Ditch Checked Bags: Packing Tips & Essential Gear for a Stress-Free Trip with Just a Carry-On

Travel Tips

Dec 4

*Please note that this post does contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase any of my suggestions.

The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and if you’re like most travelers, you want to avoid the headache of checking a bag, waiting at baggage claim, or—worst of all—dealing with lost luggage. Traveling with just a carry-on is not only possible, but it can also save you time, money, and (most importantly) stress. Below is my detailed guide packed with tips, essential gear suggestions that I personally use, and helpful packing hacks that will make your holiday travels a breeze.

Why Traveling with a Carry-On is the Way to Go

Bringing only a carry-on has several major benefits, especially during the busy holiday season:

Skip Baggage Fees: Far too many airlines charge fees for checked luggage, but most allow a carry-on and personal item for free. If you’re on a strict budget and need to cut costs on your trip, this saves you between $30-$75 per flight (and more for international travel). However, know that for most of the budget airlines (like Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier), they may still charge a carry-on fee. Sometimes the carry-on fee is way more per person. If you’re traveling as a couple or with a bestie, to save money, you could share a larger bag to check, as that may be the better option, depending on your budget.
**My husband and I do this on some of our trips to Vegas. Our home airport is fairly small, but Allegiant flies to Vegas (as well as a few other locations) quite regularly. So although we can usually find some pretty good deals through this budget airline, the baggage fees are where they make up the difference. So on our last trip, instead of paying $59 per person, per carry-on, we combined our things and did one checked bag for $43. We save $75! Even if we both need to check a bag, we’d still save money over doing a carry-on.**
*This is why sometimes it may end up actually being cheaper going with one of the bigger airlines over the budget ones. After all the fees the budget airlines tack on, the cost could end up being the same.
Avoid Lost Luggage: With the chaos of travel (especially over holidays and peak travel times), checked bags are more likely to get delayed or lost. By keeping your belongings with you, you minimize the risk of losing them in transit. However, if you must check a bag, make sure to equip your luggage with a luggage tracker (I put a tracker in all luggage, backpacks, etc. regardless if they’re checked or not).
Quicker Airport Experience: You won’t have to wait at the baggage carousel, which can often add 30 minutes or more to your airport time. When you travel with only a carry-on, you can head straight from the plane to your destination so you can start enjoying your vacation sooner!

Packing Like a Pro: Carry-On Size and Rules

Before packing, make sure you understand the size and weight restrictions for a carry-on bag for the airline you’re flying. Most airlines have fairly standard dimensions, but they can vary slightly, so always check with your specific carrier.

Carry-On Size: For most airlines, the maximum dimensions for a carry-on are 22” x 14” x 9” (56 x 36 x 23 cm). This includes the handle and wheels. Double-check your airline’s website to confirm their specific rules. I recommend getting a Carry-on that comes with a built in TSA Lock. This Kroser design is extremely affordable, comes in a variety of colors, is hardside, expandable, has a built-in USB port and comes with spinner wheels.
Weight Limit: While some airlines don’t enforce a weight limit, others (especially international airlines) may cap your carry-on weight. Be sure to check the airline you’re flying with to know what their weight restrictions may be. Weigh your bag before heading to the airport to ensure you’re not having to be one of those people who has to shuffle your items around to make sure you’re within the weight restrictions.
Personal Item: In addition to a carry-on, you’re allowed one personal item, such as a purse, backpack, or laptop bag. It should fit under the seat in front of you and typically can be no larger than 18” x 14” x 8” (45 x 35 x 20 cm).

Pro Tip: Use your personal item to your advantage! This is where you can stash items like snacks, an extra outfit, or electronics that you’ll need easy access to during the flight.

Detailed Packing Hacks: TSA-Approved and Space-Saving Tips

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of packing for carry-on travel:

1. TSA Liquids Rule: 3-1-1 Rule

When packing toiletries, you must adhere to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule:

Each liquid item must be in a container 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller.
All liquid containers must fit into a 1-quart-sized, clear plastic bag (think Ziploc bags). You’re allowed one bag per traveler.

Pro Tip: Consider investing in refillable squeeze bags and a clear reusable quart-sized toiletry bag (These are my favorite, because when you fill the pouches they lie pretty flat and it’s easy to fit everything I need) that keeps your items organized and easy to access for security checks.

