How to Pack Hand Luggage for a Week

By packing hand luggage for your weeklong trip, you save money on baggage fees and give yourself the freedom to start your vacation as soon as your plane lands–say goodbye to waiting at baggage claim! But how do you maximize space and fit everything you need into a carry-on for 7 days? Read on to learn pro packing hacks, so you can pack efficiently and comfortably into just a carry-on.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Check airline restrictions for carry-on luggage.

1. You’ll want to pack the largest possible bag. Most U.S. airlines will allow a bag that is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55 x 35 x 22 cm).^[1] Pick a hardshell carry-on for extra protection, or if you’re a chronic over-packer. A hard suitcase’s rigid sides will prevent you from overstuffing the bag and ending up with a bulky suitcase that doesn’t fit in the overhead bin! Buy a soft-shell suitcase or duffel if you’d like to be able to compress your bag or store it easily once your trip is over.^[2]
   
   • Choose a bag with an outer pocket to make pulling out toiletries easier as you go through security.
   • Pick a hardshell bag for a cruise, since hard suitcases stack easily into the belly of the ship.
   • Most international airlines will allow a bag that’s 21 x 14 x 8 inches (53 x 36 x 20 cm).

[Edit]Follow the 4-3-2-1 rule for clothes.

1. Edit down your packing list to avoid packing too many clothes. Try bringing 4 shirts, 3 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 dressier item. Add a jacket or more layers as needed, based on the temperature. You can re-wear your clothes or do laundry when you arrive.^[3]
   
   • Think about your itinerary and be realistic about what you need.
   • For instance, you might not need 4 sets of workout clothes if you know you’ll secretly end up skipping morning yoga and hitting the breakfast buffet (it’s vacation!).
   • Bring 5-6 pairs of underwear and socks. You can do laundry if necessary.

[Edit]Plan outfits to fit with the weather and your itinerary.

1. Pick clothes that’ll be practical and comfortable. First, take a look at the weather for the week, and make sure the layers you’re packing feel appropriate. Then, take into account any special occasions or fun day trips. You might need elegant attire for all the Michelin star restaurants you plan to visit, or you might want to pack your favorite activewear for a day of rock climbing and backpacking.^[4]
   
   • For a hot or humid climate, pick clothes like linen pants, jersey tops, and rayon skirts. Those materials are lightweight and breathable, so they can easily air dry.
   • For a colder climate, skip bulky sweaters. Instead, pack thermal shirts that you can wear under a fleece layer and thinner sweaters.
   • If you’ll be hiking or hitting the beach, consider packing an old tee shirt to wear. If you end up buying souvenirs, you can donate the shirt or throw it away to make space in your bag.

[Edit]Pack clothes in the same color scheme.

1. Choosing a color scheme makes it easy to mix and match clothes. Stick to neutral or classic colors like white, navy, black, and grey for most trips. Packing a few basics like a nice pair of jeans, a white tee-shirt, and a grey sweater or hoodie makes it easy to re-wear clothes and create new outfits. If neutral colors aren’t for you, remember you can always add a colorful jacket, scarf, or jewelry to accessorize and add visual interest.^[5]
   
   • For tropical destinations and summer vacations, choose lighter base colors like khaki, ivory, and light blue. Then, add yellow or orange accents.
   • For a winter trip, lean towards a color scheme with charcoal, cream, shades of brown, and deep reds and greens.

[Edit]Pick travel-friendly fabrics.

1. Choose synthetic fabrics or lightweight wool. Synthetic fabrics, like polyester and nylon, tend to be lighter. Plus, synthetic fabrics and wool won’t wrinkle as much when you squeeze them into your bag. In contrast, cotton and linen tend to wrinkle easier.^[6] If you want to really up your travel game, you can purchase pack-and-go clothing designed to be lightweight and packable.
   

[Edit]Roll your clothes instead of folding them.

1. Rolling compresses your clothes better than traditional folding.^[7] There’s no big secret to packing efficiently–the key is to reduce the amount of air between items so you can fill every bit of space. To roll a shirt, fold in the sleeves, fold the shirt in half so it makes a long rectangle, then roll up the material. As a bonus, rolling your clothes tends to be faster than folding them.
   
   • Rolling works well with lighter layers like tee shirts. You might be better off still folding heavy sweaters.^[8]

[Edit]Use packing cubes.

1. Try these zippable fabric containers to neatly compress your clothes. You can put rolled clothes into your packing cubes for even more compression. Packing cubes stack nicely next to each other, so they let you maximize space in your bag. Fill one packing cube with socks and underwear, and try filling another with your rolled shirts or lighter layers.^[9]
   
   • You can even designate a packing cube for your charging cables and small electronics.

[Edit]Aim to bring 1-3 pairs of shoes.

