Waiting in line at baggage claim is the worst. Ditching checked luggage for carry-on-only travel was the best adventure move Jess made.

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The first time I travelled carry-on only, my nerves almost convinced me to bring the suitcase anyway – just in case. What if I’d forgotten something essential? What if my bag was too heavy? Could I afford the fine?

But the moment I stepped off that first plane and breezed past baggage claim with a rapidly growing aura of superiority, I was hooked.

The convenience, speed, and extra value you get by travelling light is well worth the compromise of taking less. There’s a little more planning involved, but once you get your routine down, taking a trip is as easy as choosing a destination.

Still certain you need five pairs of shoes? You don’t. Replace those with a few key items of luggage that you can mix and match across different trips, depending on how you travel, and you won’t look back. Thanks to Bellroy, I’ve got some great example items of the pieces that keep me sane while on the move.

Hold onto that conveyor belt of old habits a little while longer while I talk you through my top tips.

1. Choose the Right Bag

The MVP of carry-on-only travel is your bag. Whether you choose a sidekick on wheels or a backpack is up to you – though if you plan on hitting cobblestones in Europe I highly recommend forgoing the wheels.

This bag is what you’ll be putting in the overhead storage locker on the plane and holding the bulk of your possessions. You need to make sure it’s going to meet carry-on requirements no matter what airline you travel with.

 

At a minimum your bag needs to easily fit in overhead luggage compartments

 

This can be tricky because every other airline has slightly different dimensions and weight allowances. I’ve managed to travel both at home and overseas by sticking to bags that are within a couple of centimetres of 55 x 38 x 24cm, and aiming to keep my maximum weight below 7kg.

My go-to is the Bellroy Transit Backpack Plus. It has discreet zips (not today pickpocketer!), plenty of compartments, is made from 100% recycled industrial nylon offcuts, and has a capacity of around 38L. A handy pocket near the top is ideal for sunnies, discreet side pockets are perfect for your passport, and the sternum strap ensures comfort on the move.

Once the zip is closed, you wouldn’t even know the pocket existed

The waist and sternum straps are a godsend when you’re waiting in queues

2. One Bag Isn’t Enough

The number one mistake carry-on-only passengers make is only taking one bag. You’re allowed to take a bag for the overhead and a personal item. My tote bag is my absolute ride-or-die for the space under the seat.

It folds up small so I can stash it in my backpack but allows me to hold heaps of extras close at hand for the plane trip. On the way there this looks like my drink bottle, kindle, travel documents, tech items, liquids, and a jumper for when the aircon inevitably gets blasted. On the return trip, it’s the perfect place to accommodate souvenirs.

You can’t just buy any tote though. You need one with internal dividers to keep your drink bottle upright. Nothing, (except maybe roll-on deodorant explosions), is worse than discovering you’ve waterlogged your phone on flight no.1. The best tote I’ve found so far is this one – you’re welcome.

 

Bellroy’s Market tote comes in six colourways

3. Keep Travel Documents Handy

Ever fumbled around in your bag for your passport while a long line of impatient travellers sigh behind you? Yeah, we’ve all done it. When you take everything but the kitchen sink with you it’s too hard to keep track of every item. Take less, and finding what you need is easy.

 

And it’s nice when everything matches!

 

Travel documents like boarding passes, bank cards, and your passport should be stored in the same place every time to prevent that annoying check-every-pocket-in-panic trope. Do what I do and whack them in a Passport Cover. Not only will this protect boarding passes from ripping prematurely, but it’ll also safeguard your sanity when everything goes wrong. More on this later.

4. Pack Lighter Than The Limit

The trick to mastering carry-on travel? Pack lighter than you think you need. You’d be amazed at how little you actually require. Think versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, travel-sized toiletries, and multi-purpose items.

I promise you don’t need the heels. And I guarantee you’re going to buy a souvenir, or five.

Choosing lightweight bags and weighing what you’re taking before you get to the airport is critical too. Swanning by baggage drop is less enjoyable when you get dragged back to check your bag anyway because it’s 500g over the limit.

