2026-08-02 · 7 min read
The complete carry-on packing guide
Flying with only a carry-on is easier than it looks once you know what the rules actually are — and what the airlines care about. Here is how to do it.
A carry-on changes how you travel. No waiting at the belt, no lost luggage, and no lifting a heavy suitcase up and down stairs. The trade-off is that you have to be decisive about what comes with you.
Know your bag
Carry-on size limits vary by airline, and they are usually about the outer dimensions of the bag — wheels and handle included. Measure your bag before you pack, and keep the liquids in a single transparent pouch within the cabin-size rule.
Pack by cube
Packing cubes are the simplest way to get more into a small bag. Roll each category — tops, bottoms, underwear, layers — into its own cube. Rolled, not folded, clothes compress better and crease less.
Keep the essentials in hand
Passport, wallet, phone charger, medication and a change of underwear go in your personal item, always. If your carry-on is gate-checked, these are what you still have.
Browse the packing lists and build a carry-on-sized list for your next trip.