jchizhe Getty Images/iStockphoto
Long before airlines started charging to check bags, I gave up traveling with anything larger than a carry-on.
It was a trip to India that led me to this decision. I remember it well. The temperature was 111 degrees in New Delhi, and I was struggling to drag my oversized, overpacked suitcase up a flight of stairs so that I could get to the platform in time to catch my train to Jaipur.
Amidst the crowds of people, I tugged with both of my hands until my suitcase landed on the next step, and the next, before eventually making it to the top—only to have to go back down once I arrived at the correct platform.
Going down was trickier. The suitcase was too heavy to pick up, so I was left with no other option than to let it crash down on each step behind me. (I’m sure you can imagine the unwanted attention this garnered.)
I donated the suitcase as soon as I returned to St. Louis and bought a gray, hard-case carry-on to take its place. At first, learning to travel with only a carry-on was a challenge, especially for trips that lasted nearly two months and visited places with vastly different climates.
Now, I have it down to a science and sometimes even have enough room to fit my folded travel yoga mat. Here are a few tips that will help you save baggage fees and hopefully lots of hassle.
Clothes
Capsule wardrobes are my inspiration when I pack clothes for a trip. Focus on packing a week’s worth of clothes. (You can always do laundry, and in most places, you can hire someone to do it for you for a nominal fee.) Making sure that the items coordinate. I typically wear neutral colors and bring a bright scarf to add a pop of color. (Scarves can also double as a hijab in mosques, a shoulder coverup in churches, and a beach towel when needed. I never travel without one.) Cardigans make short-sleeve shirts versatile. I also make sure to bring something dressier—you never know when you’re going to be unexpectedly invited to a wedding.
Wear the bulkiest items on the plane. (For me, this means I wear my running shoes on travel days.) Carry your jacket. Rolling clothes creates more space and packing cubes help keep items organized.
Shoes
You have to rethink shoes to make a carry-on work. You need a pair of comfortable walking shoes, a pair you can wear to a dressier event, tennis shoes, and maybe a pair of flip-flops if you’re going to a warm destination. If you need hiking boots, maybe your running shoes double as your comfortable walking shoes.
Liquids
Consolidating liquids to a quart-size bag is arguably the hardest part of traveling with only a carry-on, but I’ve never traveled to a place where I couldn’t find basic toiletries. I prioritize the things I won’t be able to find elsewhere like my retinol serum and face wash and lotion. Shampoo and conditioner are the next items I include. I replace body wash with a bar of soap, which creates more space for more important items. Body lotion and sunscreen, which are must-haves for me, are typically things I buy once I arrive at my destination.
Electronics and Other Items
I have a large tote that I use to carry my laptop, camera, and a smaller messenger bag that I only use when I travel. Always pack an umbrella.
As much as I love the smell and feel of actual books, I use a kindle for traveling. With the Libby app, I can check out books from the library and download them within minutes. It's the perfect app for an avid reader.
Packing List
If you want something more specific, here is the packing list for my current five-month trip that began in June in Guatemala, continues to Costa Rica, and ends in Mexico City, where I’ll be until Thanksgiving.
Clothes
- 4 pants (leggings, jeans, and 2 pairs of khakis)
- 1 hiking capri pants
- 1 pair of shorts
- 7 short sleeve shirts
- 1 cardigan
- 2 sweaters
- 1 fleece
- 1 running outfit (pants and tank top)
- 1 pair of pajamas
- 1 scarf
- 3 dresses
- 1 jacket
- 1 swimsuit
- 7 pairs of undergarments
Shoes
- Running shoes
- Teva sandals
- More stylish sandals
- Ked canvas shoes
- Flip flops
Toiletries
- Serum, face wash, and lotion
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothpaste
- Hairspray
- Deodorant
- Contacts
Electronics and Other Items
- Laptop
- Camera
- Kindle
- Notebook and journal
- Spanish workbook
- Travel yoga mat (This didn’t fit in the suitcase this time, so I carried it rolled up on top of my tote bag.)
- Umbrella
- Travel towel
- Glasses and sunglasses
