Can You Travel With Just A Backpack?

Traveling With One 30l Backpack

i love it when i just travel with one backpack. it makes life so much easier and really you can wash clothes and do other things without having to lug around luggage.

that idea (less so the sub) changed my life.

i’m a reasonably experienced traveler who’s been taking trips all my life. but, until i came across the idea of “one bag” i was never fully satisfied with my baggage management.

since coming across the idea here on reddit, i’ve been traveling with one 30l backpack all over, and it is phenomenal. it’s a bit more challenging when you’re changing climates and have needs for various levels of formality in your wardrobe, but it’s not impossible. i can always pack enough for a week’s worth of clothes, including pyjamas, workout clothes, and a pair of trainers for going running. i just use the 30l backpack and vacuum bags. if it doesn’t fit, it means i’m taking too much, rather than that i need another bag.

• i’m a one backpack traveler. one of my good friends had her suitcase lost at an international airport and the compensation from the company was awful. i now always carry on no matter what
• yes, i’m one person and i pack savvy, hate carrying too much and hate checking bags.
• i love it, probably the few times in my life i feel cool as fuck is when i travel. nothing like breezing through tsa straight to the airport bar, off to another country with only one bag with everything you need in it. cash and passport in your front pocket. good feeling.
• i’ve always been a one-bag proponent, but last summer i did three weeks in guatemala with just a small tote bag, like promotional schwag. it was great - just that much more ease and freedom (and i didn’t get too gross)!

Carry-On and Personal Item Rules

a carry-on is the larger of the two bags you may be permitted to bring into the plane cabin.

• while exact size restrictions vary slightly among airlines, generally, a carry-on bag measures around 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches.
• that often includes large backpacks, duffel bags and rolling carry-ons (but it’s wise to measure your bag and compare it with your airline’s size restrictions). be sure to include the wheels and handles in your measurement.
• a carry-on must fit in the overhead bin (it can be a tight squeeze on some smaller aircraft for larger roller bags) but not necessarily under the seat in front of you.

a personal item tends to be a smaller bag that typically fits under the seat in front of you. that means most wheeled luggage is out. what often counts as a personal item is a large purse, laptop bag, tote bag, small pet carrier and other similarly sized items.

• again, check with the airline you’re flying with for size restrictions so you don’t get pulled aside in the boarding line and made to pay for a carry-on because your bag is too big. restrictions vary, but as a general rule, you’ll probably want to keep your bag at or under 9 inches by 10 inches by 17 inches.
• whether a backpack counts as a personal item or a carry-on depends on the backpack. a typical backpack, like the kind and size a child might carry to school or you might take on a short hike, often counts as a personal item.
• larger backpacks, however, like the type you would take on a multiday hiking or camping trip or to backpack around europe, are usually too big. if the backpack is between about 12 inches and 19 inches, it may still count as a carry-on (especially if it's soft-sided and can compress to fit), but anything bigger will likely have to be checked.
• remember, personal items have to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

just remember that if you’re bringing only a carry-on or personal item and not checking a bag, everything you pack must be transportation security administration (tsa) compliant.

• that means no knives or other sharp objects, firearms or other weapons, or liquids (which include creams and pastes) over 3.4 ounces.
• if you forget and pack these items, tsa will remove them from your bag and you’ll have to abandon them or step out of line to mail them home.

Free Carry-Ons and Personal Items

whether carry-on and personal items are free or cost extra depends on the airline. the domestic airlines below allow free carry-ons and free personal items.

• alaska airlines: you can bring a carry-on and personal item for free on alaska flights.
• american airlines: everyone gets a free carry-on and personal item on american flights.
• delta air lines: on delta flights, carry-on and personal items are free for all passengers.
• hawaiian airlines: passengers get one free carry-on and free one personal item on hawaiian flights.
• southwest airlines: carry-ons and personal items are free for all passengers.
• united airlinesbasic economy fares. you’ll get only a personal item for free on most flights booked with the airline's lowest fare class.

these domestic airlines allow only a free personal item, usually with the option to pay extra for a carry-on or other checked luggage.

• allegiant air: every passenger gets one free personal item.
• frontierairlines: one personal item is allowed for free per passenger.
• unitedairlines: those who book the least expensive united fare, basic economy, get a free personal item, not a carry-on (except on some international routes).

when deciding between packing a personal item or carry-on (or even figuring out which is which), find out what your airline allows for free, the exact size restrictions and what you’ll have to pay for if you require more than a small personal item.

Pick the Right Bag

you'll want something sturdy and big enough. i tend to pack pretty light, so a backpack in the 18l - 30l range is good. if i'm going somewhere cold, i pack heavier layers and a 35l bag is more of a better fit. if you don't want to buy multiple bags for different trips (tropical island vs europe in the winter), i'd go with a 30-35l bag.

• make sure it's well-supported — while you may be able to fit everything into a school backpack, the straps may dig into your shoulders and hurt your back when you're carrying that many things. anything "hiker" or "traveler" designed will have sternum straps and other supports to help the weight distribution. comfort really is a huge factor when backpacking, so don't skimp on this.
• look for extra perks. i love backpacks that have easy-access pockets on the outside for my water bottle, umbrella and even my phone. just something to keep in mind. i also love the bags that have compartments so i don't have to empty out my entire backpack just to get the sandals i packed at the very bottom.

backpacks are so much more convenient while traveling. but i get it ... it can be a bit puzzling to figure out how to fit all of your things in one little bag, right?

