Carry-On Luggage: How We Travel Light as a Family

Summary

Travelling as a family with only carry-on luggage might sound ambitious, but for us, it ended up being one of the best travel decisions we made.

On our recent summer adventure through Los Angeles, London, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzagovina, Montenegro, Turkey and Bali each of us travelled with just a 7kg carry-on bag.

No checked baggage, no oversized suitcases, and no waiting around at baggage claim. Just the essentials packed intentionally and everything we needed for weeks of family travel.

What we discovered was that travelling with carry-on gave us more freedom.

It made airport days faster, moving between cities easier, and daily travel far less stressful.

We spent less time dealing with luggage and more time enjoying the trip itself, wandering through beautiful old towns, swimming at beaches, catching trains, buses or planes between destinations, and making unforgettable family memories.

With regular access to washing machines, versatile clothing, and a simple packing strategy, travelling light felt surprisingly easy, even with kids.

If you’re planning a family holiday and wondering whether travelling with carry-on luggage only is realistic, our answer is yes.

Not only is it possible, but it can completely transform the way you travel.

Introduction:

This past summer, we took our family on an unforgettable trip and we did it all with just carry-on luggage.

That’s right… one 7kg carry-on luggage bag each.

No checked bags.
No baggage carousel queues.
No heavy suitcases being dragged through train stations.
No overpacking “just in case.”

Just lightweight bags, simple packing, and the freedom to move easily.

Before leaving, we weren’t completely sure how it would go.

Travelling with children always comes with extra logistics, and packing for multiple weeks across different destinations can feel overwhelming.

But once we arrived and started moving through Europe, we quickly realised just how much easier travelling light made everything.

Whether we were catching flights, walking through busy train stations, navigating cobblestone streets to our Airbnb, or jumping in taxis between destinations, having light weight bags made travel feel easier, both physically and mentally.

It gave us flexibility.
It saved us time.
And it removed so much unnecessary stress.

Instead of focusing on managing luggage, we were able to focus on the reason we travelled in the first place, spending quality time together, exploring incredible places, and making memories as a family.

Why Travelling With Carry-On Luggage Worked So Well for Our Family

Quick Airport Transitions

One of the biggest advantages of travelling light was just how easy airport days became.

Without checked luggage, we skipped the check-in counters completely, avoided baggage claim when we landed, and saved so much time at every stage of the journey.

One of the moments that really made us realise how worthwhile carry-on luggage travel was happened when we landed in Zadar, Croatia.

We walked straight off the plane, through the airport, and directly onto the bus heading into the Old Town.

We were literally the only ones on it while everyone else waited at baggage claim.

We had a similar experience at Berlin Airport. The luggage check-in queues were huge, some stretching right out the terminal doors.

We simply walked straight past and headed straight toward immigration.

Moments like that made a huge difference, especially travelling as a family.

Easy to Move Between Places

Europe often means moving regularly, trains, ferries, taxis, apartments, staircases, and walking through historic streets.

Large suitcases can quickly become exhausting.

By travelling with carry-on luggage, moving between destinations became easy.

Our bags stayed with us at all times, everyone could carry their own things, and we never felt weighed down or slowed down.

We could:

• walk from train stations to accommodation
• lift bags on and off trains easily
• store luggage overhead or in tight spaces
• jump into taxis quickly
• move around cities without stress

When you’re changing destinations often, travelling light gives you so much more flexibility.

Less Stuff, Less Stress

Travelling with less meant there was simply less to manage.

Less to pack before leaving.
Less to unpack when arriving somewhere new.
Less to repack every few days.
Less clutter spread throughout apartments.
Less worrying about whether we’d forgotten something.

Because we only brought what we truly needed, everything felt simpler.

It made the whole trip feel lighter and more enjoyable.

Laundry Made It Possible

Laundry was the biggest reason travelling with carry-on luggage only worked so well for us.

We stayed mainly in Airbnbs, and most had washing machines. Every few days we’d throw on a quick load of washing, dry it overnight or on a balcony, and we were ready to go again.

That meant we didn’t need to fill our bags with heaps of clothes.

Instead, we rotated the same outfits throughout the trip.

