Have you ever struggled to pack your clothes, shoes and toiletries into your carry-on before your flight?
With summer travel now at its peak, many people are bringing carry-on bags this holiday to skip the checked bag line and save time (and avoid problems with lost bags).
But how does it all fit into one bag for your two-week getaway?
Here are some of the top tips on how to pack just one carry-on bag when heading away this summer.
use packing cubes
Packing cubes can be a great hack to make the most of space in a carry-on.
Amy Chan, a former luxury hotel critic who lives in Vancouver, Canada, traveled with just a small suitcase, sometimes for weeks. She suggested using packing cubes for specific day or night outfits. This saves space and helps with organization.
She also suggested rolling your clothes instead of laying them flat. “This allows for much tighter packaging so you can fit more in and also minimize wrinkling,” she told Fox News Digital.
Drop the hair tools
Are you used to taking every hair tool you own with you on vacation? Leave the hair tools at home.
A hair dryer, straightener, curling iron and more take up space in a bag. Consider leaving one or more of these at home.
Most hotels provide hair dryers for their guests—and chances are you can survive the trip without every tool at your disposal. Give your hair a much needed heat break!
Take flat shoes
Thinking about bringing your highest heels or chunkiest boots?
Choose the flattest shoes you own for your trip. This not only saves space in your hand luggage, but also reduces the weight of your bag.
Think about it: nobody wants to lift a heavy carry-on bag into the overhead compartment anyway!
Wear your thickest clothes and shoes
When traveling, nothing says comfort like a big jacket and chunky sneakers.
Carry your bulkiest clothes on the plane to avoid taking up space in your hand luggage.
Elainnie Singleterry, a DC-based flight attendant, has been collecting carry-on tips and tricks for years.
She told Fox News Digital: “When choosing outfits, plan ahead. Carrying your chunkiest shoes on a plane frees up space in your carry-on.”
Plus, you’ll feel much more comfortable on this eight-hour flight.
Fill out the additional field
Wondering where all your socks go? Pack the holes and extra space in your carry-on with other items.
“Pack socks and even underwear in your tennis shoes to take advantage of otherwise wasted space,” Singleterry said.
Capping holes in this way helps maximize space in your luggage and ensures you get the most out of your packaging.
Don’t overpack
Think you need 10 outfits for a two day trip? think again
Fight the urge to overpack a carry-on.
Prioritize your pieces and make sure you don’t pack more than you’ll carry.
Amy Chan said this is the key to packing efficiently. “You need less than you think,” she said.
Chan also suggested doing laundry along the way if needed.