How to travel with just a carry-on

Hot take: I travel with just a carry-on.

Or at least, I try to.

Four weeks in Europe? Carry-on.

A week in Iceland? Carry-on.

Rio to Bali? Carry-on.

If I can avoid checking a bag, I will.

Now, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, I’m a recovering chronic overpacker.

I’ve hauled giant suitcases up cobblestone streets in Europe and dragged them through train stations while sweating through my shirt. I’ve balanced multiple bags on tiny boats in Southeast Asia and silently cursed every “just in case” item I’d packed along the way.

The funny thing is that a lot of the things I thought I needed never got used—the extra dress, the third pair of sandals, the backup outfit for an imaginary occasion that never happened. When I arrive somewhere new, I settle into a routine pretty quickly.. I end up choosing comfort over fashion and repeating the same favorite pair of pants and tops throughout the whole trip.

Over the years—and perhaps through my yoga studies and a growing appreciation for minimalism—I’ve been slowly changing my approach.

One of my friends takes this philosophy to an extreme: She travels indefinitely with just a few pairs of underwear and socks, washing them in the shower every night. She’s always appalled by the number of socks I bring on a trip (I have cold feet), and while I’m nowhere near ready to give up my fuzzy airplane socks, I do admire the freedom that comes with her approach.

Because that’s really what traveling with just carry-on gives you: freedom. You arrive at your destination and are instantly free to roam. You don’t need to wait for a bag or deal with lost baggage.

And while I haven’t perfected the art of carry-on travel, I’ve gotten significantly better at it. These are my best carry-on packing tips that have helped me fit everything I need into a single suitcase, even for trips that last weeks rather than days.

1. Start With the Right Carry-On

Choosing the right suitcase is half the battle.

A lot of travelers focus on what goes inside their luggage without giving much thought to the actual luggage itself. But if you’re trying to fit weeks’ worth of clothing and essentials into a carry-on, the suitcase matters more than you think.

I’ve tested plenty of luggage over the years, and I’ve learned that every inch counts.

Recently, I started traveling with the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On, and one of the features I immediately noticed was its wide-handle design. This is my second LEVEL8 bag, and unlike traditional suitcases, where the handle tubes run through the interior and create awkward bumps within the bag, their luggage handles stretch across the width of the suitcase. The result is a flatter packing surface and, more importantly, more usable space.

It doesn’t sound revolutionary until you’re trying to squeeze in one last pair of pants.

The carry-on is also surprisingly lightweight. Made from German Makrolon® polycarbonate, it weighs just over eight pounds yet holds up against long-haul travel. Between the extra space, smartly designed compression system, and smooth spinner wheels, this carry-on was built to make travel feel lighter.

Editor’s note: LEVEL8 is currently celebrating its anniversary with 20% off sitewide from June 22 – 26, making it a good time to pick up the Voyageur Carry-On if you’re in the market for new luggage.

Build a Capsule Wardrobe, Not a Vacation Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is simply a small collection of clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched to create many different outfits. Instead of packing 14 complete outfits for a two-week trip, you pack a handful of pieces that all work together.

Putting this into practice, I typically stick to a specific color palette. Neutrals are your best friend here—think white, black, beige, olive, or whatever colors you naturally gravitate toward.

When I’m packing for a trip, I almost always reach for lightweight, easy-to-layer clothing. Linen pants are a staple, as are loose-fitting trousers for long flights, sightseeing days, and casual dinners. I pack thin tops that take up very little space and dry quickly if I need to wash them at the hotel.

This means leaving statement pieces behind. The bulky sweater or the dress that only works for one occasion. (And this includes the top that requires a specific bra, jacket or pair of shoes to make sense.)

Then, I wear the bulkier items on the plane, including a sweater, jacket, and sneakers.

Follow the Three-Shoe Rule

Here’s a simple rule to follow for your next trip: Pack only three pairs of shoes.

The first is the pair you’ll wear on the plane, which, for me, is usually sneakers. They’re often the heaviest shoes I’m bringing, and they’re comfortable enough for long travel days, city walks, or the occasional hike.

The second is a pair of strappy sandals. Whether I’m headed to Lisbon, Bali, or NYC, I always find myself reaching for them.

The third depends on the destination. It might be a slightly dressier sandal, a boot, or a cool pair of sneakers. Anything beyond that rarely gets enough use to justify the space it takes up in my suitcase.

One thing I’ve appreciated about the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On is that even when I’ve packed all three pairs, the suitcase remains surprisingly easy to roll around. The 360° spinner wheels glide smoothly through airports, train stations, and city streets, making a fully packed carry-on feel lighter than it actually is.

