Did I say 3 weeks? Oh yes I did! When we were planning our trip to Europe, we decided in advance that it would make our lives way easier to do carry on bags, instead of check in. After all, we were going to 3 countries and we would be taking several planes, trains, and cars. Not to mention having to haul our luggage down cobblestone streets, and up 3 flights of stairs at our BnB.
However, packing for 3 weeks in a carry on was definitely easier said then done! So I scoured Pinterest for the best tips and tricks, and I have to say that I think I have mastered the art of packing a carry on, and am so happy I did! I’ve narrowed it down to:
5 important ways to pack your carry on
- Stick with neutral colors. This one was a hard one for me, because I LOVE bright colors and patterns. But if your working with a limited amount of space, its better to have one color palette so you can mix and match. My entire wardrobe for Europe was blue, black, white, beige, and I had one teal shirt. Exciting I know, but it actually worked out really nicely. To spice it up, I brought along a few accessories that were colorful, such as scarves, jewelry, and hats.
- Narrow down the toiletries. When it comes to toiletries I tried to keep in mind that if I ran out or forgot something, I could always buy it there. So I went to Target and bought travel toiletries. That way at the end of the trip, I could toss it before my flight home and I would have more room in my carry on for gifts or souvenirs.
- Choose 2 pairs of shoes, 3 max. I brought 2 pairs of shoes, 1 pair of comfortable but classy boots that I could dress up, and a pair of Converse for casual days. Towards the end of the trip we had a few really hot days in London, so I purchased a pair of sandals, but they were small enough to slide into the carry on. While your flying be sure to wear your biggest pair of shoes (I wore my boots), that way you have more room in your carry on.
- Don’t bring too many underwear and socks. The first trip that I took with a carry on, I brought way too many undies and socks, that I actually came home with unused pairs. So for my 3 week trip to Europe, I only brought 5 pairs of underwear and 2 of my best pairs of socks. Practically every place we stayed at had a washing machine, and if it didn’t I would wash my undies and socks in the shower and hang them out to dry overnight. Even though undies and socks don’t really take up much room, every little bit counts when your in a carry-on for 3 weeks.
- Use the wasted space. If you’ve scanned Pinterest on this subject you’ll come across all kinds of ways to actually pack the suitcase, from rolling your clothing to zip lock bags. Whichever way you choose, just make sure to pack in between the back of the suitcase, the part between the bars of the extendable handle of the bag. Place some of your smaller items such as undergarments, shirts, swimsuits or camisoles between these bars. If you haven’t already done this, you have to try it, you’ll be surprised at how much little things can fit there!
Are you looking to buy a hard case carry on that is lightweight, has spinner wheels, and doesn’t break the bank? The Samsonite Omni PC is my favorite carry on ever because it comes in an assortment of colors and it’s really light weight! Perfect for those long trips out of the country!
Do you have any tips for packing a carry on? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts, please comment below.