2. Clothing Hacks: Less is More

Traveling light doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Here are some tips to pack efficiently:

Stick to a Capsule Wardrobe: Choose 2-3 tops, 2 bottoms, and 1-2 layers that can be mixed and matched for a variety of outfits. Aim for lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Pack one “dressy” item that works for both daytime and nighttime events.
Compression Bags or Packing Cubes: Use compression bags or packing cubes to keep clothing organized and compact. This can help you fit more into less space while keeping everything tidy.
3 Pairs of Shoes Max Rule: I know this may be tough for my shoe girlies out there, but trust me on this, you don’t need THAT many shoes when traveling. And if you do, then you’re not going to want to pack just a carry-on and this won’t apply to you. I have this rule that I can only pack 3-4 pairs of shoes/footwear. I will pack tennis shoes/walking shoes (I wear these on the plane because they are usually the bulkiest shoes I have), a pair of dress shoes that will go with everything (I own and highly recommend Solely Jane), and flip flops. My 4th optional pair are water shoes, if I’m going on a beach or water type adventure vacation.

Pro Tip: Pack dual-purpose items like a scarf that can double as a blanket or shawl for chilly flights, or shoes that work for both casual and dressy occasions.

3. Use Every Inch of Space

Maximize every bit of space in your carry-on:

Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling clothes saves space and helps prevent wrinkles.
Use Compression Packing Cubes: Packing cubes can not only keep everything nice and organized for you, but the compression part of these makes saving space a no-brainer.
Stuff Shoes: Place smaller items like socks, underwear, or even chargers inside your shoes to use that hollow space.
Fill the Gaps: After packing you’re bulkiest items, fill in the holes and gaps where you can.
Wear Bulky Items: If you’re bringing a jacket, wear it on the plane rather than trying to pack it. You can always take it off and store it in the overhead bin once you're seated. Wear your tennis shoes on the flight. Shoes can take up the most space in your luggage, so wearing your bulkiest shoes on the plane will save space (but make sure they are comfortable shoes, like walking shoes/tennis shoes).

Essential Gear for Travel

When traveling, a few key items will make your journey smoother and more comfortable. Here’s what I recommend bringing along:

1. Portable Charger

Holiday travel often means long waits in airports or unexpected delays. A portable charger is a must to keep your devices powered up. Look for one that’s compact but packs a punch. This one is my favorite and re-charges super fast!

2. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Airports and planes can get noisy, especially during the holidays. A pair of quality noise-canceling headphones will give you peace and quiet, whether you’re trying to sleep or enjoy a podcast. Consider Bose QuietComfort 45 or Sony WH-1000XM5 for top-notch performance.

3. Water Bottle

To save space you could buy a collapsible water bottle. But I personally do not like them. I drink a lot of water and hate drinking out of plastic bottles, even if they are reusable. If my gigantic Yeti didn’t take up so much space, I’d bring that. But my next best favorite is the Hydro Flask. Plus you can get vinyl stickers when you travel and stick them on your water bottle to really make it yours!

4. Travel Blanket or Shawl

Stay warm and cozy on your flight with a compact travel blanket or large shawl. It’s perfect for chilly airplanes and can double as a stylish accessory at your destination.

5. TSA-Approved Travel Locks

If you plan to store your carry-on in the overhead bin, keep your belongings secure with a TSA-approved lock. This adds an extra layer of security, especially if you’re bringing valuables like electronics or travel documents.

Bonus Pro Tips for Holiday Travel:

Bring a power strip: With so many travelers needing to charge devices, outlets at airports can be scarce. A small travel power strip allows you to charge multiple devices while only using one outlet.
Consider a Travel Insurance Plan: The holiday season often comes with unexpected weather delays and cancellations. A good travel insurance plan can cover lost baggage, flight delays, or even medical emergencies. However, if you have a good travel rewards credit card, check the perks, the credit card company may already cover you as long as you purchase all your travel with that card.
Pre-pack snacks: Airport food can be expensive and unhealthy. Pre-pack snacks like nuts, granola bars, or dried fruit to stay energized on the go without relying on pricey airport vendors.

Travel Can Be Stress-Free!

With the right preparation and these detailed packing tips, you'll be able to breeze through the airport with just a carry-on and enjoy your holiday trip without the extra hassle of checked bags. Whether it’s using packing cubes (I love these compression packing cubes), optimizing your clothing choices (think capsule wardrobe), or investing in key travel gear, you’re ready to travel like a pro.

If you want to make your vacation travel even smoother, check out the affiliate links above for my favorite products—tried and tested by yours truly. They’ll help keep you organized, comfortable, and stress-free all season long. Happy travels!