• Home
    • About
      • About Brianna
      • Contact Me
      • Work With Me
    • Destinations
    • Travel
      • Budget Travel
      • Short Term Travel
      • Travel Gear & Tech
    • Stories From Abroad
      • Travel Fails
      • Stories
    • Travel Resources
  • Archives

    • November 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
  • Home
  • About
    • About Brianna
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
  • Destinations
  • Travel
    • Budget Travel
    • Short Term Travel
    • Travel Gear & Tech
  • Stories From Abroad
    • Travel Fails
    • Stories
  • Travel Resources

13 Reasons Carry On Travel is the Bomb Diggity

August 24, 2018

On my first solo trip abroad, I overpacked big time. I was gone for two weeks and brought four pairs of shoes, a different outfit for every day, and full containers of just about every medicine I could possibly need. Carry on travel was something I had never even heard of. The sad part is- I thought I had packed light. And I was really really proud of myself.

That is, until a taxi driver came to pick me up in Nepal. My host carried out my overstuffed bag and heaved it into the back of the car. Together, he and the taxi driver leaned against the door to get it to close around my bag. They exchanged annoyed glances and one mumbled to the other “…American.”

And that was the first time I felt ashamed to be American- to be known simply as a person that has too much stuff. I was so embarrassed. And I hated it.

So when it came time to pack for my three week trip to Central America- I had a goal: Only bring the necessities I could fit in a carry on sized bag. After successfully completing this goal, I became hooked.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!

There are so many advantages to packing carry on only. Now, every time I travel I manage to bring less and less stuff. I’ve packed for two, three-week trips to Europe with just my trusty 40-liter backpack, two weeks in Israel, one week in Mexico, and even managed to do a week in Iceland with just a small personal item bag!

If you’re thinking of challenging yourself to pack for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Take it from a recovering overpacker, you’ll never travel the same way again. Still on the fence? Here are 13 reasons why carry on travel is the bomb diggity!

      

Save Money on Airfare

So many airlines these days charge an extra fee to hold your larger luggage items in the baggage compartment. These fees for checked bags really add up, and are quite the annoyance. By only bringing a carry-on sized bag, you can often dodge these fees altogether.

Make sure and check with your airline, though, as some budget airlines also charge for a carry on! Even if they do, don’t let it discourage you! There are plenty more reasons to pack carry on only for travel.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
You can often save $50 a person by not checking luggage!

    

Don’t Wait at the Airport

Don’t you just hate coming off a long plane ride, when you just want to get to your hotel, but you still have to wait 20 or more minutes for your luggage to be delivered? Everyone’s always so grumpy around the baggage carousel and you wait anxiously, hoping that your bag actually made it to your destination.

Can I just tell you, it’s one of the greatest feelings to walk by that dreary baggage carousel scene with all your belongings in a carry on bag, strolling straight to the exit. Nothing makes you feel like more of a winner than skipping past all those people waiting, while you make your way to your hotel and a hot shower.

  

No Risk of Losing Luggage

Have you ever been one of those unfortunate ones at the baggage carousel whose luggage never arrived? It’s a complete nightmare to learn that your bags did not arrive on your plane, and that perhaps even all your belongings are lost.

I’ve never had an airline lose my luggage. *knock on wood* With carry on travel, you are in control of your bag throughout the whole travel period. There’s no way an airline can lose your things if they never have control of them!

    

Get Creative With Packing

When packing your carry on luggage, you’ll learn to get very creative. You’ll learn about rolling clothes, storing things in shoes, and the magic of packing cubes. All those packing hack videos you’ve watched online will finally come in handy, and you’ll learn to pack your small bag perfectly!

Carry on travel doesn’t always come easily. I can tell you, it helps to practice your packing before you leave. This will help you prepare better for what you can and can’t fit, and will help you discover the best ways to organize your belongings inside your bag.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
Everything has its place in my backpack

   

Less Likely to Leave Items Behind

When you have less stuff to keep track of, you are less likely to leave an item behind. If you’re one of those people who’s just chronically losing your things, I recommend giving carry on travel a try. When you pack your carry on bag, you’ll find a certain methodology where everything has its exact place. This helps you keep track of your things and whether or not they made it into your bag, in their spot.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
Don’t want to leave these behind!

