29 Things To Help You Travel With Just A Carry-On Even If You're A Chronic Overpacker

Buzz Feed

14-03-2025

1. A waterproof Kindle to carry an entire library worth of books so you're always entertained during that eight-hour flight, while chillin' pool-side, or during some downtime in the AirBnb while you're waiting for your chronically late friends to finish getting ready. And not only does it carry thousands of downloaded books, but the battery life lasts up to 10 freaking weeks!!!
It also features adjustable warm light that's much easier on your eyes.
BuzzFeed contributor Abby Kass swears by her Kindle as a travel must-have: "Yes, that is me sitting in a pool in Hawaii holding my Kindle over the water without fear or stress that if it falls in, it will break. Truly living my best life."
Promising review:"I LOVE reading and being able to access a book anywhere with this thing. It is easy to navigate, very easy to read, and adjust the brightness or how warm the light is. It doesn't auto-adjust, but I don't need that feature. I've read in bright sunlight to dark rooms, and it's always been so clear. You can adjust the font and use the library to search for whatever books you want. Makes packing books for traveling very easy. Battery life lasts me two weeks if I'm reading every day for a few hours." — R@L0
Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in three colors and with or without lock-screen ads).
2. A set of packing cubes for smushing down any bulky articles of clothing into the perfect size to slide comfortably into your carry-on — no vacuum suctioning required.
Promising review:"I travel frequently and travel light. My luggage is usually limited to a backpack that slides under the airline seat. For a two-week European cruise, I added a carry-on rolling suitcase. I've used these packing cubes twice so far, and I am hooked. One cube holds everything (including clothing) I take on a three-night trip. The cube slides into my pack, saving massive amounts of room, and everything is easy to find during travel and at the hotel. Taking out one cube and unzipping is much better than digging through a pack! I will never leave home without these!" — Gura
Get a set of four packing cubes (also comes with a laundry bag) from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 25 colors and two sets).
3. Or a pack of vacuum-free space-saving compression bags so you can pack three times the clothes without needing to spend that extra moolah on baggage fees. And there's no need for a vacuum since these bags come with a pump that will suck out all of the air and keep your clothes as compressed as possible.
Just pack in your clothes, roll up the bag, and watch as the excess air is squeezed out.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says:"HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and make a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny."
Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or cloths with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." — BigSkinny
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.98.
4. *OR* a Stow-N-Go travel organizer that comes with built-in shelves, so you don't have to completely unpack when you're only making a quick weekend trip. You can just pull it out of your suitcase and hang it in your closet.
www.amazon.com
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom for putting all your dirty clothes in so they don't get mixed with clean items (forcing you to end up just washing everything when you get home).
Promising review:"I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don't have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can easily fit seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
5. Some Tide sink packets — they're absolutely necessary when you want to pack as few clothes as possible (and are fighting the urge to pack 30 different undies) for your trip. Just rip open one of the packs and pour it into any sink full of water — instant suds for a wash on the go.
Tide
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly is a big fan of these: "Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!"
Promising review: "Taking these out of the country to wash under things is exactly the right size." — Laura Wilson
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.39 (available in two scents and four pack sizes).
6. A strap, which can hold your essentials, like a travel pillow, jacket, personal item, and more, as you scoot along through the airport. And more importantly, it'll help free up some much-needed space in your carry-on. Here's to quickly gathering all your stuff post-screen and freeing up those hands!
Amazon
Promising review:"I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." — Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in six colors and packs of two).
7. A splurge-worthy set of Cadence Capsules for holding all of your needed toiletries together without hogging all the room in your luggage. The magnetic sides make it possible for you to organize these in the best way needed to fit in your case (without losing one). Plus, they're super sturdy, leak-proof, and even work great for a few days worth of vitamins or holding small jewelry.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The "daily routine" set includes four medium and three small capsules as well as magnetic, interchangeable labels for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, cleanser, a pill icon, and a blank tile.
They also offer skincare, bodycare, haircare, and pill case sets as well as extenders that increase the size of the capsule!
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
Promising review: "These containers are perfectly sized for all my travel needs, whether it's skincare products, vitamins, or even small jewelry pieces. They fit neatly into my carry-on, saving space and keeping everything organized. No more messy toiletry bags or digging around for tiny items — everything has its place with Cadence. The quality of the materials is top-notch. The containers snap together securely, making it easy to keep them organized and prevent any spills. It's such a clever and practical feature that adds a touch of luxury to the whole experience. Plus, it's oddly satisfying to hear the little click when they snap into place!
