Covid-related restrictions may be in place. Please check Foreign Office advice and testing/quarantine requirements in your destination before booking.

Flying hand luggage only has long been an art form practised mainly by those travelling with budget airlines. After all, why bother cramming 100ml bottles and rolling up your underwear if you have free checked luggage? But 2022 and its air travel woes have completely changed things. Now, carry-on bags are all the rage. 

Want to avoid queues at check-in? Go hand luggage only. Hate waiting at the conveyor belt for your stuff? Go hand luggage only. Don’t want to lose your suitcase or wait three days for your bag to arrive? Well, you get the point.

But just what and how should you pack to maximise your carry-on bag? And what about your checked luggage? Here’s what you need to know.

Main photo: pack with care to save time and money (Getty Images)

*This article contains affiliate links.

All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. These links are signposted with an asterisk. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism.

Before you even start packing, it’s worth laying out everything so you can do a quick stock take to see whether you actually need it all. Toiletries can often be decanted into smaller containers, and you probably don’t need as many changes of outfits as you think.

Consider, too, the type of clothes you’re bringing. Clothes made from specialist fabrics such as micromodal are odour resistant, which potentially means you get more wear out of the same outfit and don’t need to bring as many. In cold weather, a down jacket will likely be a lot less bulky than a woolly jumper, while still keeping you warm.

Don’t forget, there’s also the outfit you’re travelling in — sometimes it’s well worth wearing the bulkier items, especially trainers, jackets or hats.

To make the most of the space in your suitcase, get some packing cubes. These help to compartmentalise everything and compress your clothes in the process. Fold or roll your clothes before putting them into the packing cubes to make the whole process easier and ensure you have fewer creases to contend with at the other end. If you’re packing shoes, handbags, or even hats, you can always stuff them with socks or underwear to help them maintain their shape and save space at the same time.

If you’re only going for a weekend break, there’s really no excuse for doing anything other than going hand luggage only. But even for week-long trips, it’s completely doable depending on where and when you’re travelling and who you’re flying with.

Obviously summer wardrobes aren’t as bulky as winter gear. And if you’re flying BA or another flagship airline, you usually get to take a small underseat bag plus a cabin-sized trolley on board. But even on premium tickets with easyJet and Ryanair, you can get a decent enough allowance to make it work — just make sure you check the measurements of your bag first.

There are some essentials for every trip abroad, such as your passport, travel documents (which could involve a vaccine passport), face mask if required, and money. Otherwise, for a weekend break, here are some essentials to consider for your cabin bag:

• Two tops, including one formal one • One pair of trousers/shorts/skirts  • Socks and underwear for the number of nights you’re away • Pyjamas • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, moisturiser, makeup, hairbrush and whatever else you might need) • Glasses/contact lenses if worn • Essential medications • Travel adapter, chargers and any cables • Water bottle (to refill at the airport)

• Travel pillow • Eye mask • Ear plugs • Swimsuit (bring a waterproof bag if you’re thinking about swimming just before you leave) • Sunglasses and jewellery • Hat  • A smart outfit, if you’re planning a fancy dinner • Wet/cold weather clothing • Change of footwear (trainers, smart shoes, and/or flip flops) • Camera • Headphones  • Power bank • Tablet/book • Sunscreen • Sunglasses • Mini first aid kit (headache tablets, antacid, diarrhoea medication, insect repellent, plasters etc) • Tote bag, for when you’re out and about and dirty laundry on the way back

Heading for a longer trip? Well, if you have the luggage space and don’t mind lugging your suitcase around, it’s perfectly acceptable to bring a few more creature comforts. If you just need the basics though, here are the essentials to pack for a week or longer.

• A mix of smart and casual tops for each day you’re away, especially if you’re going somewhere hot and are likely to get sweaty • Two or three pairs of trousers/jeans/skirts/shorts depending on the weather • For women, four or five dresses — feel free to reduce the number of other outfits accordingly, or save these for nights out • One or two pairs of shoes/trainers/flip-flops, depending on activities • Socks and underwear for the number of nights you’re away • Pyjamas • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, moisturiser, makeup, hairbrush, etc) and also any grooming tools such razors, nail clippers and tweezers • Glasses/contact lenses if worn; spare lenses and solutions if necessary • Mini first aid kit (headache tablets, antacid, diarrhoea medication, insect repellent, plasters, etc) — pack the essentials in your carry-on • Travel adapter, chargers and any cables — take a spare cable in your hand luggage • Tote bag, for when you’re out and about and dirty laundry on the way back

• Special outfits for nights out or events • Sunglasses and jewellery (or take it as part of your carry on) • Hat (or wear it) • Sunscreen • Mini first aid kit (headache tablets, antacid, diarrhoea medication, insect repellent and plasters etc) • Small sewing kit • Wet/cold weather clothing • Swimsuit (bring a waterproof bag if you’re thinking about swimming just before you leave) • Small sporting gear such as snorkelling mask or dry bag

Subscribe for weekly inspiration and deals from The Times and The Sunday Times.

We would also like to send you exclusive promotions, competitions and content from The Times and Sunday Times and selected partners. Would you like to receive these? Yes No

Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Subscribe for weekly inspiration and deals from The Times and The Sunday Times.

We would also like to send you exclusive promotions, competitions and content from The Times and Sunday Times and selected partners. Would you like to receive these? Yes No

Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.