10+ Best Tricks & Tips on How to Travel With Hand Luggage Only

Last Updated on 17th April 2026 by Sophie Nadeau

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If you’re looking for how to travel with hand luggage only, then we’ve got you covered. After all, for the past couple of years, I’ve made it my mission (whenever possible) to travel solely with hand luggage. And yes, that even includes month long trips, as well as voyages to several different climates in one go!

Fewer bag fees and shorter waiting times (not to mention the handful of times where my bag has been left behind and I’m forced to spend the first few days of a trip constantly rewearing the same clothes) are just a few of the many reasons that I choose to go with just a single bag when travelling.

Over that time, I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible when taking a trip with little baggage. Here are my very best tips for travelling with hand luggage only:

Your carry on bag is the most important part of the equation

The first aspect you’ll want to consider is choosing your case. Case limits are often much smaller in Europe than what is allowed in North America and can even vary between budget European airlines so do be sure to check your airline size limit directly before you begin packing.

Most airlines will allow you to bring a carry on bag and a personal item (which honestly often has a much larger size limit than you would think). I always opt to bring a mid-sized backpack as my personal item where I can store all of my electronics in the event that the airline forces me to check my cabin bag in the hold. 

This also allows me to stash all of my valuables safely under my plane seat so I’m not worried about them during the journey! During your trip, you’ll be able to use your backpack as a day bag to bring snacks, water, and other essentials during your explorations. 

On top of this I also travel with one versatile handbag where I can store my wallet, cash, passport, and phone. Some airlines will make you put your handbag into your backpack or case so do be sure to have a little bit of room available in one of these in case this happens. This handbag is not only useful as I’ll have something to travel with during the daytime, but also a nice accessory if we go out for a nice dinner. 

The last bags I’ll travel with are two empty totes. One I’ll keep with me in my day bag in case we buy a souvenir or do some grocery shopping while we’re out, and the other I keep for dirty laundry because I don’t really want my clean clothes mixing with the ones I’ve already worn! 

What to consider when purchasing a bag/ suitcase

Before I dive into discussing the best ways to only travel with hand-luggage, it’s important to note that the piece of the luggage itself is one of the most important factors to consider!

When choosing your carry on, you’ll also want to have a look at how it’s laid out. More expensive ones often have more inner compartment which will help with organisation and keeping track of what is where during your vacation. 

I personally have opted for a bright colour so that I can easily locate my bag in the plane when it’s stowed above and so that it doesn’t get confused with other passengers. I also look for a bag that’s not too heavy (as many airlines have a restriction on the weight of your bag and the case is factored into this) and something that’s durable, as well as spacious.

A personal favourite of mine is that the case be soft as opposed to hard-shelled so that I can stuff more things in! You’ll also want to consider whether you purchase a rolling case or a backpack. While rolling cases are easier if your bag is heavier, backpacks are often much easier to transport over cobblestones and place into overhead lockers.

Most airlines have a restriction of 55 x 35 x 20 cm or 22 x 14 x 9 inches (though some airlines are even smaller or require you to purchase extra luggage space) so this is an important factor to consider when purchasing your luggage. 

I personally use this case, which is one of the lightest rolling cases you can purchase. Otherwise, this backpack is perfect for those seeking a backpack option!

Top tips for travelling with hand luggage only

Keep your liquids in an easily accessible place

When you’re going through the airport, you’ll want to hold up the line as little as possible when preparing your bag to put on the conveyor belt (you don’t want to be that person who takes five hours to sort out their things and makes everyone behind you sigh loudly!).

You already know that you can’t bring liquids over 100 ml, even if the liquid inside the bottle is less than 100 ml and so just leave those bottles at home. Keep your liquids in a clear plastic bag and in an accessible place (I keep mine in the front pocket of my suitcase so that if they leak, they don’t ruin my clothing).

You also might want to invest in some travel sized reusable bottles. These are both environmentally more friendly than purchasing tiny bottles all the time and you can actually take your favourite products with you!

Be sure to have all medicine clearly labelled and be sure to have a copy of your prescription on you at all times.

I look at the hotels I’m travelling to before I leave and if they all provide shampoo, I’ll leave this out of my packing routine. When I go away I also tend to really pare down my makeup routine so that I don’t have to travel with too many products. 

I wear suncream every day whatever the weather and recently discovered these roll on suncreams that fit perfectly into my travel bag so I’ll pack one of these together with my makeup, shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste. 

Bring plastic or canvas bags for your dirty laundry (and extra shoes)

When it comes to travelling with hand luggage only, you’ll want to try and be as organised as possible so that you can make proper use of the space available. This means compartmentalising your things and placing them in plastic bags (or preferably canvas bags if you’re trying to be environmentally friendly).

Be sure to bring plenty of extra bags so you don’t have to mix your clean and dirty laundry (no one likes doing this, even by accident!). 

Wear your largest items while travelling (think winter coats, heavy boots etc)

Of course, when you’re travelling with just hand luggage, finding enough space is your worst enemy! After all, you don’t have very much of it.

To conserve space, and make sure you’re able to pack that extra pair of sunglasses, or even that extra dress, be sure to wear all of your heaviest items while actually travelling. Things like heavy boots and winter coats take up plenty of space and can easily be worn through the airport instead!

Plan your outfits

One of the keys to ensuring you have everything you need during your trip is to plan your outfits in advance. I personally prioritise a capsule wardrobe where all tops and bottoms go together.

For example, I’m packing for a trip to Spain tomorrow and so I’ve selected two pairs of trousers and two skirts. All four pieces are pretty versatile and can be worn during the day or at night to go for dinner. Every top I’m bringing goes with any of the bottoms. 

