5 Tips to Succeed at Carry-On Only Travel

If you can fit it all into your carry-on, you'll avoid checked bag fees and other inconveniences.
Josh Garber
Reyna Gobel
By Reyna Gobel and  Josh Garber 
Updated
Edited by June Casagrande

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Carry-on only travel might sound intimidating at first glance, but there are a number of benefits to traveling without checked luggage. Just think: You can save on airline baggage fees, skip the baggage claim and enjoy a more stress-free flying experience.

Here's how to travel with only carry-on luggage, plus more advice on ways to avoid checking bags.

Carry-on only travel tips

1. Bring both a carry-on bag and a personal item, when allowed

The number of bags you can carry onboard and the size and weight allowed vary. Factors typically depend on the airline you’re flying, the class of service you’re in (including if you’re flying a more-restrictive basic economy fare) and whether you have an airline credit card or elite status.

Check your airline’s website to see the carry-on policy for your flight. There’s a good chance you can bring both a carry-on bag and a personal item like a bookbag, laptop or purse that fits under the seat in front you. If that’s the case, bring both items and pack both with everything you’ll need for your trip.

2. Buy needed items at your destination

If you’re going on a long trip or you typically overpack, it may seem impossible to fit everything you need into carry-on luggage. And you may be right. One trick is to rely on the fact that almost everywhere you go will have stores — buy items you need while you're on the trip itself.

Shopping at your destination is particularly helpful for goods that you won’t need to bring back with you, like sunscreen, shaving cream and shampoo. If you don’t feel like heading to a shop when you land, check with your hotel to see if they offer any of these items for free or if you can purchase them from the hotel itself.

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3. Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane

Maximize the space in your carry-on bag by wearing your bulkiest shoes on your flight. This leaves more room in your carry-on for clothes, toiletries and other necessities.

If you prefer not to fly while wearing boots or heavy shoes, wear them onto the plane and bring warm socks, slippers or flip-flops to swap into before takeoff or mid-flight.

4. Look for accommodations with laundry services

Rather than pack fresh clothes for each day you’ll be gone, look for accommodations that come with laundry facilities, like an Airbnb or a hotel that offers laundry services to guests. This way, even if you'll be gone for few weeks, you can get away with packing enough clothes for just four or five days.

5. Roll your clothes

A great way to save space in your carry-on luggage is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. This might not work for bulky items like heavy sweaters or jackets, but it’s great for packing underwear, T-shirts, pajamas and shorts.

The bottom line

Carry-on only travel frees you from the hassle and expense of lugging big suitcases, but it takes planning. Check your airline website to learn baggage allowances, try to find accommodations with laundry facilities or services, then pack only what you need as tightly and efficiently as possible.

With these tips in mind, you'll be more likely to successfully evade unnecessary airline bag fees.


How to maximize your rewards

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Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

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Points

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60,000

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Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-6.5%

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
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