Carry-On Packing List for City Travel: What I Actually Pack

I’m a committed carry-on-only traveler whenever I can get away with it. And for a city trip—whether I’m wandering through Rome, hopping trains across Europe, eating my way through Bangkok, or dodging motorbikes in Saigon—I almost never need more than one bag.

The trick isn’t cramming as much as possible into a carry-on. It’s packing less, but packing smarter: clothes I can wear more than once, shoes I can actually walk miles in, layers that work together, and a few little luxuries that make hotel life and long travel days much more comfortable.

I’ve packed this way all over the world, and my system has changed a lot over the years. I’ve figured out what earns precious space in my bag, what I can buy when I get there, and what I absolutely do not need to drag halfway around the world.

This is the packing list I use for city-focused trips—Europe is the obvious example, but the same basic system works for places like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Tokyo, and just about anywhere else where the plan involves lots of walking, sightseeing, eating, and exploring.

And yes, I still want to look cute. Carry-on only does not require dressing like you’re about to summit something.😂

Just want the packing list? Skip straight to my [free printable City Carry-On Packing List] and start checking things off.

Want to see what I actually pack? Shop my City Travel Favorites.

My Carry-On-Only Packing Philosophy

Packing carry-on only isn’t about seeing how little I can survive with. I still want choices, I still want to look cute, and I definitely want a few comforts from home. The goal is to bring everything I’ll actually use—and very little that I won’t.

For city trips, I keep my wardrobe ridiculously simple: I pack mostly black, especially in Europe. Everything goes with everything, it’s easy to dress up or down, and I don’t have to waste time figuring out which top works with which pants. Black also tends to look a little more polished when I’m going straight from sightseeing to dinner.

To keep my suitcase from looking like I’m traveling to a very stylish funeral, I’ll usually throw in a scarf or two for color. Royal blue is a favorite, but aqua, rust, and cream all work beautifully. A scarf takes up almost no room and can completely change the look of an outfit I’ve already worn.

I choose lightweight fabrics that resist wrinkles and odors and pieces I’m comfortable wearing more than once. Dresses are especially useful because they take up very little room and give me an entire outfit in one piece.

I also plan to do laundry. Whether I’m gone for seven days or three weeks, I don’t pack three weeks of clothes. On a longer trip, I wash things and wear them again. That means my packing list for a two-week trip really isn’t much bigger than my packing list for a week.

Compression Helps. Weight Still Matters.

I love zipper-compression packing cubes. I roll my clothes, organize them by category, zip everything down, and suddenly an impressive amount fits into a very small space.

I don’t use the vacuum-style compression bags that require you to squeeze or suck all the air out. They can make clothes incredibly compact, but they don’t make them weigh any less—and it’s very easy to end up with a carry-on that is beautifully compressed and ridiculously overweight. I also don’t want to depend on being able to recreate that perfect vacuum-packed situation every time I repack my bag.

Zipper-compression cubes give me plenty of space savings while still keeping everything organized and easy to access. I can unzip one cube without exploding the entire contents of my suitcase all over a hotel room.

But there’s still a catch: compression makes your clothes smaller. It does not make them lighter. Ask me how I know. 😂

This matters especially outside the U.S., where carry-on weight limits can be considerably stricter. Just because I can wedge another three outfits into my bag doesn’t mean I should.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Before an international trip, check the carry-on dimensions and weight limit for every airline on your itinerary, not just the airline operating your long-haul flight. A little regional airline halfway through the trip may be the one that ruins your beautifully packed plan.

Choosing the Right Carry-On Bag

For city travel, the bag itself matters almost as much as what goes inside it. My choice usually comes down to two options: a carry-on roller or a travel backpack.

I love a roller when I’m staying in one place for several days, taking taxis or Ubers, and spending most of my time on smooth sidewalks and hotel floors. It’s easy to organize, easy to live out of, and—most importantly—I don’t have to carry everything on my back.

But Europe has a way of making you regret that roller pretty quickly. Cobblestones, train platforms, subway stairs, tiny elevators, and hotels with no elevator at all can turn a perfectly innocent suitcase into your mortal enemy.

If I’m moving frequently between cities, taking a lot of trains, or know I’ll be navigating stairs and uneven streets, I’m much more likely to choose a travel backpack. I want something that opens more like a suitcase rather than a traditional top-loading hiking pack, with enough structure and organization that I’m not digging through everything I own to find a pair of socks.

