How to Pack for a Weekend Getaway with Just a Personal Item

If you've recently flown on a budget airline, you might have noticed that almost everything, including overhead bin space, comes with a fee. Carry-on luggage, for instance, can cost more than $60 one way, depending on the airline and route. But, you can skip those baggage fees if you rethink how you pack.

All major airlines allow passengers to bring one personal item on board for free. Although personal items are much smaller than standard carry-ons, you can still pack quite a bit if you’re smart about it. This can be especially useful if you're planning a short trip. A recent survey by AARP found that weekend getaways are popular among travelers aged 50 and over.

In addition to saving money, there are other benefits to packing just a personal item, according to Sally French, a travel expert at Nerd Wallet. Some of the perks include not having to struggle to lift a bag into the overhead bin, asking another passenger for help, or worrying if there will be enough space. "I can relax and let everyone board before me because all I need is the space under the seat," says French, who has taken many flights with just a personal item.

If this packing method sounds appealing for your next trip, here’s what you need to know, including expert tips from travelers who’ve mastered it.

Choose the Right Bag

Selecting the right-sized bag is crucial. Most airlines, including budget carriers, specify that a personal item cannot exceed 18 by 14 by 8 inches, including handles and wheels. Most importantly, it must fit under the seat in front of you, though seat dimensions can vary slightly between airlines, so it’s a good idea to check your carrier’s specific requirements online before your trip.

For many travelers, a backpack is ideal. They’re easy to carry, have plenty of pockets to keep everything organized, and have a soft structure that can be compressed to fit under the seat. To keep the weight down, consider a day pack from an outdoor retailer, like The North Face, Osprey that uses lightweight materials.

There’s also a growing category of bags specifically designed as personal items, some with wheels for even easier transport. A quick online search for "under-seat luggage" or "personal item backpack" will give you plenty of options in a range of prices.

Also, consider what kind of features you need. Glenn Jordan, who relies on just a backpack for his frequent trips to play and referee pickle ball games in a professional league for adults 50 and over, says his preferred bag is "designed to hold two pickle ball paddles and has a separate compartment for shoes."

What to Pack

The saying "less is more" definitely applies here: Forget about packing "just in case" items and focus on versatility. Choose clothing that can easily mix and match, like a sweater that goes with jeans or a dress. Depending on the length of your trip, pack only two or three outfits. And remember that you’ll probably need to do laundry on longer trips, advises Kelsey.

Perry , a frequent traveler and spokesperson for Road Scholar, a nonprofit that specializes in tours for travelers 50 and over.

For toiletries, pare down as much as possible. French suggests the "$10 ten-minute rule": "If I can buy a replacement in less than 10 minutes and for under $10, I’ll just get it when I arrive."

For prescription and other essential medications, transfer what you can into travel-sized containers. Jordan likes to use film canisters from his days working at a newspaper. "I usually fill a few with Metamucil and any pills I need, rather than packing larger bottles," he says.

Rolling Clothes, Packing Cubes, and Compression Bags

Fitting everything into your personal item can take some trial and error. Many travelers choose to roll their clothing, while others swear by packing cubes, which are affordable and readily available online (make sure to pick small and medium sizes). Choose footwear that can serve dual purposes for both day and night, and don’t forget about the space inside your shoes.

It takes an extra step, but compression bags can make it easy to fit clothing into a tight bundle that can fit in your personal item. Essentially, compression bags and cubes remove air around clothing to make it much more compact (for space, choose bags that don’t require a vacuum). For a budget option, squeeze air out of sturdy zip-close bags, French suggests.

Tips for Smooth Travel on the Day

On the day of your flight, wear your bulkiest clothing items, like jeans and a sweater or jacket. The more pockets, the better: Travel vests can be useful for storing glasses, phones, and empty water bottles.

Perry uses a small cross-body bag that fits under her jacket to store essentials. "You can usually get away with that [in addition to the personal item for under the seat], but you might encounter a strict gate agent, so be prepared to combine your items if needed," she says.

Finally, put your pared-down liquids and toiletries in a separate smaller bag so you can easily slip them in and out of your larger bag when going through security.

Start Small

This type of packing takes practice, so try it out on a low-stakes trip like a weekend getaway. Once you’ve figured out what works (and what doesn’t), you can work your way up to a longer journey.

"I still see so many people struggle for overhead bin space, along with tired travelers trying to store their luggage with the bell desk at the hotel," French says. "Try it for a summer weekend trip. From there, see how far you can go with personal item-only flying."