Carry-on packing tips are something I’ve picked up plenty of after more than 30 years of travelling around Australia and overseas. And one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is simple: packing lighter can make travelling so much easier.
Travel has been a huge part of my life.
Many of you will know me through my dad, Mal Leyland, and our family’s long association with travelling Australia. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend years on the road, travelling to some incredible parts of this country and experiencing everything from remote outback adventures to long road trips, flights and overseas holidays.
And after all those years, you’d think I’d have packing completely mastered!
I certainly haven’t always been a light packer.
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There was a time when I’d pack for every possible situation — extra clothes, extra shoes and all those things I’d throw into the bag because “I might need that.”
Experience has taught me differently.
These days, I think good packing isn’t about squeezing as much as possible into a suitcase. It’s about taking the right things, staying organised and making the journey as easy as possible.
So here are seven of my favourite carry-on packing tips, learned from more than 30 years of travelling.
1. Start With the Right Carry-On Bag
A good carry-on bag can make an enormous difference.
I look for something lightweight, comfortable to carry and, importantly, easy to organise.
Useful compartments mean you’re not constantly digging through the bottom of your bag looking for your glasses, charging cable or passport.
One of the really great carry-on packing tips I particularly like is a foldable backpack.
Carry-On Packing Tips – Wear Your light comfy Clothes in warmer climatesIt takes up very little room when it’s packed away but gives you an extra bag when you arrive at your destination.
They’re handy for sightseeing, day trips, shopping, excursions or simply carrying a few essentials when you don’t want to take your main bag with you.
2. Pack for the Holiday You’re Actually Taking
This sounds obvious, but it’s probably one of the easiest carry-on packing tips is to reduce what you pack.
Don’t pack for every situation that might happen.
Instead, think about what you’re genuinely going to be doing each day.
I like taking clothes that can be mixed and matched. A few versatile pieces can create several outfits without taking up half your luggage.
If something you’re considering packing only works with one outfit, ask yourself whether you really need it.
Quite often, the answer is no.
3. Keep Your Carry-On Organised
“One of my most practical carry-on packing tips is to keep everything organised.”
Packing cubes, organisers and separate pouches make it much easier to know where everything is.
You can keep underwear together, separate your tops and bottoms, and have another small organiser for cables and chargers.
It becomes particularly useful if you’re travelling around rather than staying in one hotel for your entire holiday.
There’s nothing worse than having to unpack your whole bag just to find one small thing.
4. Wear Your Bulkiest Items
If I’m taking a jacket, jeans or heavier shoes, I’ll often wear them while I’m travelling.
Your lighter clothes and shoes can then go into your luggage, leaving valuable space for everything else.
Carry-On Packing Tips – Wear Your Bulkiest ClothesComfort comes first.
wearing my bulky jacket when flying also gives me the jacket to wear as a blanket or scrunch up and lean on making flying and sleeping a little more comfortable.
5. Keep the Important Things Close
There are certain things I always want within easy reach when I’m travelling.
Your passport, wallet, phone, medication, travel documents, chargers and valuables should be somewhere safe but accessible.
I like keeping smaller essentials together in a separate pouch rather than scattering them through different pockets.
That way, when I need something, I know exactly where to look.
And there’s another reason to keep your essentials in your carry-on.
Checked luggage doesn’t always arrive when you do!
6. Pack for the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Your carry-on isn’t only about what you’ll need when you arrive.
Think about the journey itself.
Depending on how long I’m travelling, I might have headphones, a charging cable, something warm for a cold aircraft cabin and a few personal essentials within easy reach.
For a longer journey, I’ll also pack a change of underwear and a fresh top.
If your checked suitcase decides to take a different holiday from you, at least you’ve got enough to get through the first day!
7. Don’t Fill Every Last Bit of Space
This is probably one of my favourite carry-on packing tips.
Leave some room.
It’s tempting to use every centimetre of available space before you leave home, but you’ll probably be grateful for that spare room later.
You might buy something on your travels, need somewhere to put your jacket or simply discover that everything refuses to fit quite as neatly when you’re packing to come home.
A little bit of spare space gives you flexibility.
One of My Most Important Carry-On Packing Tips
“Of all the carry-on packing tips I’ve learned over the years, one simple question has probably saved me the most space.”
“Am I genuinely going to use this?”
If the answer is no — or even probably not — it usually comes out.
After more than 30 years of travelling, I’ve realised that packing lighter gives you something much more valuable than a little extra room in your suitcase.
It gives you freedom.
Less to carry.
Less to keep track of.
Less time spent unpacking and repacking.
And more time to enjoy where you’re going.
How Years of Travel Led Me to Cloud Travel
All those years on the road have also given me plenty of ideas about the little things that can make travelling easier.
And that’s part of the reason I’ve decided to start something new.
I’ve recently launched Cloud Travel, my new online travel store.
Cloud Travel brings together practical travel accessories designed to help travellers stay organised, pack smarter and make their journeys a little more comfortable.
“I’ll also be sharing more carry-on packing tips, travel advice and practical ideas through Cloud Travel.”
It’s a different venture from Leylands Travel Australia, but the inspiration behind it comes from exactly the same place — my lifelong love of travel and exploring Australia and the world.
After so many years travelling with Dad, working with Leylands Travel Australia and sharing our adventures, this feels like a natural next step for me.
I’m taking what I’ve learned from actually being on the road and using those experiences to help choose practical products that I believe can make travelling that little bit easier.
And I’m only just getting started.
Come Along on My Next Adventure
If you’ve followed Mal Leyland, our family adventures or Leylands Travel Australia over the years, I’d love you to come along with me as I build Cloud Travel.
I’ll be sharing more of my personal travel tips, packing advice, ideas for making travel easier and, of course, the products I’m discovering along the way.
“I hope these carry-on packing tips help make your next trip a little easier.”
✈️ Visit the Cloud Travel Store
Explore Cloud Travel and my range of travel accessories:
💙 Follow Cloud Travel on Facebook
I’d particularly love to see some familiar faces from the Leylands community over on my new page.
Follow Cloud Travel on Facebook for travel tips, packing ideas, new products and inspiration for your next adventure:
And when you get there, say hello and let me know you’ve come across from Leylands Travel Australia.
Travel smarter. Explore further.
Carmen Leyland
What are the best carry-on packing tips for travelling lighter?
Some of my best carry-on packing tips are to choose versatile clothing, wear your bulkiest items while travelling, use packing organisers and only pack things you know you’ll actually use. I also recommend leaving a little spare room in your bag for anything you pick up along the way.
What should I always keep in my carry-on bag?
I always recommend keeping important items such as your passport, wallet, phone, medication, travel documents, chargers and valuables in your carry-on. For longer journeys, I also like to pack a fresh top and change of underwear in case checked luggage is delayed.
How can I avoid overpacking my carry-on?
After more than 30 years of travelling, my favourite trick is to look at each item before closing my bag and ask, “Am I genuinely going to use this?” If the answer is probably not, I leave it at home. Packing lighter means less to carry, less to keep track of and more freedom to enjoy your trip.
