Traveling light with just a “carry-on” is an appealing idea, but many people hesitate to give it a try. It’s often easier to stick with what we know, packing everything “just in case,” rather than embracing a new, lighter way of traveling.
But those who have made the switch to packing lighter often find the benefits far outweigh the initial uncertainty.
In fact, I used to be a heavy packer. Our family of four would always check luggage at the airport whenever we flew home to see family—twice/year.
For us, the journey of shifting travel habits began when I was introduced to minimalism. As we began owning less at home, it seemed reasonable that a next step would be to apply the principles of minimalism to my travel habits.
And while I don’t remember exactly the first vacation that we decided to bring just carry-on luggage, I do remember how easy it made traveling and committing to never going back to the way we used to travel.
Similarly, I went on an international trip recently with a friend and told him that we were not waiting at baggage claim and that he had to pack in a carry-on for the trip. As we completed the trip and breezed through customs back home in the states, he turned to me and said, “You were right! This is so much easier. I am never checking luggage again.”
As a family, we follow the same practice on almost every trip. Each of us packs a carry-on—no more. Even on last summer’s book tour, which was close to three weeks long, we all packed our individual belongings in individual carry-on size suitcases.
This not only makes it easy to pack up and unload, it also eliminates the chaos of individuals shuffling through a large suitcase with multiple peoples’ stuff inside.
If the prospect of making this switch intrigues you, you’ll love it!
Here are some practical steps to help you get started:
1. Believe it is possible.
Break free from the mindset that traveling lightly is unattainable, or that your specific circumstances make it impossible. People do it all the time.
In fact, folks from every walk of life manage to pack lightly. Every age, every gender, every length of trip, every family size. If they can do it, you can too.
2. Be thoughtful.
My mom once said to me, “Overpacking is lazy packing.” And she’s right!
Adopting a minimalist packing approach requires careful planning—thinking through your daily needs and choosing items that fulfill those requirements without excess.
But thoughtful effort made on the front-end of the trip saves physical and mental (stress) effort during the trip.
3. Plan Your Outfits.
Avoid the common pitfall of randomly tossing items into your suitcase.
Plan your outfits according to your activities for each day. As I’ll mention later, consider opportunities to mix-and-match and repurpose (especially outerwear).
4. Pack versatile clothes.
Choose clothing items that offer flexibility—pieces that can be mixed and matched.
Neutral colors are your friends. Consider the potential for layering. For example, a light sweater can instantly transform any summer outfit into one suitable for a chilly evening.
5. Repeat outfits.
It might seem unconventional, but most people won’t notice at all. I mean, I’m not suggesting you wear dirty clothes over and over again, but most articles of clothing (especially pants) can be worn more than once between washings.
Don’t be afraid to wear the same outfit more than once, especially if you’re mixing and matching different pieces.
6. Prepare for laundry.
For longer trips, washing clothes becomes a necessity. Look for accommodations with laundry facilities or locate nearby laundromats. Many hotels have washing machines available—as do most Airbnb’s. If necessary, you can even hand wash items.
7. Skip the souvenirs.
You won’t have room to bring back a bunch of souvenirs, but you’ll love not having to spend time shopping on your trips.
Remember, travel is about the experience, not the material possessions you bring back. If you do need to prove to yourself or someone else that you went on a trip, photos or small mementos like postcards can be as meaningful, if not more, than bulky souvenirs.
8. Pack travel-size liquids.
You won’t be able to bring large amounts of liquids in your carry-on (at least if you are flying). So make an extra point to think this through.
Most toiletries are sold in travel/sample size. That’s what I take. But for very specific items, there are TSA-compliant items to help you keep below the legal limit.
9. If necessary, roll your clothes.
If you find that you’re really close, but can’t quite fit in a carry-on suitcase, try rolling your clothes to save space, rather than folding them flat. You’ll be surprised how much more clothing you can pack with this method.
It does require an iron on the other end of your trip. So I don’t love the method all the time. But if you’re super-close to making it happen, and there’s an iron on the other end, give it a shot!
Personally, I’m more likely to roll my clothes for the return trip where there’s a washing machine waiting for me when I get home. But you can do it either way.
10. Limit your shoes.
Shoes can be the biggest suitcase hoggers. Stick to a couple versatile pairs that work for different occasions and consider wearing your bulkiest pair during transit.
One common justification for overpacking is the fear of running out of clothes. The thinking is, “I’d rather have more than I need on a trip, than be lacking something.”
On the surface, this argument seems logical. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that it overlooks the drawbacks of excess baggage. Extra clothes mean more weight to carry, more items to keep track of, more time spent packing and unpacking, more worries about losing luggage, and more time wasted (arriving much earlier to check your luggage at the airport and time waiting at the baggage carousel waiting for your bag to appear).
Contrast this with the benefits of a minimalist approach: simplicity, convenience, and the joy of focusing on the travel experience rather than managing belongings.
With careful planning, the benefits—saving time, reducing stress, and the joy of traveling lightly—far outweigh the minor inconvenience of potentially doing a little laundry.
If you’ve never tried it, I recommend it. I can almost guarantee, at the end of your first trip, you’ll think to yourself, “You were so right! This is much easier. I am never checking luggage again.”
Matthew Bailey says
I packed twice the amount of clothes I needed my last 4 flights. I would have saved $180 last year. Carry-on fron here on out.
