Call the airline with which you will be flying or visit the airline's website to learn the allowable size and weight for carry-on bags. Carry-on luggage must fit under your seat or in the overhead bins. Travel expert Rick Steves recommends your carry-on not exceed 9 by 22 by 14 inches in size and 20 pounds in weight when fully packed. This will fit in most major airlines' overhead bins.
Lay out all the clothing and other items you believe you need for your trip. Narrow down your choices by taking only those items that can mix and match with other things you're taking. Don't pack bulky shoes or coats; wear your heavier items on the plane.
Lay out the largest garment flat on a bed or table. Fasten any buttons and smooth the arms and collar flat. Gradually layer on other items, also buttoned and smoothed out. Fold portions of each item over those placed on top of it, avoiding any sharp creases. Keep adding one or two garments at a time, overlapping their sleeves, pant legs or other sections. Finally, wrap the sleeves and bottom of the first garment over the whole pile, creating a wrapped bundle.
Stuff small personal items and accessories inside the shoes you are taking. Place the stuffed shoes at the bottom of the bag. Place the bundle of clothing in the top half of the bag. Fill in around the edges with pajamas, underwear and other loose items. If your carry-on has straps inside to keep the clothing in place during transit, carefully fasten them around the clothing bundle.
Place toiletries in plastic travel bottles no larger than 4 ounces each. These must fit into one quart-size Ziploc bag in your carry-on luggage. Keep your ticket, passport, money and identification with you in a money pouch or purse, not in your luggage. Place a luggage tag with your name and current address on the handle or strap of your carry-on bag.
