Pack a carry-on for two weeks: a practical worksheet

A two-week trip does not automatically need fourteen separate outfits or fit into a particular bag capacity. Start with your airline allowance, itinerary and a realistic laundry plan. Carry-on only is an option to test, not a promise for every trip.

1. Write down what your ticket includes

Check the operating carrier on each leg, fare, pieces, packed outside dimensions and weight. Include wheels, handles, filled pockets and the personal item. A soft bag must comply when packed; squeezing it is not a substitute for entitlement. A 40–45 litre label does not prove it will fit your airline.

2. Plan between laundry opportunities

Choose items that work together and that you are comfortable reusing. The required number depends on personal needs and activities. A suggested capsule is not a universal hygiene recommendation or a proven outfit count.

3. Test organization and toiletries

Try folding, rolling or cubes with your own items and measure the result. Compression changes arrangement, not weight; no fixed percentage saving is established here. Avoid pressing delicate equipment merely to close the bag.

Select toiletries you will use and check their category at every relevant airport. A solid product does not bypass all screening or import rules. Do not assume one worldwide liquid limit or unlimited medical exemption.

4. Protect the things you need on the journey

Keep documents, necessary medication and essential items accessible. Verify medicine documents, storage and destination rules before leaving. Under FAA guidance, spare lithium batteries and powerbanks remain protected in the cabin, including during gate handover; check capacity and carrier conditions.

5. Run a complete packing rehearsal

Pack, weigh and measure with chargers, shoes and any planned purchases. Remove low-priority items if a limit is exceeded, then repeat the measurement. Confirm bag additions and deadlines before departure. Laundry must be collected or supervised under the service’s actual arrangements; an unattended bag is not part of this plan.

Use the bag checker for recorded cabin rules or the multi-destination worksheet if the trip has several climates or carriers. If the plan fails, compare an actual checked-bag quote or reduce the load.

Official sources and scope

• IATA: airline-specific baggage and stowage
• FAA: spare lithium batteries and gate handover
• CDC: medicine documents and storage