The art of traveling with just a carry-on bag

Have you ever looked at people breezing through airports with only a sleek carry-on and wondered how on earth they manage it? I used to watch them with envy while juggling a heavy checked bag, already dreading the wait at baggage claim.

For years, I thought traveling light just wasn’t for me. I liked my “just in case” outfits and backup shoes. I convinced myself that I needed all of it.

But once I finally gave carry-on-only travel a shot, I realized it wasn’t about depriving myself—it was about freedom.

And once you experience that freedom, you never want to travel any other way.

Why carry-on travel feels different

When you’re only carrying what you truly need, something shifts. You move faster through airports. You’re not tied to baggage claim. You’re not weighed down on trains or cobblestone streets.

But the biggest difference? You focus more on the trip itself. When you’re not lugging around stuff, you pay more attention to the food, the people, and the place you came to see in the first place.

I learned this firsthand in Thailand. I’d packed just a carry-on for two weeks hopping between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and some islands.

At first, I worried I hadn’t brought enough. But soon, I realized I didn’t think about my clothes at all. Instead, I thought about wandering through night markets, catching tuk-tuks, and spending long mornings at tiny coffee shops.

Traveling light gave me more headspace to actually enjoy being there.

If you want the same, here's some advice I would give you. 

Start with the right bag

The bag you bring sets the tone. If you have too much space, you’ll fill it. That’s why choosing a true carry-on size forces discipline.

I’ve tried both hard-shell cases and backpacks. Hard-shells are great for organization, but I often reach for a soft bag if I know I’ll be squeezing onto smaller trains or buses.

When I was traveling through Portugal, for example, I had to lift my bag into the overhead racks on regional trains. I was grateful it was a soft-sided bag. Watching others struggle with huge checked bags reminded me why I’d made the switch.

Build a capsule wardrobe for your trip

This might sound obvious but a small, cohesive wardrobe is the secret to traveling light.

Stick to a base color like navy, black, or gray, and then add one or two accent colors. That way, every piece works with every other piece.

For Portugal, I packed two pairs of trousers, four tops, one lightweight sweater, a dress, and a jacket. It didn’t look like much, but I mixed and matched enough combinations to last two weeks.

When I went out for dinner in Lisbon, I wore the same trousers I’d worn sightseeing earlier, just styled differently with a nicer top and a scarf. No one noticed, and I felt perfectly put together.

Pick fabrics that earn their space

Not all clothes travel well. Some take days to try, others feel uncomfortable after a day of wear. 

In Thailand’s heat, for instance, I leaned on linen-blend tops that dried quickly (yes they did wrinkle but that was fine for the things I was doing). I hand-washed them in a hotel sink, hung them up overnight, and by morning they were ready to wear.

That saved me from carrying extra shirts I didn’t need.

Limit shoes and accessories

Shoes eat up space like nothing else, so I set myself a rule: no more than two pairs, three if absolutely necessary. Usually, that’s one pair for walking and exploring, and one pair that’s dressier for evenings.

Accessories, on the other hand, are small but powerful. A scarf, belt, or a couple of pieces of jewelry can transform a simple outfit without adding weight.

Streamline toiletries and tech

For years, I was guilty of packing full-size bottles and multiple hair tools. These days, I take travel-size essentials and trust I can buy what I need on the road if I run out. Most hotels provide basics anyway.

Tech can be another weight trap. Unless I’m working, I leave my laptop behind and make do with just my phone and a small e-reader.

Carrying less tech not only saves space, but it also helps me unplug and actually be present.

Pack smarter, not more

Once you’ve chosen what to bring, how you pack matters just as much. Rolling clothes instead of folding them saves space and helps keep wrinkles down.

Packing cubes keep everything organized and make it easy to grab what you need without unpacking your entire bag.

And here’s a trick I learned after a few trips: always wear your bulkiest items on the plane. On my flight to Chiang Mai, I wore my sneakers and light jacket rather than stuffing them into my bag. That one choice freed up a surprising amount of space.

Leave space for surprises

This might sound counterintuitive, but don’t pack your bag completely full. Leave a little breathing room.

In Lisbon, I stumbled across a small family-owned ceramics shop and found a piece I loved. Because I’d left extra space, I was able to bring it home safely in my carry-on without stress. If my bag had been crammed from the start, I would’ve had to leave it behind.

A sample carry-on packing list

Here’s what usually makes it into my bag:

• 2 bottoms (trousers + jeans or skirt)

• 3–4 tops (mix of casual and slightly dressier)

• 1 lightweight sweater

• 1 jacket or cardigan

• 1 dress or jumpsuit (optional but versatile)

• 2 pairs of shoes (walking + evening)

• Travel-size toiletries

• Phone, charger, earbuds

• Scarf or small accessory

It doesn’t look like much, but it covers a week or more—and with laundry or quick washes, it can stretch much longer.

The freedom of less

The first time I walked off a plane in Thailand with just my carry-on, I was nervous. But by the end of the trip, I realized I hadn’t just gotten by—I’d thrived. I had more energy, more attention, and more enjoyment of the trip itself.

In Portugal, it was the same. While others waited for their luggage at the carousel, I was already on my way to the metro, free to start exploring. That sense of freedom never gets old.

Traveling with just a carry-on isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about intention. It’s about realizing you don’t need everything you thought you did.

And when you finally experience that, it doesn’t just change how you pack—it changes how you travel.