Travel with Carry on Only: Here’s How Do Do It!

If you’ve ever unpacked after a trip and realized you only wore half of what you packed, you’re not alone.

On a 2-week trip to Costa Rica, I filled my checked suitcase “just in case”… and came home having used barely any of it. And with our multi-generational travels packing extras for parents, backups for everyone from grandkids to our adult age kids, it quickly got out of hand.

These days, after decades of travelling globally, we rarely check a bag — even for longer trips. We travel with hand luggage only, saving money, time, and a whole lot of stress. Here’s exactly how you can do it too.

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Why Airline Baggage Fees Keep You Overpacking

We used to fall for this every time.

We’d find a “cheap” flight, feel like we’d scored a great deal… then hit the “add baggage” step and watch the price jump dramatically. On one trip, adding a checked bag actually cost more than the seat itself. Does this sound familiar?

And yet, we still added it. Why? Because it felt easier to stick with what we’d always done — pack everything, check the bag, and deal with it later.

Once we realized how much those baggage fees were adding — not just in cost, but in stress — we started looking seriously at carry-on only travel. Getting to midlife doesn’t mean you’re not fit to lug around a heavy suitcase, but why risk straining your back, when you don’t need to!

And that’s where everything changed.

It’s not just about airline travel, although light packing is a major win here. We often use ferries and trains, like our multi-city trip through Italy when having carry on only made it so much easier to travel by train.

Each summer when we take the ferry from Oban, Scotland to one of our western isles, it’s the same benefit. You just turn up at the ferry terminal with your backpack and you’re good to go. If you do have a bigger suitcase for a long trip, you can often leave it at the hotel, and pick it up on your return.

Keep reading for our practical tips and lose your excess ‘bag’ weight forever.

1. Change your Hold Bag to Carry- on

For years, checking a bag was just part of flying — especially for longer trips. But the turning point came when we started really comparing the options.

On a typical flight, we noticed that sticking with a basic fare and adding a cabin bag later was often far cheaper than checking a suitcase. On some routes, we were paying more for luggage than the flight itself.

And once we started paying attention, we realised how much airline rules actually vary.

For example, British Airways allows both a cabin bag and a personal item even on their basic fare — which makes our carry-on only approach much easier. But with Ryanair, the lowest fare only includes a small under-seat bag, so you need to be more strategic and add a cabin bag separately if needed.

So instead of asking “What can we fit in our suitcase?” we changed the question to:

👉 “What do we need to bring on a trip if we only take hand luggage?”

That one mindset shift changed everything.

Once we decided this was a preferred option, choosing flights based on carry-on allowances and testing what we could actually pack into a 10kg cabin bag, we realised it wasn’t restrictive at all — it was freeing.

Now, we travel with a simple setup that fits within most airline dimensions and still gives us everything we need.

We’ve used our Cabin Max Metz Backpack for years travelling in Europe, USA and longer trips too. It fits easily under the seat on many airlines, avoids overhead bin stress, and holds far more than you’d expect.

If you’re just starting out, don’t overthink it. Try booking your next trip with carry-on only in mind — you might be surprised how little you actually need.

2. The Packing Mistake We All Make (And How to Fix It)

I used to pack for every possible scenario. Extra outfits “just in case.” Shoes I might wear. A jacket I probably wouldn’t need. And somehow, it all felt justified at the time.

Now, you might be thinking – 10kg/22lbs – I can’t survive on that! But the reality?

On most trips, I ended up wearing the same core outfits on repeat — and bringing home half a suitcase of untouched clothes.

The moment that really changed things was when I laid everything out on the bed before a trip and asked myself one simple question:

👉 “Do I actually want to bring this — or do I just feel better packing it?

That’s when it clicked – needs vs wants.

Now, instead of packing for every possibility, we pack for a realistic week — even on longer trips. We choose versatile pieces we can mix and match, and accept that we don’t need endless options to feel comfortable.

And honestly? No one notices if you repeat outfits — but you will notice how much easier it is to travel lighter.

If you’re trying to avoid checked luggage, this is the shift that makes it possible. On a recent trip to The Baltics, everything fitted easily into our 10kg allowance — with room to spare for a souvenir or two 🙂

3. What We Actually Pack (And How It Fits in 10kg)

Once we started travelling with hand luggage only, the biggest question we were asked was:

👉 What does that actually look like in practice?

