How to Pack for a Two-Week Trip: Travel Light with Just a Carry-On & Personal Item!
Trying to decide how to pack for a two-week trip? I can help!
Packing for a long trip can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re limited to just a carry-on. As someone who loves to travel but dreads packing, I never thought I could pack efficiently for a 2–3-week trip, let alone a month in Europe.
When my husband and I planned a month-long adventure across France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and a Viking River Cruise, he insisted we only bring carry-on luggage. I thought he was crazy, but it turned out to be the best travel decision we ever made.
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The Benefits of Traveling with a Carry-On
One of the biggest advantages of traveling with just a carry-on is avoiding the hassle of waiting at baggage claim!!! This will allow you to move through airports quickly and start your adventure right away.
Additionally, it provides easier mobility when using public transportation. This is especially true on trains where you will need to navigate narrow aisles, stairs, and small storage spaces. During our trip, we took the train everywhere. I was able to lift my bag onto the train and put it on the storage rack.
Furthermore, traveling light significantly reduces the risk of lost luggage, giving you peace of mind. Finally, with only a carry-on, you won’t have to worry about paying excess baggage fees, which can quickly add up.
Choosing the Right Luggage
How to pack for a two-week trip starts with choosing the right luggage. I researched airline restrictions and chose two carry-on bags that met the 22” x 14” x 9” dimensions. Please keep in mind that these dimensions apply to major airline carries, like American, Delta or United. It is important to check the carry-on allowances for your specific airline.
We went with an Away hard sided 4-wheel roller carry-on case, and a TravelPro soft sided 2-wheel roller carry-on case, both of which were sturdy and lightweight. These bags were small enough to fit in overhead bins but large enough to hold everything we needed for the trip.
Picking the Right Personal Item
Don’t overlook the importance of choosing the right personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. This bag is invaluable for storing essentials like your laptop, toiletries, travel documents, or even an extra outfit for those long-haul flights.
I personally use the WandF Travel Duffle Bag, which measures 17.7” x 12.6” x 6.3” and is perfect for budget carriers such as Spirit Airlines, Frontier, EasyJet, and Ryanair. Not only does it meet the size requirements for these airlines, but it also features a convenient trolley sleeve that slides easily over the handle of my Away carry-on, making it a versatile and reliable travel companion.
Packing Strategies for Success – For a Two-Week Trip
I spent a lot of time researching and visiting luggage stores to prepare for this big trip. It was time well spent, as I discovered some valuable space-saving packing hacks along the way.
1. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a game-changer for staying organized and maximizing space for a 2-week trip. I personally use Shacke packing cubes and absolutely love them.
Not only do they help keep everything neatly separated by category – like tops, bottoms, and accessories – but they also maximize space in your suitcase. With these cubes, I can see exactly what I’ve packed and easily access items without disrupting the entire contents of my bag.
When I arrive at my destination, I keep most of my clothes in the packing cubes and simply place the cubes directly into the drawers or on shelves. Plus, they make repacking a breeze when moving from one destination to another!
2. The Rolling Method
In the past, I would simply lay my clothes flat in the suitcase, which seemed like the easiest way to pack. However, for this trip, I decided to try the rolling method and was amazed at the difference.
Rolling each item allowed me to fit much more into both my packing cubes and my carry-on case. Not only did the clothes take up less space, but they also had minimal wrinkles, making it easier to stay organized throughout the trip. And at a glance, I could see what I had in the cubes and case.
3. Smart Toiletry Packing
For each trip, I would toss all my travel-sized bottles and makeup into plastic sealing bags, only to end up with a disorganized mess that was a hassle to sift through. To streamline things, I finally invested in a Bagsmart space-saver toiletry bag, and it made a huge difference for me.
The bag features multiple compartments with transparent windows and zipper closures, making it easy to see and access all my items. I kept it in my personal bag, which allowed me to freshen up quickly after a long flight.
