The Ultimate Carry-On Only Checklist 2026 
For When You Are Taking No Check-In Luggage

  • By Charlotte Orme

Travellers swear by carry-on only packing because it makes travel lighter in every sense -  less waiting, less worrying, and a lot less to lug around. There’s a reason frequent flyers dont use check-in luggage on every trip. 

 

If travel teaches you anything, it’s that the lighter you pack, the less physical pain you endure, and if you do it right, the less overwhelmed you feel. However, do it wrong and you’ll likely feel underpacked and end up swearing at yourself for not bringing that extra pair of shorts. Which, by the way, is a very frustrating experience, especially when those shorts that are now 1,000 miles away would have made the perfect outfit. 

 

That’s the fine line with cabin-only travel, it’s about freedom (and saving some money along the way) with a little strategy attached. A good cabin bag isn’t about limits; it’s about knowing yourself as a traveller. It’s the suitcase that moves at your pace, slips into any overhead locker, and still fits enough to make you feel prepared. When you get it right, it changes how you travel entirely: quicker, calmer, and a lot more you. 

And that's why so many travellers swear by going carry-on only. I’m one of them mostly because I don’t have to pay to check a bag, but also because it’s just simpler. 

There’s one small trick that makes all the difference, though: think about your cabin luggage as two zones.

Together, they hold everything you need for days or even weeks away (depending on your travel style). No check-in luggage, no waiting around, no stories that start with “my bag didn’t make it.” 

But what do travellers actually take with them when flying cabin luggage only, and where do they put it? Are they Mary Poppins carpet bag? We are here to answer that. 

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TL;DR

  • Two bags: one cabin suitcase + one underseat personal item
  • Clothes that mix and layer for easy outfits
  • Toiletries under 100ml in one clear bag
  • Tech essentials - laptop, chargers, adapters, power bank
  • Health items - medication, wipes, refillable bottle, snack
  • Travel documents, passport, wallet, insurance
  • Comfort pieces - scarf, jumper, neck pillow
  • One grounding item – book, playlist, or scent
  • Pack light, stay organised, travel stress-free

Table of Contents

  • 1

    What Should You Pack in Your Carry-Ons and Where Does It Go?

  • 2

    What belongs in your carry-on suitcase, and why? 

  • 3

    What belongs in your underseat bag, and why?

  • 4

    What Should You Leave Out of Your Cabin Bags?

  • 5

    Our Cabin Picks for 2026

  • 6

    Our Underseat Bag Picks for 2026

  • 7

    Final Verdict: Carry-On Travel Made Simple
Title

What Should You Pack in Your Carry-Ons and Where Does It Go?

Okay, so this is probably what you really want to know, right? What should actually go in your carry-on suitcase? Or maybe more importantly, what can go into your carry-on suitcase? 

Packing carry-on only is all about strategy, not sacrifice. Everything you take should earn its space, and where you pack it matters just as much as what you pack. Now let me reality check you - obviously you will never fit as much as you could in a check-in luggage bag into a cabin bag - it's just simply not going to happen, and its not allowed either - cabin bags have liquid limits, and other limits hold luggage does not. 

Think of it like this:

  • Carry-on suitcase - your main wardrobe, toiletries, and tech.
  • Underseat bag - your quick-access essentials, documents, and comfort items.

There are loads of tips on how to pack your cabin luggage, and you can read all about how pros pack their luggage here. 

But what are we taking and where is it all going!? Here’s how to split it so everything fits, without chaos at security or crushed clothes on arrival.

Title

What belongs in your carry-on suitcase, and why?

Your carry-on suitcase is the core of your trip - it’s where practicality meets personality. Every item in here should earn its space. Think of it as your portable wardrobe, bathroom, and tech hub, all sized to fit quietly in the overhead bin. This is where the majority of your things will live - because this is where the biggest space is. The average carry on luggage size is about 56 x 36 x 23 cm, but this changes depending on the airline - some may have stricter policies.  

