Five tips for taking carry-on only

A smart traveller knows what to take along with them on a trip and what to leave behind. Airlines are squeezing ever more revenue out of their passengers by charging for such things as baggage. We’ve put together a list of some of the things you, as a savvy traveller, can do to pack light and hopefully avoid those fees.

Tip 1 – Roll your clothes

Sometimes packing light isn’t just about minimizing what you take. You’ll find that if you roll your clothes you can fit more into your suitcase. an added benefit of this is that your clothes will come out less wrinkled than when they are folded. It’s counter-intuitive, I know. But trust me – it works.

Tip 2 – Fill empty space

One of the biggest mistakes I see people making when packing a bag is not taking advantage of some of the space in their suitcases. I’m not talking about pouches or compartments here. I’m talking about things like shoes here. Stuff a few pairs of socks in your shoes before packing them and make use of the space they provide when they’re not on your feet.

Tip 3 – Use packing cubes

Packing cubes are smaller pouches which can not only help sort clothes and keep things separate in your suitcase, they can also help reduce space by compressing the items in them further, allowing you to get even more out of the space in your bag.

Tip 4 – Wear bulky items

Strolling around Honolulu airport in the middle of summer in a parka might raise some flags. If you can, though, wear or carry your bulky items like a jacket separately. In turn, when you’re on the plane, don’t take up luggage space by spreading out your jacket (preventing someone else’s bag from going in that space) but lay it on top of your bag in the bin, or under the seat in front of you.

Tip 5 – Make sure it fits

The last thing you want is to turn up at the airport and have the bag be too big or bulky to be allowed as carry-on. Make sure you check with your airline what you are allowed to bring on board with you and stick to those limits. Pay special attention to the weight of your bag as some airlines are very strict about how much a carry-on can weigh. When measuring the bag, make sure to include wheels, handles, and anything that may stick out.