Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?

[Anonymous]

I’d love your best tips for packing for a 9-day trip using only two bags: a standard carry-on rolling suitcase and a backpack.

My plan is to pack everything I’ll need for my first day’s layover/overnight in the backpack so I don’t have to open the suitcase at all until I reach my final destination.

I’m already planning to rewear pants, bring lighter fabrics for shirts, include a couple of lightweight dresses, and keep shoes to a minimum. I’ll also try to choose pieces that mix and match easily.

Where I’m really struggling is pajamas. They take up space, and since I’m sharing a room I need actual pajamas (not just a big T-shirt). I also feel like I need a fresh pair at least every third night, which means bringing three sets for a 9-day trip. That alone seems to take up a lot of room.

I also won’t have access to laundry, and probably won’t really be able to hand wash anything beyond maybe a bathing suit. It’s also a humid location, so I don’t trust things to dry overnight.

What other strategies help you pack lighter for trips this length? Any tips for minimizing toiletries, managing outfits, or making the most of a carry-on? I’m basically looking for your best “pack less but still have what you need” advice.

There’s a Reddit page for traveling with one bag, but I don’t qualify, so I’m hoping to pick your brains and get some advice!

[Anonymous]

I always only bring a carry on, even for 2 week trips. I'm very into clothes and am stylish. But I'm petite, so I've noticed my clothes fit easier into the bags than my dh's do. My best tips
-use compression bags if you're traveling with winter gear like puffy coats and sweaters.
-stick to a color scheme
-limit to 3 shoes
-no blow dryers (hotels have them)
-don't use things like toiletry bags. They take up extra room. I use smaller bags or sometimes even quart sized bags so that more stuff can fit.
-wear your coat/sweater/boots on the plane.
-I focus on what's going to get photographed/seen the most. In the winter, that's accessories like scarves and hats since you can't see what's under your coat.
-roll all your clothes

[Anonymous]

You need to rethink PJs every 3 days. (Unless you're a major night sweater.) If you are in fresh underwear, there's no need for bottoms every 3 days. Put on Deodorant before bed to reduce pit sweat.

[Anonymous]

Can you plan to shower before bed so you’re clean when you put on your pajamas?

[Anonymous]

depending on the room temperature and the degree to which you sweat, I'll sometimes shower at night, wear an undershirt to bed, and then wear that undershirt during the day under my regular shirt. By undershirt I mean a very thin, wickaway style t shirt that dries really quickly when hand washed in a sink or shower. It's not exactly modest to sleep in but it's not obscene, and by wearing a thin undershirt during the day I can sometimes extend the number of times I can re-wear the overshirt.

[Anonymous]

I wear the same set of pjs for a week in my normal life. Bring a couple of t shirts if you need to and have them sub as pj tops with your bottoms that you can wear for 9 days.

[Anonymous]

I’d just have one pair of shoes (and maybe flip flops for the beach if there’s one but otherwise no other shoes). Only one other pair of pants.
Maybe use a big t shirt plus bike shorts as PJ.
Won’t there be laundry anywhere? I find it hard to believe. Not even a laundromat?

[Anonymous]

You don't need three changes of pajamas. You need one. ONE.

You also don't need to count on stuff drying overnight. Wash out a shirt/pants/dress, hang to dry, then wear something else the next day while the stuff you rinsed continues to dry. If you're in a humid location, your hotel will be air-conditioned which will help speed drying.

Lots of neutrals. Roll clothes tightly to make space. Wear multiple layers and your bulkiest shoes on the plane. Lay out your clothes in advance and practice mixing and matching. Things that can only be worn with one other thing don't make the cut and have to stay home.

[Anonymous]

I do this all the time. I can travel indefinitely through say 2 seasons in a carryon.

[Anonymous]

Why are you worried about the person you're sharing the room seeing you in the same pajamas all trip vs. seeing you re-wear pants?

[Anonymous]

First, get a backpack that holds a lot. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/LOVEVOOK-Backpack-Waterproof-Weekender-Overnight. There are tons of options so focus on what you need from that backpack - water bottle holders, laptop sleeve, organizers, shoe bag, clothing, etc. They fit under economy seats.

I was able to travel to Japan for a week for business and go directly to a long weekend in Vegas (so very different clothes) using a backpack like that and a standard carry-on rollaboard. Granted, it was during June, so the clothes were lighter weight than winter. I wore layered lounge clothes on the flights (the same outfit to/from Japan) with sneakers. Had one pair dress shoes and one pair sandals packed. Streamlined my toiletries. Did not pack hair dryer or curling iron bc voltages are different. Packed lots of underwear and tank tops bc of the humidity in Japan. Never washed anything.

Good luck! Planning ahead and editing works well.

[Anonymous]

I wear pjs for a week. I Wash myself before bed. I do wash underwear in the sink if needed. If you can get some cheap vodka (or on the plane ) there and pack a tiny spray bottle, it's a good way to freshen up armpits etc for clothes.
Wear the bulkiest shoes. Pack one extra pair.

[Anonymous]

Where are you going and what are you doing when there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you worried about the person you're sharing the room seeing you in the same pajamas all trip vs. seeing you re-wear pants?

That's not what OP said at all.

[Anonymous]

You can buy bags that come with a little battery operated vacuum pump to suck the air out to pack more clothing into a small space. We did this to minimize luggage on a family trip and it worked well.