How to pack light for air travel when you are used to driving
People accustomed to unlimited packing space struggle to fit everything into a single carry-on bag because they lack experience with airline limits and cold-weather clothing constraints. This makes it difficult to figure out how to pack enough clothes for longer trips or stay warm in cold destinations without bringing a massive wardrobe.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Paying for a checked bagDid this help you?
- 2Packing fewer clothes and doing laundry in the sinkDid this help you?
- 3Utilizing a backpack alongside a carry-onDid this help you?
- 4Rolling clothes and using travel-sized toiletriesDid this help you?
- 5Buying extra hats, gloves, or layers at local shops upon arrivalDid this help you?
- 6Packing a bunch of layers or a decent coatDid this help you?
- 7Giving them to a friendDid this help you?
- 8Buying a lockbox or setting boundaries with parentsDid this help you?
- 9Limiting the quantity to only one or two allowed lightersDid this help you?
- 10Scooping powder into a ziplock bagDid this help you?
- 11Switching to creatine gummies or capsulesDid this help you?
- 12Buying creatine at the travel destinationDid this help you?
- 13Using an empty plastic pill bottleDid this help you?
- 14Layering a packable raincoat like a Patagonia Torrentshell with a lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo or Mountain Hardwear Ghost WhispererDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Scooping however many days worth into a zip lock bag worked out for me last year”source ↗
“Would anyone have any recommendations for a rainproof packable autumn jacket, preferably that comes with a bag?”source ↗
“I love the idea of a bag included with the jacket but I’m worried it will expensive with tariffs or customs (ordering from Canada)”source ↗
“Do you know if I can bring 2 new plastic ones? Also do they need you to show them to the security like how they do with laptops?”source ↗
“I don’t know how to travel with just a carry on 😅 I’ve only tried it once, and it didn’t go well.”source ↗
“I’m used to driving, not having a limitation on luggage.”source ↗
“I’ve never understood how people travel with just a carry on.”source ↗
“Going carry-on only — how do you actually stay warm in Central Europe in December without packing a full winter wardrobe? Layering enough, or is a real coat non-negotiable?”source ↗
“I have a lighter collection at home theyre nothing too fancy no zippos or anything much of quality but they mean a lot to me. My parents dont know about my collection and would react in a very bad way if they ever found out so I want to bring them with me but I dont know if I can.”source ↗
“I can put them on my suitcase but idk if security would like to check them out”source ↗
“How do you usually pack your creatine for airport security? Do you keep it in the original tub, use travel bags, or switch to pills for the trip?”source ↗
“I put my powder in my largest empty plastic pill bottle (magnesium) and bring the scooper. Never had an issue with airport security/customs in 50+ countries.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 18How to plan your first international trip without missing anything
- 6Is a week-long trip to Asia worth the jet lag?