Plan to Do Laundry

The biggest mindset shift that helped me start traveling with just a carry-on was realizing I don’t need to pack for the entire trip. I only need to pack until laundry day. Now, I assume I’ll do at least one load of laundry on any trip longer than a week.

Sometimes that means using a laundromat, a laundry service, or just washing a few items in the hotel sink and hanging them up overnight. The Voyageur’s interior organization helps with this: It includes a dedicated wet/dry separation pocket, which comes in handy for storing worn clothes, damp swimwear, or anything I want to keep separate from the rest of my clean items.

This simple shift instantly cuts down the amount of clothing I bring. Instead of packing 14 pairs of underwear for a two-week trip, maybe I can bring seven. Instead of packing enough outfits for every day, I pack enough for half the trip.

Use Packing Cubes

I’ve always used packing cubes to keep my clothes organized. While they don’t magically create more space, they do help you use the space you already have more efficiently.

I typically separate my pieces per category: tops in one cube, bottoms in another, and underwear and socks in a smaller one. This keeps everything contained and makes it much easier to find throughout the trip.

They’re especially useful if you’re moving frequently. Whether I’m hopping between cities in Europe or spending a month traveling around India, being able to unpack and repack in minutes makes a huge difference.

Combined with the compression pockets inside my carry-on, packing cubes help me fit far more than I ever thought possible into a single suitcase.

Be Ruthless With Toiletries

One thing most travelers tend to forget is that there are, in fact, pharmacies abroad. When you’re trying to travel with just a carry-on, bringing your entire bathroom is just unrealistic. I’ve developed a simple skincare routine for travel, involving face wash and a good moisturizer.

I also decant products into travel-sized containers whenever possible. And whenever I’m staying in hotels, I’m happy to use the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided. It may not be my first choice at home, but it gets the job done and frees up valuable space in my bag.

The less time I spend deciding which products to bring, the easier packing becomes.

Minimize Your Tech

As a travel writer and photographer, this is probably the packing category I struggle with most. Multiple chargers, extra camera batteries, hard drives, adapters, cables I might need, and cables I definitely didn’t need.

Over time, I’ve learned to be much more selective. Before every trip, I ask myself a simple question: Will I realistically use this?

If the answer is maybe, it usually stays home.

Traveling with just a carry-on forces you to be intentional. And in my experience, most of us need far less tech than we think.

Final Thoughts on Traveling With Just a Carry-On

Traveling with just a carry-on is about making your trip feel lighter.

There’s something incredibly freeing about walking off a plane and heading straight to your destination while everyone else waits at baggage claim. You move through train stations more easily, navigate cobblestone streets with less frustration, and spend less time looking for your luggage and more time enjoying the place you’ve traveled so far to see.

The truth is that most of us need far less than we think we do.

A thoughtfully packed carry-on, a versatile wardrobe, and a willingness to do a little laundry along the way can take you surprisingly far.

Of course, having the right suitcase helps, too—and if you’re ready to try carry-on-only travel, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On is a smart place to start.

FAQs About Traveling With a Carry-On

Let’s address some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling with a carry-on:

Is it possible to travel for two weeks with only a carry-on?

Absolutely. In fact, I’ve traveled for much longer with just a carry-on. The key is packing versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, limiting your shoes, and planning to do laundry if needed. Most travelers can comfortably fit everything they need for a two-week trip into a well-packed carry-on.

What size carry-on is best for international travel?

Most international travelers choose a carry-on between 20 and 22 inches tall. Airline restrictions vary, but a suitcase around 55 cm tall typically works for many major carriers. Before flying, always check your airline’s specific baggage requirements, particularly if you’re traveling on a budget airline, which may have stricter limits.

My LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On measures 21.3” × 15.1” × 9.8” (54.5 × 38.5 × 25 cm), including wheels and handle and offers 43 liters of packing space, making it roomy enough for multi-week trips while still fitting within the carry-on allowances.

How many outfits should I pack in a carry-on?

Rather than packing a different outfit for every day, focus on building a capsule wardrobe. I typically pack enough clothing for about five to seven days and then rewear pieces or do laundry as needed. By choosing items that work well together, you can create multiple outfits from a relatively small number of pieces.

What should I never pack in a carry-on?

Avoid packing prohibited items such as liquid containers over 100ml, sharp objects, or anything restricted by airport security regulations. Beyond that, I try to avoid packing “just in case” items that I know I’m unlikely to use. Those are usually the things that take up valuable space without adding much value to the trip.

Are packing cubes worth it?

For me, yes. Packing cubes help keep clothing organized and make it easier to find what I need without unpacking my entire suitcase. They’re especially useful on multi-stop trips, where you’ll be unpacking and repacking frequently. While they won’t magically double your luggage space, they do help you use the space you have more efficiently.