As budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier become stricter with personal item rules and some legacy carriers begin charging exorbitant fees for accessing overhead bins, more travelers are facing a tough choice: bring only a personal item or risk the headaches associated with checked luggage.
In addition to running the risk of lost luggage, the latter also comes with a string of other hassles like paying an additional fee, having to arrive early to drop the bag off at the counter, waiting around to claim it, and shlepping it about your destination.
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On the flip side: packing a weekend’s worth of essentials into a tiny backpack? I know it feels like an impossible task at first – but I promise that more often than not, it’s going to be worth it. Not only do you save money -sometimes a significant amount, even more than the cost of the plane ticket – but you also gain precious travel time.
Before you start protesting, I’ll stop you and reassure you that yes, you can travel stylishly with just that under-the-seat bag. The proof is in any number of my real-life, personal item packing lists, like my packing list for five days in San Francisco, weekend in Cleveland, or four days in Austin. Open them in a separate tab for a little inspiration later, but for now I’m sharing the tips and hacks that make traveling with just a personal item a breeze.
Ready, jet-set, let’s go!:
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF TRAVELING WITH ONLY A PERSONAL ITEM
Size matters
I’m going to start with the obvious: make sure your bag fits the posted dimensions. Gate agents are cracking down on travelers bringing oversized personal items – and in some cases, even charging passengers for bringing bags that fit the guidelines (side note: I’d definitely contact my credit card issuer for a chargeback in this instance) – so don’t give them a reason to charge you from the start.
Each airline is a little different, but as of publication, the bags above all fit the current requirements for the two best known U.S. budget carriers, Spirit and Frontier (14″ x 18″ x 8″). My current personal faves that fit most airline measurements are this shoulder bag, this expandable backpack, and this suitcase-like backpack.
Sharing is caring
Traveling with a buddy? Make sure you’re not duplicating things! From toiletries to chargers, if there is ever a time you only need one of something, it’s now – communicate beforehand about who is bringing the power bank, the toothpaste, the shampoo, the sunscreen, etc. (whether you share deodorant is your call…).
Wear the heaviest and bulkiest items on the plane
I know, I know, this is just good common sense. But how many times have felt silly for discovering something we should have known all along? If you’re not already doing so, here’s your sign that it’s okay to layer up and dress a little goofy on the plane. Hey, at least you’re not the one in cartoon character pajamas.
Think like a shrink ray
I’m always amazed at how easy it is to whittle down my toiletries when faced with limited space. Swapping my sturdy reusable quart bag for a plastic one (also reused!) saves a little space, but what makes the most difference is going full minimalist-mode.
Reducing my balms and lotions to just essentials, and reaching for those good ol’ samples of shampoo or fragrances is enough to reclaim some luggage space. I try to squirrel them away from every Sephora order, choosing the products I need most at checkout (or if you’ve signed up for subscription services like Allure Beauty Box, it’s the perfect excuse to toss those minis in your bag).
No tiny vials? You can always sub in contact lens containers filled with your favorite foundation or serum in a pinch – just don’t go back to using them for their original purpose!
This doesn’t just apply to toiletries – you can take this idea and apply it to just about everything in your bag, from packing your lightest pajamas to swapping your chunky wallet for a slim card case.
Trust the process
Be honest – when is the last time you stayed at a hotel and they didn’t provide a hair dryer? What about shampoo or body wash (or at least a bar of soap)? I used to travel with a mini bottle of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion, but rarely found myself pulling the first three from my bag (Dear Hotels, Please provide decent lotion. Signed, Alyssa).
These days, I trust that common items will be easy to find at my destination – but I still toss a sample pouch of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in my bag, just in case. As for the bulky hair dryer, I’m resigned to air drying my hair in a pinch so I leave mine at home.
Where things get tricky is at Airbnbs or other homeshares. If I ever find myself in need of something (umbrellas and beach towels always seem to be the thing), I’ll pick up an inexpensive one and ask the host if they’d like me to leave it behind for the next guest. For the handful of times I’ve needed to do this, no one has ever turned down a free item.
Looking for more packing help? Here's where you can find all of my real-life packing lists
Don’t get stressed – compress!
