I’ve made every rookie packing mistake there is. I’ve lugged an overstuffed suitcase up the subway steps in New York, I’ve sat on my bag in a Seoul airport bathroom to get the zip shut, and I’ve even had my luggage stolen in Lyon.

But over the years, and many, many packing regrets later, I’ve learned that travelling light is one of the greatest travel luxuries. Not the business-class lounge, not even a glass of fizz at take-off. The true luxury is walking straight past baggage claim like you own the place.

Here’s how I’ve learned to pack carry-on only and actually enjoy it.

Step 1: The mindset shift

Packing light isn’t just about space; it’s about mindset. When I finally committed to carry-on travel, I realised most of what I used to pack was “just in case” stuff. Just in case it rained. Just in case there was a fancy dinner. Just in case I peed my pants every single day for two weeks. Just in case I suddenly became the kind of person who wears heels on cobblestones. Spoiler: I’m not.

The golden rule? You don’t need to prepare for every possible version of the trip, just the one that’s most likely to happen. Once I let go of that “what if” anxiety, everything became lighter – literally.

Step 2: Choose your bag wisely

Your bag is your foundation, so pick one that works with you, not against you. I’m loyal to a hard case on four wheels – the kind that glides across airport floors like it’s on ice skates. But if you’re heading somewhere with cobblestones or stairs, a soft backpack might save your shoulders – and your sanity.

Step 3: Make your packing list ruthless

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I used to start with everything I wanted to bring and try to narrow it down. Now I start with nothing and justify every item. If it doesn’t work at least twice, it stays home.

For example, for a winter trip, here is what I’d bring:

• One pair of jeans (they go with everything and can be dressed up or down);
• A long sleeve merino T (I am perpetually freezing on planes, and merino wool is temperature regulating – a literal lifesaver);
• Thermals that are lightweight to go under everything (and are breathable/quick drying so you can wash them in your hotel if you need);
• Three shirts, two jumpers;
• One dress that can do both day and night duty;
• Two pairs of shoes: sneakers and boots;
• A scarf (the Swiss Army knife of travel accessories);
• Wool socks (I know I’m rambling on about wool, but it’s truly the GOAT – see what I did there – fabric for travelling light);
• A coat that I will wear at all times to avoid overweight luggage.

If I’m heading somewhere warm, I swap these for one breathable set of linen, one dress, two tops, a light jacket and some sandals.

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Toiletries get the same treatment. I decant everything into travel-size containers and skip the “what if I run out?” panic. Unless you’re hiking in the outback, there will always be shops.

Have a streamlined list of trusty wardrobe items. Photo: Getty

Step 4: Master the art of the roll

Ask 10 travellers how to pack and you’ll get 10 different methods – but rolling clothes genuinely works. It saves space, minimises creasing, and gives you that smug sense of order when you look at your perfectly lined-up rolls.

For bulkier items like coats, I wear them on the plane (you can always stuff them under the seat). And for small things – socks, underwear, swimwear – I tuck them inside shoes or the corners of the case. Every millimetre counts.

If you’re packing for longer than a week, packing cubes are a game-changer. They keep things contained and make mid-trip rummaging way less chaotic. Bonus: When you open your bag for airport security, it looks neat enough to impress even the most stoic customs officer.

Step 5: Build a travel uniform

Now, I think of packing like creating a capsule wardrobe – neutral colours, pieces that mix and match, and materials that don’t wrinkle if you so much as look at them.

My dream travel outfit formula: Linen in summer, merino in winter. You can go from sightseeing to cocktails without missing a beat.

Step 6: Don’t fear laundry

The reason so many people overpack is that they don’t want to do laundry on the road. But honestly? Doing a quick wash mid-trip is far less annoying than lugging extra kilos of “just in case” clothing.

Most hotels have a guest laundry or same-day service, and a travel-size detergent sheet can turn any bathroom sink into a washing station. I’ve even been known to use the hotel hairdryer to speed-dry my socks (pro move, if a little noisy).

Step 7: The tech tangle

Electronics can eat up space fast, so streamline your gadgets. I stick to my phone, laptop and portable light for photos. I won’t lie, a powerboard with USB-C and USB-A ports is a necessity for me and saves me from carrying a spaghetti tangle of cords, plus noise-cancelling headphones are my sanity saviour.

Oh, and a power bank. I never, ever forget a power bank – it’s the difference between arriving refreshed and arriving at 5 per cent battery with no idea how to get to your hotel.

Always try to stick to the essentials, even when it comes to gadgets. Photo: Unsplash

Step 8: The “airport survival” zone

The best trick I’ve learned is to pack a small pouch that lives in the seat-back pocket: lip balm, hand sanitiser, pen, earplugs, face mist, a snack and a sleep mask. This way, you don’t need to rummage through your bag mid-flight like a raccoon looking for food.

Step 9: Leave a little space

There’s a special kind of heartbreak that comes from finding the perfect souvenir – then realising you have nowhere to put it. I always leave a small corner of my bag empty for a bottle of local wine, a handmade trinket, or, let’s be honest, a new piece of clothing I didn’t technically need but absolutely had to have.

Worst case, you wear your bulkiest outfit home. It’s practically a travel tradition.

Step 10: The carry-on mindset

Packing carry-on only isn’t just about convenience. It’s freedom. It’s the joy of breezing through airports, skipping luggage carousels, and knowing exactly where everything you own is – because it’s right there with you.

It’s also a quiet confidence boost. There’s something incredibly satisfying about realising you can live for two weeks with the same seven kilograms you used to take for a weekend.

So next time you’re tempted to bring that extra pair of “maybe” shoes or the second jacket “just in case”, remember this: The less you carry, the more you can enjoy where you’re going.

Republished from Australian Traveller