallest bag with wheels so you don't have to carry, pack no toiletries and visit a Dollar store once you reach your destination to get what you need during your stay away from home. Discard what's left of those inexpensive items before packing your carry-on for the return trip home. It's great. Shoes too--one pair of your most comfortable and build your small wardrobe around that pair of shoes. Lightweight clothing that you can handwash and hang dry overnight are the only way to go.

• ckm - August 12, 2009

  ups/postal service all the clothes and shoes, carry a handbag with any medications and cosmetics, buy shampoo etc when you get there. this is the only way you can make really tight connections, without wasting time wrestling with bags.

• Trudith - August 20, 2009

  Great information! Especially for us ladies that use to take 3 bags & a cooler! Yes, I did that going to Hawaii, it was a blessing I spent 3 months there instead of the planned 2 weeks, book out in Fall of 2010! On a recent trip to Panama, I succumbed to the 1 bag for 2 wks! I found I could put all I needed in that bag, had multiple outfits, wore the bulkiest clothes, including my wide brimmed hat, and washed out each night my undies, every three days my outside clothes, I had packed a Clothes line, a key compartment that doubled as a plug for the sink. When dry I folded my Capris, and placed them under the Mattress, in the morning they were "ironed"! I downsized all cosmetics, toiletries, took only simple inexpensive jewelry, 3 pairs of shoes - sandals, tennis, flip-flops for sanitation. A money belt from Tuesday Morning was under my skirt on cool leather, thin belt I had for years. In it was my money, passport, credit cards, etc. I also took a "Decoy" wallet in case I was mugged, I wrapped my Credit cards in Aluminum so they could not be scanned. I too take the Back pack, stuff my "Purse", electronic gadgets, books - Lonely Planet, Spanish Dictionary, Spiritual book, and Journal. Plus I take my favorite corn chips, energy bars - they were $2 on the plane for the same ones! A water jug, that I can fill at my destination, when I arrive I get a bottle of Red Wine. The Students at Penn State took bacteria & virus's years ago and tested all Spirit alcohol in petri dishes, Red Wine won the prize! It kills a majority of all the things you have no idea may have made their way into your food! I have used this for years and I don't get the "Turistas" or any colds! Chow!