Carry-on packing tips: 1 week, 1 carry-on, 12 outfits

My mission was a challenging one: I'd pack 12 outfits into one carry-one for eight days worth of activities in Austria. Sure, backpackers do it all the time but I was going on business so I couldn't get by wearing just a few pieces of clothing all week. And with Vienna weather reports indicating lows of 5C and highs of 12C, I wasn't packing my lightest clothing.

I could pull this off. With security, customs and immigration lineups, and a stopover, I would pull this off for the sake of bypassing a few baggage carousels.

First thing's first. Check your airline's carry-on baggage regulations
Here are the rules according to the airlines I'm flying with:

-Carry-on luggage cannot measure more than 21" x 15" x 9".

-According to Delta Airlines, my carry-on luggage must weigh less than 40 lbs. Fair enough. I couldn't hoist more than 40 lbs. over my head to reach the overhead bins anyway. Austrian Airlines weight restrictions were tougher. They won't allow a carry-on that weighs more than 18 lbs. -My stopover is in the U.S. so I check the Transportation Security Administration's list of what's not allowed in your carry-on. Austrian Airlines' list of prohibited items in your carry-on is similar to the TSA's. Disposable razors, a tweezer and travel-size aerosol cans (no bigger than 3 ozs.) are allowed according to their regulations.

My space-saving packing technique
In preparation, I took a packing tip from Homemakers.com readers and rolled my clothes into tight cigar-like bundles. Doing so spares room and wrinkles.

Pants go in first, followed by sweaters and I'm concerned as the small piece of luggage quickly fills up. I glance over at the evening wear that has to yet to make it into the bag and I'm slightly comforted because these items are not as bulky so they won't take up too much room.

I use smaller pieces of clothing like socks to fill in gaps and small spaces, including inside my shoes. I roll up my evening wear and place it in the bag and keep on packing until I'm done... and there's still some room left. Yippee! I add one more pair of shoes -- a practical pair of gold ballet flats -- I resist the urge to throw in another two pair of shoes and I'm done.

My "cheat" is my personal item
In addition to one carry-on piece of luggage, the airlines I'm flying with allow one personal item such as a purse or a laptop bag. This is good news for me because my laptop bag is a backpack with just enough room to tuck away a few more items like my mp3 player, a book, my wallet, passport, itinerary and my toiletries, packed in a clear zip-top bag.

For the flight, I'm wearing heavier items I don't want to pack: A wool coat, a fleece zip-up jacket, a scarf that doubles as a shawl, running shoes and jeans.

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Weighing your carry-on luggage
With eight days worth of stuff packed into my carry-on luggage and laptop bag, I'm feeling rather good about myself but I know there's one more test to pass. How much does the carry-on weigh?

I set the bag on my bathroom scale and watch in disappointment as the pointer goes past 20 lbs. and stops at 28 lbs. I consider removing some items from the bag but I know I can't remove 10 lbs. of stuff to meet Austrian Airline's carry-on weight restriction of 18 lbs. so I admit defeat. I'll have to check my carry-on baggage at my stopover.

Even though I had to check my carry-on a couple of times, travelling with less was well worth the effort. I bypassed two out of four baggage carousels on my trip and I found that I had still packed more than I needed.Ready to ditch baggage claims? Here are some things to consider when packing and travelling with carry-on luggage only.

Tips for travelling with a carry-on only
-Check your airline's website or call for information on carry-on regulations. If you're travelling with more than one carrier, check each airline's carry-on rules.

-Measure and weigh your carry-on luggage to ensure it meets airline restrictions.

-Keep your carry-on luggage light enough so you can safely pick it up and stow it in the overhead bin.

-Don't pack any restricted items, as defined by airline rules and national travel regulations.

-Keep liquids together and packed in a zip-top bag that's easily accessible; you'll need to present it at security checks. Check sizing restrictions on individual bottles and the clear zip-top bag.

-Don't leave your carry-on luggage unattended. That means you'll have to take it with you to airport washrooms, restaurants and duty-free shops.

- Before packing, write down what you intend to wear each day and night to simplify things and avoid adding items that would unnecessarily bulk up your bag.

-Exercise self-discipline. Do you really need each item you pack?

-Focus on your goal. One more item left behind is one less item you'll have to lug through the airport.

Even if I saved an hour of time waiting at baggage claims, it's an hour I could spend doing more worthwhile things... like duty-free shopping, eating a good meal in a restaurant between flights, setting out to explore a new city or, upon arrival, answering my pillow's call to rest my weary head at home sweet home.

Take a virtual trip to Austria and check out 10 must-see sights in Vienna.

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