What I Look for in a Carry-On

Whether I’m using a roller or backpack, I want it to be lightweight before I put anything in it. I also look for good zippers, comfortable handles or straps, useful interior organization, and dimensions that work with the airlines I’ll actually be flying.

And I don’t automatically choose the biggest carry-on I’m allowed. A slightly smaller bag that’s easy to lift onto a train, carry up a staircase, or put into an overhead bin can be much more pleasant to travel with than squeezing every possible inch out of the airline’s allowance.

My personal item matters too. For a city trip, I like something that can hold my in-flight essentials but won’t become another giant piece of luggage I have to wrestle through the airport. Once I arrive, I switch to a small crossbody for sightseeing and leave the larger bag at the hotel.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: If your itinerary includes several cities, don’t choose your luggage based only on the airport. Picture yourself getting off a train, finding the Metro, climbing two flights of stairs, and then walking six blocks over cobblestones. That’s the bag you’re packing.

What I Wear on the Plane

My plane outfit is part of my packing strategy because anything I wear on travel day is something I don’t have to fit into my carry-on.

For a long flight, I want to be comfortable but still reasonably put together. One of my favorite travel outfits is a black set from SexyModest—that’s the brand name, not a description of the outfit! It’s comfortable, easy to layer, and black hides the inevitable travel-day spills while coordinating with almost everything else in my suitcase. It can also double as pajamas, which means one less thing I need to pack.

Another favorite is a short-sleeved maxi dress. It’s incredibly comfortable for a long flight, keeps my legs covered when the cabin gets cold, and looks a little nicer when I’m flying business class—which, whenever possible, you know I am. And yes, you can too. Check out my post on how to fly first class on points to see how I do it. Once the airline hands out pajamas, all bets are off.

A maxi dress is also surprisingly practical once I arrive. It gives me an easy city outfit and, with my shoulders and legs covered, can work well when visiting churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites where more modest clothing may be expected. I still check the specific dress requirements before visiting, since they vary considerably from place to place. I’ve also always got a scarf.

I wear my bulkiest shoes on the plane, which are usually my primary walking or workout sneakers. They take up an annoying amount of suitcase space, and having them with me means there is absolutely no excuse for skipping the hotel gym. Nice try.

For a city trip, though, I usually pack a second pair of sneakers that are a little more stylish. My black Cole Haan Grand Crosscourt II sneakers are a favorite. They work with my mostly-black wardrobe, look cute with dresses, and are ridiculously lightweight, which makes them almost perfect for carry-on travel. My white Adidas are pretty cute too, so depending on the trip, those may get the spot instead. The important thing is that both pairs are comfortable enough for actual city walking—I’m not sacrificing my feet for fashion.

I also bring a large scarf or pashmina. Airplane temperatures are unpredictable, and it works as an extra layer, makeshift blanket, or pillow without taking up the space of a dedicated travel blanket. Once I arrive, it also gives me an easy way to add some color to my mostly-black wardrobe.

What Goes in My Personal Item

There are a handful of things I want within reach during a long flight, not buried in the overhead bin:

Passport and wallet	Phone and charger
Portable power bank	Earbuds
Earplugs	Eye mask
Kindle	Reading glasses
Water bottle	Lip gloss
Lotion	Eye drops
Gum	Dental floss
A few basic medications	Protein bar or easy snack
Pashmina or large scarf	Neck pillow

I keep these things together so once I’m settled in my seat, I’m not repeatedly getting into the overhead bin—or discovering halfway across the Atlantic that the thing I desperately want is packed above someone six rows behind me. For longer trips, I keep my toothbrush and toothpaste handy; although if you play your points right, the airline will provide one for you in your business class amenity kit!

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Wear your bulkiest sneakers on travel day. They save valuable space in your carry-on, and once you’ve hauled them halfway around the world, you have no excuse not to use them at the hotel gym. For city trips, I’ll sacrifice a little suitcase real estate for a second, more stylish pair. The Cole Haans are so light that I barely notice them in my bag, and my feet appreciate having a different pair of shoes after walking miles all day.

What Clothes I Pack for a City Trip

This is where packing mostly black really pays off. I don’t plan a completely different outfit for every day. I pack a small collection of pieces that I can mix, match, rewear, and dress up or down.

