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If you want to get in and out of the airport fast and save lots of money, don’t check a bag. For the cost of checking a bag for a single round trip, you could buy a beautiful carry-on and a bunch of clever accessories. If this feels impossible, it’s not. The best packing hacks for traveling without checking a bag let you have everything you need.
I have packed for a two-week trip to Sweden in a carry-on bag. Going to California — or anywhere where the weather never dips below zero — is easy. It’s all a matter of packing the right stuff.
A lightweight wardrobe of basic elements that can be worn repeatedly is key. Leave the jeans and bulky sweaters at home. Pack a light dress, stylish leggings that roll up, and several basic, packable tops. Bring one flashy item to throw on for events. Choose one pair of comfy shoes you can wear to everything.
Here are 10 of my best packing hacks for traveling without checking luggage.
This one cord that charges all your gear
A tech rig can take up space. Pare your chargers down to this one cord that has every plug you need.
This is one of the best packing hacks for traveling because it meets two needs. It is small and packable and will also allow you to charge everything from one outlet, which can be very handy in hotel rooms and airports.
A pair of comfy flip-flops
Wear a pair of comfy flip-flops through the airport. You can kick them off when you go through security, and you will have something ultra comfy and easy to put on during your trip.
This pair of Clarks has enough support to walk in, looks stylish enough to wear to almost anything, and packs easily if you decide to swap them — after security — for a pair of real shoes.
A set of packing cubes
You have heard the hype on packing cubes. I am here to tell you that you need to get some. This is one of the best packing hacks for traveling, even if you do check a bag.
Put all your tops in one. Put your underwear in another. Use the laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from clean. You will be able to find what you need without ever unpacking. And when you get home, unpacking is a matter of dropping the dirty laundry bag into a hamper.
They make it easy to pack, easy to travel, and easy to unpack. And if you open your suitcase in the airport, you won’t spill everything all over the floor.
This delicious light-blocking eye mask
When you want to rest on the plane, pull on this eye mask and everyone will leave you alone. It will block out the light so you can sleep in a too-bright hotel room, too.
It is soft, comfortable, and blocks all the light. You will probably use it at home, too.
It comes in six colors.
A good water bottle you can toss in a bag
No, you can’t carry a full water bottle through security. But when you get to the other side, you can fill this insulated water bottle from a water fountain or when grabbing a snack in a restaurant, and avoid spending $12 for water.
It won’t leak. It looks slick. And you will use it for your whole trip. It comes in 19 colors and three sizes.
These genius containers for your product
These clever Cadence capsules let you bring every lotion, unguent, pill, and piece of jewelry you want without eating up all the space in your suitcase. The lids are magnetic. The capsules fit together in a bag. They hold the perfect amount. And they are a pleasure to use.
A little spendy, yes. Totally worth it and absolutely one of my top five best packing hacks for traveling or for getting through a day at home.
This big crossbody bag that fits in a pocket
Do not travel without one of these genius Nanobags! They are so small when stuffed into their attached stuff sack that you can have one in your pocket at all times.
That means you can buy something, keep a few things out of your suitcase in the airport, or bring a big shopping bag — or a backpack — without having to sacrifice the handbag you want to have with you.
A pocket-sized bookshelf
I love a paper book as much as the next book nerd. But when you are traveling, the Kindle Paperwhite is the way to go.
You can load it with an entire library of books. The battery will likely last your whole trip. And the e-ink screen feels very similar to reading paper.
Also, it is tiny and super portable, and you can boost the font size if you lose your glasses.
These headphones that let you hear the world
A pair of headphones is key to surviving travel. Instead of listening to the Karen seated next to you on the plane, listen to a book or your favorite tunes.
Blocking out the world entirely can be a bit dangerous, though. That’s why I love these Boytond Ultra Open Earbuds that clip onto your ears but allow ambient sound to get through. They don’t jam into your ear canal, so they are more comfortable, too.
This backup battery with all the cords
Keep it simple, safe, and easy when traveling. Pack this backup battery that has every cord you will ever need built into it.
You can’t risk running out of phone power before you get to your destination: It has all your check-in details, payment options, and navigation!
But you need your other gear to work, too. And you don’t want to hunt around in your bag for the right cord. This comes in five colors.
Bonus: A puffer if your destination is cold
The right layer of warmth is the key to traveling to a cold-weather destination without checking a bag. This cute quilted puffer will keep you warm in any climate and takes up almost no room in your bag when it is in its own stuff sack.
Pull it on over your easy-to-pack wardrobe and you can travel anywhere.
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