Top 8 Carry-On Travel Tips to Pack Smarter

Travelling carry-on only is the key to stress-free travel. These carry-on packing tips help you skip check-in queues and the wait at baggage claim, avoid baggage fees, and travel light.

1. Use Packing Cubes to Maximise Space and Stay Organised

Packing cubes are a must-have for packing light and staying organised with carry-on luggage. They act as mini compartments to keep your gear sorted and compress your clothes to maximise space.

Our Large Packing Cube and Small Packing Cube are designed to fit perfectly inside the Flow 40L Travel Backpack, creating a modular packing system that makes travel simpler.

For minimal fuss, we recommend:

• One large cube for all clothing
• One small cube for underwear, socks, and swimwear

This two-cube setup makes packing and unpacking effortless - you’re only managing two cubes, which keeps things simple and streamlined. You can use more cubes to separate tops, bottoms, or outerwear – but be mindful of adding unnecessary bulk.

2. Roll, Don’t Fold: The Best Way to Pack Clothes in a Carry-On

This is one of the best carry-on packing strategies for minimalist travellers and anyone doing one-bag travel. Rolling your clothes saves space, reduces wrinkles, and helps you see everything quickly when living out of one bag. It also makes it easier to see everything at a glance, so you’re not digging around too much to find what you need. 

Some structured pieces – like jackets or blazers – are better off folded to keep their shape, and often just take up too much room when rolled. Stack them flat on top of your packed cubes to make the most of your space.

3. Bring a Travel Laundry Bag to Separate Dirty Clothes

A lightweight laundry bag is an essential travel accessory that helps you stay organised when packing light. It also means that when laundry day rolls around, everything’s already bagged up and ready to go.

You can use a simple cotton tote, a sturdy plastic bag, or a designated laundry pouch – whatever works best for your setup. And if you're travelling super light and don't have too many changes of clothes, a quick hack is to tie dirty underwear in a knot to keep track.

4. Wear Your Bulkiest Items on Travel Days to Save Space

A tried-and-true carry-on travel tip: wear your bulkiest items on travel days to save precious space in your one-bag setup. Think items like sneakers, jackets, and jeans - you’ll save valuable space and reduce the weight inside your bag - making it easier to meet airline carry-on restrictions.

Layering also keeps you comfortable in fluctuating airport and airplane temperatures.

5. Pack a Lightweight Cotton Tote Bag

A cotton tote bag is one of the most versatile travel accessories. It weighs virtually nothing, folds down flat, and can be used as a: 

• Daily bag while exploring
• Beach tote
• Laundry or grocery bag
• Personal item during flights

Pick one up from a local café or boutique – it’s a small, practical souvenir that adds a personal touch. This lightweight travel essential is ideal for minimalist packing and one-bag travel.

6. Use Travel Bottles for Your Liquids

To breeze through airport security, decant your liquids into approved travel bottles under 150ml to streamline your carry-on liquids and avoid delays at airport security. We recommend soft silicone travel bottles – they reduce leak risk, are easy to squeeze, and help you get every last drop.

Perfect for your go-to essentials like shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, and moisturiser, they fit neatly into our Toiletries Bag, which is compact but roomy enough to hold everything else in your routine.

Before you fly, always double-check your airline's liquid restrictions and the rules around carry-on liquids in your departure country – these vary slightly by region and airline. For reference, see guidelines for Australia, the USA, and the UK. 

7. Pack Wrinkle-Resistant Clothes for Less Hassle

Avoid spending your holiday ironing by choosing wrinkle-resistant fabrics that work well for minimalist wardrobes and packing light. Some of the most travel-friendly options include:

• Wool – wrinkle-resistant, breathable, odour-repelling
• Polyester/nylon blends – lightweight, durable, quick-drying
• Stretch knits – like jersey or spandex, great for layering
• Denim – holds its shape, extremely versatile

Linen does crease easily, but it’s still a great option for warm destinations. It’s lightweight, breathable, and the wrinkles lend a relaxed, effortless look.

Quick tip: Hang your clothes in the bathroom while you shower – the steam helps release creases naturally, no iron needed.

8. Take a Photo of Your Clothes Before You Pack

Before you roll up your clothes, lay everything out and snap a quick photo. It only takes a few seconds, and makes it easier to plan outfits later or double-check what you packed – especially helpful if you're living out of a single bag.

Your One-Bag Travel Starts Here

Ready to pack lighter, master carry-on packing, and embrace one-bag travel?

Explore our full collection of carry-on travel accessories, all designed to simplify movement and elevate your travel experience.

Want more travel tips for packing light? Follow us on Instagram @swaetravel or share your setup with us on social.