Got a flight coming up and you’re travelling with just a carry-on bag? It’s not for everyone, but it’s surprisingly easy to manage, especially if you’re only away for a few days. Wondering how to pack a carry-on without losing your mind? Don’t worry, in this article you’ll find 20 of the best packing tips for fitting everything into your hand luggage without leaving anything important behind.
What Counts as a Carry-On
A carry-on is a small suitcase, backpack, handbag or tote that you can take with you into the aircraft cabin. It’s designed for the essentials you’ll need during the flight and must meet the size and weight limits set by your airline. Its main advantage is that everything stays within reach throughout the flight, and with most airlines you won’t pay extra for it. So if you can manage with just a backpack, you’ll save money on your ticket.
💡You might also like: The best carry-on bags can be found HERE.
TIP: Always check with your airline how big a carry-on you’re allowed to bring for free. Some, especially budget airlines, only allow a small backpack rather than a wheeled case.
Allowed Dimensions
Every airline has different rules when it comes to the size and weight of carry-on luggage, so always check the specific details on the airline’s website before you fly.
For a quick overview, I’ve put together a table of the most common airlines:
| Airline | Dimensions | Weight | Note |
| Ryanair | 40 x 20 x 25 cm | 10 kg | must fit under the seat, larger cabin bag for a fee |
| Wizz Air | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 10 kg | must fit under the seat, larger cabin bag for a fee |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | 15 kg | must fit under the seat, larger cabin bag for a fee |
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 23 kg | + small personal bag free (40 x 30 x 15 cm) |
| Lufthansa | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg | – |
| KLM | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg | + small personal bag free (40 x 30 x 15 cm) |
| Air France | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 12 kg | + small personal bag free (40 x 30 x 15 cm) |
| Emirates | 55 x 38 x 22 cm | 7 kg | – |
| Qatar Airways | 50 × 37 × 25 cm | 7 kg | – |
What You Can Take on a Plane
Beyond the allowed dimensions, there are also rules about what you can and can’t bring on board in your carry-on.
What you’re allowed to bring on board
✅ Liquids: Containers up to 100 ml, max. 1 litre in total, in a clear resealable bag. Exception: medicines and baby food.
✅ Food: Solid foods (sandwiches, chocolate, nuts). Liquid foods are subject to the 100 ml rule.
✅ Electronics: Laptops, phones, cameras, power banks up to 100 Wh.
✅ Medicines: Permitted; stronger medications may require a doctor’s note.
💡TIP: Read our comparison of the best travel power banks HERE.
What you can’t bring on a plane
❌ Liquids over 100 ml: Drinks, perfumes, creams, gels (before security).
❌ Sharp objects: Knives, scissors over 6 cm, pins.
❌ Weapons and replicas: Firearms, stun guns, pepper sprays.
❌ Explosives: Firecrackers, lighters, fireworks.
❌ Banned chemicals: Toxic substances, acids.
💡 You’ll find a detailed list of what you can and can’t take on a plane in our article.
How to Pack a Carry-On: 20 Effective Packing Tips
Packing into just a carry-on can be a real challenge, especially when you’re travelling in winter. But there’s no need to worry. I’m a die-hard backpacker who usually doesn’t want to pay extra for checked luggage, so I’ve put together 20 effective packing tips to help you fit everything into your hand luggage.
1) Check the airline’s rules
Every airline has its own rules for carry-on dimensions and weight, and sometimes even the permitted items differ. Before you fly, always check the conditions on the carrier’s website to avoid any nasty surprises at check-in. Pay special attention to allowed liquids and restrictions for specific destinations.
2) Invest in a lightweight bag
A good, lightweight bag lets you pack more without going over the weight limit. Personally, I’d recommend getting a carry-on backpack that you can squash down if it gets measured at the gate. It’s also far more practical for travelling and lighter than a wheeled suitcase.
That said, most modern carry-on cases these days are made from durable, ultra-light materials, so they can handle the rigours of travel just fine.
💡TIP: The best hiking backpacks
3) Check the weather at your destination
Before you pack, take a look at the weather forecast for where you’re heading. This helps you avoid packing unnecessary items and choose your clothes more wisely. For warm destinations, light layers will do, while for cooler spots, pack lightweight technical clothing that weighs next to nothing but keeps you warm.
4) Minimise toiletries: try waterless cosmetics
Toiletries take up space and are subject to the liquids rule. Swap traditional products for waterless alternatives, like the nanoSpace Cosmetics travel set. Not only do they save space, they’re also kinder to the environment.
