Are you considering joining the movement of packing and traveling lighter? Well, then you’ve come to the right place. Marty and I have been practicing minimalist packing using only a backpack for years.
We have traveled with only our backpacks for years and love not only the freedom of not having a bag but also the money that we’ve been able to save on baggage fees. LOL!
This type of travel does take some careful planning. So to save you from some of our packing fails, we wanted to share with you our ultimate carry-on only packing list.
This is the third post in our minimalist travel series. The first step in succeeding in minimalist travel is to have a great backpack, so we started this series with The Best Travel Backpack for Europe…and Beyond. This post will help you choose the best backpack for your travels before moving you on to the second post in the series, How We Travel With Only a Backpack, which provides you with all of our tips to make traveling with only a backpack easy and fun.
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Carry On Only Packing List
The purpose of this post is to ensure that everyone can travel easily using only carry on luggage, which for us is our backpacks. I’ve broken this list down into different categories that you can add to or delete based upon your needs.
For instance, if you aren’t traveling out of the country, then you obviously don’t need your passport. Our categories include must-have items, clothing, electronics, and health & beauty.
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Must-Have Items For Carry On Only Packing List
Passport
You definitely don’t want to leave home without your passport if you’re heading out of the country. Be sure that your passport is up to date and ensure that it won’t expire during your trip. You want to be sure you can get home! I always put my passport in one of the small pouches in the front of my bag to ensure I have easy access to it at the airport. Once I’m through airport security, I then put my passport in a more secure place further inside my bag.
Local ID
Having an extra identification document, like your driver’s license, never hurts. Besides, if you’re renting a car at your destination, you will need it anyway.
Boarding Pass
Download your boarding passes to your mobile phone or take a screenshot of it if you’re afraid that you won’t have internet access.
Copies of Your Important Documents
Absolutely make copies of your important document including your passport, debit/credit card, and local ID. We not only carry copies of these documents with us, we also upload them into a password-protected cloud for easy electronic access if needed. You will have a much easier time replacing documents if you can prove easily who you are.
Prescription Medication
I don’t think this one needs much explanation. Make sure that you have your prescription medication and that you have enough pills to get you through the entirety of your trip.
Credit/Debit Cards and Cash
Make sure that you have options when it comes to resources on your trip. You will definitely want your debit card so that you can access the ATM machines at your destination. It also never hurts to have some cash on hand. A little cash can go a long way in a crunch.
Car and House Keys
I know this sounds silly, but be sure that you have your car and house keys with you and that you always keep them in a safe and secure location within your backpack.
Clothing Items
Of course, clothing is a personal choice and will depend on the weather of your travel destination. The following items are suggestions based upon our travel experiences. Keep in mind that these are only suggestions.
You should definitely take the suggested list and make it your own. If you’re more of a t-shirt and jeans person, then by all means, pack in that direction. The last thing you want to do is to be uncomfortable while on vacation.
With that in mind, here are some of our clothing suggestions:
- Tops (6 total)
- Pants or Shorts (2)
- Socks (6)
- Underwear (6)
- Bras (2)
- Skirts or Dresses (2)
- Sweater/Jacket/Coat (1-only if needed)
- Pajamas or Yoga Pants (1)
- Glasses/Sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Scarf or Sarong
Tech Items
We all depend on our technology these days, so don’t leave home without the essentials you need on your trip. We include our camera equipment, phone, phone chargers, portable power pack, camera batteries, converter, iPad or laptop, and headphones.
Health and Beauty Items
We pack as few health and beauty items as possible, but there are a few things that I always take with me. The other items we either purchase once we arrive or use the hotel freebies. LOL!
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Razor
- Face Wash
- Make-up (very minimal-powder, eyeliner, mascara)
- Hair gel
- Comb
- Floss
- Non-Rx Meds (Tylenol, Benadryl, etc)
Miscellaneous Items
- Gum
- Extra ziploc bags
- Journal and pen
Final Thoughts on Carry On Only Travel
If you’ve made it this far into this post, then you are truly committed to this carry on only packing list! Well then don’t stop now. Check out the section below where we have linked up some of the exact items that we take on with us on our travels.
And yes, we only take our backpacks everywhere we go! I promise, once you’ve done it a couple of times, you will be a pro as well!!
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About the Author
Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. While she is a professional educator by day, her passion for travel has her jet-setting all over the world during her free time.
Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through her informative writing style on her blog, That Texas Couple. Her practical tips and suggestions help make travel dreams a reality while immersing her readers in the history, culture, and food of a region. She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.
Sage Scott
Thursday 14th of May 2020
Great list! One thing I have learned to carry on when traveling abroad is at least one outlet converter. There's nothing worse than finally landing after a long flight and being unable to charge my phone or laptop because all of my outlet converters are in my checked baggage!
thattexascouple
Saturday 16th of May 2020
This is so very true!!! Thank you!!
Kelly
Monday 11th of May 2020
I love how this list is so detailed. Especially regarding how much of every piece of clothing to bring. I have only traveled once with a carry-on and that was a domestic flight. I loved that there was no waiting around for luggage. This is very helpful.
thattexascouple
Monday 11th of May 2020
Thank you so much for reading. I am so glad you found it helpful!
Holiday House Management Northern Beaches
Monday 26th of November 2018
Before going to anywhere guidance’s is really important. The way you wrote everything that’s so good. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Jessie
Monday 22nd of October 2018
Great list! I second the scarf. I always carry a scarf shawl, which comes in handy also as a picnic blanket, airplane blanket, etc :)
Bree
Sunday 21st of October 2018
I would love to be able to do this. My back pack is full with my prescription medication. So i still have bag that is checked in but I have managed to get it down to roughly 10-12kg...as opposed to putting my entire wardrobe in lol. I have more medications in my bag also.