My Sister and I Share This Brilliant Travel Hack (It Saves Us Money!)

My sister Aimé and I were never fond of sharing our belongings when we were kids (we preferred “borrowing” each other’s things until someone got caught). But as adults? We’re all about sharing — especially when it comes to traveling.

Last year we went to Mexico City to visit family. When I saw that our airline charged $45 for a carry-on and up to $75 for a checked bag, I asked Aimé if she’d be open to splitting a single carry-on. Not only did this hack save us money, but it also kept us from overpacking — and now, it’s our go-to way to travel together. 

The idea is simple: When traveling with another person, share any size suitcase and each take one side. For our three-day Mexico City trip, my sister and I split a single carry-on and divided the airline fee. 

When I first presented the shared carry-on idea to Aimé, she was hesitant and didn’t think she’d be able to fit everything she wanted to bring. In the end, it turned out to be easier (and cheaper) than we expected. Here’s how we made it happen.

We live about 20 minutes apart, but with Los Angeles traffic that can stretch into an hour. For our first shared-luggage trip, we met for lunch a week before departure, and Aimé handed me her half-packed clothes in a packing cube and a shopping bag. Having this early hand-off is key. I like to be fully packed at least a day before flying, and this little bit of planning ensures we’re not scrambling last-minute. 

While we each bring our own personal essentials (like toiletries that fit airline liquid limits), we only pack one of the bulkier items, like a hair straightener or a travel steamer. Sharing these space-hogging tools saves room — although it does mean we have to coordinate who gets ready first.

Packing cubes keep everything contained and make it easy to split the suitcase evenly. Aimé uses the Amazon Basics Packing Cubes, while I occasionally use the Bagail Packing Cubes. We usually limit ourselves to one or two cubes each so everything fits neatly on our own side. I also swear by the BAGGU 3D Zip Pouch Set for shoes. They prevent any dirt and debris from getting onto my clothes. 

My flat packing method is always my go-to when packing a suitcase — no matter the size. It prevents bulky, overstuffed luggage and ensures every inch of space is used strategically — no cramming, no forgotten items, and no wasted room.

This trick is perfect for short trips — especially if you’re traveling with someone you’re comfortable sharing space with. For us, it saved money, made packing less stressful, and even streamlined our airport experience (trading off rolling one suitcase means one of us always has a free hand). Our next stop is Guadalajara, and yes — we’re already planning to share a carry-on again. Once you try it, you may never go back to overpacking or paying for extra luggage.