The Ultimate Guide to Packing Light: Only Carry-On Essentials

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to a few countries with varying climates (as well as living in one – hello Canada!). What to pack is probably my most researched topic when preparing for a trip. It’s also one of the questions people ask me the most, when they see how light I pack for trips. Packing efficiently is key to a stress-free travel experience. Whether you’re heading on a local road trip or an international adventure, packing light can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. As a frequent traveler who’s experienced various climates—from the snowy landscapes of Canada to the warm beaches of Cuba—I’ve gathered top packing tips that will help you travel light and smart.

Side note: I’m totally obsessed with an app called Stylebook. It helps me track wears and $/wear, and plan packing lists with items of clothing from my closet. I’m sure there’s plenty of similar apps, but it makes organizing my packing list so much easier.

Why Pack Light? The Benefits of Carry-On Travel

Packing light and traveling with only a carry-on has so many benefits! It is so convenient and eliminates the need to wait at baggage claim and reduces the risk of lost or delayed luggage. With a carry-on, you can navigate through airports and cities with ease, avoiding the cumbersome hassle of dragging around heavy bags. Especially in Europe with cobblestone streets and plenty of staires! Additionally, packing light encourages you to focus on what truly matters—enjoying your destination. You also save money on checked bag fees and potential surcharges. Moreover, a minimalist packing strategy fosters better organization, as you’ll be more selective about what you bring, ensuring that every item in your carry-on is both essential and versatile. Ultimately, the simplicity of carry-on travel can make your journey smoother, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Consider the Destination

How to Dress According to Your Destination’s Dress Code

There may be an official, or unofficial, dress code wherever you plan on going. For example, it’s advisable to dress modestly when visiting Morocco. Or, it’s mandatory for both men and women to cover their knees and upper arms in Vatican City. You should do a quick check on dress codes when planning your outfits!

Colours

If you’re anything like me, you may also want to match your outfits to your destination! For example, Greece has beautiful blue and white houses. Iceland is a luscious green country in the summer. Australia is a red and brown dessert. You may have a specific restaurant or backdrop in mind, such as the Muralla Roja in Spain or the pink cherry blossoms in NYC in the spring. Take a quick look on Instagram or TikTok for ideas that might make your content pop. If you don’t care at all, just skip this step! Here are some photos where I put in some extra thought for my outfits to pop:

1. Red jacket in the larches. I bought this jacket (Lululemon) knowing it would pop in photos and it has not disappointed! Red is a lovely contrast to yellow, so I think it really stands out here.
2. I bought this yellow dress to bring with me to Portugal. I knew there were a lot of blue and white tiles around Porto. Yellow is a great complimentary colour to blue and white.
3. I love colour matching to destinations as well! This white puffer jacket from Rudsak is also a staple in winter. It blends in, but provides a cohesive look to the photo.
4. Greens, blues and browns in Scotland compliments the architecture and landscapes really well. I opted for this green jacket (that doubles as a rain jacket) in Scotland for photos!
5. This yellow dress is a staple as a content creator for me. I absolutely love the flowing silk material, and it looks great at the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
6. I have this pink blazer I wear at work, but I opted to bring it with me on my last trip to Vancouver. It brought a fun pop of colour to photos from that trip. Photo’s I still love to this day!

Packing for Different Weather Conditions

The second thing I check is the weather to figure out how to pack for various weather conditions. Will my destination be hot or cold? Rainy or sunny? Is there sand or snow? Is it hot during the day but cold at night? I normally Google what the temperature will be in the time period I plan on visiting and go from there. Living in Canada, I have a pretty good sense of what makes me comfortable in varying weather conditions. Wearing layers is a great idea when travelling because you can always take off items of clothing if you’re too warm but it’s harder to get warm if you didn’t bring enough.

How to Choose the Right Luggage

Next, I look at the baggage policies for the airlines I will be travelling with. I never check my luggage so I am very aware of the carry-on restrictions. Knowing luggage sizes definitely changes what I pack. If you only have a carry-on, bringing a second pair of shoes or another winter jacket could mean leaving other layering pieces behind. On the flip side, knowing that you like to have a variety of outfits for different occasions would justify adding a piece (or two) of luggage to your plane ticket in advance.