"I'll be honest — the price did give me pause at first. These containers are definitely an investment, but I can confidently say they're worth it. The peace of mind they provide, knowing my products are safe and secure during travel, is priceless. Plus, the high-quality build means they'll last for many trips to come, making them a smart long-term investment." — Randy G.
Get the daily routine set from Amazon for $138 (available in five colors and other sets).
8. Or a TSA-approved 16-piece travel toiletries set so you can minimize the amount of space your bathroom essentials take up in your backpack. These bottles are perfect for carrying all your fave beauty products and are set in a leakproof bag, so you don't have to worry about getting shampoo stains on your clothing as you wheel your carry-on down the ramp.
www.amazon.com
The set comes with four bottles, four jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers (to help transfer creams), one funnel (to help transfer liquids), one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that everything fits in.
Promising review:"I've purchased a lot of different travel sets for my toiletries over the years. Inevitably, they are hard to fill and tend to leak. This set was magic! The wide mouth made it easy to fill from a larger bottle, and the little scoops made transferring creams to the jar containers very easy and with much less mess. The only con (hardly worth mentioning) is that once you squeeze the bottle, it takes a few minutes to expand with air again, so the sides are a bit sunken. I solved that by unscrewing the top just a bit for a quick release of the vacuum pressure. I had no leaks, and plenty of containers for every toiletry." — MDC
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in eight colors).
9. And a set of TSA-friendly travel bottles with pumps because this will make traveling along with all your most important liquid products so much easier. These are literally perfect for that ~expensive~ shampoo/conditioner combo you can't possibly think about traveling without.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It's a little hard to fill but if you have a small funnel already it makes it a lot easier. They're super easy to use and really convenient for packing. I use it for the gym, travel, and I also travel for work often and it comes in handy there." — Kelsey Jacobi
Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two colors).
10. A Hackwith Design House shirt for people who don't want to overpack but love the idea of a single shirt that can be styled in six — yes, SIX — different ways! You can wear this shirt again and again without anyone being the wiser.
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket. And the color is simple, which means it can be paired well with many different bottoms.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart says:"I have this shirt and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! I've worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable, and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight, so I'll be wearing it season to season, and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say trust that I will be buying additional colors!"
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in three colors).
11. A 2-in-1 hair tool so you're not trying to stuff two separate tools into your luggage — but you're well aware of the fact that you can't possibly survive without both a curler and a straightener. Plus, it's dual voltage for international travel!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Don't be fooled by the tiny price or size, this little baby is serious. If you are looking for a small travel option rather than lugging your big straightener and giant curling iron around the world, than I think you'll love this. It performs really well, turning my frizzy wavy hair into a smooth and sleek style. The curling iron option also creates shiny, silky lasting curls! It's easy to transition between both. I also like the grippy handle and the fact that the curling iron clip is a different color than the straightening bars because that helps me see how I should be maneuvering it around. The voltage goes up to 240m, so you are good using it internationally without a converter (but you will need an adapter just to fit it into various foreign outlets). At this price, definitely give it a try and flaunt your tresses abroad." — Christine
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two colors).
12. A portable rain hood you can slip on under any (yes, ANY) jacket, so even your favorite coat can now boast a hoodie. No need to attempt cramming in those extra raincoats or bulky umbrellas; this can be kept on hand for whenever those pesky rain clouds start to form — despite the weather app declaring clear skies for the duration of your trip.
Amazon
All it is is a hood attached to a vest you can wear under *any* jacket to protect yourself (and your hair) from whatever the weather has planned.
Promising review: "I love this! The quality is very nice and it fits great. Wore it last week in the rain with a coat I love that doesn't have a hood and it was perfect. It slips right under your jacket so all you see is the hood, so it pretty much blends in with your jacket. Such a great idea! Wish there were more colors and patterns, I'd order more." — Jill Hammel
Get it from Amazon for $29.
13. A Subtl Beauty Stack, so instead of lugging around a whole makeup bag (which, let's be honest, takes up wayyy too much space), you can condense up to nine makeup essentials into one small stack! You can customize this pretty much however you want, so you can carry everything from concealer to highlighter to bronzer.
Subtl Beauty
Each stack also includes a mirror lid, a base, and a mini brush.
Promising review:"I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased it for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!" – Paula Bowie
Get the Starter Stack from Subtl Beauty for $60 (available in 19 tones), or customize your own stack starting at $12 per layer, with up to nine product types available.
