Before you can enjoy your trip, you must endure the stress of packing your carry-on bag. It’s important to know what you’re allowed to pack in carry-on luggage and how to maximize space. This is especially true if you’re not checking a larger bag.
With the right packing method, you can say goodbye to disorganized carry-on luggage that’s bursting at the seams.
What to pack in your carry-on bag
First, consider what you can pack in your carry-on luggage and what you need to take with you on the flight, versus in a larger checked bag.
- Clothes: Anyone bringing hold luggage won’t need to fit all their clothes in their carry-on. It’s worth packing at least a couple of days’ worth of clean clothes in case your checked bag goes missing.
- Small quantities of liquids: You can pack liquids in containers holding up to 3.4 ounces. You can only take as many containers as can fit inside a quart Ziploc bag. Bear in mind that gels and pastes count as liquids in the eyes of the TSA.
- Empty water bottle: Staying hydrated on your flight is important, but you can’t bring a full water bottle with you through security. If you don’t want to buy a plastic bottle of water when you get through security, bring an empty water bottle that you can fill.
- Travel documents: You will need easy access to your passport or ID, any visas you need for international travel, and your plane tickets. Pack these into your carry-on bag in an accessible pocket.
- Flight essentials: Pack anything that you will want to access on your flight, such as a book, handheld video game console, headphones, travel pillow, or snacks.
What not to pack in your carry-on bag
- Liquids over 3.4 ounces: If you want to bring liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, they will need to go in checked luggage.
- Sharp objects: Exact rules about sharp objects vary depending on the country and airport, so avoid packing any sharp objects. You may get away with bringing nail scissors, but there’s no guarantee.
- Weapons: It should go without saying, but you can’t bring any kinds of weapons, including guns and ammunition, in your carry-on.
- Tools: Most tools aren’t allowed in cabin bags. If you need to travel with your tools, you will have to check them into the hold.
How to pack your carry-on bag
Start with bulky items
Open up your case and start by putting any bulky items on the first layer. This includes items such as shoes and any books that you won’t need access to during your flight or electricals, such as hair dryers or curling irons. However, don’t pack laptops or tablets at the bottom of your bag. You will most likely need to remove these during the security check to go through the scanner on their own.
Fill gaps with small items
Once you’ve got your bulky items sorted, fill in the gaps between them with small items, like socks, underwear, or tote bags. You can even stuff socks and underwear into shoes, though you might want to stash them in a zip-lock bag first so they don’t get stinky.
Move onto clothes
The next layer consists of any clothes you’re packing in your carry-on. When packing a suitcase (including compact wheeled suitcases), you will save more space by carefully folding your clothes rather than rolling them. However, the rolling method saves space in backpacks and duffel bags.
Pack items you need easy access to on top
On the top layer of your case, pack any items you will need access to during your flight or while going through security. You will usually need to remove your bag full of liquids, plus any gadgets, such as power banks, laptops and tablets, for TSA screening. Pack these near the top to avoid having to unpack your entire suitcase at security.
Other items you may want to pack at the top of your case include eye masks, travel pillows, snacks, and entertainment. If you have a pocket in your bag, use this to store your travel documents for easy access.
FAQ
Q. What size is a carry-on bag?
A. For domestic U.S. travel, the standard carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including the wheels and the handle (not extended). Some international airlines allow a slightly larger cabin bag, but it’s best to buy one not exceeding these dimensions just in case.
Q. Should I bring a checked bag or just a carry-on?
A. It’s tempting to travel with nothing more than a cabin bag since most airlines allow you to travel with them for free, while there’s usually a fee to bring larger checked suitcases. Packing just a carry-on also means you don’t have to wait at the luggage carousel and there’s little chance your bag will get lost.
However, whether you can make do without checked luggage depends on your circumstances. If you can’t pack light or your trip is long, a carry-on bag just won’t cut it. On the other hand, you can get away with just a carry-on if you’re going on a short trip or can travel light. The purpose of your trip can also inform how much you need to pack. A business trip with formal dinners will likely require more luggage than a casual weekend getaway.
Q. What counts as a personal item?
A. A personal item is a smaller bag that many airlines allow you to bring in addition to your standard carry-on baggage. Most airlines don’t have exact size rules for a personal item, but it is expected to be smaller than your main carry-on. It should fit under the seat in front of you.
Purses, backpacks, messenger bags, and diaper bags are all acceptable personal items. If you’re clever about it, you can significantly boost your luggage capacity without paying for checked baggage.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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