Traveling with only a carry-on has plenty of advantages, including finding low ticket prices. That’s why I’m sharing a few recommendations to keep in mind here. But before you travel with just a carry-on, check that your ticket includes one and look up your airline’s size limits, because there’s no single standard size.
For many travelers, bringing a lot of luggage is essential, but for others, not so much.
Most airlines accept this kind of bag at 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm (height, length, and width), including wheels and handles.
That size doesn’t work for all of them, though, since each airline sets its own, as you’ll see below.
And while all airlines used to include it as a courtesy, that’s no longer the case. So you need to check the type of ticket you bought to see whether it’s included.
But traveling with only a carry-on isn’t as chaotic as many people think, and here are several things to consider.
Size Limits for Traveling with Only a Carry-On, by Airline
These are the limits at four airlines as of November 2026, and as you’ll see, the same bag can work on one and not on another.
| Airline | Carry-on | Weight | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iberojet | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 10 kg combined with the personal item | 35 x 30 x 20 cm |
| Volaris | 55 x 40 x 25 cm | 10 kg (20 kg combined with the personal item) | 35 x 45 x 20 cm |
| Delta | 56 x 35 x 23 cm | Check with the airline | Must fit under the seat in front of you |
| Air Canada | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | No limit, but you must be able to lift it yourself | 43 x 33 x 16 cm |
IATA, the international airline association, uses 56 x 45 x 25 cm as a general reference, but it notes that each carrier has its own limits, so if you’re flying with another airline, check its limits before you pack. For Iberojet, see Iberojet’s carry-on size limits.
Not every fare includes a carry-on, either. Volaris’s Zero fare only includes the personal item, and Air Canada’s Economy Basic allows only the personal item on some itineraries, while Iberojet includes a carry-on in all its fares. So when you compare flights, look at what baggage each fare comes with, not just the final price.
In January 2026, Avianca announced that its carry-on is once again included on international flights, for tickets bought after that date, so confirm this when you buy.
And even if your bag fits the limits, it won’t always travel with you. IATA warns that if cabin space fills up, your carry-on may go to the hold from the gate, so keep spare batteries and power banks handy, since they have to travel in the cabin. Iberojet, for example, asks you to tell the staff what’s in the bag if they take it from you.
4 Tricks for Traveling with Only a Carry-On
I’ll break these recommendations down into specific categories so you can travel with just a carry-on without any trouble.
1. Fast Access: Skip the Counter
The main advantage of traveling with this kind of bag is that in the vast majority of cases, you don’t need to stop at the airline counter.
You can do this as long as you’ve already checked in and don’t have to show the airline any other requirements.
Since you don’t have to check any bags, you can go straight to the boarding area listed on your ticket. You’ll only have to go through security.
So you can relax, knowing you won’t have to wait in line with all the passengers who are checking bags for the flight.
Keep in mind that each airline has its own check-in window. On Iberojet, online check-in runs from 70 hours to 1 hour before departure, and if you don’t do it, you have to go to the counter even if you aren’t checking a bag. Also keep your documents handy, since you can’t board without valid documentation.
2. Toiletries: 100 ml Containers
People who haven’t wanted to travel with just a carry-on usually have one big question: How do I bring my toiletries?
The good news is that stores carry deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other products sized for travel.
Always look for versions that don’t exceed 100 ml (whether liquids or creams), and you’ll be able to bring them with no problem. You can also pack a toothbrush, hand sanitizer gel, and other items.
Remember to put all these products in a zip-top bag to avoid incidents at security.
That bag has its own rules too: in the European Union it must be clear and hold 1 liter at most, and in the US, one quart. The details are in what you can bring in your carry-on.
3. Shoes and Coats
Shoes can take up a lot of space when you travel with only a carry-on, but there’s a solution.
If you’re bringing a backpack as your personal item, in addition to the carry-on, you can pack them inside it with no problem. They won’t weigh that backpack.
You can even tie your shoes to the outside of that backpack you’re using as a personal item, and you won’t have any problems.
The same goes for any coats (thick or thin) you need to bring, since you can wear them (even more than 1) and no one will say anything.
Can I bring shoes in my carry-on? Yes, but check with your airline first. Volaris and Iberojet add the weight of the personal item to the weight of the carry-on, and Iberojet requires that item to measure up to 35 x 30 x 20 cm and fit under the seat. As for coats, Delta allows a separate jacket.
4. The Fake Pillow: A Social Media Trick
A technique for avoiding excess weight when traveling with a carry-on has become a trend on social media, and I’ll explain it here.
Basically, you stuff clothes into a pillowcase to pass it off as something to sleep on.
Most people who’ve done it pack in quite a lot of clothes so it looks real. This may be an option you can try.
Airlines don’t check what’s inside pillows at the counter, so it helps you avoid paying for extra baggage if everything doesn’t fit in your suitcase.
That said, if the pillow counts as another piece of baggage, you could end up paying: on Iberojet, for example, baggage over the weight or size limits may not be accepted for boarding or may be charged as an extra bag.
These 4 tips will help you travel for less, without spending so much money on checked bags.
They aren’t the only ones, but they’re the main ones you can take advantage of.