The exact number changes a little depending on the weather and length of the trip, but for a typical 7–14 day city trip, this is a good starting point for me:

3–4 lightweight tops	1–2 pairs of pants
1 pair of leggings	2–3 dresses
1 lightweight sweater or cardigan	1 light jacket
1–2 colorful scarves	Underwear
2–3 bras	4–5 pairs of socks
Workout clothes	Sleepwear, if needed
Swimsuit, if appropriate	Lightweight robe

Most of these pieces are black, which makes getting dressed ridiculously easy. I can pull almost any top and bottom out of my bag and know they’ll work together. A colorful scarf, different shoes, or a little jewelry keeps me from feeling like I’m wearing the same outfit every day—even when I basically am.

Fabrics Matter More Than You Think

For carry-on travel, I pay almost as much attention to fabric as I do to the actual clothes. Lightweight, quick-drying fabrics take up less room and make doing laundry on the road much easier.

I’ve also become a fan of merino wool, particularly for T-shirts and socks. It regulates temperature surprisingly well and, most importantly when you’re trying to pack light, can usually be worn more than once before it starts announcing that fact to everyone around you.

That doesn’t mean my entire travel wardrobe needs to be expensive technical clothing. I mix regular clothes I already love with a few travel-friendly pieces that solve a specific problem.

What I Add for Cold-Weather City Trips

Cold weather doesn’t necessarily mean I need a much bigger suitcase. Layers are my friend. Instead of packing a bulky winter wardrobe, I add a few lightweight pieces that work together.

My favorite is a packable puffer jacket. It’s warm, weighs almost nothing, and compresses down into a tiny space when I’m not wearing it. I’ll also add a beanie, thin leather gloves, and a warmer scarf. Those three little things make a surprisingly big difference without taking up much room.

I also make the clothes I’m already packing work harder. My leggings can double as an extra layer under regular pants when it’s really cold, and my lightweight sweater or cardigan can go underneath the puffer. Add the scarf, hat, and gloves and I can handle much colder weather without packing a completely separate wardrobe.

For genuinely cold destinations, I’ll adjust the fabrics too—warmer socks, merino layers, and perhaps an additional base layer depending on the forecast. The idea is still the same: add warmth in thin layers rather than filling half the carry-on with one enormous coat.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Don’t underestimate the difference a hat, gloves, and warm scarf can make. They take up very little room, and adding or removing those small pieces lets the same basic outfit work across a surprisingly wide range of temperatures.

Dresses Earn Their Space

I almost always pack dresses for a city trip. They’re one of the most space-efficient things in my suitcase: one piece equals an entire outfit.

A simple black dress can go sightseeing with sneakers during the day and then go to dinner with my Cole Haans, jewelry, and a colorful scarf. A longer dress can also be useful when I need more coverage for a religious site.

And yes, I wear sneakers with dresses. When I’m walking 15,000 or 20,000 steps around a city, cute shoes that hurt my feet are staying home.

That said, I often sneak in a pair of Tieks by Gavrieli foldable ballet flats too. They take up very little space and give me a dressier option for dinner, a show, or anywhere I’d rather not wear sneakers. I’m not choosing them for an all-day march across Rome—they’re my we cleaned ourselves up and are going somewhere nice shoes.

So my city-trip shoe lineup is usually pretty simple: I wear my bulkiest walking/workout sneakers (cute all-white ones) on the plane, pack my ridiculously lightweight Cole Haan Grand Crosscourt II sneakers (or sometimes my cute white Adidas), and tuck the Tieks into whatever little space is left.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Don’t pack for imaginary vacation Jennifer. If you don’t normally wear something at home, there’s a pretty good chance you won’t suddenly want to wear it in Paris. Pack clothes you already know are comfortable, flattering, and easy to live in—then make them work harder by choosing pieces you can wear several different ways.

Toiletries: How I Make Carry-On Liquids Work

Toiletries are where carry-on-only packing can get tricky. Clothes compress. Liquids do not. And somehow every product I use at home seems convinced it deserves its own bottle.

TSA’s liquid restrictions can make carry-on-only travel a little trickier, but they’ve also given us some pretty ingenious alternatives. Solid shampoo and conditioner, solid sunscreen, toothpaste tablets, concentrated mouthwash—the options are much better than they used to be. I’ve tested quite a few of them over the years, and I’ll share the ones that have actually earned a place in my bag.

I’ve gotten much better at this over the years. I decant the products I really need into the smallest containers that will realistically last for the trip, and whenever there’s a good solid, dry, or concentrated alternative, I consider it.

