Anonymous
03/07/2026 11:22
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
If I am planning to only take a carryon and to buy stuff, I'll take my old clothes and throw them away as I go/or at the end of the trip. This is usually old socks and underwear, old t shirts that I will sleep in.
Anonymous
03/07/2026 10:54
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
I do this all the time. Trick is to take your oldest underwear and socks and throw them away after several uses. I buy new ones as needed when traveling.
Anonymous
03/07/2026 08:53
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
There are lots of tips on the Reddit threads One bag and her one bag. Example.
https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/s/ZoGxz5YZr2
I have to be careful when I go on these because it’s like a rabbit hole and I will get obsessed.
https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/s/ZoGxz5YZr2
I have to be careful when I go on these because it’s like a rabbit hole and I will get obsessed.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 16:55
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
Lots of great advice here. One additional idea is to google the "sudoku" packing method which I've found to be helpful.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 13:50
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
Anonymous wrote:I travel for two months annually with just a carry on.
I only wear black and dresses. Two cotton or silk sleeveless dresses with one matching duster/jacket or sweater. Cashmere wrap. Cotton wrap.. Silk or nylon panties and slips, 3 each, one on, one in wash, one just in case. They dry overnight, especially if wrung in towel. Three sets black knee high socks/stockings. ( dresses are midi length.) Two pairs shoes. Both easy to walk in, but one appropriate for restaurant or party.
I'm washing under things and hanging them to dry. Usually only spot clean a dress in case of spill.
Wearing dress, jacket, cashmere wrap on plane. Packing under things, extra dress, shoes, cotton wrap, minimal toiletries and makeup. Kindle. Raincoat that folds up into almost nothing.
Small cross body bag with phone, documents and glasses.
In my 20s, I did a version of this with blue jeans. I packed a dress in case needed for dress up or if the jeans had to be washed.
Depending on destination, may add swimsuit or winter coat. Silk legging/ tee shirts, etc. I use the wraps at night instead of a robe.
impressive
Anonymous
03/06/2026 13:35
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
packing cubes. That helps when you need one change of clothes for a night.
For the pjs, I take one set of dedicated "PJs" - but also make them something else I can wear - so usually shorts or sweatpants and a tshirt. I also usually take something for pool coverup or lounging - so between those, I have enough to sleep in. Or I wear a t shirt that I wore during the day.
Pack neutral bottoms, something you can dress up or down. I minimize toiletires if a hotel has them. I like to have moisturizer and conditioner, so I bring those.
For the pjs, I take one set of dedicated "PJs" - but also make them something else I can wear - so usually shorts or sweatpants and a tshirt. I also usually take something for pool coverup or lounging - so between those, I have enough to sleep in. Or I wear a t shirt that I wore during the day.
Pack neutral bottoms, something you can dress up or down. I minimize toiletires if a hotel has them. I like to have moisturizer and conditioner, so I bring those.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 13:21
Subject: Re:Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
I can’t give you direct advice, personally I tend to overpack. However, there are plenty of Youtube videos that show how to pack light.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 13:16
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
I know how this is gonna come across, but I’m just gonna say it – maybe OP has larger clothes. With packing cubes, the roll method I don’t see how three pairs of pajamas is gonna make or break a carry-on
Anonymous
03/06/2026 11:49
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
PP with black wardrobe. The slips also serve as night gowns, with wraps for cover ups.,
Anonymous
03/06/2026 11:46
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
Packing my husband is so much harder because his size 12 shoes take up so much space plus his jeans and sweaters are all so bulky. My teen son is easier because he wears a lot of athleiaure stuff which packs down really well. Middle aged guys with the jeans and khakis and cotton sweaters are just really hard to pack. If you need to pack a blazer for them, that sucks up even more space.
Someone will say my spouse should pack himself but we’ve gone on too many family trips where it tirns out he brought 3 tee shirts for a hot sweaty trip. Or no jacket for cold evenings (we’ve bought them at gift shops twice!). Or all his shirts are faded and fraying so the vacation photos look bad. Or no decent shirt for a dinner out. He could care less but it bothers me so I redo his packing for family trips. I also eyeball the teens to make sure they’ve got the right stuff. My youngest is an awesome packer though.
