After my years and years of traveling, I can proudly say that I may finally be an expert on how to pack in a carry-on. I've packed using a carry-on without a checked bag and with a checked bag. I have some great tips and tricks for anybody that is getting ready to end the summer with one last getaway. I'm going to show you what to do when packing a carry-on and what NOT to do in today's super helpful how to pack in a carry-on post.
Research Your Airline & Choose a Strategy
First thing's first: you have to research your airline before beginning to even think about packing. All of the information regarding checked bag rates, deals, carry-ons, and personal items will be on your airline's website. We recently flew Southwest, so I'll be using Southwest as an example here, but all airlines' rates and systems are different.
This is what you see when you go to Southwest's website under "flying with Southwest". You immediately will see in the middle that your first and second checked bags will fly free. This could play a factor in whether you're going to check a bag or pack solely in a carry-on.
If you click on the learn more page, you'll find weight limits and maximum size limits for your checked bags. If you click they "carryon baggage" tab, you'll find the specific measurements allowed and requirements for carry-on bags.
For Southwest, you can have a carry-on bag to go in the overhead compartment and then a personal item (purse, backpack, etc.) that must fit underneath your seat.
Based on these size requirements, make sure that your carry-on and personal item will fit on the plane. I'll link some of my favorites here, a trendier designer set and a cheaper practical set.
If you scroll to the bottom of the page, they have more information for many categories, including carseats, beverages, cameras, medications, and more.
Another thing to consider is the TSA liquids rule. You are allowed to bring liquids in your carry-on as long as they are less than 3.4 ounces, otherwise they must be in checked baggage or will be thrown out during security. This is a standard rule, one that does not vary with airlines.
This is important to consider when packing toiletries. If you will need more than 3.4 ounces of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mouth wash, etc. to last your trip, you may need to consider checking a bag.
I really do believe that traveling without a checked bag is so much easier for short trips, but if it isn't worth the squeezing and lugging through the airport, checking a bag may be for you. (Or if you're a terrible over-packer like I am!)
After collecting all of these facts, you should determine how you're planning on packing for your trip and how to pack in a carry-on.
Packing a Carry-On WITH a Checked Bag
If you decide that you do need to check a bag, I recommend keeping your carry-on as light as possible. This will obviously depend on the length of your flight, but if you can completely avoid a carry-on and only bring a personal item (purse, backpack, etc.) I definitely would. Stick to the essentials: your wallet, earbuds, hand sanitizer, etc. Try to pack everything and anything into your checked bag so you can avoid lugging even more bags around the airport.
My personal item pretty much looks like this wether or not I'm checking a bag. If I'm not checking a bag, I might have some toiletries & extra electronics stuffed in.
Packing a Carry-On WITHOUT a Checked Bag
Packing a carry-on without a checked bag is where things get interesting. THIS is when you 100% will utilize both your overhead carry-on bag AND your personal item.
This is where I will show you how to pack in a carry-on to fully utilize every nook and cranny of both your overhead bag and personal item (again, this may vary depending on your airline, but I am guessing this is pretty standard). I am going to do so by sharing all the tips and tricks I use AND the classic do's and don't's of packing a carry-on.
When you're packing your overhead bag, I completely recommend using these Amazon packing cubes. They are perfect to keep your bag organized by sectioning off your clothes. It comes with 4 well-sized stacking cubes for folded clothes, a dirty clothes bag, and a hanging zipper bag perfect for hats. The set comes in multiple different colors and is only $29.99. Once you use them, the cubes will completely change the way you travel and you won't ever go without them again.
These packing cubes work really well in suitcase overhead bags OR oversized duffel/bag overheads as well.
Fold your clothes the tightest and tiniest way you can. Take advantage of EVERY nook and cranny in your suitcase. Fill your shoes with underwear, stuff a hat with socks... anything you can do to maximize your space.
I pack my toiletry bag depending on what I need. The last time we traveled, I used a toiletry bag for makeup/shower products and packed that away in my overhead carry-on. I packed a second toiletry bag with tampons, sanitizer, etc. to keep in my personal item. I also make sure to have a phone charger or any other electronics in my personal item.
TIP: If you're packing a beach hat... I recently got away with carrying a big floppy beach hat and putting it under the seat with my personal item. This is a really great way to save space in your overhead bag.
Even though it might be annoying to stuff your purse, that is still space that you most definitely should be taking advantage of while packing. Use cosmetic bags or purse compartments to stay organized. If you need to pack more than what can fit in a purse, consider switching to a backpack.
TIP: If you have space, consider bringing an empty water bottle. This way, you'll make it through security (without exceeding the liquid limit) and you can fill your water bottle after security. This way you won't have to pay for beverages in the airport or on the plane. This is also especially handy if your airport has those water-filling stations!
Now I'm going to get into the do's and don't's of how to pack in a carry on!!
I'd like to say I'm a pretty credited traveler, but only once I utilized these tips did I become an expert. These tips and tricks will COMPLETELY change the way you travel forever and make your life 100x easier when traveling. If there is any possible way to make traveling less stressful, I'm in... and that's exactly what all these tips and info will do for YOU.
If you didn't notice, I'm in the middle of doing a blog revamp. That's why this post has a little different feel than my usual posts do. I have some really exciting content coming up soon and I'm looking forward to establishing a post schedule that I intend to truly stick to. Thanks as always for following along with Bella Fratto Blog, I can't wait to show you what I have in store.
xo
Bella
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