💡TIP: Our review of nanoSpace waterless cosmetics
5) Pack ultra-light clothing made from antibacterial fabric
Pack clothing made from lightweight, functional fabrics (for example, this ultra-light Travel dress is a winner for travelling) – it takes up less room and stays fresh for longer. These fabrics are ideal for longer trips because they cut down on washing and don’t weigh your bag down. Plus, you don’t even need to iron them.
6) Use vacuum bags
Vacuum bags are a brilliant trick for saving space. You suck the air out with a vacuum cleaner and your clothes shrink right down. They’re ideal for bulky items like jackets, jumpers or hoodies, but bear in mind that the weight of the clothing stays the same.
7) Roll your clothes instead of folding them
Rolling clothes not only saves space, it also helps prevent creasing. This packing method is a favourite trick among travellers because it makes organising easier and maximises every inch of space in your bag.
8) Get an e-reader instead of books
Simply swap heavy books for an e-reader. It holds hundreds of titles, so you’ll have plenty to read for the whole trip without weighing down your bag. On top of that, it takes up barely any space and weighs next to nothing.
9) Pack an empty bottle
Another one of my packing tricks for hand luggage is bringing an empty bottle. An empty water bottle sails through airport security, and then you can fill it up at a water fountain or in the toilets, so you won’t go thirsty and you won’t have to buy overpriced bottled water in the airport shops.
10) Pack smartly and stay organised
The best thing you can do before packing is write a list of what you’re likely to need at your destination. Then pick the right pieces based on the weather forecast and arrange everything in your bag so you can get to it easily. Pack so that everything has its place and you know exactly where things are. Keeping your bag organised will also speed up security checks at the airport.
Don’t forget to use so-called dead space either – for example, stuff socks or other small items inside your shoes.
11) Pack versatile, multifunctional pieces
Versatile clothing, like dresses that can be worn several ways (these versatile Oslo Summer dresses are great, for instance), or jackets with a removable lining, will save you space. Multifunctional items are practical and cut down on what you need to pack. Think about how your pieces mix and layer together so you’ve got enough outfits for every day. Barefoot shoes will save you space too.
Tip: How to choose barefoot shoes
12) Pack electronics, chargers and liquids on top
Keep the things you’ll need at security within easy reach. Electronics and liquids have to come out of your bag, so place them on top to make the screening process quicker and easier.
13) Pack heavy items at the bottom
Place heavier items, like shoes or books, at the bottom of your bag, closer to your back. This helps distribute the weight and makes a backpack or carry-on bag more comfortable to carry.
14) Keep money and documents handy
Keep valuables like your passport, money or boarding passes in a secure, easy-to-reach pocket. That way you’ll avoid rummaging around and the stress of check-in or security.
15) Pack things in packing cubes
Travel organisers, or packing cubes, help you separate clothes, toiletries and odds and ends. Your bag stays tidier and you’ll save time unpacking. They also help protect your belongings from getting dirty.
16) Wear your bulkiest clothes
Instead of packing heavy coats, jumpers, scarves and shoes, just wear them. This trick saves space in your bag and makes it lighter to carry. During the flight you can easily take them off.
17) Don’t pack medicines in their original packaging
Medicines in their original boxes can be unnecessarily bulky. Transfer them into smaller bags, a pill organiser, or just take the blister pack to save space. Do keep the patient information leaflets and any doctor’s note, though.
18) Don’t pack a towel
A towel is bulky and unnecessary if you’re staying in a hotel where you’ll get one for free. If you really do need one, go for a compact, quick-drying microfibre travel towel.
19) Don’t pack unnecessary items and ditch the extras
Before you set off, go through what you’ve packed and weed out anything you don’t need. A minimalist approach to packing makes travelling easier and your bag lighter. Always ask yourself, “Will I really need this scratchy jumper I never even wear at home?” Try to cut back on packing things “just in case”, too. They have shops at your destination if the worst comes to the worst.
20) Do a review when you get back
After your trip, go through what you actually used and what stayed untouched. This process helps you improve your packing habits for next time and avoid making the same mistakes again.
💡You might also like: Can’t go anywhere without your coffee? Then grab a travel coffee maker that you can even pack in your carry-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a laptop in my carry-on luggage?
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Yes, always keep your laptop in your carry-on baggage. However, you must take it out during security screening.
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How much liquid can I take on board?
What happens if my luggage exceeds the allowed dimensions?
You may be asked to pay an additional fee and the baggage will be transported in the hold.
How to save space when packing toiletries?
Use travel bottles, miniatures, or waterless cosmetics.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