I tend to bring underwear and socks for each day plus one extra, a top for each day of the trip, and then a few different skirts and trousers but obviously you don’t need one per day of trip.  Don’t pack something that you would never wear either. For example, if you never wear hats, why would you pack one?

Choosing your accessories 

When it comes to accessories, I have to say that less is more. When you’re packing carry on only you’ll want to be as minimal as possible.

I tend to bring two necklaces, a couple of pairs of earrings, and my rings. If you like to style your outfits a little more, then you could bring along one statement necklace that goes with a variety of outfits and a single belt in a neutral colour. 

Pack versatile items

To ensure that you can pack as many outfit variations as possible, pack plenty of versatile items. For example, a scarf (which is pretty much an autumn/ spring/ winter staple anyway) can be used as a blanket, as a scarf, or as a way of accessorizing an otherwise boring outfit.

Pack your bag with a capsule wardrobe in mind. Think colourways and patterns that go together, as well as neutral coats/ jackets/ shoes that will go with pretty much everything you bring with you!

Choose your carry on bag wisely: make sure it has various compartments so you can better organise your things

This is one of those tips for travelling with hand luggage only that begins before you even think about going away! When you’re selecting your hand baggage piece to purchase, ensure that you’re choosing not only a durable bag but one with plenty of pockets.

Again, the lack of space in your luggage means that you should be as organised as possible, and having plenty of compartments allows you to do this in an easy fashion.

Update: as of 2023, I have been using a Cabin Zero backpack that some friends bought me for my birthday- it’s been really helpful for packing things conveniently into a small space!

What to consider before you start packing 

Before we dive into what to pack and what to leave behind, you’ll want to consider your itinerary. For example, later on, I’ll talk about the kind of shoes to bring, but if you’re going on a hiking vacation, then you’ll want to bring a pair of walking shoes rather than a pair of sneakers.

If you’re going to a really cold climate, then you’ll want to add extra base layers. You’ll also want to think about the vibe of the place you’re going so as to decide whether you’re going to pack more casual tops or smarter fits. After all, you’re not going to pack the same outfits for Paris as a weekend lounging next to a lake. 

Have a packing list before you start packing

If there’s one thing that has helped me scale down my packing efforts over the years so that I can pack in half an hour or less, it’s to have a packing list. Now this obviously changes whether I’m going somewhere warm or cold but the basics always stay the same.

I store this on the notes section of my phone and referring to it while I’m packing means that I never end up forgetting essentials like medications, night cream, my retainer, or my kindle.

If you’re packing for longer than a week or two and only travelling with carry on, then you’ll need to plan laundry during your trip so don’t worry about packing more than 10 days worth of things because you physically won’t be able to! 

Remember that you always need less than you think

Most people will pack for a holiday and bring even more outfits than the number of days that they’ll actually be in a destination. As such, when planning to travel with only hand luggage, it’s worth remembering that you’ll likely need a lot less than you think.

Of course, depending on when you’re going, you should also remind yourself that you can likely purchase anything that you’ve forgotten when you get to your new destination.

With this being said, when it comes to warm clothing, you can’t be too prepared. Always bring the spare jumper/ pair of thermals (learned from personal experience!)

Don’t pack anything you haven’t worn in the last six months!

Of all the tips for travelling with hand luggage only, this is probably the advice I personally need to follow the most but is something that should go without sating.

Unless you’re packing some kind of seasonal/ specialised clothing, if you haven’t worn the piece recently, chances are you won’t wear it anytime on the trip! Don’t pack it and save the packing space for something you’ll actually want.

You only need a few pairs of shoes

When you think about it, you really only need to travel with two pairs of shoes, especially if you’re going with hand luggage only. I personally always go away with a pair of boots that are semi-waterproof and can be dressed up for evening meals, as well as a pair of trainers/ tennis shoes to walk around during the day. If it’s the summer, I’ll also pack a pair of easy to walk in sandals that can easily go from day to night.

To fold or to roll your hand luggage essentials?

The age-old question is whether you should be rolling or folding your hand luggage items. Well, I personally prefer to roll my clothes as I find that they stack much more easily, meaning that I can fit extra dresses and t-shirts in my bag!

However, others prefer to fold their clothes, and so the choice is totally up to you! Just make sure to weigh your bag before you go- many airlines restrict hand luggage to 8 KG or 10 KG only!

Invest in Packing Cubes

And while we’re on the subject on how to pack your clothes when travelling with only hand luggage, you might consider splurging on some packing cubes.

These little pockets are total game-changers and will easily allow you to separate your clothes and belongings, allowing you to stay organised and easily find the most essential of items. Check packing cube prices here.

Charge all your electronics fully before you set off

If you’re going to be spending time at the airport, then no doubt you’ll want to spend time on your phone or laptop prior to taking off. Though you may have everything easily to hand thanks to the aid of packing cubes, that doesn’t mean you want to go unpacking all your chargers in the departure lounge! As such, be sure to fully charge all your electronics at home before even making your way to the airport.

Invest in a Kindle

If you’re truly trying to cut down on your packing list and want to save a little weight, then switch to paperless. I was given a Kindle as a Christmas present close to a decade ago and haven’t looked back since.

Easy, fast, and convenient, I love the fact that I can read up to a month’s worth with a single charge and take an entire library with me as I travel, without the need for being weighed down by a library’s weight!

I also love that the Kindle allows you to download books with the press of a single button, without having to wait for a book to be delivered or even without having to leave your reading nook! Check the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite prices and further information here.

Watch the travel packing hacks video here

Pin tips for travelling with hand luggage only!