Enough of my rambling, here is what should go into your overhead cabin case: 

Clothing that works together

  • What: Packing light doesn’t mean dressing plain. Build outfits that mix and layer - neutrals for balance, one or two accents for personality. Each piece should pull double duty: city-smart by day, relaxed by night. To learn how to pack your clothing effortlessly, use the 5-4-3-2-1 rule.  
  • Why it earns its space: fewer items, more outfits, less stress choosing what to wear.
  • Where it goes: main compartment, heavier fabrics at the bottom for balance, lighter layers on top.

Toiletries That Make It Through Security

 

Everything liquid, cream, or gel must be under 100 ml and fit in one clear resealable bag. That rule is slowly changing across airports worldwide, but it's not widespread enough yet to divert from obeying. Keep it accessible, not buried or else you're going to have a whale of a time at security trying to yank it out of your case without all your clothes falling out. 

What earns its space:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant or solid balm
  • Moisturiser and lip balm
  • Face wipes or micellar pads
  • Mini SPF 
  • Makeup 
  • Perfumes
  • Shaving cream 
  • Face wash and moisturiser
  • Small travel-size soap or hair products

These are the small things that help you feel like yourself at 35,000 feet - nothing more, nothing less.

  • Where it goes: top of the case or side pocket for quick removal at security.

Tech That Travels Well

Tech earns its spot only if it genuinely makes travel smoother. That means laptop, tablet, cameras, chargers, adapters, and one power bank within airline watt-hour limits.

  • Why it earns its space: you’ll use it to work, unwind, or stay connected - not because it “might come in handy.”
  •  Where it goes: padded sleeve or centre section to stay protected but easy to remove for scanning. Alternatively, if you want access to your tech on your flight, pop it into your underseater bag for easy access.

Add a small pouch for cords and adapters - tangled cables are the enemy of calm travel.

Souvenirs and Shopping Finds

Souvenirs always sneak into the plan, a scarf from a market, a book from a museum shop, something that reminds you why you travel in the first place. The key is to make space for them before you leave, not after.

 

What earns space: small, durable items that don’t risk leaks or breakage. Skip bottles of olive oil and jars of jam unless you can pack them safely under 100ml (or buy them duty-free and sealed). Think textiles, paper goods, jewellery, or lightweight crafts.

 

Why it matters: you’ll thank yourself when you’re not that traveller trying to stuff an overfull bag shut at the gate. Keeping a little extra space isn’t wasted - it’s freedom. And unfortunately, there is no way to squish a jar of jam! 

 

Where it goes:

  • Fragile items: wrapped in soft clothing in your suitcase.
  • Duty-free liquids: keep sealed in their tamper-proof bags with the receipt visible.

If you come home with nothing extra, no harm done - you’ll travel lighter. If you do, your bag was ready for it.

 

 

Security and Peace of Mind

I would argue that security stresses and the fear of lost luggage are more prominent with check-in cases; however, it still very much exists with cabin luggage, especially when you have no space above you directly and have had to move your luggage to the other side of the plane or on the odd occasion a flight attendant might request your bag to go into the hold (likley free of charge) because they have no space left in the cabin.  

 

So here are the things that will keep you sane:

What: 

 

  • Why: It’s not paranoia, it’s control. These are small tools that give you confidence, knowing you can always trace or secure your belongings.
  •  Where: Attach the tracker to the inner lining or slip it inside a zipped pocket. Keep the lock on the external zip when not in use.
Title

What belongs in your underseat bag, and why?

Your underseat bag is your lifeline in transit - the small space that keeps you calm, comfortable, and in control. It holds the things you need easy access to, or simply can’t risk being separated from. Everything here should answer one question: would losing it ruin your trip? If yes, it goes here. That means medications, identification, and important documents like your boarding pass. 

 

Documents and Must-Not-Lose Essentials

What: 

  • Passport
  • Boarding pass
  • Wallet
  • Travel insurance
  • ID
  • Phone.
  • Why: These are your access-all-areas items - you’ll need them repeatedly from check-in to landing. Keeping them together saves rummaging at the gate and makes security checks painless.
  • Where: Zipped organiser or inner sleeve at the front of your underseat bag for instant reach.