1. Save on space and weight by limiting the number of shoes you bring. The 3 basic shoes for travel are a pair of sneakers, a comfortable daytime shoe, and a dressier shoe for the evenings. However, depending on your activities and lifestyle, you can get away with bringing 1-2 pairs of shoes. Wear the bulkier shoes on the plane, then pack the smaller ones in your bag.^[10]
   
   • For instance, you can pick a nicer pair of sneakers that double as a casual daytime shoe. Or, ditch the dressier evening shoe and stick to casual vibes.

[Edit]Put small items in your spare shoes.

1. Stuff socks, underwear, or small accessories into your spare shoes. The key to efficient packing is to maximize every inch of space in your suitcase.^[11] Pack your shoes toe to heel (so the insteps face each other), and fill any gaps with smaller pieces of clothing.
   
   • You can wrap breakable items in socks, and then put the wrapped items in your shoes for extra protection.
   • Wrap your shoes in shower caps to prevent the soles from getting your clothes dirty.

[Edit]Swap in solid toiletries.

1. Here’s a hack to get around liquid carry-on restrictions. Instead of taking liquids, buy bar soap–you can even buy shampoo and toothpaste in powdered or bar form. Check out an outdoor gear shop if you can’t find these products in a regular store. By packing solid toiletries, you can avoid the irritation of playing “toiletry Tetris,” when you have to squeeze all your travel liquids into a small plastic bag.^[12]
   
   • Your toiletries have to be less than 3.4 oz. (100 mL) if they’re liquid.^[13]
   • You can even cut bars of soap in half or quarters to save more space.

[Edit]Rely on hotel toiletries.

1. Use hotel soap, shampoo, and conditioner instead of bringing your own. Most hotels will provide these basics in-room. If you need something that’s not provided in your room like deodorant, mouthwash, or lip balm, call the front desk. They’ll likely be able to provide it free of charge.^[14]
   
   • When in doubt, you can call ahead to see what the hotel will offer.

[Edit]Pick makeup products that are multipurpose.

1. Cut down on the number of cosmetics you have to bring. For instance, try cream-based products like a combined lip and cheek tint instead of bringing both blush and lipstick. Skip the bulky eyeshadow palette and bring only 2-4 eyeshadow colors. Consider leaving products like highlighter, bronzer, eyeliner, and lipliner at home to cut down on the number of brushes and items you have to bring. Instead, pack the basics like mascara, concealer, foundation, blush, and your favorite tinted lip balm, lipstick, or lip gloss.
   
   • Leave your hairdryer at home (most hotels have hairdryers) or invest in a smaller travel version.

[Edit]Bring fewer electronic devices.

1. Move important files and your favorite apps onto 1-2 devices. By reducing the number of electronics you bring, you also cut down on the number of cables and chargers you need. Try relying on your phone camera to capture those amazing vacation memories instead of a bulky digital camera. Load up your e-books onto your computer or phone rather than a separate e-reader.^[15]
   
   • Tie cables with twist ties or velcro straps to keep them organized.
   • Pack your electronic devices in a laptop bag with protective padding.
   • Create DIY laptop padding by wrapping your computer in clothes or bubble wrap if you’re putting it straight in your bag.^[16]

[Edit]Plan to do laundry.

1. Hand wash your clothes or use your accommodations’ washer and dryer. If the place where you’re staying doesn’t have a washer, you can bring a universal sink stopper to transform your hotel sink into a wash basin. Alternatively, locate a nearby coin-operated laundry or cleaning service.^[17]
   
   • Bring laundry soap in bar form, or bring a few laundry pods with your other liquids.
   • Add a stain-remover pen to your packing list.

[Edit]Bundle up for the plane and wear your bulkiest shoes.

1. Wear your heaviest layers on the plane to save space in your bag. Put on your chunky knit sweater, your big puffy jacket, or your heaviest coat for the plane ride. Throw on your heaviest, least compact pair of shoes, too.^[18]
   
   • Plus, since airplanes can get a little chilly, the extra layers will help you stay at a comfortable temperature.

[Edit]Pack a tote or spare bag.

1. Bring a bag for day trips and for souvenirs. Opt for a tote bag or drawstring bag to bring on your everyday vacation adventures. Pack a small duffel to check on the way home if you’re planning to bring a lot of souvenirs back with you.^[19]
   
   • A tote bag is also a great way to separate your dirty laundry from the clean clothes in your bag.

[Edit]Pack items you'll need onboard in a personal carry-on item.

1. Many airlines will let you bring a smaller bag into the cabin. Your smaller bag can be a backpack, purse, or small duffel, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. Check your airline for specific dimensions and restrictions. Pack the items you’ll want on hand so that you'll have easy access to them. For instance, you might want to keep these items in your secondary carry-on:^[20]
   
   • Important documents like your passport
   • Entertainment like books, games, tablets
   • An eye mask or travel pillow
   • Snacks
   • Toiletries and medication
   • Valuable and fragile items

[Edit]References