Carry On Packing List

I traveled a lot with my family growing up. Keeping track of all the kids, my dad, and the luggage, my mom had her hands full. There are a number of stories of me getting lost, in fact – all of my own doing! Once I was old enough to handle my own luggage, my mom made a hard and fast rule – to only pack what I could carry because at the end of the day, I was going to be carrying my own bags. Here is my carry on on packing list and my tips for packing in a carry on.

Carry On Packing List

Figuring out how not to over pack has taken a bit of time and a lot of heavy-lifting experience. Now that I’m older (and with a kiddo in our party), not only can I pack only what I can carry, I want it all to be as seamless as possible.

When it’s possible not to check a bag (think weekend getaway or expensive fees), getting everything into my carry on suitcase and personal item (think multifunctional purse or a travel backpack) is a must. It’s a matter of packing light, not maximizing how much you can cram in (packing cubes not required).

Running through airports or getting onto trains at my destination, I don’t want to be bothered with my stuff. And most of all, I want to get through airport security as quickly as possible.

I’m often asked for travel packing tips in addition to all my travel guides, but lately I’ve been getting more interest in carry on packing lists and tips. So I thought I’d share as much as I can here…

What to Pack in Carry On Luggage

When you travel frequently, you learn how to pack efficiently – you really have to avoid over packing. Some things, namely toiletries, can’t be avoided. While you should certainly opt for travel friendly containers (see what I recommend as the best travel containers), your toiletry bag is finite, so take that into consideration first.

Next up are clothes and shoes – where I easily go overboard. The first trick is to plan out your outfits for the whole trip. I used to grab all the jeans and tops and whatever else I wanted to wear. Then I’d start putting them in my suitcase only to run out of room…If you do it that way, you’ll certainly end up over packing.

By planning out your outfits (and laying them out), you’ll be sure to only bring what you need. And while a different pair of pants or multiple jackets may be the most stylish, try to multipurpose when possible.

A black pair of jeans is absolutely a must for me – perfect for dressing up or down – and it doesn’t show wear or dirt easily. See all the items I wear with black jeans.

Once you pair down your outfits, then attack your shoes. I used to complain about how much room my shoes took up. Then I met my husband and realized that his shoes take up far more valuable space, so I keep my complaints to a minimum. And, now, instead of many pairs of shoes, I try to do two (one for comfort/walking that’s great for travel and another for whatever else I’m doing at my destination).

A sample packing list for a weekend trip (Friday-Sunday) includes the following (note that the items you’re wearing on your travel day are included in here):

• 2 bottoms (1 pant minimum)
• 3 shirts
• 2 bras
• 4 pairs of underwear
• travel scarf and/or outerwear
• 2 shoes (1 walking, 1 dressy)
• toiletries
• chargers
• accessories (jewelry, hat, belt)

*printable checklist at the end of the post*

What Shouldn’t be on Your Carry On Packing List

As important as what to pack in a suitcase is, it’s just as crucial to know what not to pack in a carry on bag. First, your jacket should go on the plane with you – don’t lose that valuable space.

I’m also big on traveling with a scarf (this is the best travel scarf!), so that’s a must for my personal bag. And as a friendly reminder if you’re traveling by air, your carry on will go through security and must still follow the regulations for liquids and sharp objects.

And, hopefully, a helpful carry on packing tip for some of you… You can take a shaving razor in your carry on luggage without any problems from TSA! That was a hassle, stress, and time-saving fact I wish I knew about earlier!

See my toiletries packing list to remember everything you need without taking the things you really don’t. And this checklist of long flight essentials is another great resource.

The Best Carry On Luggage

Once you figure out how to pack a carry on, you need the best carry on luggage! Duffle bags or anything of the sort are tricky, difficult, and bad for your back.

Chic travelers have roller bags and the best bags are “spinners” that have four wheels and easily switch directions without missing a step!

These bags are ideal for pushing down tight airplane aisles and keeping your bag right in front of you while walking in crowds instead of dragging it behind you. And once you get your first piece of spinner luggage, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

And then for travel bags, I will never buy a bag for this purpose that doesn’t have a luggage sleeve on the back – to slide over my suitcase handle. It’s a breeze for pushing down the aisle and gives you a place to rest your bag (not on the floor) as well as resting your shoulders and back as you walk through the airport!

What to Put in your Carry On Personal Item

Along with my days of overpacking suitcases are my days of far too heavy personal items. I used to always take my laptop (a blogger’s work is never done). Now I rarely bring it unless I’m traveling for work – knowing how much I can do on my phone or tablet. And I can usually always find a computer is necessary.

And since switching to an ebook from physical books, I’ve lost pounds off the weight of my bag along with room! Here’s my carry on packing list for your personal item.

• wallet
• ID/passport
• snack
• water bottle
• charger
• tablet/ebook/book/magazine
• hand lotion & chapstick
• travel plans
• handkerchief
• earbuds/headphones

Travel Packing Tips

Traveling sustainably starts with packing only what you need, not what you want to take. The less weight and space your items require, the fewer emissions involved. Learn how to pare down your packing lists (not just your carry on) with these tips as well as specific packing lists for destinations at the time of year in which you’re traveling.

Printable Carry On Packing List