Spring break travel tips: 8 tips for packing your carry-on bag

Packing a smart carry-on for spring break can save you money, especially if you’re flying one of those airlines that charges per bag. It also can start your trip off right, leaving you feeling comfortable, ready to relax and warmed up from that final stretch of cold weather back home.

Plus, if your suitcase happens to get lost, a strategically packed carry-on can save you a ton of stress and not cut into your beach bumming.
Here’s our must-pack list for spring break carry-on luggage:

First, pack your person. What you wear on the airplane serves double-duty: as your travel clothes and also as a spare set of mix-and-match clothing at your destination. So dress in layers.

Wear a long tank (in case the plane gets hot and also for hot days on the beach), a lightweight long-sleeved shirt and a thicker cardigan or lightweight jacket (which will serve as your evening jacket). On the bottom, you can’t go wrong with black leggings, which can double up as workout clothes or your jammies upon arrival. Also, be sure to wear your accessories, like the above white sailboat scarf, $19.99, Target.

Pick a color scheme. This goes for your shoes, accessories and all clothes. This way, everything matches everything else. For a beach break, white and blue are staples. So are nautical stripes.

Make your carry-on your beach bag. Don’t go all Russian nesting doll and pack bags within bags. Only bring the bags you need. Ditch your purse and instead bring a more convenient travel pouch for your phone, ID, money and travel necessities. If you’re headed toward the water, best make it a waterproof pouch. Gap statement tote, $19.95, above, gap.com

Reconsider your liquids. It can cost upwards for $40 to check a suitcase these days–each direction. It might be seriously cheaper to pack travel-sized versions of toothpaste, eye drops, lip gloss and liquid-based cosmetics and buy the rest (like sunscreen) in the airport or in a shop when you arrive. Especially if you are traveling within the country. Skin Iceland travel kit, $45, victoriassecret.com

Use what you’re paying for. Use what the hotel provides, such as shampoo, conditioner and soap. If you are not sure what will be available, call your hotel and ask. Many hotels also provide beach towels, umbrellas, beach toys and more.

Leave electronics at home. Don’t lug your laptop and iPad with you. Allow your brain to really relax, and save yourself the backache and risk of packing expensive and unnecessary gadgets.

Do bring extra cash. Hide some $20 bills in your travel pouch, inside your cosmetics bag and in a shoe. You never know when you’ll need money (road tolls, tips, an emergency). Victoria’s Secret cosmetic bag trio, $36, victoriassecret.com

Print out important papers. Don’t forget to print out your itinerary, directions, confirmation numbers and emergency numbers. Don’t rely on your phone–technology is too fickle. Copy a photo of your ID and passport and stash it somewhere separately, too.