One bag travel for beginners: how to start and what to cut

The method for one bag travel is simple: pack for five days, whatever the trip length, and wash on the road. The bag stays the same size. Only the number of washes changes.

This guide is for people who have never done it. Pack the list below for a first trip of three to ten days.

Step 1: set a weight limit before you pack

Typical airlines that allow a carry-on often cap its weight, though some do not. Many limits sit around 7 to 10 kg. Check your airline and your route, because rules differ, and low-cost airlines are often stricter. See your airline's baggage page.

Rule: aim for 1 kg under the limit. Souvenirs and a loose shoe add weight.

Step 2: the five-day core

Pack 5 days of clothes. Do not pack 10.

• 4 tops
• 2 bottoms
• 5 underwear, 5 socks
• 1 layer for warmth
• 1 rain shell if the forecast says rain
• Sleepwear

Worked example for a 10-day trip: you wash twice, not zero times. It takes ten minutes each. See laundry on the road and the full 10-day carry-on list.

Step 3: wear the bulk

Your jacket, your heaviest shoes and your thickest trousers go on your body. This can save 1 to 2 kg in the bag and a lot of space.

Ruling: if it is bulky, it is not allowed in the bag until everything else is in.

Step 4: shrink the small things

• Toiletries: use solids (bar soap, solid shampoo) where you can. See solid toiletries vs travel bottles.
• One pair of shoes to wear, one lighter pair if you must.
• Phone, charger, power bank and one cable.
• No hairdryer, no extra towel.

What to cut first

• Extra shoes
• Full-size bottles
• "Maybe" outfits
• Books (use your phone or an e-reader)
• Anything you used less than twice on your last trip

If it goes wrong

Bag too heavy at the gate? Wear the heaviest item and put small dense things in your pockets. Bag too full to close? Take out one top and one bottom. You will wash. If you cannot wash, buy something cheap and leave it behind.

A practice run, before the real trip

Pack the bag a week before you go. Then carry it around the block, up the stairs and onto a bus if you can. Everything you notice, such as a strap that digs in or a bag that tips over, is easier to fix at home.

Worked example for a 7-day trip (round numbers):

1. Day -7: pack the bag using the five-day core.
2. Day -6: walk 20 minutes with it on your back.
3. Day -5: take out three things you did not use or want.
4. Day -1: repack, weigh it, and check your airline's rules.

Ruling: if the bag is too heavy for you to carry for 20 minutes, it is too heavy for the trip.

A per-trip-length table

Counts are a starting point. The bag stays the same size for all of them.

Common mistakes with one bag travel

• Buying a bag first, then packing. Pack first, so you know what size you need.
• Choosing a bag with weight of its own. An empty bag over 2 kg uses a quarter of your limit.
• Forgetting a plan for souvenirs. Leave 10 percent of the space empty.
• Packing for a different climate than the one you will visit. Check the forecast for your dates.

If you need help choosing between a backpack and a wheeled bag, read the backpack or wheeled bag guide.