Top 5 Packing Tips for Flying with a Carry-On

Greets all wanderlust lovers and travelers! What happens when you travel halfway around the world and back? You board A LOT of flights. This made me think to share my Top 5 Packing Tips for Flying with a Carry-On

The struggle with traveling with a carry-on…to me is the fluids. Significantly, since recently, TSA has changed the rules on how much you can bring onboard from 4oz to 3.4oz.

Here are a few packing tips that any traveling, avid or casual traveler should know….

1. USE SPACE SAVER BAGS

This is going to change your world! Not only will it help give you more space in your luggage but heaven forbid that your liquids to pop open because of pressure, it will save your clothes from getting ruined. I use Travel Vacuum Storage Bags (Click to go to Amazon). What I like about this brand is it has a little handy pump you can bring with you or you can just roll the air out of the bags too. I like the options of either! Trust me when flying with a carry-on you need to make sure you have as much room as possible!

2. ROLL YOUR CLOTHES

I learned this trick in the military, a Navy rack (aka bed) on a ship provides much to be desired regarding space. If you can roll your clothes tightly and then put them into the space-saver bags to vacuum seal shut, you’ll be in good shape.

3. SHOES

This is always a struggle for me when I’m traveling. Obviously, I enjoy putting together cute outfits, but I’m also a practical traveler. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for your location, and wear bulky shoes on the plane. Unfortunately, I haven’t found the best system for traveling with shoes in my carry-on luggage…unless it is flip-flops or sandals, those are easy.

4. LIQUIDS

I have found a single system that is the best ever for taking my lotion, face wash, shampoo, and conditioner all in a single – TSA-approved container. The Lirches 4 in 1 Travel Dispenser, Includes Four Empty Reusable 1.4 oz. (40 mL) Cosmetic Toiletry Containers for Sanitizer, Soap, Lotions, Skincare, and Makeup Products (click text to go to Amazon). This is the most outstanding travel item I’ve ever picked up for myself! Because it has all my toiletry items in one spot – and for me, that is one less thing I can lose. It is all in one handy spot!

This item works well if you don’t have or need a lot of liquids; however, there are still many options for carrying liquids. Just make sure that you pack them in an accessible location to pull out when going through security and return them again once you are through. This is how I can more or less “fly” through security lines with myself, my daughter, and my husband!

5. ROOM FOR SOUVENIRS

When you travel, picking up a few trinkets from your travels is always fun. This can prove to be a problem if you leave your journey already packed to the seams. This is why these packing tips are excellent: if you follow them, you should have room to bring home a few things. But what I did…because I was bringing a lot home this time around (mostly wine…but I have a special suitcase for that), I decided that a good option was to ship items home.

For example, once we left Alaska on our way back to Spain, we didn’t need our big winter jackets, so I boxed up the items that took up a lot of room or we didn’t need or want right away when we got home and sent it through the mail! Less to deal with at the airport, which, trust me, traveling halfway around the world with a toddler…one less thing to deal with at the airport is a Godsend.

These are my few but crucial tips for packing when flying with carry-on items. Pack light, especially if you know you’ll have laundry access. Pack intentionally. It might sound weird, but it makes sense when you look at your bag and wonder if you really need that extra jacket or pair of shoes.

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