      

Learn to Live With Less

Possibly one of my favorite things about carry on travel is that you begin to realize how little you really need to get by. You learn to leave all that “just in case” stuff at home and only bring what’s really necessary. After living for a few weeks out of a small bag, you’ll realize how little you really need.

READ » Travel Gear I Use

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
All the clothes I took for three weeks in Europe!

   

Smaller Bags Are Cheaper

Another great money saving opportunity with traveling carry on only comes when choosing your bag. Carry on sized bags are almost always cheaper than larger bags. I bought my carry on sized backpack for $100 USD and it’s still in perfect condition almost three years later.

   

Ditch The Porter and Luggage Cart

Wheeling around a large bag makes you a target for scammy porters. When I arrived in Kathmandu for the first time, my huge bag was instantly taken from me by an aggressive porter. Once we got to the car, he demanded payment and I ended up getting ripped off about $20. Not cool, man.

With smaller carry ons, especially backpacks, you are much less likely to have to deal with this kind of scam. And even if you’re traveling to a place where porter scams aren’t prevalent, you still won’t have to worry about hiring and paying for a legit porter or waiting for a luggage cart, because your bags will be much easier to transport.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
Luggage carts are such a hassle…

  

Easier Navigation and Mobility

I don’t know if I can stress this one enough. Having just a carry on bag makes you so much more mobile. There are so many places that are just not condusive to having large pieces of luggage. Trust me, you don’t want to be trying to wheel your huge suitcase through the streets of Venice, or hoisting your giant backpack over all the hills in Lisbon. Carry on travel is so much easier for getting around.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
Dragging your suitcase wheels over cobblestone is incredibly irritating

   

Less Of A Target For Theft

Travelers who bring large bags are more noticeable to pickpocketers and thieves. They are easier to spot in airports, train stations, and while walking the streets. But if you just have a small carry on bag, you are more likely to go unnoticed. Thieves are also less likely to mess with carry on travelers because they know that bag is packed with only the essentials and you probably didn’t bring the valuable stuff they’re after like expensive jewelry, laptops, and other electronics. There are also a large number of anti-theft backpacks to add that extra layer of protection for carry-on travelers.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
Look at all those suitcases ready to be swiped…

   

Helps Cut Down Souvenir Spending

If you often have issues overspending on souvenirs and gifts when you travel, then carry on travel is definitely for you! With limited space in your bags, there’s not much room to add more stuff. This helps you keep that spending under control and makes you think about what you really want from a place.

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
These sand bottles from Jordan are cute, but there’s no room to bring one home!

  

Fits in Hostel Lockers

Budget travelers who stay in hostels are definitely going to want to travel carry on only. Most hostel lockers are only big enough to store carry on sized bags. If your bag is bigger than that, you’ll have to unpack it and keep all your important stuff in the locker, while leaving everything else out in the room and open to potential theft. Traveling with just a carry on makes it easier to keep all your things safe inside a locked hostel locker.

READ » Hostel Travel Tips: What is a Hostel and Other Frequently Asked Questions

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!
I’d love to see you try and fit your checked bag in here…

  

Impress Your Friends and Family

This really shouldn’t be your main motivation for trying out the carry on only challenge, but it does make you feel pretty legit when your friends and family are super impressed by your minimalist packing skills. I’ve had so many people comment on my ability to only pack the essentials, and I’ve become a huge advocate for traveling carry on only as people ask me how I do it (hence the gigundus blog post…) You too can feel awesome toting around your small bag for several weeks of travel, by trying out carry on only travel!

If you're thinking of packing for carry on only travel, I highly encourage you to try it! Here is why you should try carry on travel!

   


  

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO ADD TO PINTEREST

   

   

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on my adventures! Or check out my Instagram for pretty pictures!

