How to Pack a Carry On: Travel Tips that Changed My Life

I recently confessed that I am a chronic over-packer. A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to fly to Chicago for five days for work. The packing method I used for that trip was a game changer, and I hope you’ll read all about it. But what I learned about packing a carry-on bag and personal bag, has completely changed my travel life. If you struggle with your personal item(s) and want to learn some tips and tricks on how to pack a carry on, then keep reading. You won’t believe how this changes your travel experience!

Start with the right bag

I can’t tell you how many carry on bags I’ve tried in all my years of travel. When my kids were small, I had a giant diaper bag style. When traveling solo, I carried an over-sized purse. When traveling for work, I’ve carried a laptop backpack, a laptop bag, or a duffle. Somehow, none of them worked exactly like I’d hoped.

Sometimes we think we need pockets, or zipper sleeves, or padded compartments. Most of the time, our chosen bag is too large, or too small. And somehow it is always a disorganized disaster. What we need all along isn’t another carry-on bag. What we need to know is how to pack a carry on.

With that said, I do believe each travel and traveler is different. Some people carry everything in one roll-way bag. Others carry a wheeled bag and a personal item. Me, I check my bag and opt for a carry-on sized personal item, and my purse.

Whatever your preference, whatever your style, and whatever your destination dictates, start with the right bag for you. It may be a large bag, it might be a small bag. Only you can determine what is right for you.

Pack your carry on in categories

The next tip I can give you on how to pack a carry-on, is to categorize and organize. I am a huge fan of packing cubes and compression cubes for my suitcase. They save space, they keep my items organized, and I always know where things are when I arrive at my destination. No more shifting socks or pjs sliding around loosie-goosie like there’s been a rave in my suitcase.

Again, choose the right options for your travel experience. These babies keep your clothes neatly organized and nicely compressed so you arrive at your destination as organized as when you left home.

Organizers

As with packing cubes, the same holds true for your carry on. Smaller compact bags are a total game changer.

Often these bags are ‘freebies’ that come with a makeup purchase, or they come as part of a larger handbag / tote set. Sometimes I purchase exactly what I need for the item I’m intending to carry, and other times I find something I already own that works perfectly for my need.

Whatever type organizer you choose, whether a freebie or something you already own, these tiny bags will keep your larger bag more organized.

Color Choice

I have a bent toward all black luggage. I find it doesn’t show dirt or scuffs and if I need to wipe it clean, any stains that may have occurred aren’t as visible. I made this decision a few years ago when my husband bought me a beautiful red suitcase. The very first time I traveled with it, the airline destroyed it. It came back with oil stains and black grease marks that never came out. Even after professional cleaning. For me, black is best.

I also choose black interior organizer bags, as well. I like everything to match, but you may want to choose colors for your organizers. Maybe you want a red one for makeup, a blue one for pens and pencils, and a green one for wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex.

The choice is yours; again, choose what is right for you.

Organize like a pro

When thinking of how to pack a carry on, first start with your necessities. Each person is different with their needs and I find this is true for men’s versus women’s needs. Obviously, these are my examples; your mileage may vary.

Electronics

I keep one small travel pouch for all my chargers and cables. Whereas I typically try to pack light and err on the side of caution, this is not the case for electronic chargers. I keep an extra Apple Watch charger that can plug into my laptop, an iPhone cable (yes, I still need one) that can also plug into my laptop. I keep all of these chargers and cubes in one small black bag. If I’m at an airport or in a coffee shop, I have my chargers at hand in case my electronics run down. Keeping them corralled together in one small bag keeps me from digging into the bottom of my bag for what I need.

Make-up bag

You never know when a flight will be delayed, when you may get bumped, or when your flight may be altogether cancelled. Because of this, I always keep a small makeup bag of just the necessities in my carry on. Typically, these are travel sizes or even samples I’ve received from companies. I have a mascara, a lipstick, and a 3-in-1 stick that can be used for eyes, cheeks, and lips. There is a hair tie and a few bobby pins, as well. In case of emergency, I also keep a small pocket comb. Remember that little black comb your dad probably carried in his back pocket? Yep, that’s me.

Hygiene bag

I keep another bag in my carry on for things like anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, and Kleenex. That’s also where ibuprofen or Tylenol, a few bandaids, and things like nail clippers belong. If I need to snip a stray thread, rub a blister, or need to wipe down my tray table, I have what I need.

Travel office bag

What is a travel office bag? Well, a travel office bag, or organizer holds a few of the things I use every day, that are typically kept in my desk drawer. This includes, ink pens, highlighters, paper clips, post it notes, sticky tabs, an e-cloth for glasses or electronics, more travel wipes, and a few hand written notes I can’t do without. Oh, and there’s an extra pair of reading glasses. Because I’m the girl who always misplaces her reading glasses. Even when they’re on my head.

This specific case is intended as an electronics organizer. I find it’s easier for me to keep those items in a zippered pouch, and that this type of organizer works perfectly as a mobile office.

Keep ‘extras’ at hand

Okay, while learning how to pack a carry on, I learned very quickly there were a couple things that I needed at the ready. That means they do not go in an inside organizer bag. Those two items are a travel sized umbrella, and breath mints.

If I arrive at my destination in the middle of a deluge, I do not want to dig and dig for my umbrella. I want to open my bag, and have it at hand. That goes for breath mints, as well. If I get on a plane and realize I need a mint as I’m talking to my seat neighbor, I don’t want to search and hunt, I want to reach in and get that mint, ASAP!

In that same vein, I also like a travel bag that either has in inside slip pouch, or an external zippered security sleeve. If I”m traveling with my passport, I want it easily accessible, but safely tucked away. An internal slip sleeve, or an external zippered security pouch are ideal for id’s, boarding passes, drink vouchers, etc. Always ready, but still safe and sound.

