A family of five just completed week one of a three-month sabbatical across continents—with only carry-on luggage. And according to their detailed r/onebag post, it's not just doable, it's "vastly better" once kids reach a certain age.
The parent traveled solo with three children aged 10, 7, and 5 from New Zealand to Paris via Singapore, using Kathmandu Litehaul 38L bags for the older two kids and a school backpack for the youngest. The key insight: "Everyone is now directable and continent," offering hope to parents currently struggling with toddlers.
The strategy goes beyond just packing light. The family uses the Bounce app—a free service connecting travelers with worldwide luggage storage locations—to drop bags while exploring cities unencumbered. In Singapore, they stored carry-ons in the city center and spent the day exploring hawker stalls, Satay Street, and Supertree Grove. They're using the same strategy in Paris for a quick London trip over Easter.
The practical advantages of carry-on-only family travel include: no checked bag fees on multiple flights (savings add up fast with five people), no waiting at baggage claim with tired kids, no risk of lost luggage derailing a trip, and easier navigation through airports and train stations.
For daily exploring, the family uses compact Decathlon daypacks, demonstrating that budget gear works fine—you don't need premium travel equipment to make onebagging work with kids.
One caveat: the husband brought one checked suitcase for ski clothing, showing that 100% carry-on has limits when specialized equipment is involved.
The post resonated strongly with the onebag community, garnering over 300 upvotes and dozens of comments. For families considering similar trips, the message is clear: if you can wait until kids are school-aged and continent, onebagging as a family becomes not just possible but genuinely practical.
