It feels totally awesome to know I’ve finally mastered the art of carry on packing! I can’t wait to do it again! It was so EASY to travel, pack, and unpack.

Planning a break is exciting, but there’s one aspect that is decidedly frustrating: packing. When you’re taking a checked in luggage that is.

You know how it goes. You make a list, cram everything into your suitcase, and breathe a sigh of relief when it actually closes, only to be back to square one when you weigh it and realise it’s a few kilos over.

How many times have you wished you could skip the whole baggage part of flying altogether? I used to think that only young, single guys could get away with just bringing a carry-on for a long weekend break, but then it occurred to me that I had never actually tried it. So, I took the challenge on a recent four-day break and I’m pleased to announce that I succeeded!

Carry on packing was daunting at first, but it was so freeing not to be bogged down by extra baggage – not to mention the money I saved on the fee, which was enough to cover a meal out at our destination.

I know what you’re probably thinking: “That’s nice for you, but I could never do it.” I was once you, mama, but I’m here to tell you that you may be underestimating yourself. Try it, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If I can do it, anyone can!

Here’s a list of what I packed for my autumn break for inspiration.

Clothes

  • 2 trousers: I opted for trousers vs skirts or dresses, easier to wear and you get more outfit combinations.
  • 4 tops: One top for each day. I mixed long & short sleeves so I could wear according to the weather. I might have packed more if we were going on a different type of holiday, but this time around we planned to stay out for the whole day.
  • Denim jacket: Perfect choice for layering.
  • 1 scarf: A large scarf can accomplish so much. Tie it around your shoulders, wear it the classic way to dress up an outfit and keep warm, or roll it up and use it as a pillow on the plane.
  • 1 headband: A headband is an easy way to style your hair when it decides to get a life of it’s own so you don’t spend valuable time stuck in the bathroom, or stressing about it.
  • 1 casual indoor outfit to double as PJs: You might spend some time just sitting around your hotel room – it is a holiday, after all! – and you won’t want to do it fully dressed, will you? I chose PJs that are also comfortable just for lounging, which we did do some of.
  • Socks
  • Underwear

Toiletries

  • 1 small ‘pill bag’: It’s a good idea to bring the basics so you don’t have to track them down and pay inflated prices for small emergencies in unfamiliar surroundings. If you don’t know about my excellent system for always having a ‘pill bag’ all stocked up – check out my ‘Medicine Cabinet Organisation’ guide over here!
  • Makeup remover wipes: It’s ridiculous to lug around a big bottle of makeup remover when you’re only going to need to use it three or four times on the whole trip. Even if you don’t normally use wipes, this is the time to start as they’re super light, easy to use, and take up virtually no space in your carry on.
  • Basic makeup: Leave the train case behind and grab your favourite neutrals. For me, a lipstick, lip balm, brow pencil, blush and concealer are must-haves, and they’re super light and easy to pack in your purse. I also throw in two or three lipsticks and a foundation or BB cream for good measure.
  • Generic hydrating cream: Forget about separate lotions for your face, hands, and body. You can get through four days using one multitasking cream instead. Trust me!  
  • Toothbrush and mini toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Rubber band
  • Shower cap
  • Tissues
  • Compact mirror
  • Beauty samples for perfume, skincare & hair products

Other

  • Chargers (one USB plug and cables)
  • Spare shoes (I didn’t even end up using them, but that’s another story!)
  • 1 pair of extra earrings

And, of course, handbag essentials:

  • Passport
  • Booking & air tickets printouts
  • Travel umbrella
  • A snack or two
  • Wallet & credit cards
  • Camera
  • Spare SD card
  • Selfie stick
  • Kindle of course!
  • Wireless Bluetooth headphones
  • All liquids in a transparent bag (not more than 100mL each)
  • Small notebook & pen

Can you believe that all of this can fit in a carry-on? I would have scoffed at this list a few months ago, but now I’m fully on board and can’t imagine taking a short break any other way. 

Use this list to master carry on packing for a stress-free break! Carry on packing is the way to go! I know I’ll refer back to it for our next!