14. And the 4-in-1 Alleyoop Pen Pal so you're not lugging around a packed bag full of makeup — this one lil' pen has eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and a highlighter all in one. Just toss it into your fanny pack so you can make a quick touchup while onboard the plane.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I love that this product is an all-in-one! It saves me so much space when I travel, and the products are high-quality too. The lightest brow pencil is still a little dark for blondes like me, but the other shades complement me perfectly. I like the lip liner the best; it easily elevates a simple lip look!" — Sam
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in three shades).
15. A waterproof travel cable organizer to keep all of your favorite small gadgets and chargers on hand and keep the mess of wires compact so that they're not taking up any much-needed space in your bag.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"Excellent for travel! Nice to have a go-to individual pouch especially for the chords. Husband travels for business and this is a must, so if he's in an airport or hotel he can locate them easily and they don't get mixed with others." — Brent Webb
Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in three sizes and 19 colors).
16. A skyline mini wallet emergency kit, so you're not tryna stuff full bottles of Tylenol or large packs of makeup wipes into your already overpacked carry-on. This kit has everything you possibly need for those unforeseen emergencies — like those moments you find yourself needing a tampon, a hair tie, or even the back of an earring that's mysteriously gone missing.
Anne Cate
Anne Cate is a woman-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio, that handmakes minimalist keepsakes with a skyline from more than 100 cities and colleges around the world!
The kit includes a hair tie, ChapStick, two floss pics, a sewing kit, bandages, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, a deodorant wipe, a Shout wipe, a tampon, hand sanitizer, and Tylenol.
Promising review: "I'm heading to Rome this fall with my best friend and our husbands. I thought this would be the cutest little emergency case to bring along so I got each of us one. I am so excited to give it to her. She will love the Rome skyline and all the goodies inside." — Jen
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in 96 skylines).
17. A capacious travel backpack to fit as many items as you can possibly jam-pack into it while still being able to slide it under the seat in front of you. It's able to zip open completely — yes, like a suitcase — so you can find whatever you need! It has plenty of pockets, a compartment just for wet items and another for shoes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Lots of space. I bought this for a business trip so I could carry my laptop and clothes for two nights and not check a bag at the airport. This worked perfectly and looks nice." — Angie J
Get it from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in four sizes and 40 styles).
18. A reusable, compact gel lint roller so you can keep your ~fancy~ outfit looking clean, pristine, and free from the loose fuzz that somehow keeps ruining your classic black button-up. Full-sized lint rollers take up too much space, after all.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I travel frequently for work and keep this in my suitcase. Works great; I no longer carry a lint roller." — Liza Przekop
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors and in packs of two or four).
19. A foldable jewelry organizer for storing your absolute *best* of friends. This folded case has several pockets and slits, so you can store anything from rings to earrings to necklaces without having to carry several bulky boxes that take up too much room. Don't deal with the stress of misplacing any of your favorite pieces; keep them on hand for those fun nights out!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My favorite traveling item! Before I was sticking jewelry in ziplock bags and in my suitcase and I'd lose them in there or they'd tangle and I was limited on what I could bring. I bring this with me every time we go out of town for business." — Kristy and Jose
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
20. A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes to completely wipe your face free from makeup as you're stuck on that overnight flight. Rather than carrying around a bulky regular-size pack, these tiny individual ones can just be tossed into your bag for that on-the-go freshness.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Just what I needed. This worked perfectly on a recent business trip. Felt refreshing and left my skin feeling soft." — Glenda E
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $6.88 (also available in a larger pack).
21. Or a makeup-removing cloth you can easily carry instead of lugging around a huge pack of disposable wipes. This simple washcloth can safely go through TSA (since your regular full-size bottle of liquid certainly cannot), and all it needs is some water to wipe your face clean.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This product...I have no clue how this works, but it does! Let me start by saying I was wearing a full face of makeup. I mean foundation, contour highlight, eyeliner, seriously the whole nine yards. All I did was wet it and wiped my face, my jaw literally dropped. This is hands-down my favorite makeup remover. The best part is that they are reusable so you don't have to keep buying those expensive disposables that leave your face feeling greasy." — Heather Griffith
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors and in packs of three or six).
22. A fast-drying microfiber towel that can fold itself down to be so small it's sure to fit in or be clipped onto any overpacked carry-on. This will prove itself to be your saving grace when you are unable to find anything to dry yourself with after taking an unscheduled dip at the beach. The towel is lightweight and fast to dry, so it is easy to pack and soft to the touch!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Perfect. Have used these for hiking and business travel. Can't imagine anyone having a bad thing to say about them." — G. B.
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 18 colors and six sizes).