If we needed detergent, we’d pick up a small one from the supermarket nearby. If we ran low on sunscreen or needed an extra essential, we bought it locally.

Get Our Free Carry-On Luggage Packing Guide (Instant Download)

Join our email list and get instant access to our free PDF packing guide, based on our real family trip using just 7kg carry-on luggage each.

No fluff. No overpacking. Just a simple system that makes travelling easier, lighter and stress-free.

Inside the guide, you’ll get:

• The Carry-On Life: Why It Works So Well
• Our exact packing list (down to every item in each carry-on luggage bag)
• Pro tips for travelling light as a family
• A printable checklist so you can pack with confidence

Why travellers love it

✔ Saves space (and stress) when packing
✔ Works for families, couples, and solo travellers
✔ Helps you avoid overpacking “just in case” items
✔ Makes travelling with carry-on luggage simple and repeatable

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our Top Tips for Travelling Light With Carry-On Luggage as a Family

 

1. Wear Your Bulkiest Clothes on Travel Days

This made a huge difference for saving space in our carry-on luggage.

We wore heavier items while flying or travelling between cities:

• jeans
• sneakers
• jackets
• sweatshirts

That meant these bulkier pieces didn’t need to take up valuable room inside our bags.

2. Pack Clothes You Can Mix and Match

We packed simple pieces that could work together in multiple combinations.

Neutral colours and versatile basics meant we could pack less while still having plenty of outfit options.

3. Buy What You Need Locally

One of the easiest ways to travel lighter is not trying to fit everything in before leaving home.

Throughout the trip we bought things locally when needed:

• sunscreen
• toiletries
• snacks
• beach essentials
• washing detergent

This saved valuable luggage space and made packing much easier.

4. Do Laundry Often

If there’s one secret to travelling light as a family, it’s this:

Wash regularly.

A quick wash every few days meant we always had fresh clothes and never needed to overpack.

You don’t need two weeks’ worth of clothing if you’re washing as you go.

Final Thoughts

Would we travel like this again?

Absolutely: without hesitation.

It gave us freedom in a way we hadn’t expected.

It made airports easier.
It made moving between destinations easier.
It made packing easier.
And it made the whole trip feel simpler and lighter.

The kids adapted quickly, no one missed having lots of extra clothes or unnecessary “stuff,” and we never felt like we were without what we needed.

If anything, travelling light helped us focus more on what mattered most:

The experiences.
The people.
The places.
The moments together.

And that’s what we’ll remember most from the trip.

Sometimes travelling lighter really does mean experiencing more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really possible to travel with only carry-on luggage as a family?

Yes, absolutely.

We did our entire European summer trip with just one 7kg carry-on luggage bag each, and it worked far better than we expected.

With smart packing, regular laundry, and buying a few essentials locally, travelling with carry-on luggage only felt easy and surprisingly stress-free.

How many clothes do you actually need for carry-on luggage only travel?

Less than most people think.

You definitely don’t need an outfit for every day of your trip.

We packed a small number of lightweight pieces that could mix and match easily, then washed them regularly throughout the trip.

How do you do laundry while travelling with carry-on luggage only?

Laundry is what made this trip possible for us.

Most places we stayed had washing machines, so every few days we’d do a quick wash and wear the same clothing on rotation.

That meant we didn’t need to overfill our bags with extra clothes.

What are the biggest benefits of travelling with carry-on luggage only?

For us, the biggest benefits were:

• skipping check-in bag queues
• avoiding baggage claim
• never worrying about lost luggage
• moving easily through train stations and airports
• easier transfers between flights and accommodation
• packing less overall

Travelling with light gave us more flexibility and made the whole trip easier.

Is travelling with carry-on luggage cheaper?

It can be.

Many airlines charge extra for checked baggage, especially budget airlines.

Travelling with carry-on only can help avoid baggage fees while also making travel easier overall.

What size carry-on luggage is best?

It depends on the airline, but many airlines allow cabin bags around 55 x 40 x 20 cm, usually with a 7–10kg weight limit.

A lightweight suitcase or travel backpack can both work well depending on your travel style.

Would we travel with carry-on luggage only again?

Without hesitation: yes.

Travelling with carry-on luggage only made the entire trip easier, lighter, and more enjoyable.

We’d absolutely do it again.