How to Pack a Carry-On for 5 Days

As airlines continue adding fees for checked bags, people are looking for ways to fly without checking any luggage. That might be easy enough for a weekend, but what if you're going to be gone for five days? How can you possibly fit everything you need into a carry-on bag? We have some ideas.

First, make a packing list. Choose clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched to reduce the number of items you need to bring. And if you want to bring only a carry-on, review the TSA's list of items that must be in checked baggage. Now you're ready to pack.

Roll Up Your Clothes

Instead of folding your clothes and stacking them in your carry-on bag, roll them up into cylinders, then put them in zip-top bags before putting them in your carry-on bag to keep them compressed and help keep you organized (you can pack outfits together and/or pack like items together to make unpacking easier). Rolling up your clothes and storing them in zip-top bags ensures they'll take up less space and you'll be able to pack much more into your carry-on bag than if you use the traditional method of folding and stacking your clothes.

Be sure to pack thin, light-weight fabrics to save space. You can layer items of similar shape on top of each other before folding or rolling them together to save space.

Use Relevant Tools to Make Packing Easier

We already mentioned zip-top bags in the section above, but rubber bands and packing cubes are also essential for getting everything you need into your carry-on bag.

Packing cubes are plastic cubes you can use to store items in your carry-on bag. They're great for keeping clothes compressed and organized. Clear, quart-sized packing cubes are great for storing your liquid cosmetics, perfumes and toiletries. For carry-ons, be sure containers meet the 3-1-1 liquid rule.

How to Pack Shoes

Unless you're packing flip-flops, your shoes have empty space in them that can be used by other things you want to bring on your trip. For example, spare pairs of socks can be slipped inside the shoes before packing them in your carry-on so you're not wasting any space. This has the added benefit of helping the shoes maintain their shape during travel.

If you're packing a pair of high-heeled shoes, be sure to fill in that space around the heels with clothes and other essentials so they aren't taking up valuable space.

Flip-flops and other types of smaller shoes can be held together by rubber bands to keep them compressed and together in your carry-on bag, which helps to save space while keeping you organized.

Put Outside Compartments to Work

Most soft-sided carry-on bags have at least one outside compartment. Use these to tuck in items that you need easy access to. You can also slide small packing cubes or sleeves into them. Outside pockets are also handy for chargers, headphones and other small gadgets.

You're Ready to Travel

With these tips, you should be able to pack everything you need for your 5-day trip. All that's left is to get to the airport. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, reserving your parking space in advance means you have one less thing to worry about when it's time to leave. With open air, covered and even valet parking, we can get you the spot you need to make your trip that much easier.