Hi, fellow traveller!
It's Beverly here. 🩷
Before we begin, I should probably clarify what I mean by carry-on. I'm talking about a travel backpack—not a suitcase with wheels. It's the one I take into the cabin with me, and after years of overpacking, I honestly can't imagine travelling any other way.
If you're planning a trip, chances are you've wondered whether paying extra for checked luggage is really worth it. I used to think it was.
In this article, I'll show you why I completely changed my mind. Travelling with just a backpack doesn't only save money—it makes every part of your trip easier. No waiting at baggage claim, no dragging a heavy suitcase across cobblestone streets, no worrying about baggage fees, and more money left for the things that actually make a holiday memorable.
A little disclaimer though—this works best for trips of up to a week. If you're travelling for longer, bringing a suitcase might make more sense. But for most city breaks and short holidays, I genuinely believe a backpack is all you need.
Believe it or not, I used to be one of those people who always paid extra for checked luggage... and somehow, it still never felt like enough. Packing for a trip felt stressful every single time.
Eventually, I realised the problem wasn't the size of my luggage—it was how I packed it. Once I learned how to use every inch of space efficiently, everything changed.
Suddenly, one backpack was enough, travelling became easier, and the money I used to spend on checked luggage could go towards better hotels, amazing food and unforgettable experiences instead.
So, let's see how to pack smarter, travel lighter and make every centimetre of your backpack count.
STAGE 1: The Pre-Packing
Wrong.
Now think again. How can you possibly decide what to pack if you have no idea what the weather will be like?
Never guess.
The number of times I've packed some of my favourite outfits only to arrive and realise I'd either be freezing or melting… And because I'd packed them, I stubbornly wore them anyway. More than once I came home feeling ill simply because I refused to admit I'd packed the wrong clothes.
All of that could have been avoided by spending two minutes checking the weather forecast.
So before you even think about opening your wardrobe, open your weather app instead.
I actually recommend checking two different weather apps. If they're both showing similar temperatures and conditions, you can be pretty confident you're packing for the right weather.
Only then should you move on to the next step.
Now that you know what the weather will be like, it's time to think about something just as important—your plans.
Ask yourself one simple question:
"What am I actually going to be doing?"
There's no point packing elegant dresses if you'll spend the entire holiday hiking, just like there's no point bringing sporty outfits if you've booked rooftop bars and fancy dinners every evening.
I like to picture each day from start to finish before I even open my wardrobe.
Will I be sightseeing? Walking 20,000 steps?
Having brunch? Going on a boat party?
Watching the sunset? Having dinner somewhere nice?
Once I've got a rough idea of what each day will look like, I start thinking about outfits. I like having at least three outfit ideas for every day of the trip. Don't panic—we're definitely not packing all of them. We're simply creating options before deciding which pieces deserve a place in the backpack.
Think of it as preparing for your own little fashion show. Oh, and I want a proper runway model walk as well. How else are we supposed to decide what's going in the backpack?
This is one of my favourite travel habits because it saves both space and money.
The hotels I usually search for and eventually book, are the ones that welcome you with adorable little bottles of shampoo, shower gel, champagne...
...I mean conditioner.
Bonus points if they also provide body lotion, cotton pads, cotton buds, slippers, razors or a hairdryer.
Every single thing I don't have to pack means a little more space inside my backpack.
And trust me, I'd much rather use that space for another lipstick than a bottle of shampoo.
Before every trip, I always double-check exactly what my accommodation includes. If something important is missing, I'll happily pack it myself. If it's already waiting for me at the hotel, there's absolutely no reason to carry the extra weight.
The ultimate jackpot?
A washing machine and an iron.
That's the moment I start tearing up with happiness.
STAGE 2: The Fashion Show
1. The Outfit Builder
Remember how I asked you to have at least 3 outfit ideas for every day of your trip? Well, now it's their time to shine.
I want you to try every single one of them on, walk around confidently and see how you feel. Don't get too attached to the outfits themselves though. Instead, look at the clothes each outfit is made of.
Can that top be worn with another skirt? Would those trousers look just as good with a different blouse? That's exactly what we're aiming for. The more pieces you can swap around and match with everything else, the more outfits you'll end up creating without packing extra clothes.
If an outfit is comfy and makes you feel like a queen—pack it. It's always good to aim for practical options but hey, has anyone ever worn heels just because they're comfy and practical? Yeah, I didn't think so either.
Let's just say we should aim for a little balance. Pick one item that may not be the most practical thing in the world but that you absolutely adore. That's our compromise.
If that item happens to be your shoes, I really hope you've packed a second pair that's comfortable enough for a full day of exploring as well.
Make sure you've actually tried on every outfit you've chosen and walked around in it before packing it. I avoid packing outfits that I think will look good without trying them on first.
The reason is simple—sometimes even your own clothes don't fit the way you'd like them to. The last thing you want is to be getting ready for a night out, already running late, only to realise that the outfit you were so excited about just doesn't look the way you imagined.
As a person who likes to stand out from the crowd, I always try to include a piece of clothing that isn't too ordinary. Something I started doing quite recently is assigning different jobs to my tops. Best decision I have ever made.
Once you start experimenting a little and thinking outside the box, you'll be surprised by how many creative outfits you'll be able to come up with.
One of my favourite fashion discoveries recently is just how many different tops you can create with a simple scarf. I'm obviously talking about the silky-thin ones that give your outfit that elegant finishing touch. You can pair one with a nice bracelet or even a ring to create a top that will be turning heads all day long.
I don't recommend experimenting with a winter scarf though... unless you want to show everyone what a fashion "don't" looks like.
An oversized white shirt is another multifunctional piece I always pack. Pairing it with a fitted dress and tying it into a knot at the front can look amazing. You can make it look cropped if you'd rather, or wear it as a beach cover-up.