After years of resisting compression cubes (“How can it make any noticeable difference?” I foolishly asked myself), I finally caved and picked up a few of these.
What a difference a little zipper can make! Packing your clothing in a compression cube frees up a few precious inches of space and helps keep everything clean and organized in your bag. Plus – now there’s zero chance of your undies falling out while you reach for your headphones.
Play a little bag Tetris
While we’re on the subject of packing cubes, another way to maximize space is by organizing your bag’s contents efficiently. Each bag is a little different, but you might find you have more room in your bag simply by changing up the orientation of the items inside. Once you’ve found the right layout, take a photo of your packed bag. It’ll help you repack for the way home, when everything you own seems to have expanded over the course of your trip.
Stick with one pair of shoes
It’s tough, I know – but if you’re really looking to make the most of a tiny bag, shoes are the easiest item to ditch with the highest payoff. If you must pack a pair of shoes in addition to the ones you’re flying in, go with something lightweight like a slim, foldable sandal or packable sneaker.
Mix and match (and rewear!)
When packing, you’ll get the most mileage out of clothing that is easy to mix and match. I like to bring pieces in a compatible color palette but deliberately choose garments that vary in their formality. For example, I would pack a pair of jeans and trousers with a tank top and blouse to create four different outfits that span the spectrum of casual to dressed up.
Better yet, remember this: you’re probably not going to interact with the same people over and over at your destination, which means that no one is going to remember your outfit from yesterday. Choose fabrics that are easy to rewear (I love wool for this!), and you’ll be able to get away with fewer garments in your bag.
A great coat makes all the difference
Whether it’s an effortless oversized trench, a casual-cool leather jacket, or a chic wool coat, a coat can truly be an outfit maker. Choose wisely, and it almost doesn’t matter what else you’re wearing (weather permitting, of course!).
Pick the right purse
This won’t apply to everyone, but if you’re bringing a purse or day bag, I find that these two approaches work best:
1. Bring the tiniest bag you can, so it takes up as little room as possible in your personal item.
2. Bring your regular travel purse, but fill it with any odds-and-ends travel essentials like chargers, toiletries, first-aid products, etc. (just unpack them once you’ve arrived at your destination and you’re good to go!).
If all else fails, bend the rules a little
Okay, so this last tip is a little “at your own risk” – but there are a few ways to eek past security with more belongings in-tow. The first is one I’ve never had an issue with: clipping things to the outside of my bag. Rather than taking up valuable estate, essentials like a collapsible tote, compact umbrella, or hand sanitizer can be easily stowed on the outside of your bag without attracting unwanted attention from gate agents.
The riskier route is this: stashing a secondary bag under your coat. This is really a last resort option, like if you’re returning home after a trip and you accidentally bought too many bagels so you can’t fit everything in your personal item.
A belt bag tucked behind your waist and topped with your coat or a crossbody bag folded up in your jacket in carried in your hands just might fly. However, you just have to accept that you’re taking a gamble – and that many gate agents are scrutinizing passengers for excess baggage more than ever (and, psst… this is again at your own risk – I can’t be held responsible for any resulting baggage charges!).
FINAL THOUGHTS ON TRAVELING WITH JUST A PERSONAL ITEM
One common theme throughout my travel tips posts is choosing to do the hard work before your trip, so you don’t have to worry about anything during your trip.
An unexpected baggage charge would be a very frustrating way to start a trip, so adopting some smart travel strategies can help you avoid that extra charge (which can be as high as $100 – think of all the wonderful things you could do with $100!).
In addition to avoiding a headache at the gate, traveling light frees you from the burden of lugging around, well, excess luggage. And if you really just feel like you really can’t travel without a carry-on bag, consider sharing the suitcase and the costs with your travel companion – the earlier you make that choice, the cheaper it will be.
Bon voyage!
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Questions for you
Have you ever been forced to pay for a bag at the gate?
What category seems the toughest to whittle down?
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These personal item travel hacks are game-changers! Perfect for making packing and traveling a breeze.
Thanks Harvey! There’s nothing like being able to waltz right off the plane and not having to pay extra for your luggage.