How to pack your carry-on bag and not have to pay for extra luggage

Mariana Toro

(CNN Spanish) — As airlines adjust to post-pandemic travel and adjust their fares, passengers are accommodating to a new era in which they must travel with a carry-on bag to pay less for the ticket.

While packing everything you need into a small space can be challenging, traveling with carry-on luggage also has its advantages. You can save time by skipping the baggage claim areas, which are often crowded. Also, if your flight changes or is delayed, you don't have to worry that your suitcase will not arrive at its destination at the same time as you.

So, if you don't want to pay extra for luggage and you've already prepared yourself mentally to load all your belongings in the cabin, here are some tips to pack everything you need in your hand luggage and not fail in the attempt (having to check in your suitcase or pay at the counter).

1. Check carefully what the airline allows you

Each airline has its own prices and measurements, and your savings will depend on whether you manage to stick to them or not.

Some companies count a 10-kilo suitcase as hand luggage, but more and more are offering low cost fares that only include a bag that must fit under the seat in front of you.

Others allow the small suitcase of 10 kilos, but they will make you check it in and that way you will not save time waiting for it to finally come out at the collection band.

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2. Choose a suitcase or light backpack

In any case, always choose a lightweight suitcase or backpack. Some can be unnecessarily heavy, which will not only hurt your back but also lose grams when packing.

Fabric backpacks are a good option to save on net weight.

3. Choose well what you are going to need and limit the "just in case"

If you have a lot of space, it's perfect if you want to bring everything you might need. But when space is tight, the “just in case” must be limited. Put on the bed everything you want to take and then make cutouts.

Say goodbye to that suit or dress you haven't worn in months and want to pack just because it might look good in photos, or in case there's a formal dinner. However, it's not a bad idea to bring an extra shirt (or two) in case the weather doesn't meet the forecast or you spill your coffee on yourself at the airport.

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Pack versatile items that you can wear in various ways and combinations. If you're going on a long trip, look around your destinations for washer and dryer options for when all your clothes are dirty.

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4. Pack clothes in rolls and in layers

One of the best packing techniques is to roll up your clothes and arrange them like you're playing Tetris. With the shoes at the bottom, accommodate the thicker jeans and pants and, between the spaces, you can put more rolled things. Thus, you go up in layers.

While lightweight clothing fills gaps, wool sweaters can be bulky and may be best packed folded at the top.

Clothes that wrinkle will also be better folded as you would in the closet, try to take up as little space as possible or, if you can, opt for shirts and pants that do not require ironing.

5. Take advantage of the space inside the shoes

Do not forget to fill the shoes and boots, it is space that will serve you later for that elegant shirt that you do not want to leave.

Lay shoes on their side, and wrap socks inside them or use the space to store jewelry and cords so they don't get tangled with any strings.

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6. Repackages liquids and creams into small jars

Use small bottles and jars for your creams, sunscreen, shampoo, makeup remover, etc., as well as your deodorant, toothpaste, and perfume; You will not need them full and also you will not have the problem of having them taken away at the security point if they exceed 100 milliliters.

7. Pack liquids in a separate plastic bag

To expedite your passage through security, and to avoid a clothing leak disaster, pack liquids in a separate plastic bag.

And so that the important things are not left behind, find here a travel list that you can cross off when packing.