14 Unexpected Tips for Maximizing Your Carry-On Space
When planning your next trip, mastering the art of packing can transform your travel experience. These tips will help you travel smarter, lighter, and with greater ease, allowing you to focus more on enjoying your journey and less on managing your luggage. Please check the rules of the specific airline you will travel with since the rules are different for each one of them.
Wear your bulkiest items
Wear your heaviest shoes and bulkiest jacket on the plane to free up space in your carry-on.
Utilize all pockets
Opt for a jacket with multiple large pockets to carry personal items and electronics directly on your body.
Limit your shoes
Shoes take up a lot of space. Gabriel Miller, an expert at Gatsby Shoes has a “three-shoe rule,” to minimize the space shoes take up in your luggage while maximizing your outfit possibilities. 1) Walking or athletic shoes in neutral color, 2) a dressy or business casual shoes for evenings out and 3) sandals or beach shoes are indispensable.
Store items inside shoes
Stuff socks, chargers, or other small items inside your shoes.
Leave blankets at home
Blankets are heavy and bulky. If you are afraid that you will be cold during the flight, use your coat as a blanket. Or ask the crew if they can give you any. You will find complimentary blankets in several long-haul flights.
Pack with a vacuum bag
Use a vacuum compression bag to shrink down clothes and maximize space in your carry-on. But check for weight restrictions at the airline.
Store complete outfits in small compression bags
To save even more space instead of packing tubes use small compression bags. Add complete outfits into the same bags so you don’t have to open all of them at the same time.
Pillow hack
Have you heard about the pillow hack? Travelers are packing extra clothes in their pillow cases since pillows are allowed as carry-on according to the TSA website. However, not all airlines keep this rule. Alaska Airlines does not count pillows towards your carry-on luggage, but others will likely do.
Don’t bring travel toiletries
Not only are they more expensive compared to regular sized ones. Many accommodations offer them as complimentary. But also remember that other countries have stores too.
Use laundry services
Don’t pack clothes for more than 5-7 days. Utilizing laundry services during your trip can significantly reduce the amount of clothing you need to pack, allowing you to travel lighter and more efficiently.
Pick the right size of carry-on luggage
Choosing the right size of carry-on luggage is crucial. Every inch counts. Opt for a piece that maximizes capacity while fitting within airline restrictions to ensure a hassle-free travel experience.
Personal item is not the same as a carry-on luggage
American Airlines allows an extra bag of 18 x 14 x 8 inches as a personal item in addition to your carry-on. While United Airlines allows only 17 x 10 x 9 inches. Check the specific airlines for more information. Budget airlines are usually more strict with regard to this.
Keep a rolling packing list
You only need to do this once. Then keep it and revise it after each trip based on what you used and which items were useless. You will see that the list will get shorter the more times you travel.
Roll Your Clothes
Rolling instead of folding clothes can save space and reduce wrinkles.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.