How to Master One-Bag Travel

To travel with just a backpack, limit yourself to a 30-40 liter bag and follow the 'rule of three' for clothing. This allows you to breeze through airport security and skip checked bag fees entirely.

Select the right bag. Choose a travel-specific backpack between 30 and 40 liters. Ensure it has dimensions that qualify as a 'carry-on' for your primary airline, typically under 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Use packing cubes. Compress your clothing into packing cubes to maximize space and keep items organized. Assign one cube for tops, one for bottoms, and one for undergarments.
Follow the Rule of Three. Pack three of everything you use daily (e.g., three shirts, three pairs of socks, three pairs of underwear). Wash your clothes in a sink or laundromat every 3-4 days to stay fresh.
Limit your footwear. Wear your heaviest, bulkiest shoes on the plane. Pack only one additional pair of lightweight sandals or flat shoes in your bag.
Consolidate toiletries. Ditch full-sized bottles. Use 3-ounce silicone travel bottles and store them in a clear, quart-sized TSA-approved bag for easy removal at security.

What if my bag is overweight?: Most carry-on limits focus on size rather than weight. If your airline has a 7kg limit, wear your jacket and heaviest layers to the gate to shed weight from your bag.
How do I deal with dirty laundry?: Pack a small, lightweight dry bag or a reusable mesh laundry bag. It keeps your dirty clothes contained and away from your clean items.