Faith Dye says
As we have aged ( now in70’s) we have downsized our packing to each myself and hubby a carry on , plus myself a bag that fits under seat for one change of clothes for me, tablet, and all meds, plus a very small wristlet purse. Hubby Carries a gym type bag under seat with one change of clothes, his meds, couple golf magazines, sports illustrated to read. We started our carry on bags 10 years ago and have never gone back. The reason we carry an extra change of clothes in under seat bag is it allows us to put just that extra outfit that maybe wouldn’t fit in carry on. We LOVE not having to go stand around baggage pick up, never having our luggage lost, and we definitely wear an outfit more than one time . If you’re cruising, no one’s gonna know, and as long as top and bottom are still clean, why not☺️. We minamilize as much as possible. We no longer buy souvenirs, don’t need them, our pictures we take are our souvenirs. Our adult kids don’t want anything and our only teenage grandson rather just have an occasional card with $$ in it mailed to him. We just find it less stressful on me especially not having to pack so very much. Less is always more
Mustikka says
I totally agree! I’m on my last leg of a 6-week international trip, traveling with a carry-on. I can even fit in gifts for the grandkids. I’m European, and I’m not used to having to wear something different every day. I did mental inventory at this last stop (I’m working here) and realized I can eliminate several items from my next trip. My dream: traveling with a small backpack!
David says
I don’t mind the extra effort needed to reduce unnecessary worry and improvisation in unfamiliar places. We all have different priorities, and if this works for you, great. But, for me, the compromises needed outweigh the moderate, but very manageable effort to take the things I need to feel comfortable. Besides, I also enjoy shopping for souvenirs, and it has nothing to do with proving anything to anyone. Please don’t be unfairly presumptive of other people’s motivations to support your narrative.
Enjoy the way you travel, and I, along with the many like-minded travelers, will do the same — souvenirs and all.
Jeff A says
For me, just changing the mindset from “I’d rather have more than I need on a trip, than be lacking something” to “If I don’t have it, I don’t need it” has been a huge difference maker.
In fact, “If I don’t have it, I don’t need it” has become something I say to myself anytime I catch myself debating whether or not a purchase is justified.
Jennifer says
We traveled last fall to London & Scotland for 2.5 weeks— we checked travel cribs for our little ones (2.5 and 6 months old at the time) but everything else fit in just carry-ons… including a full tux and gown for a black tie wedding we attended. It saved so much effort lugging things on public transport too!
Debbie McDorman says
The idea of traveling with only carry on is intriguing! I hope to give it a try. My hold backs are my toiletries, meds, and hair items (rollers/dryers). I feel I’d have to agree to look a bit of a Frankenstein to for go these necessities in my world🙀
Linda Kenley says
My travel agent told us hair dryers are in every hotel!
Chris says
I enjoy reading about the minimalism tips that Mr. Becker provides and also all the comments that have followed on this thread. Our family has been traveling with just carry ons and it’s very do-able and great. No lost luggage worries, time spent getting our bags, or paying fees. Many passengers will travel with a carry on and there is time spent waiting our turn to disembark, or store and get seated. We’ve learned that it is part of the traveling experience and try to have patience during this time. Traveling is never easy! My question to all is how many of you bring items of clothing with the intention of wearing it one last time? I read that some of you do this practice. Are these items thrown away or donated? Is this a practice that Becoming Minimalist are ok with? Appreciate your thoughts.
Judy says
When we went to Jamaica I realized I took more than I needed. I only wore half of what I took. So I thought—- if I didn’t wear this here—- and I don’t wear it back home— I should just let it go. I gave clothes and shoes to the maids and they were so very very grateful. There is a lot of poverty there and it meant so much more to them than it ever meant to me.
C.parsons says
I do that all the time when I travel to Cuba. They need it more than I do.
Carolyn T Solomon says
My husband and I have been travelling with just carry on for several years. I can recommend wearing your heaviest/ bulkiest shoes on the plane. I also carry/wear whatever jacket I am bringing, rather than packing it. Toiletries, meds, including injectables, make up, electronics are all in an under the seat Rick Steves bag. I can stuff my small purse and beck pillow in this bag. We usually stay at an AirBNB a BB d do be a bit of laundry. You CAN do it!!
Jlo says
I would want to try this when kids are older. But when you have kids ages 1,3,5,7 its impossible. We usually travel with 8 people husband and wife. 4 kids and accompanied by 2 , wither my brother and a help or a bestfriend and a help.We used to bring 1-2 big luggages and 2 carry on for the extras and all the meds . Because I rememeber before. They actually got totally sick and I didnt bring meds the hospital was way expensive just to ask for a prescription of antibiotics since my son needed 1. We only use 1 shoe. During winter I used vacumm bags to flatten the coats.And its a no no not to bring atleast 2 extras. As to our experience whenever we going around the country kids spill get wet ,sweat and dirty. We wash clothes too if needed. I also like rolling it works.
Plus 2 strollers, otherwise you will be carrying 2 or 3 tired kids.
Cindy says
I always check in my luggage. First, because then I can actually put my backpack in the overhead, second, because then other people can. Oh, and third, you do not have to check in a huge suitcase you know. We usually take one large suitcase and a carryon for 4 people (adults and tweens) for 2 weeks.
Please consider others when walking around with carryons their pretty selfish tbh.
Jill says
Selfish for bringing a carry-on on board?
Has your checked luggage never been delayed, damaged or lost?
I’ll stick with my carry-on & personal item on board. That way, I keep control of my belongings.