Why I Love Traveling Carry-On Only - and You Will Too!
Written By: Senior Travel Advisor, Redonna Bilbo
As a travel advisor (and frequent flyer!), one of the best tips I can share is this: pack light and go carry-on only. Trust me - once you try it, you’ll never want to check a bag again! In a world where travel can be unpredictable. From delayed flights to long security lines and missing baggage, going carry-on only has become a gamechanger for savvy travelers. I started packing in a roller carry on bag and backpack for my trips last year and I love the flexibility. Whether you're jetting off for a quick weekend or a 10-day international escape, traveling light can completely transform your experience. Here’s why I’m such a fan - and why I think you’ll love it too!
🚀 1. Skip the Lines and Start Your Vacation Sooner
No waiting in long check-in lines, you can check in online and off we go! No stressing over your baggage as it carefully rests above your head in the overhead bin. When your plane lands, you can walk right off the aircraft and head to your destination - no need to stand at the baggage carousel after a long flight. You’ll often beat the crowds to customs, transportation, and hotel check-in. It’s a time-saver on the front and back end of your journey!
🧳 2. No Lost or Damaged Luggage
Let’s be real. One of the biggest travel headaches is a lost, damaged, or delayed bag. When your bags stay with you, you’ll never collect your bag to find it's missing a wheel, or worse, that it didn’t arrive at all. Don’t start your trip spending time at the airline's luggage office dealing with lost or broken bags or starting a travel insurance claim. And shopping on arrival to replace what didn’t arrive or find a new suitcase isn’t how I want to spend my first afternoon in a new place. With a carry-on suitcase, your belongings stay safely with you from takeoff to touchdown. Peace of mind? YES, please.
💸 3. Save on Baggage Fees
Those $30 - $70 baggage fees each way? You can skip them entirely. That’s more cash for excursions, cocktails, or that fabulous souvenir you’ll find along the way.
🛄 4. Smarter Packing = Less Stress
When you pack carry-on only, you learn to bring just what you need - and nothing you don’t. With a little planning (and some packing cubes!), it’s easier than you think. I love helping my clients with packing tips to make it super doable.
🧺 5. Laundry Beats Lugging
A quick mid-trip load of laundry is WAY easier than dragging a giant suitcase through busy airports or narrow European streets. Most hotels and cruise ships offer laundry services - easy breezy!
💃🏼 6. Mobility = Freedom
One carry-on = ultimate freedom. You can hop on and off trains, stroll through cobblestone streets, or transfer between cruise ports without breaking a sweat. It’s such a gamechanger for multi-city trips or European adventures. When you carry your bag on with you, you can also try to standby same day for an earlier flight. I just did this on my flight home from California and I was back home before my original flight would have even landed!
🧠 7. Lighter Load, Lighter Mind
Packing light actually feels freeing. Less to pack, less to track, and way fewer “what if” items to worry about. It’s one less thing on your mental load - and don’t we all need that?
Ready to Try Carry-On Only? If the thought of going carry-on only feels intimidating, I get it! I’ve helped tons of clients streamline their packing and love their travel even more. I’ll show you exactly how to make it work for your trip, your family, and your style. Once you do it, you won’t look back! Let’s plan a stress-free, luggage-light adventure you’ll never forget!
Contact Redonna today at Red@BeOurGuestTravelCompany.com