The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Packing

August 22, 2024

Written by Christy Moody

The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Packing

August 22, 2024

Written by Christy Moody

In about a month I’ll be heading to Provence for a week-long culinary tour organized by the lovely and talented chef Tasha Powell, bookended by two additional weeks in my favorite non-native country. I can’t wait.

What I can wait for is packing. It’s the only part of travel other than leaving behind pets and the dreaded jet lag that dampens my wanderlust. To remedy these pre-holiday blues, I’ve combed the web and assembled these fantastic tips from some well-traveled women and sprinkled in my own tried-and-true tips. And this time I will pack light. I swear.

According to the experts, you will have a lower-stress, more-relaxed, and all around more joyful trip if you can limit yourself to one piece of carry-on luggage and a personal item.

Here’s how:

Choose the Right Luggage

Pick a carry-on bag that fits within the standard airline regulations. While sizes can vary, the general rule of thumb is 22 x 14 x 9 inches to ensure that your bag will slide effortlessly into the overhead bin. Be sure to check your airline’s maximum dimensions and weight limits and choose a lightweight carry-on with spinner wheels.

Roll your clothes

When it comes to maximizing space, rolling your clothes is your best bet. This method not only squeezes out excess air but also helps minimize wrinkles. To take your packing to the next level, invest in packing cubes. These handy organizers prevent overstuffing and keep your suitcase neat and tidy. Plus, you can use extra cubes for dirty laundry on your return trip. (If you’re packing bulkier items like a winter coat, compression or vacuum-sealed bags can save you up to 50% of space).

Curate Your Travel Wardrobe

Your wardrobe should be versatile, with items that can easily mix and match. Stick to the essentials: clothes that are quick-drying and wrinkle-free when possible, layers, and a trio of shoes—tennies, flats, and sandals. Place your shoes at the bottom of your luggage, soles facing the lining, and stuff them with socks or other small items to save space. I also really like the suggestion by The Blond Abroad who inspired much of this blog to bring a high-quality cashmere wrap in the plane with you, as it’s stylish, warm, and perfect for layering. (See Wardrobe Tips and Resources, below, for more on this).

Bring Less and Launder.

If you’re worried about running out of clean clothes most hotels and rentals have laundry service or machines, but you can also take advantage of local laundromats, which are both affordable and accessible. For a quick fix, hand-wash lightweight items and hang them to dry overnight. Prepare for this by packing a travel-sized laundry detergent and a portable wash bag.

Tailor Your Toiletries

Here’s TSA’s 3-1-1 rule: liquids must be under 3.4 ounces, fit in one quart-sized bag, and each passenger is allowed only one bag. We can often misestimate how much product we need so each time you use a shampoo or lotion the week before you leave, measure an equal amount into a travel size container and multiply it by the number of weeks you are traveling. That way you will have just the right amount! Travel-size containers like flexi-Go Toobs are perfect for carrying just enough product without the bulk.

Maximize Your Personal Item

Properly packing your personal item is the best way to start your vacation early. Here’s a breakdown of what to pack to help you feel good on the flight and refreshed when you land:

Hydration: While it may have you climbing over your sleeping neighbor, drinking lots of water really helps ease jetlag and travel stress. A reusable, collapsible water bottle like the Vapur anti-bottle comes highly recommended as it’s leakproof and rolls up small when empty. It’s perfect for refilling at airport water stations and fitting in the seat pocket. Also consider hydrating eye patches, lip balm and a hydrating facial mist like PCA skin’s daily defense mist.
Sleep and Comfort: Bring a neck pillow, an eye mask (like the Manta Sleep Eye Mask – this is simply the best), and earplugs (I like Leight Sleepers). If you’re on the shorter side, I highly recommend bringing an inflatable footstool to alleviate lower back stress.
Toiletries: Stay fresh with hand sanitizer, wipes, deodorant, eye drops, and lip balm. moisturizer, SPF, and a small hand lotion. And a single-use mini toothbrush!
Beauty Essentials: No one feels like a supermodel upon arrival in a foreign country but a little lip gloss and under-eye concealer can help you look refreshed after a long flight.
Entertainment: Don’t forget your tablet or Kindle for entertainment, along with your phone and a reliable pair of headphones. Make sure to pack all necessary chargers and adapters (pro tip: rumor has it the AirFly Pro is great for connecting to in-flight entertainment).
Snacks: To avoid having your carefully prepared meal confiscated by TSA and being forced to purchase a $12 package of hydrogenated cheese and crackers, check out this awesome link to TSA-approved snacks.
Valuables: Keep your valuables, like camera equipment, electronics, and jewelry, close. Never check these items—they’re safer with you.
Wide-brimmed hat: To avoid taking up space in your luggage, attach this sun-protection essential to your personal item using a hat clip like this one.