23. A travel-sized wrinkle release spray because you can't fit an entire iron and board into your carry-on, but you'd still rather not go around on your vacation looking like a wrinkled mess. It also helps eliminate odors and static!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Hate dragging out the old hotel iron and board, so I just spray my wrinkled clothes with this, and voila! Takes the wrinkles out, and off I go — no wrestling while putting the iron and board away. I even have a small travel iron or use my hair styling irons if I want a better finish, but this usually does the job nicely." — Audie
Get it from Amazon for $6.05.
24. A compact I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo so you don't need to carry around a bottle of your favorite aerosol version that's liable to take up wayyy too much space in your already overpacked luggage. This lil' baddie will become your absolute favorite as it comes in a compact travel case, soaks up excess hair oil, and volumizes your locks so that your hairstyle will get compliments no matter where you go!
Amazon
This powder shampoo is benzene-free!
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." — Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in six shades).
25. A high-quality hair conditioner bar that can easily get through TSA (unlike the large bottle of conditioner you usually have), so you're not trying to buy some at a random drugstore in a foreign town.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
Elizabeth (that's her above) has traveled with this in her carry-on and loves it:" Here, I used hotel shampoo (it was pretty fancy, NGL), this shampoo bar, and my roommate's Moroccan Oil curl cream. The bar is basically foolproof. You rub it directly on your wet hair after rinsing out your shampoo. I normally wash my naturally curly hair once or twice a week but on this trip was taking daily dips in the sea, so I washed my hair 5x over a week. Because of this, I let the conditioner sit for a few minutes, though you probably don't need to do that if you're washing your hair your usual amount on your trip. Each bar is supposed to last 200 washes and it might do a little less for me, but I know this'll be good for many future trips!"
Promising review: This is incredible! It leaves my hair feeling soft, hydrated, and healthier with every use. I was skeptical about switching from a traditional liquid conditioner, but this bar exceeded my expectations. It's compact, eco-friendly, and lasts longer than I expected." — Niki Saigeon
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
26. A neck pillow you can stuff with clothing for sneaking in that extra outfit (or two) you just couldn't jam into your carry-on. It's the perfect way to utilize every single inch of space physically possible. Plus, you can make sure you have those spare clothes on hand if you need a quick outfit change once you land.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage.
Promising review: "The Tube Pillow was a savior on my last trip. It held a surprising amount of clothes and doubled as a dirty laundry bag. I used it as an on-the-lap pillow, but it was a tad awkward to maneuver. For extra storage without extra fees, it's worth it!" — Sharon
Get it from Amazon for $49.95.
27. An Alleyoop 3-in-1 travel razor that's got everything you need for a quick shave on the go: a refillable spray bottle for easy skin prep, a shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges. This compact razor is the perfect addition to toss into your suitcase.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I recently traveled and had no problem with TSA. I like the moisturizer; you can just rub it in. If you have coarse hair, the blades may dull sooner than later. I preferred just to wet my leg and then spray the water. It seemed to get more of a lather for me. Super convenient!!" — Western Pa mom/grandma
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in pink and blue).
28. A foldable water bottle to take up very little space (every square inch counts). It'll be incredibly helpful when you want to take a bottle of water onto the plane but don't have the time to buy one at the gate after spending hours waiting at the TSA line (which seemingly gets longer and longer every time you fly).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Plus, it's lead-, latex-, and BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and can be used for hot or cold drinks.
Promising review:"Bought this water bottle for a trip to Disney World. At home, I always have my 40-ounce water bottle nearby. I was worried about walking around the park and not having quick access to water on those hot park days. We only brought a fanny pack in and didn't have room for something big. This was perfect! It wasn't too overbearing to hold and was super easy to fold up and throw in the bag when not in use. My only regret is I didn't buy two!" — E. Alarcón
Get it from Amazon for $8.29+ (available in three sizes/styles and 14 colors).
29. A mini belted pack that can keep your most valuable items strapped close to your chest — it's necessary while you weave through busy airport terminals. This will help carry so many random things that need not take up that important real estate in your carry-on. With several pockets to store all of your miscellaneous necessities, this bag is perfect for any excursion, too!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I used mine nonstop for almost a year and loved the versatility. I travel a lot for my job and wanted something easy for the airport, but I ended up using it all the time. I purchased the brown color, which is more like a mauve pink, exactly what I was looking for. I used mine until it died and am going to purchase another!" — sarah noe
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth also owns this — she packed it as her only day bag for a busy trip to Iceland, and not only did it hold a ton and keep her hands free, it easily fit around her waist over her outerwear.
Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in 42 colors).