Reading Time: 5 minChecked baggage fees aren’t cheap these days. Many airlines now charge $35 or more for your first checked bag, and even more for the second. Then you need to wait for your luggage at baggage claim after getting off your flight. And that's assuming your bag doesn't get lost or delayed enroute to your destination.
Carrying on is easier, faster, and way cheaper. It’s how my family travels, even on two-week trips (except when we’re bringing skis!). So here are 12 of my favorite items to help you pack light and skip the checked bags — and the fees.
I discovered packing cubes a few years ago, and they've truly been a game changer. Whether I'm going out of town, either for a night or a two-week vacation, they're my number one must-have packing tool.
I've used many packing cubes over the years, and my absolute favorites are the Amazon Basics Packing Cubes. They're incredibly inexpensive, hold up over the years, and come in multiple sizes. Each member of my family has their own set in a different color.
You can take your packing to the next level with the Space Saver Roll-Up Compression Packing Bags. These bags offer an airtight way to pack your clothes, and are extremely easy to use, with no extra contraption needed.
I'm personally a fan of these compression bags for larger items. I can even use them to get all my family's sweatshirts into one bag.
For a longer trip, these Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags make it easy to fit everything into a carry-on. Just use the included hand pump to remove excess air, and save up to 80% more space in your luggage.
Are you at maximum capacity in your carry on? Trick the agents by hiding more clothes in the TUBE Travel Pillow. This double-purpose item is designed so you can roll up your clothes and stuff them inside it. It can then also be used as your traditional travel pillow on the plane.
Pack more efficiently with the Grand Fusion Stow-N-Go Portable Hanging Travel Shelves.
This three-tiered shelf helps you organize your clothes before your trip, and gives you easy access to everything once you arrive. No need to live out of your suitcase! Plus, when packed, the shelves compress to save space and make room for more in your luggage.
A collapsible water bottle has become one of my favorite travel finds. It’s also the one item people always ask about — and then rush to grab for themselves.
The leakproof 17-ounce HYDAWAY Collapsible Water Bottle can collapse into a mere 1.5-inch profile, ensuring it takes up hardly any space in your carry on.
Heading somewhere you’ll need a towel? Skip the bulky ones and go with a packable option instead. The Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is super compact, quick-drying, and comes with its own carrying bag.
We used these exact towels on our family trip to Croatia last summer, when we spent a week sailing on a catamaran. They were super absorbent and dried fast. (And yes, we managed the whole trip with just carry-ons!)
Put your large travel toiletry containers aside and pack just what need. These leakproof silicon travel bottles are TSA-approved and let you bring your everyday essentials, such as shampoo, body wash, moisturizer, and even Advil, all in your carry-on luggage.
Save space in your luggage by keeping all of your cables organized in one compact space. The FYY Travel Cable Organizer Pouch is a large organizer that comes in a variety of colors, and it's made from waterproof and shockproof material. It's also a helpful addition for the travel neat freak.
Wash your clothes on the go — whether in the sink or bathtub — so you can pack less. The Enyur Laundry Sheets offers a liquidness option with 32 individual sheets in a small plastic container.
Just pull out a sheet when you want to wash a few items, and the sheet will dissolve in either hot or cold water. These sheets can even be used in a regular washing machine as well.
Travel can sometimes mean bringing back a little more than you brought with you. But there's no need to bring a larger suitcase for the "just in case."
Instead, throw the Foldie Foldable Travel Tote in your carry-on, and pack it at the end of your trip if you need it. At just 14"x8"x18", it counts as a personal item, fitting under the seat in front of you for your flight home.
Finally, one of the best ways to maximize your packing space is with a travel backpack. The Osprey Daylite 35L Travel Pack is a great option at a mid-tier price, offering an ergonomic design, organization pockets, a laptop sleeve, water bottle holder, multiple grab handles, and much more.
The Osprey also features a suitcase-style interior for easy packing, along with internal tie-down straps, and a mesh pocket.
Get the Osprey Daylite 35L Travel Pack at Amazon