My Carry-On Toiletry Basics

Shampoo and conditioner bars	Makeup remover wipes
Olay Cleansing Melts	Moisturizer
Solid sunscreen	Minimal makeup
Deodorant	Toothbrush
Toothpaste or toothpaste tablets	Concentrated mouthwash
Dental floss	Razor
Hairbrush/comb	Small perfume or fragrance
Lume wipes	Spongellé
Shower caps	A few Ziploc bags
Essential medications	Hair products I actually need

I’ve tried a lot of the solid and concentrated travel products that promise to solve the liquids problem. Some are great. Some make me wonder whether the person who invented them has ever actually washed their hair.

The ones that work earn a permanent spot in my travel kit. I like Kitsch shampoo and conditioner bars, concentrated mouthwash, and other products that eliminate a bottle without making me feel like I’m roughing it.

I also pack Lume wipes for long travel days and Spongellé body-wash-infused sponges. They’re easy to pack and eliminate yet another liquid bottle.

A Note About Feminine Products

If there’s one toiletry I wouldn’t count on buying when I get there, it’s feminine products. Pads and tampons can be very different from what you’re used to at home, and your preferred style may not be available at all. In many countries, pads are much more common than tampons, and tampons with applicators—especially the plastic applicators many American women are accustomed to—can be surprisingly difficult to find. Brands, sizes, absorbencies, and even pad shapes can also be different.

If you have a product you know you like, bring enough for the trip. This is one of those things I’d rather sacrifice a little suitcase space for than find myself standing in a pharmacy in another country trying to decipher packages and hoping for the best. 😂

Hair Without Packing the Entire Bathroom

Hair products and tools can take over a carry-on surprisingly fast, so I keep this category under control. I bring what I actually need to make my hair presentable and leave the fantasy hairstyling routine at home.

One of my favorite tiny travel tricks is a diffuser sock. It takes up virtually no room compared with hauling around a full-size diffuser attachment, or a hair dryer for that matter.

And I always pack a couple of shower caps. They weigh practically nothing and mean I don’t have to wash and restyle my hair every time I shower—which is particularly useful when I’m trying to get out the hotel door and start exploring.

Makeup and Skincare: This Is Not the Time for the Entire Drawer

My travel makeup is intentionally minimal. I bring the products I use every day and skip the collection of maybe I’ll wear this in Paris makeup that inevitably comes home untouched.

I don’t even pack liquid face wash. I use makeup remover wipes and Olay Cleansing Melts instead. The Cleansing Melts are dry, water-activated facial cleansers, so they weigh practically nothing and don’t take up any precious space in my liquids bag. They’re exactly the kind of product that makes carry-on-only travel easier.

The same rule applies to skincare. I’m not trying to recreate my entire bathroom routine while traveling. I bring what I need to cleanse, moisturize, protect my skin from the sun, and look like myself.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Before you buy a special “travel” version of everything you own, look at what you already use. Decanting a favorite product into a tiny container is often cheaper—and much better—than buying a miniature product you don’t even like.

What I Carry While Exploring the City

Once I arrive, the carry-on stays at the hotel. I want as little as possible hanging off me while I’m walking around all day, so I usually switch to a small crossbody bag.

It needs to be big enough for the essentials but small enough that I’m not tempted to carry half the hotel room with me. I also like having my hands free for taking photos, navigating Google Maps, grabbing onto subway railings, shopping, or—let’s be realistic—eating gelato.

What Goes in My City Crossbody

Phone	Small wallet or card holder
One or two credit cards	Some cash
Portable charger	Charging cable
Sunglasses	Reading glasses
Lip gloss	Sunscreen
Hand sanitizer	Tissues
A few basic medications	Hotel key
ID/Passport as needed	Water, if it fits

About Pickpockets

In crowded tourist areas, public transportation, markets, and train stations, I’m more aware of my bag. I prefer a crossbody that closes securely, and in crowded areas I keep it in front of me rather than swinging behind my hip.

I don’t think you need to walk around terrified that someone is about to steal everything you own. You just don’t want to make yourself the easiest target in the crowd.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Never keep all your money, credit cards, and identification together. Carry what you need for the day and leave backups secured separately. If your bag is ever lost or stolen, you want to be inconvenienced—not stranded without identification or a way to pay for anything.

Tech & Electronics

I try to keep electronics simple. Between the devices themselves, chargers, cables, adapters, and power banks, this category can get heavy surprisingly quickly.

