Tips for packing a perfect hand-luggage

How to pack a perfect hand-luggage? If you are a low cost traveler, like me, you definitely travel hand luggage only.
To pack is always a delicate operation. I already know that I will have to repeat it at least three times before deciding it’s time to close the suitcase zip.
My pre-departure anxiety manifests itself with the nagging fear of forgetting something important, which usually turn out to be slippers, shower sandals, pajamas, toothbrush or toothpaste.

Travelling has taught me to be minimalist, so once I have placed passport, boarding card and phone in my bag, I know I can buy whatever is missing.

Check the weather forecast

Roll your clothes up

Fill the holes between a rolled item and another with underwear

Buy a travel-size container for your make up

Choose a roomy bag

Leggings can be a great alternative to jeans

Here are some ways to pack a hand-luggage way more efficiently.

1. First, remember to check the hand-baggage dimensions and weight restrictions by your airline.
2. Make a checklist. This should go without saying, but it’s particularly useful. I have a copy saved on my computer, so it’s always at my fingertips.
3. Plan your outfits ahead of time and check the weather forecast for your destination. Think about all the matchings for every day. An advice? Start from the bag and the shoes.
4. Roll your clothes up and lay down a layer of heavier rolled items, such as jeans, sweaters, trousers and pack them in as tightly as they’ll go. This will allow you to save space.
5. Fill the holes between a rolled item and another with underwear, swim-suites and shoes.
6. Place jewels wrapped in socks.
7. Lay scarves and shawls on top of the roll layer.
8. Bring trip slippers. They are thin and you can save space in your suitcase. If you’re staying at the hotel, you can simply use what they provide.
9. Fold the shirts using a cardboard or a diary, if you keep one and want to bring it to record your thoughts and feelings.
10. Bring a pair of underpants every two days. Don’t worry, I’m not saying not to change your underwear daily. I am used to bring with me less underwear and hand-washing it.
11. Bring bags for dirty laundry. You won’t need them if you follow my 10th suggestion.
12. Buy a travel-size container for your make up. We often have big beauty-cases at home, full of products we don’t use on a daily basis, which would end up taking up valuable suitcase space. I move the essentials in a small container and I put it into my hand-bag.
13. Tissues, chargers, adapters, should go in the hand-bag.
14. Choose a roomy bag (check the dimensions by your airline) and put inside a secure bag with liquids and toiletries, so that they are easily accessible and you can avoid reopening the suitcase before the security inspections. Remember that you are allowed to carry small amounts of liquids in containers no bigger than 100ml and all these items must be inside a 1 litre transparent bag.
15. If you like leggings, they can be a great alternative to jeans and trousers, which are heavier.

Here are my tips for a perfect carry-on. Which ones do you use? Do you have any other suggestions?