If it's really oversized, you can even wear it as a cute dress. All it needs is the right belt and some cute shoes, and you'll be giving Carrie Bradshaw leaving Big's apartment. A classic and very underrated outfit that I'm absolutely head over heels for.
Don't forget to grab a few spaghetti-strap tops either. You can wear them criss-crossed, one-shouldered or even strapless.
As a matter of fact, if you're confident enough, I'm pretty sure you'd be able to slay them as a mini skirt, too.
Whenever possible, try to pack clothes made from crease-resistant or breathable fabrics. They'll save you a few headaches, especially if you're not sure whether your accommodation has an iron.
If you don't have clothes like that, make sure to hang them up as soon as you check into your hotel. The longer they stay folded inside your backpack, the more wrinkled they'll become. I've also heard that hanging them in the bathroom while you're taking a hot shower can help smooth out a few wrinkles.
After wearing an outfit, if the weather allows, you can leave it out on the balcony overnight to air out. Obviously, if it's sweaty or dirty, it's not worth wearing it again.
Some clothes, however, can easily be worn another time—you'll be able to judge that yourself depending on the fabric, the weather and how active you've been throughout the day.
Final Stage: The Actual Packing
This is what my backpack looks like and I’d urge you to buy a similar one. The padding around the straps is very soft and even when it gets quite heavy – it doesn’t hurt my shoulders.
The size of it is compatible with the majority of the airline carry-on bags policy but I’d advice you to double-check before buying just in case. It has plenty of pockets and sections as you can see below which is another advantage that reinforces my packing strategy to its fullest potential.
This is a customized mockup of the backpack. You can find the original model in Beverly’s Travel Picks below.
The thing I love the most about it is the hidden shoes compartment at the bottom. I was shocked the first time when I had my backpack already full but could still manage to squeeze in a pair of shoes.
I’m telling you, it was like the meme with the lego man and that love song playing in the background “I just died in your arms tonight…” No, but seriously. One of my best purchases.
Jeans, trousers and skirts are a different story. Those get rolled as tightly as possible because every centimetre counts. I usually leave the thinnest fabrics until last so they can fill any awkward little gaps in between.
One thing I always do is wear my bulkiest shoes, jacket and any other chunky clothing on the plane. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how much space it actually saves. I'd much rather wear my trainers for a couple of hours than let them take up half my backpack.
Full-sized products are swapped for travel-sized ones or small travel containers.
I also skip packing a full set of makeup brushes. Those tiny double-sided eyeshadow applicators work surprisingly well for applying contour, and I blend everything with my beauty blender instead. One less bulky brush taking up space.
For skincare, I only pack products I actually use every single day. Small travel containers are a lifesaver and, if you've been collecting those little magazine samples over the years... congratulations, they've finally found their purpose in life.
There are, however, a few things that never get left behind. A couple of painkillers because my period has an incredible sense of humour and always seems to arrive at the worst possible moment, an emergency pad or tampon, and any medication I know I might need.
If my backpack already has a dedicated toiletries compartment, I skip the separate toiletry bag altogether. One less pouch taking up valuable space.
Never pack your backpack to 100% capacity. That's basically telling the universe you're not planning to buy anything... and the universe loves proving you wrong.
You'll probably come home with a souvenir or two. Maybe some local snacks, a fridge magnet... or a dress you definitely didn't need but somehow couldn't live without. Or could you?
Just don't leave so much space that you start treating your trip like a shopping challenge. Unless that's the whole point, of course. Then pack the bare minimum and go have fun.
4. Pockets are Your Best Friend
If there's one thing I love almost as much as compartments, it's pockets. I like keeping everything I'll need during the journey within easy reach – my passport, wallet, lip balm, tissues, headphones and power bank all have their own place.
One quick piece of advice though: don't keep your passport, wallet or anything valuable in your back pocket. I've learnt that lesson the hard way. If I'm wearing a jacket, they usually go in one of the inside pockets instead.
I've actually been thinking about buying one of those travel jackets with dozens of hidden pockets. Then I remembered airport security would probably make me empty every single one of them... and I'd end up missing my flight.
5. Beverly's Neck Pillow Trick
I'll be honest... my neck pillow has done a lot more than support my neck over the years. Since the cover comes off, it may have... occasionally... alright, most of the time... been carrying something other than the actual pillow.
My favourite thing to stuff inside is usually the T-shirt I sleep in because I don't really care if it gets creased. Rolled-up socks work surprisingly well too and somehow make the pillow even more comfortable.
Let's just say I've accidentally discovered a little extra storage space that nobody seems to pay much attention to. As long as your neck pillow doesn't suddenly look like it's hiding a bowling ball, you'll probably be just fine.
🩷 Beverly’s Travel Picks
Travelling with just a carry-on backpack isn't about proving that you can survive with fewer clothes or squeezing your entire life into one bag. It's about making room for what actually matters.
Less time waiting at baggage claim. Less money spent on luggage fees. Less dragging heavy suitcases up flights of stairs and across cobblestone streets. More freedom, more flexibility and, hopefully, more unforgettable memories.
Will I ever travel with a suitcase again? Probably. Some trips simply call for one. But whenever I can get away with just my backpack, that's exactly what I'll choose.
Winter packing, however, is a whole different beast. Puffy jackets and chunky jumpers don't exactly enjoy sharing a backpack. It's still absolutely doable, but it requires a few extra tricks... and that's a story for another article…
I hope this guide helps you pack a little smarter for your next adventure. And who knows... maybe after your first carry-on-only trip, you'll never look at checked luggage the same way again. At least, that’s what happened to me.
Now go book that trip... and see if you can prove me right. If your backpack still doesn't close... I have a funny feeling there are way too many pairs of shoes in there.