Travel with one bag
Skip checked-bag fees and move faster with a carry-on-only packing list.
Carry-on only saves money on budget airlines, time at airports, and stress on buses and boats.
The bag
A 30 to 40 litre backpack that fits your airline's carry-on size. Check the weight limit too: many budget airlines in Asia allow only 7 kg.
What to pack (for 1 to 3 weeks)
- Clothes: 3 tops, 2 bottoms, 4 sets of underwear and socks, 1 warm layer, 1 rain jacket. Wash as you go.
- Shoes: wear your bulkiest pair; pack only light sandals.
- Toiletries: travel sizes in one clear bag, 100 ml each at most.
- Tech: phone, one charger with a multi-port plug, power bank (always in your carry-on).
- Documents: passport, printed and phone copies of bookings, a backup card kept separately.
Packing tips
- Roll clothes; use packing cubes to keep things tidy.
- Lay everything out, then remove a third of it.
- Wear your heaviest items when you fly.
Use the trip budget tool on the travel page to see what you save by skipping checked bags.