If you’re traveling domestically in the U. S. , your carry-on should typically be 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55 x 35 x 22 cm) or smaller. If you’re an international traveler, make sure your bag is under 21 x 14 x 8 inches (53 x 36 x 20 cm). Every airline has different requirements, so double-check your airline’s website to confirm your carry-on will fit.
Fit underwear and socks into the smaller empty spaces of your suitcase instead of using the rolling method.
Put your rolled shirts into one organizer, your swimsuits in another, and your socks and underwear into their own cube. Just keep in mind, compressing your clothes saves space, but it won’t actually save weight. You might end up overpacking unless you combine compression sacks and/or packing cubes with a minimalist packing list.
It’s ideal to have shoes for 3 different situations: being active and exploring, everyday casual wear, and dressier settings.
The best way to pack shoes is toe-to-heel, with the insteps facing each other.
Use gear ties, twist ties, or velcro straps to bundle your chargers together. Store your smaller electronics (like a camera battery and chargers) in their own packing cube.
You can cut solid soap bars into pieces to make them even lighter. Check out a camping supply store if you can’t find solid toiletries at a regular drugstore. If you’re traveling with your family, share toiletries for short trips. Have one person pack shampoo, have another person pack body wash, etc.
If your hotel doesn’t offer the toiletries you want, odds are, you can easily buy what you need. The exception is for specialty or prescription products–make sure you pack those!
You can also buy cream-based products you can apply with your fingers so you don’t have to worry about bringing brushes.
Only use a menstrual cup if you’ll have consistent access to soap and water every 4-8 hours when you need to empty it out and clean it. A backcountry camping trip might not be the most sanitary place to try this out. Think about whether you’ll be comfortable cleaning your menstrual cup in a public bathroom if you’ll be on the go during your vacation.
Check to make sure your airline allows a second carry-on (usually called a “personal item”). Your personal item usually has to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. If you’re worried about theft or if you’re traveling in an urban area, be cautious about using a drawstring bag. Thieves can easily cut the straps to take the bag, or they can reach in to get your valuables.
For instance, if you have to bring rain boots, wear those on the plane.
If a piece of clothing isn’t something you’d normally wear or feel comfortable in (that flashy suit or pair of high heels), you might not end up wearing it on vacation. For a sample 7-day packing list, follow the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. Bring 5 pairs of socks and underwear, 4 shirts, 3 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 accessory (like a hat or scarf). [15] X Research source For a 5-day trip, try to pack 4 pairs of socks and underwear, 3 shirts, 2 bottoms, 1 pair of shoes. These packing lists might seem sparse, but you can always do laundry at your destination. Many laundromats accept credit cards with a small processing fee, but pack cash if you want to avoid extra fees.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of jeans, a neutral-colored tee shirt, and a casual blazer or hoodie.
Bring layers instead of a heavy coat. Go for packable down jackets to maximize warmth while cutting down on bulk.
