As a fairly frequent traveller, carry-on luggage is my best friend. It saves time at the airport, is often much cheaper and it makes packing a whole lot easier. I’m always touting the benefits of bringing only carry-on luggage (for an up to two week trip) to anyone who will listen, and I often get asked how I manage to fit everything in. The honest answer is that you really don’t need as much stuff as you think, but here are some simple hacks that I use to make the most of my luggage space:

• Write a list of everything you want to pack – I do this for every trip, taking into account the length of the trip, the weather and what activities I’ll be doing (do I need walking shoes? will I be attending a formal event?) Writing a list can help you quickly eliminate anything that isn’t essential.

• Find the best way to fold – If you have anything delicate or expensive, a traditional fold is the way to go. For everything else, roll tightly to minimise bulk.

• Wear bulky items on the plane – I will always wear my jacket and bulkiest shoes on the plane. You can always take your jacket off/tie it around your waist.

• Toiletry hacks – Take as little as you can, and make it travel sized. You can always purchase extra toiletries when you reach your destination.

• Bring another bag on the plane – You’re allowed to have one carry-on bag and one personal item, so I always bring an extra bag. As long as it’s not too big, you an stow it under the seat in front.