For most city trips, this is all I need:

Phone	Charging cables
Portable power bank	Universal travel adapter
Earbuds	Kindle
Apple Watch + charger	AirTag, finally!

My phone does most of the heavy lifting when I travel: camera, maps, translation, reservations, boarding passes, train tickets, rideshare apps, and probably a dozen other things I once carried separately. And within my phone, the Trip Plans app paired with Travefy keeps all my trip information in one place—flights, lodging, ground transportation, tours, and activities.

A portable power bank is essential for city days. Using Google Maps, taking photos, looking up restaurants, and navigating public transportation can chew through a battery. I don’t want to ration my phone battery when I’m relying on it to find my way back to the hotel.

And yes, I’m finally going to start traveling with an AirTag. I usually travel carry-on only, but that doesn’t mean my bag can’t end up separated from me. Carry-ons get gate-checked, occasionally checked voluntarily, left in taxis, and sometimes simply wander farther away than I’d like. An AirTag is tiny enough that there really isn’t much reason not to toss one in.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: You probably don’t need a separate charger for every device. Before you travel, figure out which devices can share cables and charging blocks and eliminate the duplicates. Electronics are sneaky little carry-on weight hogs.

Money, Cards & Identification

I travel with several forms of payment, but I never carry all of them with me when I’m exploring a city. If my bag or wallet is stolen, I want another credit card and some cash waiting for me back at the hotel.

During travel days—airports, flights, trains, and moving between hotels—I do keep everything together. Once I arrive, I split it up.

I prefer an elongated card wallet that lets me keep paper currency flat instead of folding it. This is especially useful in parts of Asia, where damaged, heavily creased, or marked bills may not be readily accepted. It also makes dealing with unfamiliar currencies much easier when I can actually see what I have.

And despite how easy credit cards and mobile payments have made travel, I still carry cash. There are plenty of places in the world where cash remains the easiest—or sometimes the only—way to pay, especially at markets, street-food stalls, small restaurants, taxis, and other small businesses.

What I Bring on the Trip

Passport	Driver’s license
Local currency/cash	Debit card
Amex Platinum	Capital One Venture X
Airline/hotel cards as needed	Physical Priority Pass card
Backup credit card	Copies of important documents

Some of these cards come along for their travel benefits rather than everyday spending. I travel with my Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture X for lounge and other travel benefits, plus any hotel- or airline-specific card I may need for that particular trip. I also bring a debit card so I can access cash.

I carry my physical Priority Pass card, too. Many lounges accept a digital membership card, but not all of them do, and I’d rather carry one tiny card than argue with someone at a lounge desk.

Once I’m out exploring, I pare this down. I take some cash and one or two cards and leave the rest secured at the hotel. If I carry my passport, I leave my driver’s license behind; if my passport can stay secured at the hotel, I carry my driver’s license. I want a backup form of identification and a backup way to pay for things if something happens.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Think of your money and identification as backups for one another. Once you reach your destination, split them up. Never let one lost or stolen bag take your passport, backup ID, every credit card, debit card, and all your cash with it.

The Little Things That Earn Their Space

Some of my favorite travel items aren’t necessities at all. They’re just small, lightweight things that consistently make traveling easier or more comfortable. If I use something on almost every trip and it takes up virtually no room, I’m willing to give it a spot in my carry-on.

A few Ziploc bags	Shower caps
Small jewelry pouch	Silicone wedding ring
Lightweight robe	Lightweight slippers
Small flat wristlet for evenings	Foldable tote or grocery bag
Febreze	Small stain remover

I bring a little inexpensive jewelry to change up my mostly-black wardrobe, but I never travel with my expensive jewelry, even when I’m headed somewhere like Paris or London. I’d rather enjoy the trip than spend my time worrying about losing something valuable. Depending on the destination and what we’re doing, I may wear a silicone wedding ring instead.

My small flat wristlet is another city-trip favorite. It isn’t my sightseeing bag—that’s what the crossbody is for. The wristlet stays tucked flat in my luggage until we’re going somewhere nicer for dinner, drinks, or a show.

I also like having a lightweight robe and slippers. Do I technically need them? Absolutely not. Do they make living in hotels for a couple of weeks more pleasant? Absolutely.

And then there are Ziploc bags. I always pack several in different sizes. A wet swimsuit, leaking toiletry, leftover snack, damp washcloth, receipts, jewelry, or some mysterious little thing that suddenly needs its own container—somehow I always use them.

