Traveling with just a carry-on bag can seem daring, but it’s one of the smartest travel habits I’ve adopted after traveling more than 42 times each year. With a little planning and the right gear, we can travel with just a carry on, even on long, international trips, is entirely doable. In fact, I often challenge myself to pack nothing more than a couple dozen essentials (some minimalist travelers even talk about fitting “17 items” into a carry-on).
In this guide I’ll show you step-by-step how to pack light without missing anything important. You’ll learn when carry-on only makes sense (and when it doesn’t), how to pick the right bag and use packing cubes, what to actually pack, and how to handle airline size/weight rules. By the end, you’ll see why skipping checked luggage can save money, time, and hassle, and how to pull it off smoothly.
Benefits of Carry-On-Only Travel:
Traveling light has big perks.
- Skip baggage claim: No more waiting for your bag, get off the plane and go.
- Save money: Ditch checked baggage fees on airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet (often $25–60 each way).
- Avoid lost luggage: Since your bag never leaves your sight, it can’t get lost or delayd, and also get damaged.
- Move faster: One small bag is easier to lift, wheel through the terminal, or store under the seat.
These benefits are why I always recommend carry-on-only when possible. I’m more relaxed, can change terminals or flights quickly, and often save hundreds of dollars on multi-leg trips. Plus, when I arrive I’m already exploring the city while others wait at the carousel. For example, during a recent trip to Berlin I was on the subway into town before my neighbor at baggage claim even got her suitcase.
When Carry-On Only Works (and When It Doesn’t)
Going carry-on only is easiest for solo travelers, couples, or business trips (look for packing for 7 days) on well-planned trips upto 10 days. It works great if you’re fine doing laundry (to avoid packing a mountain of clothes) and mostly staying in urban or resort locations (no heavy gear needed).
Carry-on-only is a favorite of weekend warriors, business travelers on short trips, and anyone who loves the freedom of traveling light. When my itinerary is tight and I plan to move hotels often, I always streamline to one bag.
However, carry-on only has limits. If you’re traveling with kids (think diapers, toys, strollers) or have bulky equipment (ski gear, surfboards, bicycles, pet carriers), you probably need checked luggage. Families often break up luggage among parents’ bags, but a single small bag rarely holds everything a family of four needs.
Pro tip: If you must carry bulky items, consider renting gear at your destination to keep your bag manageable. Similarly, if your trip requires fancy attire or specialty items (e.g. an elaborate gown for an event), you might need more space than a standard carry-on. For the rest of us, though, traveling with just carry-on is very doable and often preferable.
What You Need to Care for Travel with Just a Carry On:
A lot of travelers think “if it fits, it flies.” That’s not always true.
Some airlines weigh your carry-on. Especially budget airlines in America, Europe or Asia. If you’re at 12 kg when the limit is 7 or 10 kg, you’ll pay. And they usually charge more at the gate than during online check-in.
My rule? Always weigh my packed carry-on before leaving home. I use a cheap digital luggage scale, and if it’s pushing the limit, I shift a few items into my personal bag.
I have covered airline-specific rules for carry-on size and weight, so check that if you’re flying multiple airlines or internationally.
17 Items for Just Carry-On Travel:
To make this concrete, here’s an example of a carry-on packing list for a week-long trip, inspired by that “17 item” concept. (Don’t take it literally, adjust quantities to your needs.)
- 5 tops: e.g. 3 casual t-shirts, 1 dressier shirt, 1 long-sleeve.
- 4 bottoms: e.g. 2 pairs of pants (or jeans/skirts) and 2 pairs of shorts or leggings.
- 2 pairs of shoes: one comfortable walking pair (sneakers or sturdy sandals) and one nicer or seasonal pair (flip-flops or loafers).
- 1 jacket or outer layer: light windbreaker or fleece.
- Underwear/socks: enough for the trip (plan to do laundry halfway).
- Pajamas/sleepwear: something light that can double as loungewear.
- Toiletry kit: small zip bag with toothbrush, small paste, travel soap/shampoo, sunscreen, medications.
- Tech: smartphone + charger, earphones, a compact laptop/tablet (if needed), and a power bank.
- Documents & money: passport, wallet, travel itinerary, and credit cards in a secure pouch.
- Miscellaneous: sunglasses, hat, reusable water bottle (empty through security), and maybe a book or e-reader.
That comes out to about 15–17 distinct items/packs (counting each category). If I needed one more “item”, it might be a compact laundry detergent packet or a small travel pillow. By keeping this list in mind, I avoid packing non-essentials. For example, I rarely carry a hairdryer or bulky toiletry kit when traveling internationally, I assume I can find one locally if needed.
Gear reminder: I also make use of the space every way I can. I store socks inside shoes. I roll clothes tightly to avoid wrinkles. I fill every nook in the bag (in-shoe stuffing, inside the jacket hood, etc.). Any items that can go in my pockets (like sunglasses or an extra e-reader) do so to save bag space. This kind of strategic packing turns a “17-item list” into enough gear for a week or more.
How I Organize My Carry-On:
Let me just say this: organization matters. No one wants to dig through their entire bag to find clean socks.
I use internal compartments wisely, group items by use case (e.g., all toiletries together, all tech in one pouch), and I never just toss things in. So to effectively get everything packed you need to know the packing of packing cubes.
Quick Carry-On Travel Hacks You’ll Actually Use
Here are a few of my favorite, no-BS tricks that help make carry-on-only travel smoother:
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on travel days: Instant space-saver.
- Use the “inside of shoes” space: Stuff socks or chargers in there.
- Travel with a collapsible water bottle: Saves money, cuts bulk.
- Keep a mini first-aid kit: Bandaids, ibuprofen, and antacids go a long way.
- Scan your passport and key docs: Email them to yourself or store securely on the cloud.
- Carry a microfiber towel: Doubles as a beach towel, shower towel, or quick spill mop-up.
Conclusion:
Traveling with only a carry-on is not just a gimmick, it’s a lifestyle choice that brings a surprising amount of freedom. You spend less time at airports, skip extra fees, and travel with less stress knowing your stuff is right with you. As one frequent traveler puts it, lighter luggage means “freedom to be present and immersed in the magic of travel”.