The carry-on packing list I'd take for any 2-week trip

TL;DR — A 40 L carry-on, packed in layers rather than outfits, will cover any 2-week trip from Lisbon to Tokyo. Below is the exact list — what makes the cut, what doesn’t, and why.

The list (everything in one bag)

Clothing — 9 items, layered

• 3 t-shirts (one merino, two cotton)
• 1 long-sleeve merino (sleep / chilly evenings)
• 1 light fleece or merino zip
• 1 packable rain shell
• 1 pair of pants (dark, dry-fast)
• 1 pair of shorts or light dress
• 1 “nice” outfit you’d wear to dinner

That’s it. Wash mid-trip. You will not miss the rest.

Footwear — 2 pairs

• 1 walking shoe you’ve already broken in (sneaker or trail runner)
• 1 versatile sandal or slip-on for warm climates / planes / hostels

Electronics

• Phone + 65W charger with USB-C
• Kindle (offline books beat scrolling at 2 a.m.)
• Lightweight power bank (≤100 Wh; airline-legal everywhere)
• Compact travel adapter
• Earplugs + sleep mask

Toiletries (under 1 L total)

• Bar shampoo + bar soap (no liquid restrictions)
• Toothbrush, paste, floss
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+, refill at destination if long trip)
• Deodorant, lip balm, ibuprofen
• Small first-aid pouch — band-aids, antihistamine, electrolytes

Documents and money

• Passport in a thin waterproof sleeve
• 2 cards (one Visa, one Mastercard, on different banks)
• ~€100 emergency cash
• Photocopies in a separate compartment

Bag itself

• 40 L carry-on with clamshell opening (e.g., Cotopaxi, Peak Design, or any soft-sided ~9 kg empty)
• Foldable daypack (~15 L) for day trips
• 3 packing cubes — slim, compress, color-coded

What I leave behind

• Jeans. Heavy, slow to dry, never the right temperature.
• A second jacket. Layer the fleece under the rain shell.
• Travel pillow. Use the rolled-up fleece.
• Water bottle with filter for most destinations — tap water is fine in Western Europe, Japan, Korea, much of South America.
• Fresh outfits per day. Re-wearing is fine. No one is taking notes.

Packing technique

1. Heavy on the bottom, near the wheels or your back.
2. Roll t-shirts, fold pants, stuff socks into shoes.
3. Put electronics on top for security checks.
4. Keep liquids in a single quart bag at the very top.

Wash strategy

• A small bottle of Dr. Bronner’s does shirts, socks, and you.
• Sink wash → roll in a dry towel to wring → hang overnight.
• Merino skips a day; cotton needs the full overnight.

Climate adjustments

Trip type	Add	Drop
Tropics	Linen shirt, swim shorts	Fleece
Cold cities	Thermal base layer, beanie, gloves	Sandals
Outdoors / hiking	Trail pants, day-hike socks	Nice outfit
Business mix	Wrinkle-free shirt, blazer, leather shoe	Sandals

FAQ

What size carry-on actually fits all major airlines?

A bag at 55 × 35 × 23 cm or smaller and under 7 kg clears most international economy rules. Budget airlines (Ryanair, Wizz) enforce 8–10 kg; weigh before you go.

Do I really need packing cubes?

They make repacking 10x faster on multi-stop trips. Skip them only for week-long, single-hotel trips.

What about a backpack vs. wheels?

Backpack if you’ll do stairs, cobblestones, or trains often. Wheels if you’ll mostly drag through airports and smooth city sidewalks.

How do I avoid paying for carry-on on budget airlines?

Choose a personal item-sized bag (≤40 × 25 × 20 cm) or pay the carry-on fee at booking, never at the gate.

Published at: Mar 26, 2026 · Modified at: Apr 27, 2026