As summer travel gears up, the prospect of lengthy baggage queues at airports is a familiar dread for many holidaymakers.
Yet, a growing number of seasoned travellers are bypassing this frustration by mastering the art of carry-on travel.
Whether jetting off for a quick weekend getaway or determined to condense a long-haul journey into a single bag, packing light doesn’t necessitate sacrificing style or essentials.
Instead, it demands a more strategic approach.
Travel experts, having honed their methods over countless journeys, are now offering invaluable insights into maximising space and efficiency within the confines of a single carry-on.
Here are their tips.
1. Pick a suitcase with exterior pockets
Picking the right bag makes all the difference.
“Choose a carry-on case with exterior pockets for items you will need in transit,” recommends Fiona Spinks, solo adventurer and founder of Following Fiona.
“A book, snacks or the clear liquid bag can live outside the main compartment so you are not opening the whole case in a crowded queue.”
2. Make a master list
“Start with a master list and tailor it for each trip – beach, city, festival, whatever,” suggests Chelsea Dickenson, the founder of Holiday Expert, who has partnered with Boots to create packing tips to help Britons get organised this summer.
“I keep mine in my phone notes and update it before every holiday. You only need one extra outfit – not five emergency dresses and 10 pairs of spare knickers.”
3. Invest in some packing cubes
Packing cubes free up valuable space.
“One cube holds tops, another holds bottoms and a third keeps underwear separate,” says LP Maurice, travel expert, backpacker and CEO and co-founder of travel website Busbud.
“The cubes act like drawers when you open the bag. Press down on each cube before you zip it to push out any trapped air.”
4. Try the travel pillow trick
This creative packing hack has gone viral on TikTok and is a great way to sneak some extra socks and pants onto a plane.
“Take the stuffing out of your travel pillow and fill it with clothes – socks, pants, even pyjamas,” recommends Ms Dickenson.
“No one at the airport will know, and you’ve just bought yourself extra space in your case and still get a comfy pillow. Just try and stick to the cleaner clothes for your return journey.”
5. Roll your clothes
“Rolling each item instead of folding sounds simple, yet it makes a surprising difference,” says Ms Spinks. “Rolled clothes stack snugly along your case’s length and come out with fewer creases, so you spend less time hunting for an iron at your hotel.
“This method also lets you spot gaps where you can tuck socks or underwear using every corner of the bag.”
6. Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes
“Footwear is always the bulkiest offender, so wear the heaviest pair for the journey so the lighter pair can slot along the side of the case,” recommends Ms Spinks.
“Filling the inside of each shoe with chargers or rolled underwear stops wasted space and keeps the shoes from collapsing.”
7. Fill every single gap
Make every little bit of space count.
“Fill the shoes with rolled socks and chargers to stop dead space,” recommends Mr Maurice.
Dickenson agrees and says that little things like lining the edges of your suitcase with belts and tucking your jewellery into sunglasses cases can make all the difference.
8. Wear the bulkiest items
“A jacket with deep pockets can carry your phone, headphones and a paperback book,” highlights Mr Maurice. “That choice removes about 1 kg from your bag and could help you stay warm in an air‑conditioned cabin.”
9. Decant your toiletries into mini bottles
“Switch full-size toiletries for reusable mini bottles and solid versions wherever possible,” recommends Ms Spinks.
“Decanting shampoo and moisturiser into 80ml containers satisfies airline liquid rules and saves you from paying extra for checked baggage just to carry large bottles.
“Solid bars of soap or conditioner slip into any spare corner and never leak over your clothes.”
10. Buy a flat lay makeup bag
“If you’re anything like me and tend to spread your makeup and toiletries everywhere, a flat lay bag makes life so much easier,” says Ms Dickenson.
“You just open it up and everything’s laid out and visible. No more rooting around for your mascara or leaving half your makeup behind.”
