Tricks to fit everything you need into your carry-on luggage

Sometimes it’s much more convenient to travel light. Judge for yourself: you don’t have to pay extra for luggage, wait for it at the airport upon arrival and worry that it will get lost. Plus, getting to your destination with carry-on luggage is much more pleasant than with bulky suitcases. True, putting everything you need in one bag is almost an impossible task. But there are a few simple and useful life hacks.

1. Wear the largest pair of shoes on the plane

The clothes and shoes you choose for the flight determine how much precious space you free up in your bag. Some shoes, boots or sneakers take up a lot of space, and they can’t be folded. So take one or two pairs with you and wear the largest one on the plane.

2. Stick to one color scheme in your clothes

A smart way to make sure that everything you need fits in your carry-on luggage is to put in your bag only the clothes that you will definitely wear on the trip.

Take items in the same color scheme so you can mix and match them freely. Imagine how each sweater or pair of pants will go with other clothes and shoes, and choose neutral shades to create more outfits. You can complement your travel wardrobe with small, versatile accessories.

3. Roll up your clothes instead of folding them

This will save more space for everything else. Plus, rolled clothes wrinkle less. And to make your bag more organized, you can also secure your items with elastic bands.

4. Book a place with a washing machine

This way, you can take much less clothes with you. Of course, not everyone likes to do laundry while on vacation or on a business trip. But this small concession will allow you to fit everything you need into one bag, even for a long trip.

Alternatively, you can take with you or buy cleaning wipes to remove stains, or use the services of local laundries.

5. Use the space under your airplane seat

In addition to carry-on luggage that goes in the overhead bin, airlines often allow passengers to take personal items into the cabin that fit under the seat in front of them. Take advantage of this and bring a compact purse or backpack.

Put a snack, small toiletries, or even an extra pair of shoes in there. You can also pack all of this into a laptop bag if its design allows it. This will free up some more space in your main carry-on bag.

6. Use travel organizers

They will help you keep your bag tidy. Plus, when you pack your things in these organizers, it’s much easier to avoid the temptation to throw small items you don’t really need into your bag.

7. Use vacuum bags

Many people use them to store bulky winter clothes, so it makes sense that this same technology can help you make the most of the limited space in your carry-on.

Put your softest, fluffiest items in the bags, then pump out the excess air with a hand pump. This way, you can fit twice as many clothes into your bag. The main thing is that you can pack everything exactly the same way when you get home.