One bag, no carousel, no lost luggage — this is the strict list that fits a 40L carry-on and clears the liquids rule. The method behind it lives in our two-weeks-in-a-carry-on guide.
Wear on the plane (the heavy set)
Walking shoes · jeans or heaviest trousers · warm layer · rain shell (or tie at waist) · the bulkiest hat. Your body is free luggage allowance.
In the bag — clothing (7-day rotation)
4 tops · 2 bottoms · 7× underwear + socks · swimwear · sleep shirt · one packable smart-casual item · sandals or flats. Everything one color family; wash once mid-trip and this covers any trip length.
Liquids bag (100ml rule, one clear bag)
Decanted shampoo/shower gel (or solid bars — they don’t count as liquids) · toothpaste · sunscreen 100ml · moisturizer · any liquid meds. Solids strategy: shampoo bar + stick deodorant + solid sunscreen can nearly empty this bag.
Tech pouch
Multi-port charger · two cables · plug adapter (check your destination in our plug-type data) · power bank (carry-on rules: in the cabin, never checked) · earbuds.
Essentials pouch
Passport + cards split from cash · insurance details offline · pen · earplugs + eye mask · meds + micro first-aid · laundry soap sheet · sink plug · 2 zip-locks · padlock.
The two commandments
1. If it doesn’t fit, the bag is right and the list is wrong — remove, don’t squeeze. 2. Leave 20% empty — day 12 you will thank day 1 you.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.