How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It - Tortuga (2024)

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Published May 8, 2023

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How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It - Tortuga (1)

Stacey Ebert

How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It - Tortuga (2)

Stacey Ebert

Stacey Ebert is a freelance writer, blogger, educator, yogi and traveler who has adventured through over 50 countries. After a...

How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It - Tortuga (7)

The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

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Airline rules allow for one carry on bag and one personal item, unless you’re flying on a basic economy fare. But we’ve all seen people selfishly putting two bags in the overhead bin or carrying on more luggage than could possibly be allowed.

You don’t want to be like them. But you also might not be a one bagger. That’s okay! You can still pack light and be carry-on-compliant with two bags.

The solution is that one must meet your airline’s carry on rules and the other must meet the personal item rules.

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My first backpacking experience was in Western Europe in 1996. Amidst planes, trains, buses, and ferries, I schlepped a giant duffle bag that was way too big for me. The bag had one zippered compartment and backpack straps with limited back support. To stop from falling over, I popped thedaypackon my front. If I stopped suddenly there was no telling which way I’d land.

Thankfully, I’ve learned. Now I use structured bags that keep me organized, happy, and upright. Today, my travel style varies. I’m definitely a two-bag traveler. You know, the type who does her best to maximize every last inch of that treasured (and often free) carry on allowance. I like to use the bag under the seat in front of me as my footrest. At 4’11, dangling my feet for hours on end leads to a very unhappy back. Space and comfort are equally crucial.

For some travelers, a two-bag solution is an ideal way to pack.

Combine a flexible personal item with another piece of carry-on-sized luggage to maximize your space allowance and provide an organized spot for everything you need.

Sure, some frequent travelers are dedicated onebaggers. But that travel style isn’t for everyone or for every trip. Two bagging is how most people travel carry on only. In this article, we’ll cover how to do it right, which rules you’ll need to know, and which bag combos work best.

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The Benefits of Two Bag Travel

If you’ve traveled with one carry on bag forever, it might be hard to consider adding a second one. But for travelers downsizing from checking luggage to carrying on only, a second bag is essential.

The benefits of two-bag travel include:

  • Maximizing total carry on packing space
  • Increased organization with bag flexibility
  • In-flight essentials at your finger tips, non-essentials safely stowed above
  • Keep your laptop and work gear separate from your clothes and toiletries
  • Ease of hands-free travel
  • Having a second bag for day use at your destination
  • No checked bag fees

The Rules of Two Bag Travel

To successfully travel with two bags, you need to know the rules. Remember you’re maxing out the rules, not breaking them. You don’t want to have one of your bags gate checked and have to endure the hassles of checked luggage.

For two bag travel, you’ll need to abide by two different sets of rules.

  1. Carry On Luggage Rules
  2. Personal Item Luggage Rules

You get more space, but you do have to do a bit more homework to make sure you understand what’s allowed and what’s not. Make sure one of your bags qualifies as a carry on and the other as a personal item. Then you can travel with two bags and zero worries.

Two Bag Luggage Options

At Tortuga, we recommend a travel backpack as your primary, carry on luggage. A travel backpack packs like a suitcase and carries like a hiking bag, giving you the best features of both types of luggage. With a backpack as your primary luggage, consider a duffle, tote, or sling as your personal item. Unless you want the double backpack look.

If your carry on is a duffle bag or suitcase, a personal-item-sized backpack is the perfect secondary bag and will fit nicely under the seat in front of you. Plus, you can use the luggage pass-through sleeve to attach your bag to your suitcase for effortless travel through the airport.

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Stacey Ebert is a freelance writer, blogger, educator, yogi and traveler who has adventured through over 50 countries. After a 10-month honeymoon around the world, she started writing about adventure, journey and perspective changing life shifts.

She’s a badass at finding travel discounts, drilling down the details and asking the hard questions. Her work has been featured in both travel and educational publications.

Read more from Stacey

How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It - Tortuga (2024)

FAQs

How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It - Tortuga? ›

You can still pack light and be carry-on-compliant with two bags. The solution is that one must meet your airline's carry on rules and the other must meet the personal item rules. Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.

