001 : Carry-On Only: What to Pack for a 5-Day City Trip

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Travel light, look good, and skip baggage claim. This is my minimalist packing system for a five-day city getaway — built around mix-and-match outfits, TSA-friendly toiletries, and compact tech. Everything fits in one carry-on + a small personal item.

Bags

• Carry-on suitcase or 30–40L backpack — Vacuum Backpack OR 20" Suitcase

• Under-seat personal item (daypack/tote)

• 2–3 packing cubes — Packing Cubes

• Slim toiletry kit + leak-proof bottles — Tolietry Bag Bottles

Clothes (neutral palette)

• 4 tops

• 2 bottoms (1 pant, 1 short/skirt)

• 1 light layer (cardigan/overshirt)

• 1 packable jacket (weather-dependent)

• 1 “nice” piece (dress/jumpsuit or button-down)

• 5 underwear, 3 socks, sleepwear

• Shoes: 1 comfy walker + 1 dress-up sneaker/sandal

Toiletries

• Travel-size SPF, cleanser, moisturizer, deodorant

• Refillable bottles (3-1-1 rule), toothbrush, mini haircare

• Meds + mini first-aid

Tech & admin

• Phone + compact charger/power bank — USB-C Fast Charger On-the-Go PowerBank OR Larger PowerBank

• Universal adapter (if needed) — Universal Adapter

• Cable organizer — Cable Organizer

• Passport/wallet, travel insurance info, pen

The Bag Setup (keep it simple)

• Carry-on: Hardside roller or 35–40L backpack with a square, packable shape. Look for an internal compression panel. — Vacuum Backpack OR 20" Suitcase

• Personal item: Under-seat backpack or structured tote that fits your laptop and essentials.

• Organization: 2–3 packing cubes (one for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear/sleep). Add a slim laundry pouch. — Packing Cubes Compression Laundry Bag

• Toiletry kit: Flat, TSA-friendly pouch + refillable bottles (100 ml / 3.4 oz max). — Tolietry Bag Bottles

Clothing Math (the “4–2–1” formula)

This combo gives you 8–10 outfits with layering, without overpacking.

Base formula (all seasons):

• 4 tops

• 2 bottoms

• 1 layer (plus a packable jacket if needed)

Season tweaks

• Warm: swap the layer for a breezy overshirt; add a hat & sunglasses.

• Cold: add thermal top/leggings, heavier sweater, and packable down jacket.

• Wet: mini umbrella + ultra-light rain shell.

Shoes (max 2):

• 1 pair comfy walkers/sneakers

• 1 pair dress-up sneaker/flat/sandal (seasonal)

Pro tip: Stick to a 3-color palette so everything plays nice together. Black/white/tan or navy/white/olive are foolproof.

Toiletries (TSA 3-1-1 made easy)

• Refillable bottles for shampoo/conditioner/body wash — Tolietry Bag Bottles

• Solid bar options if you prefer (shampoo/soap) - Solid Shampoo/Conditioner Case

• Toothbrush + paste tabs or mini paste

• Deodorant, SPF 30+, lip balm

• Minimal makeup (tinted SPF + multi-stick = done)

• Hair ties/brush, tiny perfume, razor cover

• Meds (original containers), mini first-aid (bandages, ibuprofen)

Pack liquids in one clear quart-size bag. Keep it reachable for security.

Tech & Essentials

• Phone + 20W compact charger + small power bank — USB-C Fast Charger On-the-Go PowerBank OR Larger PowerBank

• Universal adapter (for international) — Universal Adapter

• Earbuds, lightweight camera (optional)

• Cable organizer — Cable Organizer

• Reusable water bottle, tiny umbrella, sunglasses

• Passport, wallet, travel insurance details, pen

Personal Item Layout (what to keep within reach)

Front pocket: passport, wallet, phone, boarding pass, pen.
Main: laptop/tablet (if you bring one), charger kit, headphones, snacks, water bottle, hand sanitizer, tissues, chapstick.
Top: meds and anything you need during the flight.

Plane Outfit (bulky items on you)

Wear your heaviest shoes, long pants or leggings, a base tee, and a light layer or jacket. This will save space and keep you warm on the plane.

How I Pack (fast + tidy)

1. Put shoes at the wheel end (or bottom of backpack).

2. Roll tops/bottoms and slot into cubes.

3. Underwear/sleepwear in the smallest cube.

4. Layer/jacket folded flat on top.

5. Toiletry bag + tech pouch in the gaps.

6. Documents/essentials go in the personal item.

Optional Add-Ons (based on trip)

• Workout set + mini laundry soap sheets — Laundry Sheets

• Foldable tote for groceries/souvenirs

• Compact laundry line/sink stopper

• Neck pillow (inflatable, tiny when packed) — Inflatable Neck Pillow

Common Mistakes (skip these)

• “Just in case” outfits (pick versatile pieces instead).

• Too many shoes. Two pairs max.

• Full-size toiletries (refill or go solid).

• Over-teching (you rarely need every cable/gadget).