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Carry-on-only travel can help families avoid baggage fees, delayed luggage, and unnecessary airport stress. Most airlines allow travelers to take a personal item on their flight, while carry-on and checked-bag allowances depend on the airline and ticket fare. This means you’ll have to pay extra fees when you get to the airport.
Checking in a bag means you run the risk of the airline losing your bags during transit, especially during a layover. Whether your bags go missing or are simply arrive late, it can mess with your travel plans and create unnecessary stress.
The easiest way to never worry about your luggage again is to simply not bring a bag that needs to be checked. You will have to pack light, but you’ll still have everything you truly need!
After doing this dozens of times as a family, I have found that carry-on only travel makes it much easier to move through airports and between destinations with kids.
Before throwing everything into your carry-on, make sure you’re allowed to travel with the items you’re packing in your carry-on luggage. Some items are restricted or prohibited, so check the TSA database before packing anything you are unsure about.
What Is A Carry-on Luggage?
Carry-on luggage is generally any piece of luggage that you carry on the plane with you. It can be a backpack, duffel bag, or even a piece of luggage with wheels. Carry-on luggage is also referred to as hand luggage and cabin luggage. Some airlines include a carry-on with the ticket, while others include only a personal item or charge an additional fee.
The most common carry-on luggage size is 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches). If you’re flying a budget airline such as EasyJet, make sure to double-check as their carry-on luggage size is smaller. Always confirm the exact size and weight limits for your airline before leaving home.
Carry On Luggage VS Personal Item
It is also important to note the difference between carry-on luggage and a personal item. A personal item is much smaller, like a purse or laptop bag, but the dimensions sometimes allow for backpacks as well. A personal item usually needs to fit completely under the seat in front of you.
We typically travel with a backpack only as it allows us to be hands-free. It also means we don’t have to drag a suitcase on sidewalks or cobblestone streets or even on and off the train. It is faster to pack and unpack, and overall easier to move around with a backpack on.
Does A Scooter Count As A Personal Item?
I get asked this question all the time!! A scooter does NOT count as a personal item. The kids have traveled with their scooters in Europe – Italy, Spain, Denmark; in Africa – Morocco and all over the United States.
Because airline policies vary, confirm how your airline will handle a folded scooter before relying on it as part of your packing setup.
Why Travel With A Carry-On Only?
This is an important question to ask, and one that I get asked often as well. If I can check in a bag, then why even bother with the hassle of carry-on luggage? It is a valid question. After our Europe trip, I realized that there are several perks to traveling with a carry-on only.
That experience is one of the main reasons carry-on only travel became our preferred way to pack.
- Many airlines charge for checked luggage, depending on the fare. You can avoid those fees by simply packing in a carry-on bag.
- You can save time at the airport by not having to wait in line to check in your luggage and also not having to wait to pick it up when you arrive at your destination.
- Your items are more secure with you. We’ve had things stolen from our luggage when we checked it in, so traveling with a carry-on is the way to avoid this.
- You’ll be less stressed, especially when traveling with kids. It is one less thing for you to have to lug around when you’ve got kids to keep up with.
- You don’t have to worry about your luggage getting lost by the airline. This happened to us in Paris, and we had to purchase a whole new wardrobe.
- It is easier to pack and unpack! Because your carry-on luggage is smaller, that simply means you have fewer things to pack and unpack.
What should you pack for carry-on-only travel?
- Travel documents and essential medication
- One week of mix-and-match clothing
- Packing cubes for each family member
- Travel-size or solid toiletries
- One charging station and the cables you need
These five essentials cover the hardest items to replace and the basics your family will use every day. Use the Ultimate Travel Packing List to organize the rest of your carry-on-only travel checklist.
How To Travel With Only A Carry-On
1. Plan to Do Laundry on Vacation
You don’t need to pack an outfit for every day you’re travelling! Locate your nearest laundromat (or if you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb, see if they have a laundry machine you can use). Packing fewer clothes will make room for other things you might need for your trip. Also pack plain colors, which are easy to mix and match. Regardless of how long you are traveling for, never pack for more than a week.
