How to Fit Everything in a Carry-On for Long Trips

6 August 2025

Let’s set the scene: You’ve booked a 3-week trip across Europe, your excitement is sky-high, and then the airline hits you with a $75 fee for checking a bag. Cue dramatic music.

But wait! What if I told you that you could fit ALL your stuff—in style, mind you—into a carry-on? Yes, even for long trips. No magic spells involved (although packing cubes might feel a little wizard-y). Let’s roll up those sleeves and dive into the ultimate guide for cramming your worldly possessions into a bag the size of a cereal box.

Why Bother With Just a Carry-On?

Before we break out the folding techniques and Jedi mind tricks, let’s talk motivation. Why would any sane person pack for a two-week (or longer) trip using a single, tiny suitcase?

- No baggage fees. Save that money for gelato and impulse souvenir shopping.
- No lost luggage. Your stuff is with you at all times, unlike that one time your suitcase decided to take its own vacation to Frankfurt.
- Faster exit strategies. No waiting by a carousel like you're picking a pony at the county fair.
- Less stuff = less stress. Seriously, less to lug, less to lose, and less to worry about.

Minimalism is a vibe, people. A strong, peaceful, “I don’t need five pairs of boots in Tuscany” kind of vibe.

Step 1: Choose the Right Carry-On (A.K.A Your Mobile Closet)

First things first, you gotta start with the right bag. No, that beat-up duffel from 2007 isn’t going to cut it.

What to Look For:

- Maximum size for your airline (usually 22 x 14 x 9 inches).
- Lightweight but durable. Hardside suitcases are sleek, but softside gives you more room to cram.
- Expandable zippers (for when your souvenirs mysteriously reproduce).
- Compartments. Because nobody wants their socks mingling with their toothpaste.

Pro Tip: Wheels matter. Two wheels are okay. Four wheels? Glide through the airport like Beyoncé on skates.

Step 2: Create a Packing List (and Then Ruthlessly Edit It)

Let’s be real—half the stuff we pack "just in case" never sees the light of day. Unless your travel plans include an impromptu ice skating gala and a black-tie gala, you can live without the extras.

Essentials-Only Mentality:

- Clothing: Limit yourself to 7 days of versatile outfits. If you’re traveling longer, plan to do laundry.
- Toiletries: Only the basics. Hotels have shampoo for a reason.
- Tech: Phone, charger, universal adapter. Maybe a tablet. That’s it.
- Documents: Passport, ID, travel insurance, and copies.
- Shoes: Two pairs, MAX. Wear the bulkiest one on the plane.

Put everything you think you need on your bed. Then cut it in half. Then smile—because future you will thank you when you're not dragging a 40-pound boulder through cobblestone streets.

Step 3: Master the Art of Folding, Rolling, and Cube-ing

Packing isn’t just stuffing clothes into a bag until the zipper cries. No, this is an artform. A science. A little Tetris, a little origami.

Which Method Reigns Supreme?

- Rolling: Great for casual clothes like T-shirts, jeans, and leggings. Prevents wrinkles and saves space.
- Folding: Ideal for structured items like jackets and collared shirts.
- Packing cubes: These are game-changers. They keep stuff organized and compressed.

I like to roll clothes and then stack them in packing cubes by category: tops, bottoms, undies, you name it. You can find anything in seconds without digging through a clothing avalanche.

Step 4: Wear Your Bulkiest Items on the Plane

Listen, I’m not saying you need to look like the Michelin Man, but flight day is your opportunity to game the system a little.

Wear your bulkiest shoes (boots?), your heaviest jacket, and that cozy hoodie that doubles as a travel pillow. Layer up like you’re going to the Arctic, even if you're headed to Cancun. Nobody at the security line is judging your fashion choices—they're too busy chugging their water bottles before TSA confiscates them.

Step 5: Toiletries—Mini Everything, Please

You know those sample-sized shampoo bottles at the drugstore? They're not just cute. They're your best friends.

The 3-1-1 Rule (AKA the Reason You Can’t Bring Your Full-Sized Shampoo):

TSA rules say:
- 3.4 oz (100ml) containers
- 1 quart-sized clear bag
- 1 bag per traveler

And try to go solid when you can—solid shampoo bars, face soap, lotion sticks. They last longer, don’t leak, and you can pretend you're in a hip eco-spa every time you wash your face.

Step 6: The Magic of Multi-Use Items

A scarf that doubles as a blanket? Yes, please. Leggings that moonlight as pajamas? We love to see it.

MVP Multi-Taskers:

- Lightweight scarf – blanket, sarong, fashion statement, emergency napkin.
- Merino wool shirt – resists odors (like magic) and can be dressed up or down.
- Sneakers – for running, walking, dancing, hiking, fleeing awkward social encounters.
- Collapsible tote bag – laundry, groceries, beach day, whatever.

Basically, if it doesn’t play at least two roles, it doesn’t make the packing cut.

Step 7: Laundry: Embrace It

Gasp. Did I just suggest doing chores on vacation? Hear me out.

Washing a few things halfway through your trip is way easier than lugging a second suitcase. And it’s as easy as:
- Booking a place with laundry
- Hitting up a laundromat (fun cultural experience!)
- Packing a travel-sized detergent + sink stopper

Bonus: You’ll appreciate your clean underwear like never before.

Step 8: Use the Space Inside Stuff

Packing is like a game of Russian nesting dolls. Every hollow item is an opportunity.

- Stuff socks and undies into your shoes
- Fill your hat with chargers and makeup bags
- Tuck belts along the perimeter of the suitcase

If there’s a space, fill it. No room gets left behind.

Step 9: Go Digital Where You Can

Books are awesome, but they’re heavy. Replace what you can with apps and electronics:

- Guidebooks → Offline maps and travel apps
- Paper tickets → Mobile boarding passes
- Journal → Notes app (unless you’re feeling old school)

Plus, you'll feel 10x cooler whipping out your phone rather than digging around for a printout you swore was in your bag.

Step 10: Accept That You Might Forget Something—and That’s Okay

You’re human. Packing perfectly for a long trip in a carry-on is ambitious. You might forget your nail clippers or realize your cute outfit lacks weather-appropriate coverage.

Guess what? People all over the world wear pants. You can buy things on the go.

Worst-case scenario? You buy a pair of socks in Berlin. Best-case? You discover a local shop you never would’ve visited otherwise and come home with a great "I-had-to-buy-this-when-I-forgot-my-socks" story.

Real Talk: Can You REALLY Do This?

Yes. Absolutely. Is it a little weird the first time you pack for 3 weeks in what amounts to a glorified backpack? Sure. Will you miss that extra suitcase full of backup outfits? Maybe. But will you love skipping the baggage claim, breezing through customs, and traveling lighter?

You bet your wrinkle-free, packing-cube-organized bottom you will.

Final Packing tips (AKA Don’t Forget These Gems)

- Bring a laundry bag – you’ll thank yourself when clean and dirty don’t mingle.
- Bring one "fancy-ish" outfit – for nice dinners or spontaneous salsa nights.
- Check the weather – you don’t want to pack for a beach vacay and land in a rainstorm.
- Weigh your bag before you go – some airlines are stricter than your high school gym teacher.

And finally, remember that the goal isn’t to bring your whole life with you. It’s to bring what you actually need, so you can spend more time adventure-ing and less time digging through stuff.

Happy packing, you carry-on warrior. May your zippers stay strong and your liquids under 3.4 ounces.