A foldable tote is another city-trip winner. My sister-in-law gave me a packable Trader Joe’s grocery bag, and it has turned out to be one of those ridiculously simple things that is really nice to have when traveling. It takes up almost no room in my carry-on, but I can pull it out for groceries, markets, shopping, snacks for a train ride, or whatever else we inevitably accumulate during the day. Then it folds right back up when I don’t need it.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: You don’t need to buy something labeled “travel” for every purpose. Sometimes the perfect travel accessory is a packable grocery bag your sister-in-law gave you. 😂

My City Trip Carry-On Packing Checklist

Below is the condensed version. I adjust it for the weather and destination, but whether I’m traveling for a week or several weeks, the basic list doesn’t change very much. For longer trips, I do laundry rather than keep adding clothes.

I made a free printable City Carry-On Packing List with everything in one place. Print it out, check things off as they go into your bag, and adjust it for your destination, weather, and itinerary.

👉 Download My Free City Carry-On Packing List

One bag. City ready. And hopefully nothing important left on the bathroom counter. 😂

Want to See What I Actually Pack?

I’ve tried a lot of travel  products over the years, and not all of it earns a return trip. I keep my Amazon storefront stocked with the clothes, toiletries, packing essentials, and little travel extras that I actually use—or would happily make room for in my own bag.

👉 Shop My City Travel Favorites

Because there’s a big difference between something labeled a “travel essential” and something that actually earns space in my carry-on.

Clothes

3–4 lightweight tops	1–2 pairs of pants
1 pair of leggings	2–3 dresses
Lightweight sweater/cardigan	Light jacket
1–2 colorful scarves	Underwear
2–3 bras	4–5 pairs of socks
Workout clothes	Sleepwear, if needed
Swimsuit, if appropriate	Lightweight robe

Shoes & Accessories

Walking/workout sneakers	Lightweight stylish sneakers
Foldable Tieks, optional	Small crossbody
Flat wristlet for evenings	Sunglasses
Inexpensive jewelry	Silicone wedding ring, optional

Add for Cold Weather

Packable puffer coat	Beanie
Thin leather gloves	Warm scarf
Merino/base layers if needed	Warmer socks

Toiletries

Kitsch shampoo bar	Kitsch conditioner bar
Makeup remover wipes	Olay Cleansing Melts
Moisturizer	Sunscreen
Minimal makeup	Deodorant
Toothbrush	Toothpaste/tablets
Concentrated mouthwash	Dental floss
Razor	Hairbrush/comb
Hair products	Diffuser sock
Lume wipes	Spongellé
Shower caps	Essential medications

Tech

Phone	Charging cables
Portable power bank	Universal travel adapter
Earbuds	Kindle
Apple Watch + charger	AirTag, finally!

Money, Documents & Travel Essentials

Passport	Driver’s license
Elongated card wallet	Cash/local currency
Debit card	Amex Platinum
Capital One Venture X	Airline/hotel cards as needed
Physical Priority Pass card	Backup credit card
Copies of important documents	Travel insurance information

Remember, these may travel together while I’m flying or moving between cities, but they do not all leave the hotel with me once I arrive. I split up my identification, cash, and payment methods so that one lost or stolen bag doesn’t leave me without a backup.

Packing, Laundry & Random Useful Stuff

Zipper-compression packing cubes	Laundry detergent sheets
Small stain remover	Febreze
Dirty-laundry bag	Ziploc bags
Packable grocery tote	Small jewelry pouch
Lightweight slippers	Safety pins

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Use this as a starting point, not a challenge to pack every single item on it. Your destination, weather, itinerary, and personal habits matter. If you know you won’t use something, leave it home. The lightest thing in your suitcase is the thing you didn’t pack.

One Bag Really Is Enough

The more I travel, the less I want to carry. Not because I’m trying to prove how minimalist I can be—I still like cute clothes, a few comforts, and enough options that I don’t feel like I’m wearing a uniform for two weeks.

I just really like the freedom of traveling light.

There’s something wonderful about getting off a plane, hopping on a train, climbing the inevitable staircase, and heading into a new city without dragging half your closet behind you.

And if I forget something? There are stores in other countries. Sometimes figuring out where to buy toothpaste in Vietnam is part of the adventure.

* Jennifer’s Tip *: Pack your bag a few days before you leave, then take something out. There is almost always something in there that Future Travel You is supposedly going to need. She probably won’t. 😂