Along with the toiletry bag, I purchased TSA-approved travel bottles and jars for my liquids and creams, as well as portable, mini, refillable perfume atomizer spray canisters – each holding 5mL. These compact, TSA-compliant containers solved my toiletry packing problems, allowing me to bring everything I needed without hassle. Best of all, the products lasted for the entire trip!
How to Pack for a Two-Week Trip – Minimalist Packing List
I packed 12 days’ worth of interchangeable clothes and made sure we had laundry access every 5 or 6 days. This method allowed us to travel light without sacrificing comfort.
When traveling, layering is key. I followed the weather forecast leading up to our departure which helped in deciding what to pack. Here’s a breakdown by carry-on suitcase, and personal item.
Carry-On Suitcase – 22” x 14” x 9”
Here’s how I organized my packing cubes:
Large Packing Cube – 13.75” x 12.75” x 4”
- 10 tops – mix and match with skirts and pants/slacks
- 2 cardigans – black and brown
Medium Packing Cube – 13.75” x 9.75” x 4”
- 4 skirts
- 2 dresses
- 2 legging style pants – black and blue
- 1 black slacks
Small Packing Cube – 11” x 6.75” x 4”
- 10 underwear
- 3 bras
- 1 sleepwear
- 1 wash cloth
The following items were packed in the carry-on suitcase around the packing cubes.
- 2 pair of sandals – black and tan
- 1 pair of walking shoes – I put peds and a small jar of night cream inside the shoes
- 1 pair of flip flops for the hotel room
- 1 drawstring backpack
- 1 small black handbag – inside the handbag, I packed travel tissues, AA batteries, makeup remover wipes, band aids and extra plastic zip loc bags
I was able to mix in vitamins, cold medicine, jewelry bag, hairbrush and any small miscellaneous items into the packing cubes.
Personal Item – 17.7” x 12.6” x 6.3”
I packed the following items in my WanderF duffle bag which fits under the seat in front of you on the airplane.
- Toiletry Bag – packed with all my travel liquids and lotions, dental care items, make-up, tweezers, nail clippers, and perfumes in the atomizer canister
- Prescription Medications including nasal spray if you suffer from air pressure on the airplane
- Small First-Aid Kit
- Trip binder – all paperwork needed for the trip
- Neck Pillow
- Scarf – ideal as an extra covering on the plane
- Travel Umbrella
- Noise Cancelling Ear Buds/Headphones
- Kindle
- Laptop, power cords, plug adapters
- Portable Wi-Fi
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Hat/Baseball Cap
- Wander Anti-Theft Crossbody Travel Bag – this is my everyday touring handbag. Inside I keep my wallet, passport, phone/camera, Advil, pens, tissues, lipstick, business cards, mints, eyeglass case and sunglasses. I was amazed at how much it could hold.
Pro Tip 1: Always practice packing a few days before your trip to ensure everything fits.
Pro Tip 2: Wear bulkier clothes on plane including walking shoes/sneakers. I wore my jeans, sweater, sneakers, and lightweight jacket on the plane. This will keep you warm since the planes can be very cold!
🎈Click here for your Downloadable Essential Packing List – For Women & Men!
Laundry on the Go
I booked two Airbnb stays with washer and dryers, ensuring that every five or six days we could wash and refresh our clothes. On the river cruise, we hand-washed small items and hung them to dry. This routine made it easy to stay fresh without overpacking.
Final Thoughts: How to Pack for a Two-Week Trip: Travel Light with Just a Carry-On and Personal Item!
After our month-long adventure, I realized how liberating it was to travel with less. I never felt burdened by my luggage, and the packing system I developed saved me time, money, and stress. And I still had room for souvenirs!!!
Packing light is more than just a travel hack – it’s a lifestyle change. If you’re ready to embrace minimalism and pack for your next adventure with only a carry-on, it’s easier than you think. Follow my strategies and you’ll be on your way to a stress-free, efficient trip.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how to pack for your trip using carry-on. Also, please refer to our Travel Planning services if you would like assistance in planning your next trip.
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