I highly recommend including a portable baggage scale in your kit for this reason

 

You’ll never be repacking on the airport floor in a panic ever again | Via Wild Earth

5. Separate Your Liquids

Every traveller is familiar with the kernels of anxiety that wallow in your gut as you near security. Laptops out, watches off – are you wearing a belt? Airlines seem to change the procedure every six months and keeping up is nearly impossible. One thing that doesn’t change is restrictions on liquids. One litre max, stored in a transparent bag, and each liquid or gel must be less than 100ml.

Pop these into pouches so when an airline requests they’re put into a separate tray you’re not that guy, spilling the contents of your bag on the floor. Most people use a ziplock bag for this, which is pretty good… until the sharp edge of your toothpaste punctures a hole, and your liquids run free throughout your backpack.

Pop that ziplock into a lightweight pouch that’s just big enough to hold what you need. It can double as a toiletry bag or be a toiletry bag! Either way, this extra layer of protection means you’ve got one less thing to worry about.

 

You’ll be amazed at what you can fit into a toiletry bag from Bellroy

6. Prepare For Adventure

Whether you’re heading out on a hike or exploring a new city, having a small, versatile backpack is key. Your transit bag is great, but it’s big and not right for small daily adventures.

This Lite Ready Pack is a game-changer for carry-on-only travel.

 

Just look how easy it is for this guy to run around town

 

It’s super light, folds up when not in use, and even has attachments for water bladders and bike lights. If you’re not a backpack person you could use a bumbag, shoulder sling, or handbag too, just make sure they’re light and comfy enough to wear all day.

7. Protect Your Ability to Connect

Even though a huge perk of travelling is deliberately switching off, staying connected is crucial. From safety to navigating, to uploading the occasional photo to the gram, it’s important to be able to connect if you need to.

This means being able to bring your laptop, knowing where your charging leads are, and ensuring your phone is charged. Bring a portable power bank and for the love of all things travel, make sure you bring a universal travel adaptor. The moment you try to plug in your dying phone and the prongs don’t match is unparalleled.

Prevent disaster with this Lite Tech Set and fly with pure, unadulterated organisation. Bliss.

 

Move over cleanliness. Organisation is actually next to godliness

8. Keep Your Essentials Close

Carry-on travel rocks but it won’t stop planes from being cancelled, trip details changing, or forgetting your tote on a bus stop bench. I carry my Transit Backpack but I also wear this Bellroy Venture Sling while I’m moving between the airport and my accommodation.

It has insanely handy compartments on the inside

And it expands when you need more space

It carries my most important items – phone, charging cable, travel adaptor, passport wallet, and medication. If I lost any of these the rest of my trip would be in immediate jeopardy. Necessities aside, it’s just practical. It’s great for storing snacks in case the plane food is ghastly, and it doubles as a handbag for day trips once I arrive at my destination.

9. Don’t Break the Rules

As awesome as carry-on-only travel is, there are some moments when you’ll need to check a bag or a small item because certain items can only travel in checked baggage. I’m talking about sharp objects, flammable items, tools, liquids over 100ml… you get it.

I’ll never forget getting pulled up at security because I had tent pegs and duct tape in my pack. Both are considered weapons. Other common culprits are packets of matches, your old faithful Leatherman (an expensive loss if the airline doesn’t let you duck back to check-in!), gas canisters, and even camping stoves as they might have gas residue in them.

Don’t panic if you accidentally bring something you shouldn’t – it happens. Airline staff have allowed me to wrap an accidental dangerous item and return to the baggage counter to check them in to go under the plane.

The lightweight pouches from Bellroy are incredibly handy in this circumstance as you’ve got a small, durable bag ready that can be sealed with a padlock between the zip pull and the grab loop. As a bonus, these small items that I’ve checked have always been out first on the baggage carousel so it won’t slow you down too much!

 

These pouches are so light they’re barely there but so useful you’ll travel with them everywhere

The Carry-On-Only Life

Travelling with carry-on only is more than just a packing strategy; it’s a lifestyle. It’s about embracing freedom, efficiency, and the opportunity for adventure. With the right bags, hassle-free travel is possible.

After many trips finessing my routine and testing different combinations of bags, the travel range from Bellroy is a standout. The pockets are in the right places so staying organised is a cinch, and every item is durable, light, and easy to mix and match.

The last thing you want to take travelling is baggage, mental or physical! Carry-on-only travel is lighter, faster, and cheaper. What’s not to love?

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