  

Share91
Tweet
Pin206
Share
297 Shares
Backpackingbudget airlinesBudget TravelCarry On BagCarry On TravelMinimalist PackingPackingPacking carry on onlyPacking Guidetraveling with a carry on bagWhy should I travel with just a carry on
Share

Personal Thoughts  / Travel Gear and Technology  / Travel Tips

You might also like

Packing For Iceland in Spring: How to Pack For One Week With Only A Personal Item
February 22, 2019
What to Pack for Israel and Jordan in Winter
November 9, 2018
The Ultimate Blue Lagoon Packing List: What To Bring to the Blue Lagoon
June 15, 2018

14 Comments


Jerry Sheets
August 24, 2018 at 2:20 pm
Reply

I really liked this article as I have been trying to travel with less.
However, I haven’t convinced Susan yet.
I will let her read your article. Lol

Thanks,
Jerry



Katie
August 25, 2018 at 11:30 am
Reply

That’s some seriously impressive packing! Can you show us what you packed for that 3 week trip as I need some tips on packing lightly!



    Brianna
    August 25, 2018 at 2:34 pm
    Reply

    Hi Katie! Yes, if you check out my Technology and Gear section, you’ll find my packing list for Europe 🙂

Karen Rose
August 25, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Reply

Awesome blog! Carry on only travel is the way forward <3 Thank you for sharing!



Josy A
August 25, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Reply

Brilliant post!

I wish I was better at this. My main problem is we normally go hiking on holiday, and you do need a few extra things to be safe on a hiking trip (I have a bag as big as yours just for day hikes here in the wilderness in Canada!) If I am just chilling in a city I don’t need much at all! 😀



    Brianna
    August 25, 2018 at 2:44 pm
    Reply

    Yes, I can imagine if you’re doing more long day hikes, you’ll need more things like walking poles and heavy-duty boots!

Rosie
August 25, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Reply

Oh I couldn’t agree more! I have been travelling hand luggage for a few years now and I can go back. It has made travelling so much nicer and I love that you are spreading the good word 🙂 I suppose the downside is having to fight for overhead locked space…?



    Brianna
    August 25, 2018 at 7:50 pm
    Reply

    That’s a good point! It is super frustrating when you get on a plane and all the overhead space is taken up!

Matthias Verstrynge
August 26, 2018 at 7:27 am
Reply

We try to travel with less and less ourselves. Indeed the reduced risk of theft and losing stuff at the airport is a huge advantage. Thanks for the very well written blog post!



    Brianna
    August 26, 2018 at 8:28 am
    Reply

    Thanks for reading! 🙂

Kristin
August 26, 2018 at 2:33 pm
Reply

All great arguments for carry on travel! I feel like I can get away with it for lots of trips if my destination ins warm…so I’m packing smaller things like sundresses and sandals. But for winter travel it can be so hard! Sweaters and jeans take up so much more space! I need to work on this.



    Brianna
    August 26, 2018 at 8:51 pm
    Reply

    True, but you can get away with wearing the same outfit under a warm coat! Nobody will know you didn’t change your shirts! 😛

Amanda
August 26, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Reply

I definitely prefer going carry-on-only when I can manage it – but it tends to just be for shorter trips. On longer trips, I still usually check a bag. Partly because I hate jockeying for carry-on space, and partly because I’m too indecisive to narrow down my clothing that much! Haha.



Jacob Adler
September 4, 2018 at 8:14 am
Reply

I wish I could do carry on travel, but next month we’re going on a long trip through Asia and I need my laptop + photo equipment so it’s rather impossible. Cool article, Brianna!



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • I’m Brianna and I’m possibly the funniest person I know. I’m a total goofball who loves to travel. I fell in love with the world in 2007, when my family and I moved to Sydney, Australia. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to see the world. I'm an ordinary adventurer here to show you how the average person can travel the world.

    Get To Know Me More

     
  • Aching For More Adventure?

    Sign up today for instant notifications of new posts and EXCLUSIVE travel tips!
    * = required field
  • Find Me On Instagram

    instagram
  • Sleep on the Cheap

  • Top 1000 Travel Blog

  • As Seen On…

  • Where I’ve Been




© Copyright 2017 Archives of Adventure // LetsBlog Theme - Theme by ThemeGoods // View this site's Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy // We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

    Click here for our full Privacy Policy

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.