How to Pack Lighter Simple Carry On Swaps, by Over 60 Travel Secrets on YouTube. 4 min 15 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 15 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Check your airline's carry-on and personal-item size and weight limits before you pack. Write the numbers down so you can measure your bag at home.
Weigh the empty bag on a luggage scale. Hard shells and wheeled frames can use up a kilo or more of your allowance before you put anything inside.
Swap liquid toiletries for solid versions: shampoo and conditioner bars, solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets and bar soap. They do not count towards liquid limits.
Decant anything that must stay liquid into bottles of 100 ml or less and pack them in one clear, resealable bag near the top for security.
Build a small capsule wardrobe in two or three colours so every top works with every bottom. Roll clothes and use packing cubes to squeeze out air.
Wear your bulkiest shoes, jacket and jumper on travel day instead of packing them. That moves weight off your bag and onto you.
Carry an empty reusable water bottle through security and fill it at a fountain after the checkpoint. Check the airport's liquid rules first.
Put heavy, dense items like chargers, camera gear and shoes in your personal item under the seat. Keep the overhead bag light and easy to lift.
Lay everything out, then take away about a third of it. If you did not use an item on your last trip, leave it at home.
Tips and common mistakes
Solid toiletries save space, but security staff can still ask to see them, so keep them easy to reach.
Pack a small folding tote for souvenirs so your carry-on stays the same size on the way home.
Wear layers instead of packing thick jumpers, since planes are often cold but terminals are warm.
Questions
Can I take shampoo bars in my carry-on?
Yes. Solid bars are not liquids, so they usually stay out of the clear bag, but keep them where you can show them if asked.
How many 100 ml bottles can I take?
Most airports allow containers of 100 ml or less inside one clear bag of about one litre. Rules differ by airport, so check before you fly.
Does a personal item count towards my baggage allowance?
On many airlines a small under-seat bag is included, but budget carriers may charge for it. Check the size and weight limits for both bags.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
