Packing carry-on only for two weeks

Travelling with only a carry-on bag changes a trip. You walk straight out of arrivals, you can’t lose a checked suitcase, and you avoid baggage fees that budget airlines charge on almost every ticket. Two weeks of travel fits in a cabin bag if you plan for one week of clothes and one laundry stop. Here is a packing system that works for most trips.

First, check your airline’s rules

Cabin bag limits vary a lot. Many full-service airlines allow a bag of about 55 × 40 × 20–23 cm plus a small personal item, often with a weight limit between 7 and 10 kg. Some budget airlines only include a small under-seat bag in the cheapest fare and charge extra for a full-size cabin bag. Check both the size and the weight on the airline’s own website before you pack, not on the luggage label.

The two-week packing list

Item	How many	Tip
Tops	5–6	Choose colours that all match the same bottoms
Bottoms	2–3	Wear the heaviest pair on the plane
Warm layer	1	A thin fleece or merino jumper packs small
Rain jacket	1	Light and packable
Underwear and socks	7 sets	Quick-dry fabrics wash easily in a sink
Shoes	2 pairs max	Wear the bulkier pair while travelling
Sleepwear	1 set	Can double as a lounge outfit
Swimwear or extra	1	Only if your trip needs it

Toiletries and liquids

Many airports still limit liquids in hand luggage to containers of 100 ml or less in one clear resealable bag of about one litre, although some airports with newer scanners have relaxed this. Assume the strict rule applies unless your departure and return airports both say otherwise.

• Switch to solid versions where you can: bar shampoo, solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets.
• Decant favourites into small refillable bottles.
• Buy sunscreen and bulky items at your destination.

Roll, fold or use packing cubes?

Roll soft items like T-shirts, underwear and casual trousers; it saves space and reduces deep creases. Fold structured items like shirts and blazers flat on top. Packing cubes don’t create extra space on their own, but they keep everything organised and compress clothes slightly. One cube for tops, one for bottoms and one for underwear makes finding things in a hotel room much faster.

How to pack the bag

1. Shoes go in first, at the bottom near the wheels, in a bag. Stuff socks inside them.
2. Add packing cubes in a single layer.
3. Lay folded shirts and your warm layer on top.
4. Keep the liquids bag, chargers and documents in your personal item, so you can reach them at security and on board.

Doing laundry on the road

Halfway through, use a self-service laundry, a hotel laundry service or simply wash underwear and T-shirts in the sink with a little shampoo. Rolling wet clothes tightly in a dry towel and pressing down removes most of the water, so they dry overnight.

What to leave at home

• “Just in case” outfits you haven’t worn in months.
• More than two pairs of shoes.
• Full-size toiletries.
• Hair dryers: most hotels have them.
• Several books: an e-reader or phone app weighs almost nothing.

A good test: pack everything, then remove a third. You will rarely miss it. Pair a light bag with a well-chosen fare; our guide on finding cheap flights explains how baggage fees change the real price of a ticket.