Health and Wellbeing Essentials

What: 

  • Daily medication (in original packaging)
  • Travel sickness tablets
  • First aid kit: plasters, painkillers, tissues, sanitiser, wipes
  • Refillable water bottle (empty through security).
  • Why: These are the things that keep you, alive and well. Cabins are dry, delays happen, and medical needs do not wait politely until you’ve landed. Keeping medication and comfort items in reach means you can look after yourself without fuss.
  • Where: A small pouch or toiletry bag within your underseat bag, ideally near the top. Medication stays in your personal bag, ideally never in the overhead and certainly not the check-in luggage.

Tech and Entertainment on the Go

Let's be real, sitting in silence for 3 hours, isn’t alwways the most entertaining thing - if you are lucky, you might fall asleep for these hours, but if no,t then you will likely want something to do. 

What: 

  • Headphones
  • Power bank (within airline watt-hour limits)
  • e-reader or book
  • A laptop or tablet, if you plan to use it mid-flight (and cable)
  • Why: Boredom and restriction are the twin enemies of long travel days. Keeping tech accessible makes flights feel shorter and layovers more manageable.
  • Where: Keep electronics together in a slim pouch or padded sleeve at the back of your bag so you can reach them without unpacking everything.

Comfort and Calm in the Cabin

If you want to be extra, and live like the luxurious travellers do, then this section might include items like a face mask or other spa items; however, if you are looking to keep space and pack the essentials, then this is what we recommend:

What:

  • Scarf or jumper (it gets cold on flights, and a scarf can act as a blanket)
  • Eye mask
  • Earplugs
  • Snack.
  • Neck pillow 
  • Why: Cabins get cold, the air is dry, and delays can stretch hours. A few small comforts mean you can adapt, rest, or reset when you need to. Frequent flyers call this the “stay sane” kit. And as much as I can appreciate being a parent to a kid on a flight is not easy - it is nice to be able to get in the zone and block out external noises.
  • Where: In an easy-access area of your bag - these are the items you’ll reach for without thinking, but items like medication and passports might be at the top of your bag.

Case Insight: At Case we love to use the phrase ‘The Rule of Reach’. If you want it within the next two hours, it belongs in your underseat bag. Everything else can live above your head.

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What Should You Leave Out of Your Cabin Bags?

Even the best travellers have to say no to a few things. A good carry-on isn’t always about what you can fit - it’s about what you actually cant take.

  • Liquids over 100ml: unless sealed duty-free with a receipt inside.
  • Aerosols and flammables: think sprays, lighters, or candles - all no-go.
  • Sharp tools: scissors, knives, or tent pegs; better left at home.
  • Oversized batteries or spare lithium cells: these must stay in the cabin, but within airline watt-hour limits.
  • Too many ‘just in case’ extras: they slow you down and never get used. If you wouldn’t miss it, you don’t need to bring it. I know its hard but that’s how carry-on travel stays simple.

To keep up to date on cabin luggage restrictions, the Government website has a page on hand luggage restrictions at UK airports that can help guide you through this process. We also recommend you check your airline's t&c’s carefully to ensure you are compliant with their exact processes. 

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Our Cabin Picks for 2026

Choosing what to pack is only half the job. You also need the right cabin case to put it all in.

For our 2026 picks, we’ve chosen five very different carry-ons. There’s Tumi for business travel, Samsonite for modern everyday journeys, Bric’s for a softer approach, Briggs & Riley for frequent flyers and Carl Friedrik for travellers who put design high on the list.

The important thing is that there isn’t one perfect cabin case for everyone. Think about how you travel, what you usually pack and which features will make your journey easier.

Here’s how our top picks compare.

