Pack Light in One Carry-On Bag!
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How To Pack It All In One Carry-On Bag
If you've done a good job of selecting what to take, (see check list for UPDATES ON ALLOWABLE CARRY-ON ITEMS) the job of actually packing is easier. Here are a few ideas that you will want to consider... Organize "Packables" in Containers: To keep your bag from being a jumbled mess when you open it, organize items in containers. For Years, I've Bagged most of my packables. I've used the Zippered plastic bags of varying sizes. I like to easily see what is inside. They are particularly great to keep spill-able items from opening up and leaking on my clothing and for my dirty laundry. For example, one of my baggies holds all of my laundry related items (i.e., sink stopper, detergent, spot remover, clothesline) and another holds my picnic related items(i.e., can opener, pocket knife, napkins, plastic wear, etc.). I've also used large ones for organizing my clothing. They are an OK "easy to see" solution, but require you roll your clothes and always hold some air I could use for packing space. I use translucent mesh bags for my undies, socks and other squishable clothing. The see-through mesh allows me to quickly find what I need as well as it allows air to easily escape and shapes to odd places in my bag. A new item recommend to me by TERC Readers is the Eagle Creek Packet It Folder. It is a flat, rectangular, "organizer pouch" and comes in several sizes. These are terrific for keeping your clothes not only organized and compact, but wrinkle free. I used a 24" folder for my jacket, wool slacks, and bulkier items and the 18" folder for my tops and lighter pants and skirt. (One 24 incher could handle all your clothing) Winter travelers and back packers have found the Eagle Creek Compressor very useful for taking the air out of their bulky sweaters, sleeping bags, etc. Some others have reported using the compressor for storing dirty and/or wet laundry--keeping orders and moisture from permeating the rest of their bag contents. For my toiletries, I like a toilet kit with lots of compartments and a hook for hanging from knobs, rods or counter edges in bathrooms which never have enough counter space. I prefer to use my own "tested" bottles for enough shampoo/conditioner and other liquids, to get me started. I also use mini baggies to organize my jewelry, first aide items, toothpaste and floss, vitamins, sewing kit, and wash cloth. I also stash my travel alarm, immersion heater, and electrical adapters here--all the things I need at night & first thing in the morning. If you're packing a pair of shoes (in addition to those you're wearing), consider using shoe bags. There are lightweight (some are stretchable), inexpensive, drawstring bags designed to keep residue of Parisian streets off of the rest of your clothing. Don't forget the spaces inside your packed shoes--they're great for fragile items, or anything else that will fit. Buddy Packing With two or more traveling together, many of the packing list items (alarm clocks, guidebooks, picnic supplies, hair dryer, etc.) can be spread among the group! For those of you who plan to check your bag and who have an extremely compatible traveling partner, consider packing half of each person's things in the other's bag. That way, if a bag gets lost (much less likely for the carry-on traveler), each of you will still have half of his/her stuff. This method may have the downside of providing something in the way of a disincentive to pack light! Give Your Bag a Test Run Before you Go You will walk with your bag more than you can imagine. If it is heavy, quaint cobbled villages will quickly become miserable out of the way places with no consideration for accommodating it visitors! We recommend you keep the weight one you can lift over your head for Airline bulkheads or train overhead racks. (see updated Airline Carry-on Limit w/Links to Airline Updates)--20# or less. Whether you plan to pack your bag, use luggage wheels, or just carry it, we recommend you take your bag for a test run. For an hour one evening walk through your neighborhood (or one with a few hills in it) carrying or pulling your bag. Then come home and thin it down some more. Those of you throwing your bag on wheels should go over some rough terrain and up and down some curbs to see how your wrist and wheels handle the experience. Light weight luggage carriers are not the answer. They usually vibrate allot and twist. I find the bigger the wheel the better and easier to pull or push my bag. If You Have to Check It! There may be times you will want to check your bag or situations where you are obliged to check it. For example, British Air and SAS have a maximum of about 13-15 pounds for 1 bag carry-on. The rules for checked baggage vary from airline to airline. Be sure you read the fine print on your ticket to find out what you are allowed to carry on. Also check TERC summary of Airline Carry-On Limits for starting guidelines. Prepare for the eventuality of bag checking when packing, by ensuring that the items you absolutely need remain with you when your bag isn't. A daypack will come in handy here (this is a situation where a zip-off daypack is ideal). Make sure your daypack is readily accessible, and contains your critical items. Of course the MOST critical items should be in your money belt!.
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Also see
Mele's
Packing Check List
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