The Ultimate Guide to Carry-On Only: Conquering International Flights
Flying overseas is exciting, but navigating international baggage rules can be stressful. The secret to a seamless start to any journey? Mastering the art of the carry-on only trip.
By choosing the right compact luggage and implementing smart packing strategies, you'll save time at baggage claim, eliminate lost luggage worries, and stay flexible throughout your adventure.
Part 1: Choosing Your International Carry-On
When traveling globally, the golden rule is: airlines are stricter, and rules vary widely. Your domestic carry-on might be too big or too heavy for your transatlantic or intra-European flight. Shop Going In Style International Carry On Bags >> goinginstyle.com/collections/international-carry-ons
1. Know Your Limits (The 55/40/20 Rule)
While the definition of a standard carry-on size is fairly consistent in the U.S., international carriers often have more restrictive requirements, particularly for budget airlines.
The General Guideline: A common maximum for international carry-ons is approximately 22×14×9 inches (55×40×20 cm).
Weight is Critical: International flights routinely enforce a stricter weight limit (often 7−10 kg or 15−22 lbs), which is less common on U.S. domestic flights. You must factor in the weight of the empty bag itself!
Always Verify: It is essential to verify the exact dimensions and weight limit with your specific airline before every trip. Carriers like Qatar Airways or certain European low-cost carriers (e.g., Ryanair, easyJet) are known for being exceptionally stringent.
Travelers are almost always allowed one primary carry-on bag plus a personal item (like a laptop bag or small backpack). Use that personal item wisely to store bulkier essentials.
Part 2: Mastering the Art of Packing Light
Once you have a compliant bag, the challenge is filling it strategically. The goal is to bring a versatile wardrobe that lasts for two weeks or more without checking a bag.
- Build a Cohesive Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways to create maximum outfits from minimal pieces. -
Choose Performance Fabrics: Prioritize quick-drying materials like merino wool or synthetic blends. These fabrics resist odors, wrinkle less, and can be washed in a hotel sink and dry overnight.
Adopt the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule (The Week-Long Base): Pack 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 pairs of socks, and 6 pairs of underwear. This is enough for most short trips, forcing you to utilize sink laundry for longer stays.
2. Space-Saving Packing Hacks
- Roll, Don't Fold: Rolling clothes minimizes wrinkles and utilizes small crevices of space more efficiently than traditional folding.
- Utilize Packing Cubes: Cubes are great for compressing soft items and compartmentalizing your bag (one cube for tops, one for bottoms, etc.). This makes finding items easy and helps enforce your packing limits.
- Nest Your Items: Stuff socks, underwear, and small tech chargers inside your shoes to use every cubic inch of space.
- Wear Your Bulk: Always wear your heaviest coat, jacket, and pair of shoes on the airplane. These are the biggest weight and volume drains in any bag.
- Plan to do laundry on the go. Either hand wash smaller items in your hotel room or plan ahead to see if the hotel has laundry service or if there is a laundry mat nearby.
3. Streamline Toiletries and Electronics
- Go Solid: Switch to solid toiletries wherever possible (shampoo bars, conditioner bars, solid toothpaste tabs). This eliminates liquid leaks and helps you bypass the TSA 3.4 oz. liquid limit for carry-ons.
- Minimize Tech: Bring only the necessary chargers, and look for multipurpose accessories (like a universal adapter with multiple USB ports). If you have a tablet or a lightweight phone, consider leaving the heavier laptop at home unless necessary for work.
Shop lightweight, durable International Carryons locally Santa Clara County at 608 & 609 Going In Style Luggage & Gifts Stanford Shopping Center Palo Alto, CA
Going In Style carries a large selection of International Carryon bags from top brands Eagle Creek, Travelpro, Briggs & Riley, Delsey, Lipault, Pacsafe - Stop by Going In Style and see why we are the #1 luggage store in the Bay Area
Traveling overseas? Not only do you need the best carry-on luggage, but don't forget your travel adapter plugs. Going In Style carries travel adapters for every country in the world. Shop travel adapter plugs by country A to Z online or stop by our store in Palo Alto to shop travel adapter plugs and our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the correct adapter for your International trip.