Cabin Case Best For Size Weight Capacity Material Price
Tumi Alpha 4 Dual Access Expandable Carry On Suitcase 55cm Tumi Alpha 4
Dual Access Expandable Carry On 55cm 		Business and frequent travel 55 x 35.5 x 23cm 4.2kg Not stated FXT® Ballistic Nylon £850
Samsonite Nexis 55cm Expandable Carry On Suitcase Samsonite Nexis
55cm Expandable Carry On 		Lightweight everyday travel 55 x 40 x 20cm 2.5kg 40/47L ROXKIN™ polypropylene £399
Bric's X-Travel Lightweight Carry On Trolley Bric's X-Travel
Lightweight Carry On Trolley 		Relaxed and lifestyle-led trips 55 x 36 x 23cm 2.5kg 40L Polyamide £209
Briggs and Riley ZDX Hard Global 53cm Carry On Expandable Spinner Briggs & Riley ZDX Hard
Global 53cm Carry On Spinner 		Protection and expandable packing space 53 x 38 x 24cm 3.5kg 46.1/57L Polycarbonate £469
Briggs and Riley ZDX Essential Carry On Spinner Suitcase Briggs & Riley ZDX Softside
Essential Carry On Spinner 		Organisation and flexible softside packing 56 x 36 x 23cm 3.6kg 37/46.5L Woven nylon and coated fabric £499
Carl Friedrik Carry On X 56cm Suitcase Carl Friedrik Carry-On X
56cm Carry On Suitcase 		Premium, design-led travel 56 x 37 x 23cm 4.3kg 41L Polycarbonate £455

Case Insight: Don’t choose a cabin case on looks alone. Think about the journeys you make most often. A business traveller who wants quick laptop access has very different needs from someone packing for a relaxed long weekend. The best cabin case is the one that makes your journey easier.

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Our Underseat Bag Picks for 2026

Remember our Rule of Reach? If you’ll want it during the next two hours, keep it close.

That’s exactly where an underseat bag earns its place. Your passport, laptop, headphones, medication, charger and the jumper you’ll inevitably reach for once the cabin gets cold can all stay right in front of you.

We’ve picked five options for 2026, from a true underseat backpack and compact wheeled case to smart holdalls for travellers who prefer something softer. Just remember that personal-item allowances vary considerably between airlines, so always check the measurements allowed on your ticket before you fly.

Here’s how our picks compare.

Underseat Bag Best For Size Weight Capacity Material Price
Joules Epwell Underseat Travel Backpack Joules Epwell
Underseat Travel Backpack 		City breaks and hands-free travel 40 x 30 x 20cm 1.03kg Not stated 100% polyester £80
Briggs and Riley ZDX Underseat Holdall Briggs & Riley ZDX
Underseat Holdall 		Tech and organised travel 43 x 27 x 24cm 1kg 26L Woven nylon and coated fabric £199
Bric's X-Bag Small Holdall Bric's X-Bag
Small Holdall 		Lightweight weekends and relaxed travel 28 x 43 x 19cm 0.57kg 30L Polyamide £99
Samsonite Respark 45cm Underseater Carry On Suitcase Samsonite Respark
45cm Underseater Carry On 		Travellers who prefer a wheeled underseater 45 x 35 x 20cm 1.8kg 29L Recycled PET £165
Tumi Alpha 4 Double Expansion Duffel Tumi Alpha 4
Double Expansion Duffel 		Premium weekends and extra packing space 29 x 47 x 23cm 1.63kg Not stated Ballistic nylon £530

Underseat and personal-item allowances vary by airline and fare. Always check your airline's current size and weight limits before travelling.

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Final Verdict: Carry-On Travel Made Simple

Every item in a carry on earns its space because it serves a reason; it is an essential. The perfect carry-on balances practicality and comfort - clothes that work together, toiletries that pass security, tech that keeps you connected, and health items that keep you well. Then there are the important touches that make travel work: your documents, wallet, phone, charger, refillable bottle, a snack, and something grounding - a book, scarf, or playlist that makes anywhere feel like yours. That is the real checklist: essentials, organisation, entertainment, and calm. Two bags, everything you need, nothing you don’t.

