More Tips On How to Pack Your Carry On

1) Take only what you will absolutely need.

Though the convenient stores near your hotel, B&B, etc. may not have the biggest selection of toiletries and such, you will most likely be able to find that one essential item there that you forgot to pack. So keep in mind that it is completely unnecessary to pack every toiletry you think you will need. Most of the time you won’t even use half of the toiletries you bring (even when packing smart)! This has happened to me every, single trip. I always think I need extra of everything. I never do. And you won’t either. By bringing only the absolute necessities, you won’t stress and waste as much time when you pack. You will also have more room in your carry on for what you may need (or really want to take). You may even be able to make enough room for that pair of sandals you wanted to take. Or, save that space for items you will want to bring home.

Note: Don’t forget to check with your hotel or B&B about forgotten items first before heading to the store. They may be able to help you out and give you what you need (saving time, money, and stress).

2) Make sure you save a little room for souvenirs and gifts.

You may not be able to bring home a lot of souvenirs or gifts with only a carry on, but make sure you leave a little room when packing so you are able to fit small items you may want to give as gifts, or even souvenirs for yourself. During our St. Lucia trip, we started the tradition of buying a small decorative plate with stand. Our pictures and this small souvenir was all we needed to remember our trip. We now have a decorative plate with stand for every country in which we have traveled so far (turned into a fun tradition for each trip). The rest of the extra room we have in our bags are used for gifts for family and friends. Good souvenir gifts we have bought in the past that take up little space include shot glasses, magnets, trinkets, books, scarves, and picture frames which can later be used to insert a picture from our trip.

3) If needed, use a laundry mat or dry cleaner when abroad.

In Ireland, we sacrificed one hour of our time to take a few items of clothing to a nearby laundry mat. Although it wasn’t completely necessary, we did it anyway. We surprisingly found that it didn’t take too much time away from our itinerary. In fact, it added a great experience to our trip. While the laundry mat was taking care of our load of laundry, we took advantage of the time and walked around the area, enjoying the views of the town in which we had no intention of spending time. This small laundry mat “itinerary interruption” ended up being a memorable experience for us. The town turned out to be one of the cutest areas we had seen in Ireland.  The time we spent exploring that town allowed us to get off the beaten path and feel like a local, enjoying a small town’s scenery and local stores and bakeries. On your trip, you may need to do a load of laundry due to the limited amount of clothes you are able to bring in a carry on. However, go along with your spontaneous side and take a chance on an unplanned adventure. You never know, it may become one of the most memorable experiences on your trip!

4) Wear bigger items that would take up room in your carry on.

It’s important to be comfortable on the flight, especially if you’re flying for many hours. However, if possible, wear bigger items of clothing to the airport and on the plane that would otherwise take up space in your carry on. Clothing that would be worn in cooler weather, such as jackets, long sleeves, sweaters, athletic pants, boots, scarves, etc. would be ideal to not pack, but wear on the plane since these items would take up the most space in your bag. Though these items may seem too heavy to wear on a flight, they may possibly be the more comfortable option. Not to mention that they could be used to keep yourself warm or used to lay your head when on the plane. Remember, you can always remove items of clothing if needed. The key idea is to minimize the room and weight in your bag!

5) Know you airline’s dimension and weight requirements for a                                                carry on.

Many airlines will have similar dimension and weight requirements for a carry on. However, make sure you research these specifics before you pack so you know your limits as you pack.  Norwegian Airlines, our favorite for trans-Atlantic flights, has size restrictions of 9”x16”x22” and 25lbs. With some airlines, you may be able to pack more than you had hoped. With others, you may have to cut down and pack even smarter. When choosing a carry on for the first time, make sure to find one that will meet the requirements of all airlines so you don’t risk anything on your next trip when re-using this bag.