Carry-On Only: A Packing List for a One-Week Trip

Packing only a carry-on bag means no waiting at baggage reclaim, no checked-bag fees and no risk of your suitcase taking a different flight. A week fits comfortably in a cabin bag once you stop packing for every possible scenario and start packing for the trip you are actually taking.

Check the rules first

Cabin baggage allowances vary widely between airlines, and low-cost carriers can be strict about size and weight. Check your fare's allowance, including whether it allows a full-size cabin bag or only a small under-seat item. Measure and weigh your packed bag before you leave.

The clothing formula

For seven days in a temperate climate, a reliable formula is:

• 4 to 5 tops in colours that work together
• 2 bottoms (trousers, jeans, skirt or shorts), plus the pair you wear
• 1 warm layer, such as a sweater or fleece
• 1 lightweight waterproof jacket, worn on the plane
• 5 to 7 sets of underwear and socks
• Sleepwear that can double as loungewear
• 2 pairs of shoes: one comfortable walking pair (worn while travelling) and one lighter pair
• 1 smarter outfit if you need it, built from items you already have

Choose a single colour palette so everything mixes. Quick-drying fabrics such as merino wool and synthetic blends let you wash items in a sink and wear them again.

Toiletries and the liquids rule

Many airports limit liquids in cabin bags to containers of 100 ml or less, carried in a single clear resealable bag, although some airports with newer scanners have different rules. Check the current rules for every airport on your route.

• Use refillable travel bottles or solid alternatives: shampoo bars, solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets.
• Buy bulky items such as sunscreen at your destination.
• Keep medicines in original packaging, with prescriptions if needed, in your cabin bag.

Tech and documents

• Phone and charger
• A universal plug adapter
• A power bank: spare lithium batteries and power banks generally must travel in the cabin, not in checked luggage
• Headphones
• Passport or ID, visas, tickets and booking confirmations (digital and a paper backup)
• Travel insurance details; see our guide to choosing travel insurance
• Payment cards from two different accounts, kept in separate places

Packing techniques that save space

• Roll soft items such as T-shirts and underwear; fold structured items.
• Use packing cubes to compress clothes and keep categories organised.
• Fill shoes with socks and small items.
• Wear your bulkiest items on travel days: boots, jacket, warm layer.
• Put liquids and electronics at the top for quick security checks.

What to leave behind

• "Just in case" outfits for events that are not planned
• Full-size toiletries
• More than one book (use an e-reader or phone)
• A hairdryer, if your accommodation provides one

If you forget something, you can almost always buy it on arrival.

Plan to do laundry

For trips longer than a week, plan a laundry stop rather than packing more. Many hotels offer a service, and laundrettes are common in most cities. A small packet of travel detergent handles sink washes.

A printable version of this checklist is available in our submissions library. Travelling across time zones? Read how to adjust to jet lag faster.