Take a small personal item

Personally, I like a nice sized hand bag. I like to toss everything but the kitchen sink in there.

But when traveling, that is not always the best option. When traveling, I like a smaller cross body bag that keeps me hands free. In that bag I pare down to only the necessities. That means keys, wallet, reading glasses, sunglasses, and phone.

Even when pared down, your personal item (or purse) should be organized inside just like your carry-on bag. That means I swap my full-sized wallet to a smaller card case. It also means I only pack the travel necessities I may need on the plane into a smaller organizer pouch. Those are items like hand sanitizer, chap stick, and a couple of ink pens. There are a pair of reading glasses in a case, my sunglasses, and my phone.

Keeping your purse organized means you can reach your phone or glasses when you need them without digging for those items in the very bottom of your bag.

One VERY important tip

One last, but very important tip regarding your personal item (purse) when packing your carry on: Be sure your purse can fit inside your carry on bag. So often I sit at the gate and hear an announcement that the plane is overly full and they need volunteers to gate check their luggage. Sometimes, I’ve even heard them ask passengers to combine their personal items, if possible. Having a small purse or cross-body that fits inside your carry on bag will save you heartache and headache all the way around. In the event you need to combine, this one single tip will be a life-saver.

Item Specifics

As I’ve learned how to pack a carry on, I’ve learned a few tried and true, ride or die options for myself. As I stated earlier, each person is different and your needs may be different than mine. But in the event you’re interested, here are a few of my ‘can’t-live-without’ travel options. Links provided may be affiliate links. As an amazon affiliate, that means I may earn a small commission for products you purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

The Suitcase(s) of Dreams

I purchased a three-piece set of Kenneth Cole Reaction luggage a couple of years ago. The set contains on carry-on sized suitcase, one smaller roller bag, and a laptop back pack. Each item fits over the suitcase with a trolley sleeve, and you would be utterly amazed at how much these pieces can hold. I love them and highly recommend them if you’re in the market for luggage.

Carry-on options

While I have tried several types of carry on bags, I have three that I use in rotation.

First is a the laptop backpack mentioned above. It holds my laptop, an iPad, and everything else I may possibly need on a flight. The one drawback I have is that it is nearly impossible to fit my cross-body or purse into this bag if necessary. If that’s not a problem for you, then this bag really is a great option.

Next is a quilted carry-on bag I purchased from Amazon. It has pockets for a laptop, an iPad, and two interior thermal pockets if you want to keep a water bottle cool. There are multiple inside pockets and sleeves, one large outside pocket and sleeve, and two additional front pockets with zipper compartments. It can hold just about anything you need. It also has a trolley sleeve if that’s important to you.

Finally, I have a black tote with zip top. A zippered top is very important to me so that my items do not slide around all over the floor of the airplane in the event of turbulence. This back does not have a padded compartment for a laptop, but I haven’t had that be a problem. I simply pack the bag, and slide the laptop into the very center of everything else. It is lined with a very soft, almost fur like or velvet like lining. It has a small slip pocket on the inside, and a zippered security pocket on the trolley sleeve. Of all the carry on bags I’ve owned, this one is my favorite so far.

Zippered pouches and containers

While most of my internal zippered compartments came as make-up bag sets or part of other luggage pieces, there are a couple I’ve purchased specifically for travel.

First, an electronics charger case I use as my travel office. You can’t possibly imagine all this baby holds.

Second, this zippered pen pouch. I like that it’s sturdy and can be wiped clean, but it too has an internal zipper sleeve, and the bottom is flat so it sits nicely in bottom of a purse or carry one bag.

Can’t live without items

Cross-body bag

I have a travel purse I swear by. It is small enough, and yet roomy enough for all my necessities. It wasn’t expensive, and while I purchased it from Amazon, it has held up extremely well. I like it has a gold chain strap which means I can carry it for nicer events or vendor dinners, or I can even tuck it inside and carry this bag clutch style. It’s a must for my travel needs.

Travel wallet

I have a Kate Spade zippered card case that I can’t do without when I travel. It has a larger zipper compartment for coins or items I can’t risk losing, it has an exterior pocket and four card sleeves. What I love about this one is that it has an attached key chain with a clasp. That means I can easily clasp it to a zipper inside my purse for safety, or I can actually attach it to my key ring for convenience. Either way, this is my ride or die travel wallet.

Great sunglasses

Finally, my sunnies. I am at the age where I need reading glasses for almost every task. While I keep a pair of reading glasses in my purse, in my carry on and in my travel office pouch, there are times when I find myself without. Maybe I’m at the pool and need to sign a receipt for lunch. Or maybe we’re having dinner al fresco. Sometimes you need a good pair of sunglasses and a good pair of reading glasses. These are from Amazon, they come in multiple colors and reading strength, and they are a pack of 5 for under $20. Let’s just say, I don’t go anywhere without them.

Whether you’re jetting off to somewhere tropical and sunny, or flying to a work conference, learning how to pack a carry on will change your travel experience. I tried this method for our trip to Chicago and it was by far the easiest airline travel experience I’ve had.

Try it and let me know what you think. Did it make your life easier?

Additional Resources:

Want to breeze through TSA? We highly recommend getting TSA Pre approved. The process is simple and doesn’t take much time at all. For the price, it is completely worth every penny. https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

Always stay abreast of the travel requirements. They are changing rapidly, and you want to save time at the gate. Don’t get caught because you didn’t know specifics. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist

Specific Travel Accessories I can’t live without. (As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualified purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

And to get you in the mood for an excursion, here’s a little playlist for you: