This post has been on my mind for a long time and after always getting numerous questions about how we pack for 11-12 day trips in carry-ons, I thought it time to show you a behind the scenes of me actually packing for a real trip. I filmed this video in the days leading up to us leaving for Spain and Portugal, so it’s truly me packing for the trip. You’ll see in the coming days as I start posting about our trip, that the actual outfits in this packing video were what I wore on the trip and it all fit in my Tumi hardside carry-on. And so, here is how I packed for the trip and what I brought with me for 11 days!
Here’s what I brought:
Stacey says
Awesome job! I thought I was getting good packing a much smaller suitcase than I used to but I think it’s still a little bigger than carry-on size. I’ll have to keep watching your tips to get mine even smaller!
Casey says
Yes! It’s so much easier to travel with carry ons and so much faster!
Kristin says
Great suggestions! I’m a fan of getting everything you absolutely need into your carry-on – but if you can get EVERYTHING into the carry-on, you don’t have to worry! And it’s a nice sized one that you’re using, not one of those nearly-full-suitcase-size things that people try to smuggle on!
Casey says
Totally… if you can have everything with you at all times, it makes everything so much easier! And I so agree about those bags people try to pass as carry-ons, we call them “gorilla bags” and we literally watch people on every flight trying to smash their giant monster bag into the overhead, get a better bag people!
Courtney @ Adelante says
Very useful advice! I still struggle with overpacking on trips over a week long, but I will definitely keep these tips handy for next time! Large check-in baggage fees just aren’t worth the pain anymore.
Casey says
Totally! Baggage fees and hoping your bag will make it to the other end of your trip can add so much stress to a trip!
Melinda DiOrio says
I needed this post! I am the worst over-packer! I just went to the Philippines for a week, bringing a big suitcase with me…most of the rest of our group were able to do carry-on! That made me really think about why I needed to bring such a large suitcase. :
Casey says
It really does make everything so much easier to carry-on. I find also that I’m still able to bring plenty of stuff and usually even bring things I don’t end up using… so there’s still plenty of room!
Kay R. says
Great advice! I am an over-packer but I have been trying to get better at it!
Casey says
It just takes practice! I always go through and grab everything, then cut out items, and finally I get down to what I really need!
Nicole @ Treasure Tromp says
this is excellent, I love it!
Casey says
So glad! 🙂
Macy Gutermuth says
This is a great post! I am such an over packer when it comes to vacations (I have it down for work trips) and I really want to get everything in a carry on for our honeymoon. I am so nervous to be in so many different cities for 20 days with limited clothes, but I think it can happen!
Casey says
I think that can definitely work!! Where are you guys headed on your honeymoon?
Macy Gutermuth says
Rome, then a cruise through Croatia, Greece, Malta, Montenegro and ending in Venice, then we are flying to Paris. I plan on bringing lots of scarves and skirts 🙂
Casey says
Wow awesome trip! And yes, you should totally be able to make that work!
Brittany says
What a great post! Your packing for 11 days is impressive! I can’t believe you can fit that much in your suitcase! What do you do about your liquid/gel toiletries? That is always the biggest pain for me when doing all carry-on. Would you also share your personal item bag and what you pack in it? I noticed you brought normal shoes. How do your feet do walking a lot on your trips? Sorry for so many questions, just got my mind turning!
Casey says
Thank you! As to liquids/toiletries, I usually bring 2 small plastic baggies with those in them in my second smaller carry on bag. In that bag I also put my purse, books/magazines and all that stuff that I need immediate access to. For my next trip, I’ll do a video of what’s in there! 🙂 As to shoes, I always travel in normal shoes, usually my converse, a pair of flats and then another pair like boots or oxfords. All of them are flats, but we do a ton of walking and I have no issue, as long as they are comfortable and worn in before the trip, they are totally fine. Hope that answers your questions! 🙂
Jordan Beck Wagner says
That is so impressive. Seriously, the best I can do is stick to one color scheme…I have a really hard time narrowing everything down though!
Casey says
Haha! Sticking to one color scheme though is a great… I tend to that with blacks/navys, picking one of the 2 so that all my darks are with the same colors!