The art of travelling light: 10 Tips for carry on only!
The Art of Travelling Light: 12 Tips for Carry-On Only
Because surely we can manage a week or two away with one little suitcase? Can’t we?
So far in 2027, I’ve taken four international retreats and trainings, which means I’ve spent a fair bit of time in airports, standing at the baggage carousel, waiting for my suitcase to make an appearance. Sometimes it feels as though it’s enjoying a longer holiday than I am.
So, for my recent trip to Bali to co-facilitate a retreat, I decided to set myself a challenge: carry-on luggage only.
For some people, this is a perfectly ordinary way to travel. For me, it felt like a small miracle might be required.
When I mentioned it in classes at Seed, it became quite the topic of conversation. Students ranged from being absolutely horrified that it was even possible to generously cheering me on with fabulous tips and tricks. I was clearly going to need all the help I could get.
Well, I’m delighted to report that I made it! And it was a game changer. No waiting at the baggage carousel, no wondering whether my suitcase had taken a detour to Singapore, and no lugging half my wardrobe around the world.
If I can do it, anyone can. Here’s a little distillation of the wisdom shared by our Seed community, along with a few things I learned along the way.
1. Start with the lightest possible suitcase
I use an Antler lightweight rolling case, mine weighs just 1.9kg. With Jetstar’s standard 7kg carry-on allowance, that leaves 5.1kg for everything else, including your small personal item. Every gram counts! Check your airline’s size and weight limits before you fly.
2. Make a list, then get ruthless
Write down everything you think you need. Then go through it again and ask yourself, “Will my holiday be ruined if I leave this behind?” If the answer is no, it probably stays at home. You’re going on holiday, not moving house.
3. Embrace the capsule wardrobe
Choose clothes that mix and match, ideally in a simple colour palette so everything works together. A few tops, a couple of bottoms, a versatile dress and a lightweight layer can create plenty of combinations.
And as a yogi, I took just one pair of yoga pants and a couple of yoga tops. One pair! I survived. I also discovered that nobody was keeping a spreadsheet of what I wore each day.
4. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane
That chunky cardigan, jacket and pair of runners can go straight on your body. Airports and aeroplanes are often chilly anyway, and your suitcase will have a little more breathing room. You might look slightly overdressed for the tropics, but that’s a small price to pay.
5. Be ruthless with shoes
You probably only need two pairs. Wear your bulkiest pair and pack the other. I know, I know. Shoes are important. But unless your itinerary includes a mountain trek, a fancy dinner and a beach party, two pairs should do the job.
6. Downsize your toiletries
Decant your favourites into small travel containers and take multipurpose products where possible. For international flights departing Australia, liquids, aerosols and gels generally need to be in containers of 100ml or less, packed in a transparent, resealable bag. Check the rules for your journey, especially if you have connecting flights.
Your bathroom cabinet will still be there when you get home.
7. Roll, don’t fold
Rolling clothes can help you use space efficiently and makes it easier to see what you’ve packed. Packing cubes are also brilliant for keeping everything organised. Think Tetris, but with your holiday wardrobe.
8. Use every little nook and cranny
Put socks inside shoes, tuck underwear into gaps and fill those awkward little spaces. You’ll be amazed at how much you can fit when you put your mind to it. Just leave a little room for a sarong or two.
9. Pack a laundry bag and discover the magic of a little freshen-up
A lightweight bag for dirty clothes keeps everything separate. If you’re away for a week or more, a quick hand wash can be your best friend.
I also discovered Dirt , a probiotic fabric spray designed to help freshen clothes between washes. The travel-sized bottle is ideal for your carry-on. I’ve really enjoyed using it to give clothes another outing before washing them. It’s a clever little addition when you’re working with a very small wardrobe.
10. Weigh your bag before you leave
Buy a small luggage scale or use bathroom scales to check the weight of your packed bags. Airlines can weigh your carry-on at check-in or the boarding gate, and exceeding the allowance can become an expensive exercise.
For example, Jetstar currently lists excess checked baggage at $50 per kilo on international flights, while an overweight carry-on bag that has to be checked at the international boarding gate can attract a flat fee of $175. Ouch!
That’s a pretty powerful incentive to get the scales out before you leave home.
11. Pack for your actual holiday, not your imaginary one
You know the outfit I mean. The one you pack just in case you suddenly find yourself invited to a gala, attending a glamorous cocktail party or being whisked away on a spontaneous yacht trip.
Have a look at your itinerary and pack for the things you’re actually going to do. If an unexpected invitation arrives, I’m sure you’ll manage. You might even discover that the clothes you brought are perfectly adequate.
12. My final tip: date a minimalist
This one is entirely optional, of course, but I can highly recommend it.
My fella operates on the philosophy that if you have your wallet and passport, everything else is a bonus. He can travel with a toothbrush, a couple of spare pairs of undies and a clean T-shirt and consider himself exceptionally well prepared.
The sneaky upside? His minimalist approach sometimes leaves me a little extra room for purchases while I’m away. It’s a relationship win, really.
And finally, remember that you can wash clothes, buy forgotten essentials and wear the same outfit more than once. The world will keep turning.
The real joy of travelling light is the freedom to move easily, skip baggage claim and spend less time managing your belongings and more time enjoying the adventure.
Pack less, travel well, and leave a little room for magic. And perhaps that extra pair of sandals can stay home after all. Lisa x