Tips on How to Pack Your Carry-on Luggage

With the increases in fees for baggage, the airlines are forcing air travelers to be a bit more creative when flying. For many of us that means traveling with just a carry-on and our laptop bag or purse. By following these tips, any traveler can arrive at their destination with all that they need to enjoy their trip.

1. Buy a Carry-on That is Easy to Access
The most convenient and easiest carry-on is the simplest. Have a carry-on that is without compartments and internal zippered pockets throughout. External zippered pockets are great, but should be at a minimum. It seems at this time, a 22-inch rolling duffle bag is the best choice in a carry-on bag. The size is small enough that you should rarely have to check it. Pack those outside zippered pockets with those garments you may need while in travel, such as sweaters when the plane gets cold.

2. Every Carry-on Should be Stuffed with Zip-Top Bags
The zip-top bag is a traveler's best friend. You can use them to pack your liquids, gels, and creams in the small three-ounce containers. They can store your toiletries and other makeup, and yet others can hold your electronics, cables, and chargers. The larger gallon sized zip-top bags are great to place clothing that does not wrinkle, like wool sweaters. Just place them in the bag and squeeze out the air to reduce its size.

3. When Using a Carry-on Pack Neutral Colors
When all you have is a carry-on, it is important that you pack your clothing efficiently. Use neutral colors or even black as a base color for clothing and then jazz it up with a splash of color with a scarf or shawl.

4. Make Your Toiletries Do More When Packing a Carry-on
When you are traveling with just a carry-on you need to have your toiletries do more than be travel-sized, they need to be multipurpose. For example, pack moisturizer with an SPF in it rather than packing a separate sunscreen bottle. Shampoo and conditioner can double as a shaving cream in most cases.

5. How to Avoid Wrinkles When Packing a Carry-on
There is a reason that the dry cleaners sends back your clothing on a wire hanger and incased in plastic. Wrinkles happen when fabrics rub up on other fabrics; plastic and tissue paper can reduce the friction between those fabrics. When packing your carry-on, hold all your hangers with clothing in plastic with one hand and fold them into two or three layers. Make sure that they lie on top of everything else in your carry-on bag.