For a trip to a tropical destination, limit your clothing to two bathing suits, three tops, one dress, and two bottoms. For a trip to somewhere much colder, switch out the bathing suits for a light jacket (wear your heavy coat through check-in, since it wouldn’t count as your personal item).
There is such a thing as packing too many socks and undies, so make sure to pack the right amount considering laundry in your carry-on luggage. The only item I pack the most are undies, and I stack them in corners of my bag if it’s too full. You can still pack light while having enough clothes to get you through your vacation!
Planning one laundry day is one of the easiest ways to make carry-on only travel work for a longer trip.
Carry a Larger Personal Item
Although you should check with your airline ahead of time, your personal item can usually include a purse, laptop bag, or backpack. Check out the largest size your personal item can be, and use that in addition to your carry-on. It’ll be like having two carry-ons instead of one!
It’s a good idea to put vital items that you may need on your flight (like medication) in your personal bag instead of your carry-on. That’s because some flights require people to check their carry-ons at the gate. It’s typically done due to lack of room in the overhead storage bins. When airlines ask travelers to check bags that they normally wouldn’t have to, they don’t charge for it.
Keeping documents, medication, valuables, and one change of clothes in your personal item protects the essentials during the trip.
Pack Smart
There’s more to packing than simply tossing things in and zipping up your bag! The goal here is to pack as much as you can while taking up as little room as you can manage. My best tip for packing smart is to use packing cubes and always prioritize packing what is. Check out these tips on packing efficiently, which really comes down to how you pack your clothes. Be sure to make use of extra compartments in both your carry-on and personal item.
As mentioned in the first tip, your jacket and shoes won’t count as personal items when you go through security. If you’re packing shoes other than the ones you’re wearing, wear the bulkiest shoes you have while going through the airport. Winter boots alone can take up half of your carry-on suitcase!
To make even more room in your bag, pack weather-appropriate clothing instead of guessing what you’ll need. Check the weather forecast a day or two before your trip to see what you might need for your trip. Don’t pack a raincoat if the forecast doesn’t call for rain. Don’t pack extra tops “just in case it’s warmer than expected.” You get the idea.
Buy Your Toiletries at Your Destination
You’re allowed to bring a clear, quart-size bag with liquids and creams that are no more than 100ml or 3.4oz each. If you need more than a travel-size body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, you’d be tempted to throw it in checked baggage, since there’s no maximum weight for liquids. It’s cheaper to just buy extra travel-size toiletries when you run out of the ones you have.
If you are traveling to a place where your favorite toiletries are not available, then pack travel-sized options. Most toiletry brands make travel-size versions of their products, but you can also buy travel squeeze tubes and fill them with your liquids. Be sure to label them to keep from mistakenly using conditioner as your body wash (Ps: It has happened to me before).
You’ll be able to fit liquid eyeliner, lipstick, and mascara with ease. Put some foundation in a smaller container (they usually come with toiletry travel kits) – you don’t need 3.3 ounces of foundation for a week-long or even longer trip!
Another option is for you to buy bar soap, bar shampoo and conditioner, and more. Bar soap is allowed in your carry-on luggage. A few good options for solid items you can travel with are shampoo bars, sunblock, lotion, perfume, etc.
Use Your Travel Buddy’s Carry-On
If you’re travelling with family, this could mean your spouse or kids’ bags. If their ticket includes a carry-on, your kids can use the baggage allowance attached to their fare. Check the airline rules first because not every fare includes the same allowance.
Use this extra space for extras that you don’t have room for. If you’re using your kids’ bags, your children won’t have to pack lighter to make room for you. Kids’ clothes are smaller, so they won’t take up as much space. They may also have a personal-item allowance, depending on the ticket.
If you’re travelling with someone, see if they have room for one small item. It may not be much, but it will make room for you to pack one more thing. I love using my kids’extra space to stuff my things.
Sharing the available space carefully can make carry-on-only travel easier without overloading one person’s bag.
Baggage Recommendations
Carry-On Backpack Recommendations For Kids
Carry-on Luggage For Kids
Carry-On Backpack Recommendations For Adults
Carry-on Luggage For Adults
Personal Item Recommendations
Choose the personal item based on the smallest airline limit on your itinerary. Some airlines include only a personal item with certain fares, while a standard carry-on costs extra.