Can I bring two carry-on bags through security? ›

Carry-on items

You can bring only one carry-on item along with your personal item. Your carry-on must fit in in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. If it doesn't fit, it will need to be checked.

Can I bring two bags for hand carry? ›

Typically in economy, you can bring one carry-on and one personal item. If you bring two bags, one must fit underneath your seat and the other can go into the overhead bin. If you're flying in an upgraded class like business or first, you may be allowed an additional carry-on bag.

How to get away with not checking a bag? ›

Here are my packing tips and tricks so you can take any vacation without checking any bags:
  1. Know what you can bring on the plane. ...
  2. Get travel sized items of products you know you'll use. ...
  3. Know the carry-on sizes and measure your luggage. ...
  4. Wear your biggest shoes and pieces of clothing on the plane. ...
  5. Don't forget the baby!
Jan 29, 2014

How do you travel with two carry-on bags? ›

You can still pack light and be carry-on-compliant with two bags. The solution is that one must meet your airline's carry on rules and the other must meet the personal item rules. Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.

What is the 3-1-1 rule? ›

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

What if my carry-on is 1 inch too big? ›

Items that do not fit into the sizing device at the airport or exceed the carry-on allowance will be placed in checked baggage for a fee. Your carry-on must fit in the overhead bin and personal items need to fit under the seat in front of you. Personal item: 16 x 13 x 6 inches. Carry-on: 21 x 15 x 9 inches.

Can I split my baggage allowance into 2 bags? ›

Can we divide the weight in 2 bags or should we have only one bag to hold the 20 kg? This weight allowance can mean 1 or 2 bags as long as it doesnt exceed the weight. Please keep in mind that each airline has a maximum dimension of each piece of baggage allowed.

Is a backpack considered as hand carry? ›

A carry on bag is your larger, primary bag, which you'll stow in the overhead bin. A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you.

Does a purse count as a carry-on? ›

In conclusion, a purse is not a carry-on but a personal item. Personal items are considerably easier to travel with because they are smaller, so your purse may be easier to carry than a carry-on. You just need to be mindful that you'll have a spot to store your purse under the seat in front of you.

Can I carry two cabin bags go first? ›

But not all airlines follow this instruction. Go First Baggage Allowance for Domestic Flights includes the following: Go First allows its passengers one cabin baggage not exceeding 115cm and must weigh a maximum of 7kg. The check-in bag per passenger should weigh no more than 15kg.

How big can two carry on bags be? ›

Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches.

Do airlines check your carry-on? ›

Carry-on Baggage Screening in Standard Lanes

TSA screens approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Here's what to expect when taking your carry-on bag through security screening next time you fly.

Can I be forced to check my carry-on? ›

How can they force you to check when you bring a carry on?” They can, Travel columnist Christopher Elliott said. And they frequently do. “The only way around it is to pack light or to keep all your valuables on your person,” Elliott said.

Why is most luggage black? ›

Most people tend to buy black or navy suitcases, says Phil Dengler, co-founder of the travel site The Vacationer. It can hide normal wear and tear—such as scratches—better than a light-colored one, and let's face it, darker tones can be a simple choice to default to when shopping for baggage.

Can you take more than one bag through security? ›

you're limited to one plastic bag per person. you must show the bag at the airport security point.

How many carry-on bags can you bring to airport? ›

Carry-on Items

The FAA has limited passengers flying within the United States to one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item. Personal items may include: handbags, briefcases, laptops, daypacks and small backpacks.

Can I carry 2 bags in luggage? ›

Checked Bags: The general rule for domestic flights is you can check 3 bags and carry-on none, check 2 bags and carry-on one, or check one bag and carry-on two. The checked bags cannot exceed 70 pounds per bag, and the dimensions cannot exceed 45" x 55" x 62" for the largest bag.

Do you have to pay for 2 carry-on bags? ›

You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free on most domestic and international flights. But there are a few rules you'll need to follow.

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