Carry-On Essentials to Remember

Almost everything on this list can be replaced where you’re going. Here’s the stuff that you absolutely do not want to forget:

Passport and Identification
Credit Cards and Euros
Travel Insurance: A must! Check out World Nomads and GeoBlue, among others that offer comprehensive coverage.
Copies of Important Documents: Always have physical copies of your passport and other travel documents in case of loss or theft.
Medications: Keep your medications in your carry-on, along with a small pill case for general ailments like headaches, nausea, and allergies.

Wardrobe Tips and Resources

Choosing the right wardrobe is essential. Big travelers especially recommend Soleil Sunwear Drawstring Bottoms for the plane as they are super comfy and wrinkle free ( I like to pair mine with a tank top layered under a long-sleeved tee. This versatile ensemble along with your cashmere throw will make you both chic and comfortable while onboard and when you land. Bring a Soleil Crop Hoodie to wear sight-seeing and a Supercrop if you’ll be in an extra-hot or humid spot or to wear over a swimsuit or tank top.

Jill Paider, world-traveling photographer and author of Carry-On Only has these wardrobe tips:

Light-Density Items: "Pack items that roll well, are lightweight, and still look great when you wear them," she advises.
Layering and Accessories: "Layering and accessories are key. Lightweight tops paired with scarves or hats can keep your outfits fresh without adding bulk."
Travel Essentials: "I never leave without an umbrella, a sleep mask, and comfortable walking shoes," Jill says. "People often pack too many shoes—just one versatile pair will do."

For expert advice on building a travel capsule collection from a few choice items, check out the links at the end of this blog.

When I first heard the concept of carry-on only international travel I dismissed it outright. But after doing the research for this blog, it strikes me as the perfect way to travel. Instead of lugging big bags on and off planes, trains and Ubers (and through customs), you get to kick-start the vacation vibes long before landing.

Wish me luck!

And now for the Ultimate Carry-On Only Packing List:

Personal Item (smaller carry-on):

Passport and Identification
Credit Cards and Cash
Travel Insurance Documents
Copies of Important Documents
Water Bottle (Reusable, collapsible)
Jetlag pills
Hand Sanitizer
Wipes (Biodegradable body wipes, facial cleansing wipes, feminine hygiene wipes, essential oil towelettes)
Deodorant (Underarm deodorant wipe or travel-sized natural deodorant)
Eye Drops
Lip Balm
Moisturizer
Facial Mist (PCA skin daily defense mist)
Broad Spectrum Sunscreen – face and body
Hand Lotion
Eye Cream and Hydrating Eye Patches
Lip gloss (Travel-sized)
Under Eye Concealer
Toothbrush + Toothpaste (Single-use)
Sleep + Comfort Items (Neck pillow, Eye mask, Earplugs, Inflatable footstool if shorter than 5'8")
Tablet or Kindle
Phone
Headphones (Wireless earbuds or compact noise-canceling headphones, AirFly Pro if using Bluetooth)
Electronic Chargers & Adapters
Valuables (Camera equipment, electronics, jewelry)
Snacks (avoid peanuts as other passengers may be allergic)
Cashmere Wrap

Carry-On Luggage :

Clothing (check out the blogs below)

Quick-drying/wrinkle-free items
Capsule Collection with Layers*
Tennies, Flats, and Sandals (Pack shoes at the bottom, soles facing the lining)
Packable Hats (or use a hat clip for wide-brimmed hats and attach to your carry-on)
Packing Cubes (For organization)