When it comes to traveling, people usually fall into two camps: the overpackers and the carry-on only. The travelers who keep it simple and choose not to check any extra luggage usually share four traits, because, let’s face it, traveling light isn’t easy.
As a child, going to the airport meant we only brought carry-ons. I watched others tag bags and hand them to the baggage attendants. I asked my parents why we never did that. They brushed the question away with a simple, “We have everything we need in here,” and motioned toward the bags rolling with us to the terminal.
The older I got, the more I filled in the gaps for myself: checked luggage has a price tag and connotes excess that my family planned to opt out of to plan money spent on the trip itself. Starting the conversation on Threads, a New York-based travel and lifestyle writer, JoAnna E., simply stated: “Carry-on only travelers are built different.”
People who only travel with carry-on luggage and no checked bags usually share these 4 traits:
1. They are decisive and intentional
Kostikova Natalia | Shutterstock
Packing a different pair of shoes for each outfit might seem like a dream to some, but for the intentional traveler, it’s just a hassle. Instead, the carry-on only traveler creates lists and factors in everything from toiletries to underthings and intentionally and decisively packs only what they need.
One commenter on Threads shared, “Finishing up a 3-week-long trip today with just a carry-on.” With access to a washer and the ability to decide what to use and when, carrying less made much more sense. In fact, packing too much is a common complaint. As another user noted, “I still could’ve left 1/4 at home, I think.”
Packing with only a carry-on takes planning. From outfits to accessories, everything has a purpose and a use.
“The smartest thing you can do to minimize the risk of overpacking is to make sure you will wear everything you bring,” Gabby Beckford, founder of the travel site Packs Light, told HuffPost. “I always try to pack with a color scheme in mind. With pieces in the same color scheme, you can mix and match as much as you need.”
Basically, people who are carry-on only travelers are planners. They like lists and organization, and they can’t be bothered with what-ifs. Instead, they thrive in certainty and reliability.
2. They prioritize peace of mind
When you travel with carry-on only, no one else touches your stuff. It’s as simple as that. You eliminate loss, theft, and damage in one simple decision. Considering that, according to SITA’s 2024 data, one in five bags is damaged or pilfered, and one in 20 bags is lost or stolen, accounting for about 1.8 million bags each year, if it’s never happened to you, you’re one of the lucky few.
As travel expert and founder of Never Ending Footsteps, Lauren Juliff, explained, “You can’t lose your luggage if it’s stowed at your feet for the entire journey. You can’t have your belongings stolen on a sketchy bus ride in Thailand, because you won’t need to store your bag in the hold. You can’t discover an airline’s damaged your luggage if you have it with you at all times.” She added, “Carry-on travel gives me greater peace of mind, which is never a bad thing.”
Carry-on travelers aren’t just seeking that peace of mind; they are prioritizing themselves by choosing to be the only ones handling their valuables. That’s understanding the value of their belongings.
3. They like saving money
Dragon Images | Shutterstock
Travel is expensive. The carry-on traveler would rather spend a little extra on their destination than lug extra stuff with them by purchasing a ticket that includes a checked bag. Most airlines don’t charge for carry-on luggage that fits in the overhead bin. Limited to one per person and easy to reach, the benefits of holding onto a carry-on are cost-effective.
4. They are minimalists
Carry-on-only travelers are focused on the trip experience, not its material aspects. Utility trumps trends, and that means packing for the adventure, not how they look in the pics posted on socials. They also live by the simple mantra that if it’s something they really need, they can buy it once they arrive.
Carry-on travelers aren’t the sort to have a home filled with knick-knacks. They are focused on efficiency. When they travel, there are no lines to check bags and no wait upon arrival at the baggage claim.
Emi Magaña is a writer from Los Angeles with a bachelor’s in English. She covers entertainment, news, and the real human experience.
Comments are closed.