For us, it meant focusing on versatile pieces and packing for one week — even on longer trips. For example, on a 7-day trip to Crete, this is what I fitted into one 10kg cabin bag using my packing cubes:

• 3 pairs of shorts
• 8 vest or beach tops
• 6 dresses
• 1 skirt + 2 evening tops
• 4 bikinis
• 3 pairs of shoes + 2 evening sandals
• 1 beach towel
• 2 sun hats
• A beach bag
• Hairbrush, accessories, and non-liquid toiletries
• A couple of paperback books

It might sound like a lot, but when everything is rolled and organised into packing cubes, it fits surprisingly easily.

We’ve used this same approach across different types of trips — from European city breaks to longer beach holidays — and it consistently works.

We also make use of a small under-seat bag for essentials like travel documents, headphones, adapters, and our 100ml liquids.

Our go-to is the Cabin Max Metz backpack – it fits within most airline allowances, slides easily under the seat, and holds far more than you’d expect.

But if a backpack isn’t your first choice, a lightweight cabin-sized roller case works just as well. I still use my trusty 20-year-old small case on certain trips — especially when I don’t feel like carrying weight on my back — and it handles this setup perfectly.

The key isn’t packing less just to save money; it’s packing smarter so everything you bring actually gets used.

4. How We Handle Toiletries (Without Checking a Bag)

Toiletries were one of the biggest sticking points for us. It’s easy to cut down clothes, but giving up your favourite shampoo, skincare and perfumes? That’s more of a struggle for us too!

Sun cream was always our biggest dilemma — it takes up so much space but is a necessity.

At first, we thought travelling with hand luggage only meant compromising on all of that.

It doesn’t. We simply became more intentional about our packing and where we buy certain things. For starters, we prioritise make-up down to 1 lipstick; 1 mascara, little blusher and a tinted SPF moisturizer especially in warmer climates it’s all that’s needed.

For liquids, we stick to the 100ml rule and use a clear zip-up bag to keep everything organised (and avoid any leaks ruining our gorgeous clothes — we’ve learned that the hard way with a bottle of face oil).

We decant essentials into smaller bottles or buy travel-size versions, and switch to non-liquid alternatives where we can. A switch to shampoo bars, a stick deodorant, and powder-based makeup all save valuable space.

Most places we stay these days include basics like shampoo and shower gel, so it’s always worth checking ahead if you need to bring it before you pack.

And if you really need any full-size products, there’s a simple workaround we use all the time when travelling from the UK.

We order toiletries through Boots Click & Collect and pick them up airside after security. This means you can take full-size products without worrying about liquid limits. Just remember you won’t be able to bring them back.

Between these options, we’ve never felt like we were missing anything.

It’s just about finding a system that works — and once you do, travelling with hand luggage only becomes much easier.

5. Small Tricks That Make Carry-On Only Travel Easy

Over time, we’ve picked up a few tricks that make travelling with hand luggage only even easier — these are little things but they make a real difference.

• A small sachet of travel wash is always worth packing. It takes up hardly any space and means you can easily wash a few items if needed.
• Books. We love both Audible and a good paperback, but we’ve learned to be selective. Many hotels have book exchanges, and a Kindle is a real space-saver if you’re travelling light.
• A compact travel adapter is also a must. Being able to charge your phone, tablet, and other devices from one plug keeps things simple and cuts down on extra cables.

When it comes to clothing, what you wear on the plane matters just as much as what you pack. We always travel in our bulkiest shoes and carry a jacket or layer, even if it’s just tied around your waist.

On one trip to Africa, our hiking boots didn’t make it into Jude’s bag at all — they were strapped to the outside of her backpack!

If you don’t need a coat, a lightweight long-sleeved top or scarf works perfectly. It keeps you warm on the plane and can double up as a wrap or extra layer at your destination.

And if you’re not quite sure you can do this, start small. Try travelling carry-on only for a short trip first, then build up to a week, and then longer trips.

That’s exactly how we did it — and once you try it, it quickly becomes your new normal.

Ready to Pack Light?

So, there you have it.

No more overpacking “just in case.” No more paying extra for bags you don’t really need. And no more dragging heavy suitcases through airports, hotels, and everything in between.

For us, this shift has completely changed how we travel. We often do trips that cover 2-3 destinations like when we explored North Macedonia. Our paired down approach cut our packing/unpacking effort in half each time.

It’s not just about saving money — it’s about travelling lighter in every sense. Less stress at the airport, no waiting around at baggage claim, and far less time spent unpacking, repacking, and deciding what to wear.

And honestly? We’ve never felt like we’re missing out.

If anything, we enjoy our trips more — with more time to relax, explore, and focus on what really matters.

If you’re not quite ready to go all in, start small. Try it for a weekend trip, then a week — and see how it feels.

That’s exactly how we started.

And now? We wouldn’t travel any other way.

(And yes — when we get home, there’s a lot less laundry too… which is always a bonus!)