Carry-on-only travel for two weeks is not minimalism as an aesthetic. It is a logistical decision that pays back in time, dignity and lost-luggage anxiety. Here is how we do it.

The bag

A 36 to 42 litre backpack with top and side access. We like the Tortuga Setout and the Peak Design Travel 30L. Hard-sided roll-ons are fine for cities; useless for cobblestones and gravel.

The clothing rule: five, three, one

  • Five tops: three t-shirts (two merino, one cotton), one merino long-sleeve, one lightweight button-up for a nicer dinner.
  • Three bottoms: one pair of lightweight travel pants, one pair of shorts that pass as swim-shorts, one pair of linen trousers for evenings.
  • One of each: puffer jacket (packable), waterproof shell (if the trip includes any mountains or shoulder-season).

Add seven pairs of underwear, four pairs of merino socks, one swim-cap for daily swimmers, and the shoes you are wearing.

The laundry rhythm

Wash a t-shirt in the sink every three days with a dab of travel soap. Hang over a chair. Dry overnight. On a longer trip, a laundromat visit every ten days is enough. Merino hides sins; cotton does not.

The towel

A microfibre towel is the single piece of kit that most changes carry-on travel. It replaces the oversized cotton beach towel, the small gym towel, the hostel-provided towel of mysterious origin and the hairdressing wrap, all with one object the size of a paperback.

Electronics

Phone, kindle, one small camera if you must, a universal adapter, one 20W USB-C charger, one braided cable per device, and a small lightweight power bank. Don’t bring the laptop unless you need it; a Kindle plus phone is enough for two weeks.

The toiletries bag

  • Solid shampoo bar — no 100 ml limit stress
  • Solid soap for body and laundry
  • Toothbrush, floss, small toothpaste
  • Mineral sunscreen in 50 ml
  • Universal plug for sink laundry
  • Nail clippers, tweezers, small first-aid kit

Documents and small items

Passport, one printed copy of itinerary, two credit cards from different networks, a small amount of local cash, a packing cube for dirty clothes, a lightweight silk sleep sheet (saves nights where sheets are suspicious).

A last tip

Lay everything out on the bed. Put half of it back. Try to carry the loaded bag up three flights of stairs in your home. If you can’t, something has to go. The point of carry-on travel is not the suitcase. The point is the freedom to walk off a train, down an alley, and into your next three days without logistical drama.