If you’re looking for luggage recommendations, try these:

1. I actually really like Beis (I have no affiliation with them). They have lovely colours and fun designs. They have a full range from their carry-on, to their full size, to their weekender sizes. I love the mini weekender, but note it is rather heavy and the top does reduce the available size to pack things. Therefore, I think it’s better for local weekend trips/road trips. Also be mindful of the carry-on size. Their mini carry-on is the most versatile, as their regular carry-on size doesn’t fit for most international airlines.
2. Monos is another great luggage company. They have great, sturdy luggage in fun colours as well.
3. I used to have two hard shell luggage pieces (one carry-on and one checked bag size) from HomeSense and they held up spectacularly. I recently sold them and changed to an Osprey backpack.
4. I travel with a camera, so I like my carry-on to have a separate space for my camera gear and a separate space for other carry-on essentials. I got mine for $40 about 8 years ago and I can’t find the same one anymore! But something like this works. I like having the tripod attachment on the bottom of my bag, because it keeps it more weight-balanced!
5. Osprey Carry-on Backpack. I personally prefer travelling with a backpack, and this one from Osprey also opens up like a luggage! So you don’t have to completely unpack to find something. It can also convert to a duffle if you like that (and is great for when you have to put it in an overhead bin, or underneath in a coach bus).
6. I absolutely love my Lululemon Belt Bag. As a woman, it is so convenient to have everything you need in a small bag that keeps your hands free. It fits my passport, battery pack, iPhone, airpods, keys and cards.

Note: you should add both a tag and some other identifying piece to your luggage so it doesn’t get mixed up. My mom once suggested I tie a unique scarf around my luggage handle, and that’s worked well for me! Post people grab onto a handle and will notice if there’s a scarf that’s not theirs.

What Activities Do You Plan On Getting Up To

Are you going hiking or a similar outdoor adventure? Do you have reservations at a restaurant that requires a nicer outfit? Can you get away with running shoes for every outfit? Do you need a bathing suit for a spa or beach? You don’t have to know everything you plan to get up to, but haven’t a sense of general activities really helps. I also recommend a pair of Vessi’s for travel shoes. They are comfortable for walking, waterproof for rainy days, and look great!

Read more: Vessi Review: The Ultimate Sustainable Travel Shoes

Clothing Packing Hacks for a Minimalist Wardrobe

If you’re limited on space, a clothing capsule is ideal. Basically, you pack items that can be worn multiple times and each item can be worn in multiple outfits.

Colours: try to stick to three or four colours that all work together and are easy to wear multiple times.
Fabric Type: I tend to shy away from fabrics that easily wrinkle or don’t look good wrinkled.
Layers: Packing layering items is ideal for travelling to a new location. You can peel off layers when you get warm or add layers when you get chilly. Tank tops, light t-shirts, button ups and sweaters are great for layering. Bring a pair of leggings to wear under jeans if you think you’ll need the extra warmth!

Read more: How to Pack a Clothing Capsule for Travelling

Test Pack, Test Pack, Test Pack

If you’re tight on space, this is a must! I always find my ideal packing list is much larger than the space I have to fit it in. About a week before I leave, I pack my luggage (including toiletries) to make sure everything fits. If it doesn’t, I take out the least necessary items until I can zip it up. Don’t forget to leave space if you plan on buying gifts or souvenirs! Some specific tips on saving space:

1. Roll. I roll all my clothes tightly: I find it helps save space. You could also fold everything on your way over and roll on the way back to make space for souvenirs.
2. Fill Empty Space. If you’re packing extra shoes or a hat, you can fill the empty space these items leave with socks, underwear or light shirts.
3. Pack Travel Size. For toiletries, definitely pack in travel size containers. Take only what you need and leave the rest.

FYI: I have a 24″ luggage* and a 20″ carry-on from Atlantic Luggage. I like my hard case luggage, which has so far been more durable than my old fabric luggage. For a carry-on, I use a backpack that I had when I was in university. I’m looking for a new one that has a camera compartment so if you have any suggestions, please comment below or send me an email!