8 Minimalist Packing Hacks to Make Traveling Easier

No matter where I go or how long I stay, I only travel with my carry-on. This way, I never have to wait for my check-in, worry about my baggage getting lost, or drag around unnecessary weight with me during my travels.

All of my essentials are reduced down to fit this one bag, and I love that I have found a system to minimize the stress and maximize my travels.

Today, I want to help you build a minimalist packing list for how to pack a carry on and have everything you need on your trip.

Many of us tend to overpack so that we can have everything we may need and still have the comfort of our homes while we are away.

This comes with a price: it can be very costly, and can slow us down from the true travel experience.

I am planning a road trip for the next couple of months, so let me share my packing process with you.

1. Make a list of your necessities

Before I even start packing, I always make a list of the things I absolutely need to bring on my trip. Every trip is different and unique, so there are a few key questions I ask myself. What is the climate like? What activities will I be doing? How long am I going to be away for? What is the day-to-day itinerary like? What documents do I need to bring?

Packing can feel overwhelming sometimes, so these questions are a good place to start. This is going to be a long trip for me, so I am packing my laptop for work, my camera of course, my running shoes, and a water jug for all the hikes and outdoor activities.

2. Coordinate outfits in advance

Coordinating my outfits in advance allows me to see how many outfits I have available to me. I usually do laundry in the middle of my trips, so I only pack 5 days worth of clothes, no matter the length of the trip.

For this trip I am taking one denim, two shorts, five tank tops, two long sleeves, one jacket, one dress and three different active wear because our trip is centered around lots of hikes.

Since I already have a capsule wardrobe, it was easy to mix and match my clothes, and I will be able to just layer my tops for extra warmth in the colder states.

3. Use packing cubes

Packing cubes are so helpful to organize the different contents in my bag. I try my best to keep everything in my bag even at the hotels or Airbnbs, and packing cubes allow me to find everything easily and access it without unpacking the whole bag.

I use the big ones for bulkier clothes and small ones for tops, accessories, and electronics. I also have a different bag for my shoes just to keep them separate from the rest of my clothes.

4. Fold the heavier items and roll smaller items

Different travelers have different opinions on rolling vs folding, so just find a combination that works for you. To save space in my luggage I usually fold bulkier items like denim and jackets and roll the smaller ones like delicate clothing, tanks and shirts.

I like to flat pack the bulkier items on the bottom of the luggage for cushion and use it as a base, place my packing cubes on top, and find a way to wedge my shoes along the sides.

By rolling my tanks and tops I can see all of my choices when I open up my packing cubes, and it is a great way to avoid the harsh edges that come from folding fabrics like cotton and linen.

5. Have a separate waterproof bag for liquids

Since I always pack all of my valuables into one luggage, I am extremely careful about how I separate my liquids. I use a clear TSA approved waterproof bag for all of our toiletries.

It is leak-proof, sturdier than a plastic bag, and I can use it year after year with pretty much the same toiletries, keeping my daily skincare and hygiene essentials in clear little containers for the duration of my trip. I usually tape the edges shut for extra precaution.

6. Wear the bulkiest items and accessories on the plane

Whatever we are wearing does not count towards the airline weight limit, and also saves a lot of room in your bag.

For this trip we are traveling through the southwest during the summer months so luckily we do not have puffy jackets or sweaters but I wore my hiking shoes to the airport to save room for other items in my luggage.

Something I recently learned from my sister is to wear all the jewelry and accessories on the plane so they do not get tangled in transit.

7. Make use of every inch of space

Packing smart means making sure no valuable space goes unused.

In the winter months I sometimes use compression bags to squeeze the bulkier items into to every inch of usable space, but even without these vacuum seal bags, I always try to find space inside water bottles, put bags inside of other bags, fill the edges with scarves, belts, and accessories, and make sure that every space gets filled.

It always feels like a game of Tetris, which is kind of challenging and also fun.

8. Travel with less

This sounds kind of obvious, but the point of traveling only with a carry-on is not to cram as much as possible but to travel with less. Paring down to only our essentials makes traveling much more enjoyable by eliminating the need to lug around heavy bags through the airports, train stations, up hills, on cobblestones.

This is not just physical weight, but psychological weight as well. There is so much freedom in being able to pack in 15 minutes, to fly light with only carry-on, to go wherever the situation takes us. Packing is truly an art, and with every new trip we want to pack even lighter so that we can focus all of our attention on what is right in front of us.

Minimalist packing list

What is your luggage situation like when you travel? What are your non-negotiables, and what things are you willing to forgo for a few weeks? Share in the comments!

Next, check out these 5 Easy Ways to Stop Your Capsule Wardrobe From Being Boring.