Carry-on only travel isn’t about restriction; it’s about freedom, ease, and less stress. The freedom to move faster, spend less time waiting, and travel with a clear head. When you know what belongs in your suitcase, what stays at your feet, and what should stay at home, the whole process shifts from stressful to effortless.

It’s not about packing perfectly; it’s about packing purposefully. Every item earns its space because it serves a reason - that’s how seasoned travellers make it look easy. Whether it’s a long weekend or two weeks abroad, the rule holds: pack smart, and make the most of your personal item.

Now you know what you need to pack and what to pack it into, learn how to pack it like a pro. 

Shop Cabin Lluggage 

FAQs 

What aren’t you allowed in your carry-on luggage?

Liquids over 100ml, sharp objects, flammables, and most aerosols are restricted. Power banks must stay in the cabin but under airline watt-hour limits, and tools or sports gear need to go in checked bags. Always check your airline’s latest policy before flying -  rules can change by route and season.

Can I take deodorant in my carry-on?

Yes, but only if it’s under 100ml. Stick or roll-on deodorants are easiest for travel since aerosols can be restricted by some airlines. If you’re unsure, pack it in your liquids bag so it’s ready for screening.

What’s the difference between cabin luggage and underseat luggage?

Cabin luggage (or carry-on) goes in the overhead bin,  it’s your main bag for clothes, tech, and toiletries. Underseat luggage is smaller and fits below the seat in front of you, ideal for essentials like documents, medication, and comfort items you’ll want mid-flight. Together, they’re the perfect two-bag system for stress-free travel.

Can I put my phone charger in my hand luggage?

Yes - phone chargers, cables, and power banks should always travel in your carry-on, never in the hold. Keep them together in a small pouch for quick access at security and to charge devices in the terminal or on the plane.

What are the best carry-ons?

The best carry-ons balance lightness, structure, and size compliance. Look for something that fits overhead bins easily and is labelled as cabin size. Frequent flyers love options with smooth wheels, internal organisation, and built-in TSA locks - at Case, our 2025 bestsellers include Bric’s Medium Holdall - X Travel, Tumi Double Expansion Satchel Bag - Alpha 3 and Bric’s 56cm Weekender Duffle - Life.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Charlotte - I research and write about luggage for Case, where my lifelong love of travel finally found its perfect match!

 

After a five-week interrailing trip across Europe and many flights since, I’ve learned first-hand how the right piece of luggage can transform your journey, saving time, stress, and even a few airport sighs. That experience sparked my fascination with how materials, design, and warranties shape how well luggage really performs.

At Case, I combine in-depth research and primary data with knowledge across brands like Samsonite, Briggs & Riley, Tumi and Bric’s - always with the goal of making the details feel clear, the comparisons fair, and the advice something you’d actually use.

 

When I’m not writing for Case, I run my own travel blog, sharing packing tips and destination guides, and sometimes even my favourite travel gear. And if I’m not there, I’m likely still travelling, still learning, and still probably talking about wheels, zips, or which cabin bag actually fits on Ryanair.

Editorial Policy

Our recommendations are based on our expertise and research in the luggage sector. Brand partners do not approve our editorial content. Warranties and airline rules can change, so always check the latest details before you fly. Every article goes through multiple expert reviews to ensure the information we provide is clear, accurate, and genuinely helpful in finding the best luggage for your needs.

Why Shop with Case Luggage?

At Case, we are proud to be an authorised UK retailer for leading brands including Samsonite, Tumi, Briggs & Riley, Bric’s, and Carl Friedrik. That means every product you buy from us is 100% authentic, supplied directly from the manufacturer, and fully covered by the official brand warranty.
 

With over 100 years of experience in premium travel goods, our reputation is built on trust, expertise, and customer-first service, helping travellers choose luggage they can rely on for every journey. You can shop online, or visit us in person at our London stores in Piccadilly, at Heathrow Airport terminals, and as the exclusive luggage concessionaire inside Harrods, one of London’s most prestigious and world-renowned department stores.

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