The first time I packed for a three-week trip in a single carry-on bag, I left convinced I was under-prepared. I came home convinced I had overpacked. That is almost always how it goes. The bag you actually need is smaller than the one you bring, and the clothes you actually wear are fewer than the ones you pack.
The core principle
Everything in the bag must do at least two jobs. A shirt that works for hiking and for dinner. Shoes that work for walking and for a restaurant. Trousers that work in the heat and at altitude with a layer underneath. When every item is versatile, the number of items can be small.
The list
Clothing
- 5 t-shirts or shirts (merino wool dries fast and doesn't smell)
- 2 pairs of trousers / 1 pair of shorts (depending on destination)
- 1 lightweight fleece or sweater
- 1 packable waterproof jacket (doubles as wind layer on planes)
- 5 pairs of underwear (again: merino or synthetic, not cotton)
- 3 pairs of socks
- 1 pair of walking shoes (versatile enough for dinner)
- 1 pair of sandals or lightweight shoes (optional — skip for cold destinations)
Tech and documents
- Phone + charger + 1 universal adapter
- Power bank (10,000mAh is the sweet spot)
- Earphones
- Passport, cards, and physical copies of key bookings in a separate pouch
Toiletries (liquids bag only)
- Solid shampoo and soap bars — no liquid restrictions, last longer
- SPF moisturiser
- Travel toothbrush and small toothpaste
- Any prescription medication (in original packaging for customs)
The test: Pack everything you think you need. Then remove one item. Then another. Then ask yourself: if I run out of something, can I buy it there? The answer is almost always yes — which is why you can leave the backup of the backup at home.
What to leave behind
"Just in case" items are the enemy. The formal outfit for an occasion that probably won't happen. The fourth pair of shoes. The full-size conditioner. Guidebooks (phone). The travel pillow that doesn't actually help you sleep. Leave them. Every gram not on your back is mobility — the ability to run for a train, climb stairs without checking a bag, move from city to city without managing logistics.
The carry-on itself
A 40-litre backpack or a standard carry-on case (55x40x20cm for most European airlines) holds more than you think when packed intelligently. Roll clothes instead of folding. Use packing cubes to compress and organise. Put shoes at the bottom against the back panel. The aim is one bag you can lift into an overhead bin and walk out of any airport without queuing at baggage claim.