• About
  • Contact
  • Courses
  • Binder Kits
  • Collaborate
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafts
  • Holidays
  • Courses
  • Binder Kits
  • Media and Press
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Organized-ish

Organized-ish

Progress > Perfection

  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafts
  • Holidays
carry on bag packing tips

Packing and Organizing A Carry-On For Short Trips

January 31, 2020 · In: Lifestyle, Travel

Learn five quick tips for packing a compact, organized carry-on bag that fully complies with air travel regulations.

I recently took a solo trip to Utah for three days and it was the first time I’ve ever traveled with a carry-on bag only. Typically if I’m flying somewhere, I’m staying long enough to warrant an actual suitcase, so my carry-on was usually just toiletries or souvenirs on the way back. Since it was just me, I really only needed clothes for the full day, because I could wear my clothes I flew in with on Tuesday again on Thursday for the way back.

I used my expert suitcase packing skills (seriously, I think I could win some kind of competition if that were really a thing) and downsized it all into a mini-version and made alterations to adhere to carry-on flight rules and restrictions. I wanted to share exactly how I packed and organized my carry-on suitcase so you can copy it next time you take a short trip, too.

Start With A Good Piece Of Luggage

This goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Don’t travel with an old, raggedy suitcase or duffel bag. Invest in good travel pieces or borrow one from a friend. A couple of my friends travel frequently but they couldn’t afford to buy really nice luggage so they pooled their money together and bought a “joint set” set to share. This has worked out really well for them, and I definitely think it’s a great option if needed.

I have a great weekender duffel bag that would have been awesome for this trip, but since I would be in three airports each on both travel days, I thought it would be better to take a small suitcase with wheels so I’m not lugging a bag on my shoulder through an airport 6 different times.

I ended up buying this suitcase from Amazon because it has a USB charging port, a phone holder, and a cup holder, and it’s still half the price of other brands with the same features. I bought the battery pack for it too, and was really happy I did when my phone almost died before I could get an Uber set up to pick me up. #crisisaverted!

Check and Recheck TSA Rules

The rules for carry on bags are different than the rules for checked bags, so even if you think you know what you can take, consult this list from the TSA before you start packing. You never know when a rule can change, so it’s best to do your homework and make adjustments and replacements as needed.

Most things are self-expanatory, but there are ounce restrictions on liquids, including shampoo, body wash, and even makeup. No full size bottles need to go in your bag. Also, TSA Guidelines restrict you to one 1 Quart resealable bag of liquids in bottles of 3.4oz or less. Meaning you can’t take your entire bathroom arsenal. Be strategic with your selections and only take what you really need. More on this later.

Embrace Your Inner Minimalist

If there was ever a time to try out a minimalist lifestyle, it’s when everything you take for a trip has to fit into a carry-on bag. Now isn’t the time to take clothing options, and it’s definitely not the time for “just in case” stuff.

Keep your pack list simple. The clothes you NEED, the toiletries you NEED, your phone charger, a new book, and your wallet. The end.

If you need extra things, opt for reversible/multi-function items. A black to brown reversible belt allows you to use the same one for two outfits. Instead of packing brightly colored or patterned clothing, go for a neutral wardrobe where every piece can be mix and matched. If possible, bring only one pair of shoes, and wear them the whole time so you don’t have to “pack” shoes at all.

Here’s a photo of my actual pack list, and I took nothing more and nothing less. And I survived just fine.

**Pack list available in the Organized-ish Printable Travel Planning Kit here

Use Packing Cubes And Containers For Easy Organization

First off, you have to use a TSA Approved Toiletries Bag, which is a clear and resealable One Quart sized bag. I bought this one from Amazon for under ten bucks, and it was great. I put it in the most accessible place in my carry-on suitcase because I knew I’d have to remove it during check-in.

I also used these packing cubes and they made my suitcase so neat and organized! I was able to keep a pair of shoes away from my clothes, so no germiness was getting on my clean stuff. I kept my socks and underwear confined in another, and I packed an extra cube to hold anything I bought while I was there. These packing cubes are the best-kept secret to traveling with a carry-on only, because they really allow you to get a lot of stuff in a little bag without making a big fat mess inside.

Don’t Pack It Full

This is my biggest tip of all. It’s very likely that will come home with more than you left with. Even if you’re traveling for work, there’s the off chance that you may buy something at some point. Leave some extra space in your carry-on bag, just in case. The most annoying thing ever would be not having enough space to bring home that great handmade piece of decor you bought at a local market and had to pay to ship it home instead.

Make The Most Of Your Trips

Have you checked out my Printable Travel Planner Kit yet? I use it every time I go anywhere, whether I’m driving, flying, or just staying in a B&B in a neighboring town. It’s a great way to collect your thoughts, avoid forgetting things, and banish travel stress. And for under $7, that’s totally worth it in my book. You can grab the kit in my shop here and reprint it as many times as you’d like. ๐Ÿ™‚

Happy Travels!

How to get all your clothes in a carry on bag

By: Lela Burris ยท In: Lifestyle, Travel ยท Tagged: airline, flying, hotel, luggage, packing, suitcase, travel, vacation

you’ll also love

guest bedroom storage ideas8 Things To Do To Prep For A House Sitter
How To Safely Pack Away Holiday Decor
pack a dog travel bagHow To Pack A Doggy Diaper Bag

Get Blog Posts In Your Inbox

Every Saturday morning I send out a weekly recap of all the new blog posts. Want in?

Reader Interactions

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

10 Perfect Font Pairings For Cricut Projects

Primary Sidebar

Meet Lela Burris

Meet Lela Burris
hey-o!

My name is Lela, (say it like LEE-luh) and I'm so glad you stopped by my blog! Whether you're into organizing, home improvement, crafts, or you just think my pets are cute, you'll find all kinds of inspo here.

Tell Me More!

Connect

Get VIP Emails

Search

Shop My Planners

printable planners for home organization

Organize Your Craft Room

lela burris organiziedish

Hang With Me

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Follow Along

@lelaburris

Purge-A-Thon Day One is complete! I spent 15 minut Purge-A-Thon Day One is complete! I spent 15 minutes going through a few storage spaces in my living room and purged 50 items. ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ I canโ€™t wait to see how your Day One went, too! Use #organizedishpurgeathon and tag me in your before and afters. ๐ŸŽ‰
Itโ€™s time for season two of the Organized-ish Pu Itโ€™s time for season two of the Organized-ish Purge-A-Thon! If your house could use a good decluttering session, comment โ€œIโ€™m Inโ€ and letโ€™s make some big changes this week! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ
Want to make this season more fun? Share this with a friend and compete with them to see who can purge more in the five day timeframe. Loser buys lunch or coffee! ๐Ÿ˜
Season 2 Purge-A-Thon prep details! Season 2 Purge-A-Thon prep details!
Bin Clips are perfect for fabric bins and woven ba Bin Clips are perfect for fabric bins and woven baskets. I found these at Target, but Amazon has a larger variety to choose from. They come with a card inside you can write on, but I used a Cricut Joy and Writable Vinyl to make these cute label stickers. ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ

Footer

Browse By Category

  • Organize
  • Projects
  • Lifestyle
  • Crafts
  • Holidays

Get Organized-ish

  • Courses
  • Printable Planners
  • Shop My House
  • Amazon Faves

Blog Info

  • Contact
  • Media and Press
  • Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Organized-ish LLC © 2023 ยท Theme by 17th Avenue