For some travelers, the mere thought of packing a carry-on bag can embitter even the strongest. holiday anticipation. But traveling light can also be a creative endeavor that helps build excitement for your next getaway. And with fees for checked bags rising, it makes economic sense to master the art of packing a carry-on bag. Here are some tips for saving space and maintaining your sanity.
Adopt the minimalist mindset
If you tend to overpack, start by thinking about why you're traveling. This can help you focus on the many sights, sounds, smells, and tastes you're about to experience instead of the many outfits you can't fit into your bag.
“It's all about mindset,” said Pauline Frommer, co-president of Frommer's Guidebooks and Frommers.com, who hasn't checked a bag in over 20 years. “When you travel,” she explained, “it’s more about seeing the world than seeing the world.”
Pack color-coordinated so you can bring fewer items while still having options, like re-wearing the same pants with different shirts. Darker colors mean a stain won't make something unbearable. And invest in technical clothing. Such pieces keep you warm without being bulky, are easy to move around, have pockets for necessities like glasses and cell phones, and are water and odor resistant so they can be worn for more. 'once. Many outerwear brands (Patagonia And Arc'teryx, to name a few) make clothes that are perfect for hiking but stylish enough to dress in when the sun goes down. Just pack a few eye-catching accessories.
“I tend to maybe add a necklace,” Ms. Frommer said, which she wears over her daytime clothes “to make it look dressier.”
Choose your bag
There is no perfect carry-on bag for everyone. To determine which bag is best for you, ask yourself how you will use it. Will you carry it long distances, through subway turnstiles and city streets? Or will you typically get off a plane and get into a car? Rolling bags tend to be easier on your body, but if you're taking public transportation or stairs, a lightweight backpack or gym bag can keep your hands free and make transitions easier. Also think about the things you will bring. Structured, harder luggage is often best for keeping dressy clothes wrinkle-free and organizing bulky items like high heels. That said, a soft gym bag without wheels is more likely to fit into an overhead compartment.
Nerissa Settie, who as head butler at Raffles Doha in Qatar, trains the butler team and oversees daily operations, writing in an email that “each option offers a different benefit,” with duffel bags offering more depth and roller bags offering more compartments and less pressure on your shoulders. If you opt for the latter, buy a bag with four wheels, Ms. Settie advised, which is easier to maneuver through the aisle of an airplane.
Whichever bag you choose, know the rules. Carry-on baggage dimensions vary by airline, so be sure to check your airline's specific size and weight requirements, including those of any connecting carriers.
Also pay attention to your route and fare class, which can affect the number of bags you're allowed to carry, as well as their weight. And remember: even if your bag meets the carry-on policy, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be allowed to take it. For example, if you're in a low boarding group, you're more likely to have to check your bag at the gate. With this in mind, keep essential items like medications in a small bag that can easily fit under the seat in front of you. If you're unsure whether you're allowed to take a particular item, check government websites for places you plan to travel through, such as the Transportation Security Administration. What can I bring? page and the European Commission Information for air travelers page.
Know when to fold them
When it comes to packing your clothes, the question is: should you fold them flat or roll them? Ms. Settie recommends rolling because it uses less space and results in fewer wrinkles. This is easy enough with T-shirts, but what about a suit jacket? The butlers at Raffles Doha use a technique that involves turning one shoulder of the jacket inside out, then tucking the opposite shoulder in, aligning the sleeves, then folding the jacket in half inside out , which minimizes wrinkles and helps protect the outer layer of the jacket (Ms. Settie shared the instructions here). Or just wear your blazer on the plane, which Ms. Settie suggests, because jackets and jeans take up a lot of space and weigh more. Plus, she added, it gives you “the added benefit of traveling in style.”
When placing items in your bag, think about balance. Place heavier items, like shoes, on the bottom (near the wheels, if your bag has them). Frommer said she usually packs two pairs and stores items such as socks and jewelry in them.
Clothes should go towards the top of your bag to reduce creases created by weight, with jackets should be placed last, Ms Settie said. You can also add a layer of wrinkle protection by putting skirts and blouses in plastic dry cleaning bags before folding them flat, then placing them at the top of your bag.
Borrow and buy
A little research in advance can free up a lot of space. Call your hotel or vacation rental to find out if items like hairdryers and sunscreen are provided so you don't have to bring your own, and ask if they have washing machines or offer cleaning at reasonable prices.
And don't worry about packing for every possible eventuality. Buying practical items while you're away can be a lot of fun. It's an opportunity to chat with the locals, to taste regional products (like the inexpensive beauty elixirs found in Parisian pharmacies) and of course to bring home some treasures, thanks to all the space left in his bag.
