As a fairly frequent traveller, carry-on luggage is my best friend. It saves time at the airport, is often much cheaper and it makes packing a whole lot easier. I’m always touting the benefits of bringing only carry-on luggage (for an up to two week trip) to anyone who will listen, and I often get asked how I manage to fit everything in. The honest answer is that you really don’t need as much stuff as you think, but here are some simple hacks that I use to make the most of my luggage space:

• Write a list of everything you want to pack – I do this for every trip, taking into account the length of the trip, the weather and what activities I’ll be doing (do I need walking shoes? will I be attending a formal event?) Writing a list can help you quickly eliminate anything that isn’t essential.

• Find the best way to fold – If you have anything delicate or expensive, a traditional fold is the way to go. For everything else, roll tightly to minimise bulk.

• Wear bulky items on the plane – I will always wear my jacket and bulkiest shoes on the plane. You can always take your jacket off/tie it around your waist.

• Toiletry hacks – Take as little as you can, and make it travel sized. You can always purchase extra toiletries when you reach your destination.

• Bring another bag on the plane – You’re allowed to have one carry-on bag and one personal item, so I always bring an extra bag. As long as it’s not too big, you an stow it under the seat in front.

Do you have any packing hacks for travelling with carry-on? Share them in the comments!