
Traveling to Las Vegas? Most of us want to roll up with a carry on and get to the Strip without waiting for bags to be slung onto the McCarran Airport conveyor belt.
To fast-track your airline experience, one of your biggest goals will be to find the best deal for your trip. Airline tickets can get expensive. However, one key factor that affects how much money you can save on travel is baggage fees.
Baggage Fees
Airlines today are wooing travelers by offering a low base price on tickets. Usually, bags are not included in the ticket price. On average, a traveler may have to pay anywhere between $25 to $ 100 for a check-in bag, depending on which airline they’re flying. If you’re looking to cut down on your travel costs, it’s best to leave the check-in bags at home and pack a carry-on instead.
(Steinhilber, 2019)
Top Reasons to Travel with Only a Carry-On Bag
Apart from saving money on travel costs, here are some other reasons to travel with only a carry-on bag:
- You can avoid the hassle of lugging your heavy baggage around airports and hotels.
- You can save time by not having to wait at the baggage carousel for your check-in bag.
- You don’t need to worry about your check-in bag being mishandled or getting lost.
Choosing a Carry-On Bag
Different airlines have specific dimensions about the size and weight of the carry-on bag allowed. Usually, the maximum size of the carry-on bag is about 45 inches as a linear measurement.
For a carry-on bag, travelers can choose to carry a structured, often hard-sided bag or a soft-sided bag like a duffel bag. Structured bags offer a protective shell of storage and are considered reliable bags. However, they don’t allow you to make the most of the storage space.
Duffel bags are more flexible, and you can pack in some last-minute items into them. The best way to keep delicate items safe in a duffel bag is to pack them inside with layers of clothes around them. (Allianz Travel)
Tips for Packing a Carry-On Bag
Here are some tips to maximize the space in your carry-on:
Keep the Destination Weather in Mind
Check the weather forecast for the destination, so you know what kind of clothes you need to carry and pack accordingly. Also, instead of the length of the trip, pack your outfits based on the activities you plan to do. Are you going to attend a wedding, have outdoor activities lined up, or have you planned a beach getaway? Listing the activities can help narrow your wardrobe and pack efficiently.
Use the Personal Item to Your Advantage
Several airlines allow you to carry a personal item such as a shoulder bag, laptop bag, backpack, or briefcase in addition to a carry-on bag. Use the space in the personal item to store things that you need handy or in-flight, like a moisturizer, medicines, or a sleep mask. Usually, airlines don’t measure or weigh the personal item, but staying within the size and weight requirements is highly recommended.
Roll Your Clothes
When you pack a carry-on, instead of folding your clothes, roll them nice and tight. You can start with the heavier, bulkier items and use them as the base of the carry-on. The smaller and lightweight pieces can be placed on top or put into the crevices between the more oversized items.
The bulkier items can also be placed on either side of the bag, and smaller articles of clothing can fill the space between them. (Steinhilber, 2019)
Utilize the Space Well
Shoes can take up a lot of space in the bag. When you pack a carry-on, you can save space by stuffing the inside of the shoe with socks, underwear, or even chargers. The items can be wrapped in plastic and then placed inside the shoe. Saving space can be beneficial when you need to carry bulky shoes like boots.
Choose Your Outfits Wisely
If you want to cut down on the number of clothes but still want to have some decent outfit options, try and follow a color scheme. This allows you to mix and match the pieces of clothing to create fun and interesting looks. Categorizing your clothes also helps you understand how many clothes you need so that you can remix a single piece of clothing in multiple ways.
Carry Sample Size Beauty Products
Carrying sample size products can save space and prevent the bag from getting heavier. You can also transfer your favorite products into travel-sized bottles.
Don’t forget to weigh your bag at home before you leave to ensure you’re adhering to the weight requirement for the carry-on. It’s better to remove heavy items and leave them at home rather than throwing them away at the airport.
Traveling light with a carry-on bag is not an impossible task. All it needs is some planning. We hope these tips come in handy when you’re planning your next visit to Las Vegas or anywhere in the world.
Works Cited
Steinhilber, Brianna. “How to Pack a Carry-on (and Save on Airline Baggage Fees).” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 20 Dec. 2019, www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-pack-carry-so-you-don-t-need-check-bag-ncna866751.
Allianz Travel. “How to Pack Everything in A Carry-On Bag.” AllianzTravelInsurance.com, www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/planning/how-to-pack-everything-in-carry-on.htm.