The Carry-On Rules I Actually Follow (Not the Internet Version)

There is no shortage of advice about how to pack a carry-on. I’ve seen all of it, tried most of it, and ignored plenty along the way. I’ve packed too much, packed too little, and more than once carried a novel or two around Europe without reading a single page. After dozens of trips, this is what’s actually stuck.

I’ve always been a carry-on traveler. Even early on, checking a bag felt unnecessary. What changed over time wasn’t my luggage size—it was my confidence. I stopped packing based on anxiety and started packing based on experience.

I no longer pack for hypothetical scenarios, because I’ve learned that the things people worry about most are rarely solved by whatever extra item they bring. At one point, I had a very serious mental formula for underwear: number of days, multiplied by two, plus a few “just in case” pairs. These days, I pack like a person who trusts laundry.

Once that shift happened, packing became less about individual items and more about cohesion. Everything I bring works together. Shoes were the clearest lesson. More shoes don’t make a trip better—better shoes do. If a trip feels like it requires more than two pairs, it’s usually the itinerary asking too much.

Books taught me the same thing. I love the idea of reading while traveling, but I finally admitted that I don’t always do it. Now I only bring something to read if I know I’ll actually reach for it. Packing got easier once I stopped packing for the version of myself I wished existed on a trip.

I’ve also gotten ruthless about anything easily replaceable. Full-size toiletries, backups, and “what if” items don’t earn their space anymore. Most destinations have pharmacies and shops with perfectly good options. If something can be replaced quickly, it doesn’t need priority in my bag.

Laundry stopped feeling like something to avoid and became part of the plan. Once you accept that—whether it’s a sink wash, a laundromat, or hotel service—the pressure to overpack disappears. I’d rather deal with laundry once than carry clothes I never wear.

What surprised me most is how much packing lighter changes the experience of travel itself. Airports are easier. Trains feel simpler. Early arrivals and late departures are more manageable. You move more freely, both physically and mentally.

As a travel advisor, this shapes how I plan trips for clients as well. Packing lighter isn’t about restriction—it’s a planning advantage. When luggage is simple, itineraries can be smarter. Transitions feel smoother. Stress points quietly disappear.

The internet loves extreme packing rules. Never check a bag. Never bring souvenirs. Never pack more than a set number of items. Real travel is more nuanced than that. What works long-term isn’t rigidity—it’s confidence.

At this point, packing doesn’t stress me out. It’s almost boring, in the best way. And that’s usually the sign that you’ve stopped listening to the noise and started trusting what’s been tried and true.