Someone will say my spouse should pack himself but we’ve gone on too many family trips where it tirns out he brought 3 tee shirts for a hot sweaty trip. Or no jacket for cold evenings (we’ve bought them at gift shops twice!). Or all his shirts are faded and fraying so the vacation photos look bad. Or no decent shirt for a dinner out. He could care less but it bothers me so I redo his packing for family trips. I also eyeball the teens to make sure they’ve got the right stuff. My youngest is an awesome packer though.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 11:46
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
I travel for two months annually with just a carry on.
I only wear black and dresses. Two cotton or silk sleeveless dresses with one matching duster/jacket or sweater. Cashmere wrap. Cotton wrap.. Silk or nylon panties and slips, 3 each, one on, one in wash, one just in case. They dry overnight, especially if wrung in towel. Three sets black knee high socks/stockings. ( dresses are midi length.) Two pairs shoes. Both easy to walk in, but one appropriate for restaurant or party.
I'm washing under things and hanging them to dry. Usually only spot clean a dress in case of spill.
Wearing dress, jacket, cashmere wrap on plane. Packing under things, extra dress, shoes, cotton wrap, minimal toiletries and makeup. Kindle. Raincoat that folds up into almost nothing.
Small cross body bag with phone, documents and glasses.
In my 20s, I did a version of this with blue jeans. I packed a dress in case needed for dress up or if the jeans had to be washed.
Depending on destination, may add swimsuit or winter coat. Silk legging/ tee shirts, etc. I use the wraps at night instead of a robe.
I only wear black and dresses. Two cotton or silk sleeveless dresses with one matching duster/jacket or sweater. Cashmere wrap. Cotton wrap.. Silk or nylon panties and slips, 3 each, one on, one in wash, one just in case. They dry overnight, especially if wrung in towel. Three sets black knee high socks/stockings. ( dresses are midi length.) Two pairs shoes. Both easy to walk in, but one appropriate for restaurant or party.
I'm washing under things and hanging them to dry. Usually only spot clean a dress in case of spill.
Wearing dress, jacket, cashmere wrap on plane. Packing under things, extra dress, shoes, cotton wrap, minimal toiletries and makeup. Kindle. Raincoat that folds up into almost nothing.
Small cross body bag with phone, documents and glasses.
In my 20s, I did a version of this with blue jeans. I packed a dress in case needed for dress up or if the jeans had to be washed.
Depending on destination, may add swimsuit or winter coat. Silk legging/ tee shirts, etc. I use the wraps at night instead of a robe.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 11:42
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
Anonymous wrote: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!
If you need a fresh pair of pjs every 3 days due to crotchiness, use a nightgown.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 11:40
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
People who do this maybe don't have a lot of daily medications and OTC products and/or go to places near drug stores.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 11:14
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
If you think you will buy anything on your trip, keep that in mind.
A travel-sized spray bottle of Febreeze is also helpful to extend laundry items. Small accessories can make an outfit look “fancier,”
so bring a couple of nice earrings and necklaces. I also like to bring a shawl/big thin scarf, which is really versatile.
I wear undershirts, so I often will wear the same undershirt as a pajama top and ja daytime undershirt, getting two wears out of it. Only bring two pairs of shoes, unless flipflops are a third pair.
Pare down what you bring for toiletries. Only bring the absolute essentials. Don’t bring multiple hair styling products, for example. Just bring one workhorse hair product.
A travel-sized spray bottle of Febreeze is also helpful to extend laundry items. Small accessories can make an outfit look “fancier,”
so bring a couple of nice earrings and necklaces. I also like to bring a shawl/big thin scarf, which is really versatile.
I wear undershirts, so I often will wear the same undershirt as a pajama top and ja daytime undershirt, getting two wears out of it. Only bring two pairs of shoes, unless flipflops are a third pair.
Pare down what you bring for toiletries. Only bring the absolute essentials. Don’t bring multiple hair styling products, for example. Just bring one workhorse hair product.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 10:57
Subject: Packing for 9 days in just a carry-on/personal item?
How well do you know the person you're sharing the room with?
Will the hotel have robes?
You could always have a pair of shorts for walking around room, and when you get into bed slip them off - that might make you feel better about wearing them for 9 days. So two tops, 1 bottom is how I'd do PJs in this circumstance.
Will the hotel have robes?
You could always have a pair of shorts for walking around room, and when you get into bed slip them off - that might make you feel better about wearing them for 9 days. So two tops, 1 bottom is how I'd do PJs in this circumstance.