These options above also work as a personal item for airlines that allow a bag of the same size under the seat.
A properly sized personal item can provide valuable extra space during carry-on only travel.
Carry On Packing Must Haves
Other Things To Note When Traveling With A Carry-on
- Always make sure to check your airline’s carry-on restrictions before you travel. Every airline varies.
- A scooter, car seat,t or stroller often does not count as an extra carry-on and is usually free. So don’t stress out about having to travel with these items.
- Avoid packing books to read, which can make your luggage heavy. Opt for a Kindle or any other type of e-reader instead.
- Don’t overpack electronics; a laptop or tablet is great, a pair of headphones, and a camera. I used to travel with my tablet and laptop, but not anymore. I only take one now. If you need to capture photos, then a lightweight mirrorless camera will do the trick.
- Instead of packing several chargers, pack one charging station and several cables. It takes up less space in your carry-on luggage.
- Don’t make the mistake of packing things just in case you need them. I promise you’ll never use them. This is one of the easiest mistakes to make, and I’m still guilty of doing it occasionally.
If the thought of packing light seems daunting, remember that a carry-on bag can be a small suitcase, a backpack, or anything that fits theairline’ss description for carry-on luggage. Oftentimes, your personal item does not have to be much smaller than the carry-on. Always make sure to check out your airline’s size and weight requirements before selecting your bag.
Once everyone knows what belongs in each bag, carry-on-only travel becomes much easier to repeat on future family trips.
What do beginners forget to pack?
- Prescription medication and basic first-aid supplies
- Charging cables, adapters, and a power bank
- A toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste
- A spare outfit and extra underwear
- An empty refillable water bottle
Beginners often focus on clothes and forget the small essentials they will need first. Keeping these items in the personal item makes carry-on-only travel much less stressful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carry-on-Only Travel
1. What is the most important item to pack?
The most important items are medication and travel documents because they may be difficult or impossible to replace during the trip. For carry-on-only travel, keep passports, identification, prescriptions, insurance details, payment cards, and emergency contact information in the personal item that stays with you throughout the journey.
2. How do you pack light with kids?
Pack no more than one week of mix-and-match clothes, plan to do laundry, limit shoes, and give each child one packing cube. Carry-on-only travel is easier when everyone has a clear space limit and shared items, including toiletries, chargers, and first-aid supplies, are divided between the adults.
3. What should kids pack themselves?
Kids can pack pajamas, underwear, socks, one comfort item, headphones, and one activity. Give them a short checklist and let them organize their own packing cube. An adult should still inspect the bag before departure to remove unnecessary items and confirm that all clothing and travel essentials are included.
4. Is a printable checklist available?
Yes. Kay recommends using the free printable checklist included in this post. Families can enter their email address to receive the PDF, print one copy for each traveler, and check off clothing, toiletries, documents, medication, electronics, and last-minute items before leaving home for their carry-on-only travel adventure.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find the best flight deals with Skyscanner. It searches airlines and travel sites around the world so you can compare routes, schedules, and prices in one place.
Book Your Accommodation
Book family-friendly hotels, apartments, resorts, and vacation rentals with Booking.com. It’s an easy way to compare accommodations and find the right fit for your family and budget.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help protect your trip in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies. Before your next international trip, check Nomad Insurance for coverage options.
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards can help you earn points and miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. Check out my recommended travel credit card resources to start making your travel budget go further.
Need a Rental Car?
Use Discover Cars to compare rental car options and find competitive rates worldwide. It’s a simple way to compare prices and find the best option for your trip.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Viator makes it easy to discover tours, attractions, day trips, and local experiences. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or unique adventures, you’ll find plenty of options to enhance your trip.
Shopping for Travel Essentials?
From packing organizers and travel gear to family travel must-haves, you can find many of my favorite travel essentials on Amazon.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
If you’d like extra support planning your next adventure, explore curated travel experiences through Rooted Journeys, where we help families discover meaningful and memorable travel experiences around the world.