What to Pack and Wear

just fitting everything inside is a challenge, so you'll really need to only pack the essentials. this is going to vary depending on the person, your itinerary, if you have access to washer/dryer, etc. but these are my guidelines.

• i always fly in pants or leggings and my heaviest layer (like a sweatshirt tied around my waist or my long-sleeved t-shirt).
• i also wear my heaviest shoes, so typically boots (for cold weather) or tennis shoes.
• in my bag, i will typically have another pair of pants/shorts, a dress and a skirt, something to sleep in, and 5-8 shirts.
• i'll add in other essentials like socks, underwear, a rain jacket, etc.
• if i'mtraveling somewhere warm,i can't get away with re-wearing sweaty tank tops and shorts, so i'll either pack more or plan on doing laundry.

as a general rule, it's best to pack two pairs of shoes at most — comfortable tennis shoes (and/or boots for cold weather) and a pair of sandals work for most trips. you'll be wearing at least one of the pairs you are packing which will help you on space.

here's an example of how i'd pack for an 8-10 day trip:

• two dresses
• two pairs of shorts
• one pair of pants
• five pairs of socks
• 10 pairs of underwear
• seven t-shirts
• one pullover
• a rain jacket
• tevas
• toiletries
• passport
• a fjallraven kanken (for day trips where i can leave my backpack at the hotel and just bring a water bottle, wallet, etc).
• a wallet
• an adapter + phone charger
• my camera

How to Pack It All In

once everything is folded and grouped together, i'll pull out my packing cubes.

• i typically use 1-3 depending on what clothes i want to group together.
• for this trip, i put all of my t-shirts and my two dresses in a single packing cube (they can fit so much!) .
• then i just had my sweatshirt and shorts/pants to fit into the bag, along with the toiletries and socks and things.
• see how compact things get with just using one packing cube? i'm a big fan.

zip it all up, and pack your outer pockets. i tend to put the easily accessible things on the outside (but safely). things like my phone, wallet, camera, passport when i'm flying and will need to pull it out frequently, then things like snacks.

• make sure you're stashing these essentials safely — my bag has anti-theft loops so you can't easily tug open the top zipper pouch.
• there are also double zipped pockets on the interior that keep things like cash safe and sound.
• put your heaviest packing cubes/layers at the bottom.
• it's closest to the base of the backpack which helps with weight distribution.
• usually, my bag is about half way, or two-thirds full with clothes, and i can find find little pockets where you can stuff things like socks or your toiletries.
• the other half is filled up with things like your other pair of shoes, more toiletries, snacks, adapters, camera gear, etc.

Packing Light Practices

• leave bulky items at home. i am a huge hoodie fan, but i intentionally left the sweatshirts at home and chose a knit cardigan instead. it’s much less bulky, and it can be more easily tied around a backpack strap instead.
• layer your clothing. if you layer clothing going onto the plane, it doesn’t take up space in your bag. i also wore socks and tennis shoes on the plane so they wouldn’t take up space in my bag.
• wash and re-wear. i packed a bar of laundry soap so that i could wash my clothes in the sink as needed and then re-wear them. bar laundry soap is especially important because it does not spill like power or liquid soap. also, hotel shampoo is very handy for hand-washing clothes when that is available.
• seek out compact items. an inflatable travel pillow is much more convenient over a foam one. a pillow is necessary for long overnight trips.
• roll clothing and towels to make them more compact.
• i have found huge space savings by downloading books on my phone and leaving all my paper books at home.
• another trick is to not pack full bottles of over the counter medicines.
• know the tsa liquids rule. peanut butter is a liquid! but stick deodorant is not. i pack a shampoo bar, and it was one of my favorites.

if possible leave extra room in your bag (or leave some items behind). the worst part about only packing in a backpack was that it was absolutely full. it wasn’t a bad thing on the way there, but on the way home, i had to say no to some souvenirs that i might have otherwise brought home for gifts because i just didn’t have room to pack them.

all in all what i brought would have been like packing in a small rollaboard suitcase, but i was carrying it instead. it was nice to be able to put my backpack under the seat knowing that i had everything with me. i didn’t have to worry that i would suddenly lose all my clothing for the week (been there before, not fun) or my only contact lenses.

Limits and Trip Differences

• i did until i had children. now it's easier to check baggage so i'm not encumbered while managing the kids during layovers.
• i can fit three people's things into a single suitcase, though. so we still travel kinda light.
• agree. warm weather, no problem. cold weather, i’m going to need some gear.
• nah, especially for big international trips, i take a lot with me. especially with all my electronics and charger cords.
• some trips, definitely. not if i have to go somewhere nice for dinner or need multiple pairs of shoes
• i feel this post, but i have a hard time with very small amount of clothes and a very humid weather. my laundry just never seems to dry. and i’m sweating all day and need to wash.

it all depends on where i'm going. my last international trip was to ireland and northern ireland. it was summer and we were moving cities a lot. it was also in 2022 when travel was taking off again and airports were nightmares so i just took a small backpack and bought toiletries there. on the way back i used a big cloth tote as my purse so i could bring back a few small souvenirs. the last trip i took was within canada and i took a large suitcase because i wanted to shop more. i like both options but it was definitely nice to not have to check bags.