Use solid toiletries like shampoo bars, toothpaste tabs, and deodorant sticks to avoid the 100ml liquid limit entirely.

Do I really need to wash clothes?

Yes. Bring a travel-sized packet of laundry detergent and wash your socks and underwear in the sink every 3 days. They will air dry overnight.

How to Pack Everything in a Carry-On

Stick to a 40-liter bag and commit to a 'capsule' wardrobe where every item matches. By using compression cubes and rolling your clothes, you can easily fit 7 to 10 days of gear without needing to check a suitcase.

Choose the right bag. Use a soft-sided backpack or carry-on suitcase that measures exactly 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm). Hard-shell bags offer no flexibility if you need to squeeze an extra pair of shoes in at the last minute.
Use the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. For a week-long trip, pack: 5 sets of socks and underwear, 4 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes (one on your feet), and 1 hat or light jacket. This keeps your load under 15 pounds (7kg).
Master the roll. Lay items flat, fold in the sleeves or edges, then roll them tightly into a 'burrito' shape. This reduces creases and takes up 30% less space than folding.
Compress everything. Use packing cubes to group items by type. Once full, use the secondary zipper on compression cubes to remove all excess air, turning your clothes into dense bricks.
Wear your heaviest items. Never pack your boots, heavy coat, or jeans. Wear these items through airport security to save the most valuable real estate in your bag for smaller, lighter clothes.

What about liquids?: Use solid toiletries like shampoo bars, toothpaste tabs, and deodorant sticks to avoid the 100ml liquid limit entirely.
Do I really need to wash clothes?: Yes. Bring a travel-sized packet of laundry detergent and wash your socks and underwear in the sink every 3 days. They will air dry overnight.