How to Travel Internationally with Carry-On Luggage Only

Our family travels internationally with carry-on luggage only, even on trips lasting two weeks.

How our family of four packs everything we need in carry-on bags.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• Whether international carry-on-only travel is realistic

• How our family packs for trips of 2 weeks

• How we handle laundry and souvenirs

• The pros and cons before you book

Why We Travel Internationally with Carry-On Luggage Only

We initially chose to fly carry-on for a couple of reasons.

First, we were concerned about our luggage getting lost. The last thing we wanted to do was land in another country and find out we had to buy a whole new wardrobe.

Second, we did it for practical reasons. For our first international trip (to Paris and Rome), our children were 8 and 5 years old. We decided we could only pack what my husband and I could carry.

We were concerned about the logistics of travelling with car seats, so we decided we’d use public transportation. We knew the metros in Paris had long staircases, and we didn’t want to try to hold our kids’ hands and drag suitcases behind us. It just wasn’t going to work. So, carry-on only it was.

After we successfully managed it once, we knew we could do it again. And here we are!

Can You Really Travel for Two Weeks with Only a Carry-On?

Yes, but that’s not to say it isn’t challenging.

For instance, on that trip to Paris and Rome, it was early November. That meant we needed long sleeves, jackets, hats, gloves, etc. We wore our bulkiest clothes on the plane (like jeans, a sweater, and our jackets).

We brought two carry-on backpacks, and the kids each had their own backpack. We did our best to fit all the essentials into the adult carry-ons, and the kids’ backpacks were filled with books, activity books, snacks, headphones, etc. We stuck a packing cube in each of their bags, too (see below for more on those).

For clothing, toiletries, and medications, we used packing cubes. They were a lifesaver! Not only did they help us consolidate our belongings, but we were able to organize them so that anything we might need access to was toward the top. That way, if we needed to get something on the plane or in the airport, we didn’t have to dump everything we brought out to find it.

Because international flights have in-flight entertainment (movies, shows, and sometimes games), we relied heavily on that. We tried not to pack the kids’ backpacks too full because we were aware that if they were exhausted after the flight, we might have to carry their backpacks in addition to our own carry-ons. We also took evening flights, so the hope was that everyone would sleep some on the plane.

We also booked Airbnbs that had washing machines. This allowed us to limit how many articles of clothing we needed to pack. (We’ll talk about the laundry situation in more detail below.)

What We Pack for International Carry-On Travel

Here is an actual packing list we’ve used for a two-week trip abroad:

Note: This is what we packed, but we had to play around with how we arranged our things to make them fit together. So socks may have been spread out amongst various packing cubes, etc.

Mom’s Packing List:

• 2 long-sleeve shirts

• 2 T-shirts

• 1 lightweight raincoat

• 1 pair of jeans

• 1 pair of lightweight Athleta pants

• Gloves

• 6 pairs of socks

• 6 pairs of underwear

• 1 bra

• 1 pair of pajamas

• 1 pullover

• 1 beanie

• Medication

• Contacts & contact solution

• Night guard

• Makeup: foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner

• Makeup eraser cloth

• Facewash, moisturizer, pimple cream

• Body wash

• Deoderant

• Hairbrush

• Neosporin

• Hairties

• Chapstick

• Diary and pens

• TravelOn Anti-Theft Purse (this gets packed in the carry-on and I take it out once we board the plane)

Child 1’s Packing List:

• 1 sweater

• 2 long-sleeve shirts

• 1 short-sleeve shirt

• 1 pullover

• 1 lightweight raincoat

• 1 pair of jeans

• 1 pair of warm pants

• 6 pairs of socks

• 6 pairs of underwear

• 1 pair of pajamas

• 1 beanie

• 1 scarf

• gloves

Child 2’s Packing List:

• 1 long-sleeve shirt

• 2 short-sleeve shirts

• 1 sweater

• 1 lightweight raincoat

• 1 pair of jeans

• 1 pair of warm pants

• 1 pair of pajamas

• 6 pairs of underwear

• 6 pairs of socks

• 1 beanie

• 1 scarf

• Gloves
  

Note: I no longer have the exact packing list we used for my husband, but it was very similar to mine. He also had all relevant documentation, itineraries, chargers, etc.

How We Handle Laundry

We’ve used Airbnb to book places that had washing machines. We couldn’t have managed traveling with just our carry-ons for extended trips otherwise.

Another option would be to look for a hotel that offers laundry services (we’ve had to use them once - very pricey, but lifesavers in a pinch). Or you could try to look for lodging within walking distance from a laundromat. But if you’re in Rome, you probably don’t want to spend hours keeping an eye on your laundry when you could enjoy exploring the city.

What About Souvenirs?

We keep souvenirs simple. We buy magnets in every city we visit, which are super easy to pack.

We’ve also started buying small knick-knacks we can display in our house (ex: a Big Ben figurine in London, a hand-carved giraffe at Disney, etc.).

We’ve also brought a very, very lightweight duffel bag that didn’t take up much room when rolled up in our carry-on, but could have been filled and checked if needed.

You could also look into mailing larger souvenirs to yourself or a friend, but that probably comes with a hefty price tag.

What Happens If Your Carry-On Is Too Heavy?

You need to check with your airline to make sure that your carry-ons meet their weight requirements.

Weeks before our trips, we do practice runs of packing our carry-ons. We use this luggage scale (any will do) to check the weights of each carry-on.

If one is too heavy, you may be able to rearrange your items within your family members’ carry-ons to make it work. If not, you’ll have to reconsider what you’re bringing with you.

Also, it’s important to bring the luggage scale with you if you plan to buy souvenirs. If the added weight from your souvenirs is too much, you can toss items that you can do without, like the rest of your mini toothpaste or shampoo.

Is Carry-On Only Travel Worth It for Families?

Absolutely! It gives us peace of mind knowing that we have everything we need with us and that we can easily navigate busy airports, metros, and streets when we arrive at our destination.

Quick FAQs:

Can you travel internationally with only a carry-on?

Yes, absolutely! It takes some upfront planning, intentionality, and organizing, but it’s very doable. Packing cubes are a huge help.

How many outfits do you need for a two-week trip?

We make it work with about 4 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. When we travel, we are not setting out to look super fashionable. We dress like ourselves and focus on wearing things that are both appropriate for the climate and relatively lightweight.

What if you buy souvenirs?

Try to buy smaller souvenirs like magnets, keychains, or postcards. If you know you want to buy larger items, consider packing a lightweight duffel bag into your carry-on so that you can check the full duffel bag on the flight back home if needed.

Is carry-on only travel harder with kids?

I admit this would be challenging with babies and toddlers because parents rely on so much gear (bottles, diapers, wipes, creams, etc.). We didn’t start doing big trips until our youngest was five. It really wasn’t a problem with him or his older sister.

What size carry-on is allowed on international flights?

Check with the specific airline you plan to book with. Each airline has its own requirements, and you want to make sure you know exactly what the expectations are ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly.