Tips and Tricks to Being a Carry-On Only Traveler

"I could never do carry-on!"  This is the statement we here most often when we explain how we travel as teachers on limited budgets.  We understand.  For me, MB, I had the same feeling when DC first explained we would be carry-on only travelers.  However, once I made the shift, there was no going back.  The amount of money, time and energy carry-on only saves is well worth the struggle to learn how to do this effectively. 

Let us help you get started.  Here is your go to list to make your way forward as a successful carry-on only traveler.

#1 It starts with your mindset

This is the hardest part, and it's step number one.  There is an ideal that as your travel or on vacation you "have" to have certain items, or a number of items that go with you.  In order to do carry-on only effectively, you have to let go of your current image and develop a traveler image.  You will not look, dress, or operate the same way you do at home.  That. Is. Ok.  Being a traveler means that you get to step out of your day to day ordinary life and see the world differently.  Letting go of who you look like at home gives you much more freedom as you travel.  Step one is letting go.  Just let it go.  If you can do that, the rest of the tips here will make sense.

#2 It's Still Nice, Where it Twice

Next step, is to redefine what clean is.  Modern day laundry practices created the ability to have freshly cleaned clothes daily.  While this is a great concept, it really isn't necessary.  Some clothing pieces are built and can withstand multiple days of wear with simple tending.  

This is one of the key components of carry-on.  You have to be ok with wearing something more than once before you have it washed.  Note we said "some clothing" can be worn twice.  T-shirts, underwear, and socks are things we do not put on the wear twice rule. You can bring one of those for each day.  Also, using a fabric spray (like the one we use here - associate link) is also essential for clothes that you'll be re-wearing.  A carry-on TIDE stick also helps!

HELPFUL HINT:  If you're a person who likes to buy  clothing, plan on buying and wearing something there.  For example, we love sweatshirts, so we only bring one and buy another during long trips.

#3 Vacuum Bag It

This is the secret to great carry-on.  Vacuum packing is how to make sure you can take clothes you need.  We have use vacuum bags to be able to take cold weather clothing to places like Iceland and the winter Olympics in Italy.  By strategically vacuum packing clothing, you are able to pack and organize a carry-on bag to meet your needs for every occasion.  ​In Iceland, we traded heavy jackets for heated vests, layers and raingear because it was easier to pack.  We were able to travel comfortably while still having what we needed.

#4 Find a Second Bag and Wear the Things

When traveling with carry-on, you are allowed a second personal bag.  This is where you need to get really creative.   We usually each have a backpack.  Here, you can again vacuum seal other essential clothing items that may not fit, place your toiletries, etc.  Find a book that you can read and leave at your destination for someone else.  You then have the ability to bring home souvenirs.  The art of great carry-on is creative use of space.  

That also means wearing items that take up more room.  We travel in boots or hiking shoes and pack lighter shoes.  We wear jackets or heavier sweatshirts on the planes.  Our travel day clothes underneath are lighter so they take up less room later.  Strategically wearing clothes that pack easier later is part of the carry-on magic.

#5 Have Fun Packing

Carry-on allows you to give yourself permission to simplify and let go.  Do you really need 5 different bathing suits for the beach?  Can you creatively mix and match pants with multiple tops?  Can you learn to live comfortably with what you have?  Carry-on is a great way to really evaluate what you absolutely need.  There is freedom is giving yourself permission to pack light. You have more time to enjoy the adventure and make the most of your time, instead of worrying about what you're going to wear.  This is your chance to make the most of using less.

We promise - you can do carry-on!  Click here for the bags we use and the travel items we take along.  International carry-on bags are smaller!  Make sure you have the right size for the flight you are on!

Click Here to Read about the First Carry-on Adventure