The Ultimate Carry On Only Packing List (For Any Length Trip)

Travelling carry-on only completely changed the way I travel. No baggage claim, no lost luggage, and no dragging heavy suitcases across cities. If you’ve ever wondered whether you really need to check a bag, my answer will always be no. This carry on only packing list will show you exactly what to pack and how to pack it so you can skip baggage claim forever.

Let’s get into it.

Why Choose Carry-On Only?

Travelling with just a carry-on means:

No waiting at baggage claim
No lost luggage
No extra baggage fees
Less stress moving between destinations
More flexibility on flights

And once you master your carry on only packing list, you’ll realize you never needed that oversized suitcase in the first place.

Choosing the Right Carry-On Suitcase

Before we get into the actual carry on only packing list, let’s talk about the suitcase itself.

1. Choose One That Opens in the Middle

A suitcase that opens in the middle gives you two separate compartments. This makes packing more organized and finding things during your trip much easier. I personally use the Samsonite Upscape and I’m super happy with it!

2. Check the Dimensions Carefully

Carry-on sizes vary between airlines. Some are strict, some are more flexible.

If you regularly fly with a specific airline, check their exact size requirements before purchasing your suitcase. Some carry-ons push the limits and that can get stressful at the gate.

3. Always Choose 4 Wheels

While most carry-on suitcases nowadays have four wheels, there are still some with only two. I highly recommend getting one with four wheels — it will make your life so much easier. If you’re buying your suitcase in-store, make sure to test the wheels by rolling it around as you would at the airport. Some wheels are smoother than others.

4. Consider Expandable Luggage

An expandable carry-on gives you a lot more flexibility. I like to expand the suitcase during my trip, because then you don’t need to re-pack all your stuff as neatly when changing hotels during your trip. I only zip it up again to fly.

In addition, if you do some shopping or buy souvenirs, you’ll have extra space on the way home, even if you might need to check it in this case.

5. Hard Shell vs. Soft Shell

This comes down to preference. Hard shell carry-ons are a bit more durable in my opinion. On the other hand, soft-shell suitcases tend to be a little lighter in weight. Other than that, choose whatever you like best.

What About Weight Restrictions?

This depends entirely on where you’re flying. In most of Europe, airlines rarely weigh carry-ons unless they look extremely heavy. Mine is often 11–12 kg (even when the official limit is 8 kg), and I’ve never had issues.

However, during my trip to Australia, every single bag on every single flight was weighed. No exceptions.

My advice:

Research your destination beforehand, I personally like to consult Reddit
Know the official size and weight rules (check the official airline webpage!)
Decide how much risk you’re comfortable taking, and make sure you know the price you’d need to pay if you get “caught”

Even if enforcement varies, it’s always good to know the rules in advance to make an informed decision.

The Ultimate Carry On Only Packing List

This is the exact carry on only packing list I follow — whether I travel for 2 weeks or 2 months.

If your trip is longer, just do laundry. I recommend packing at least 8 days worth of clothing, so you can go one full week without washing. Just as you would do at home, right?

You truly do not need more than this.

Clothing

Minimum 8 tops (t-shirts, shirts, sports tanks, crop tops, etc.)
2 shorts (one regular, one for sports)
1 (lightweight) long pair of pants (e.g. linen, or hiking pants, leggings, …)
1 thermal longsleeve top (if going to cold climate)
1 lightweight cover-up
2 dresses or jumpsuits (one slightly nicer)
2 skirts (one long, one short)
1-3 bikinis or swimsuits (depending on location)
Pyjamas (or another set of sports clothes to wear to bed)
Minimum 8 underpants
1 bra
Minimum 4-5 pairs of socks
1 sports bra
Laundry bag

Pro Tip: ALWAYS Use Packing. They help you to:

Fit more clothes into less space
Keep everything organized (e.g. one cube for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear, etc…)
Make unpacking and repacking during your trip easier

WHAT TO WEAR ON THE FLIGHT: In addition I would usually wear jeans + hoodie + jacket on the day of travel. That way you have something warm and practical for on the plane, and it doesn’t take up your precious and limited carry-on suitcase space!

Shoes

You do not need more than three types:

Flip flops (also for wearing around hotels / hostels, showering, etc…)
All-rounder sandals

That’s really all you need!!

Pro Tip: I always pack shoes in plastic bags. They are lightweight and help to keep everything clean.

WHAT TO WEAR ON THE FLIGHT: To round off the shoe lineup I would usually just wear a pair of closed shoes on the plane, e.g. sneakers, sports shoes or trekking shoes, depending on what makes most sense for the location you are visiting.

Accessories

2 microfiber towels (one for the shower, one for the beach)
Water-resistant phone case or bag (or both)
Sunglasses (with protective case)
Sun hat
Selfie stick or phone timer
Crossbody bag
Tote bag / daypack (e.g. for the beach or hiking)
Rain poncho or umbrella (if applicable)

Toiletries

My trips usually revolve around spending time outdoors, so my toiletries are minimal:

Toothbrush & toothpaste
Concealer
Mascara
Makeup wipes
Razor
Tampons or pads
Hair ties or clips
Lip balm
Deodorant
Mini perfume
Mini shampoo & conditioner
Hand sanitizer
Sunscreen (mini or buy at destination)
Mosquito spray (mini or buy at destination)
Hair oil

In most cases you would be able to buy anything you feel like you forgot. So don’t stress this category too much and rather under pack than overpack. You can always buy more, but throwing things away is wasteful…

Tech

I would personally pack all of this in an under-the-seat sized backpack:

GoPro + charger
Phone + charger
Camera + charger
Multi-country and multi-outlet travel adapter
Laptop + charger
Kindle or book
Headphones
Power bank

Other Essentials

Other useful items to add to your under-the-seat sized backpack.

Travel pharmacy (painkillers, stomach medication, throat lozenges, plasters, personal meds)
Pocket knife (e.g., Victorinox — but be careful, as it may be confiscated in some countries)
Snacks and gum
AirTag
Necessary visas
Passport
Wallet
Driving license
Reading glasses
Travel pillow
Pen
Lock for valuables

Tip: I prefer to buy water bottles when travelling because you never know whether tap water is drinkable. In that case a refillable water bottle is just another bulky item that takes up valuable space. I recommend to buy one plastic bottle somewhere along the way and then refill that one as often as possible!

How To Pack It All

To summarize, this packing list includes one carry-on suitcase and one free under-the-seat backpack or other bag of your choice.

In your backpack you’ll pack:
Liquids, tech, documents, valuables

In your carry-on suitcase you’ll pack:
Clothes, shoes and other non-valuable accessories

This keeps security checks easier and your essentials within reach.

Final Thoughts: You Truly Don’t Need More Than a Carry-On

This carry on only packing list works for virtually any trip length. For example, I recently went on a 5-month round-the-world trip visiting several different climates, and this is truly all I packed. The secret is:

Pack versatile pieces
Do laundry if needed
Stick to the essentials
Avoid “just in case” items, you can always buy them later!

Once you try travelling carry-on only, you’ll never want to go back. Now it’s time to plan your next trip – get inspired with one of my itineraries from all around the world!