Free packing guide
Pack a calmer carry-on.
A useful checklist for a weekend trip or a longer flight. Adapt it to your airline's size and weight rules.
1. Choose categories first.
Set aside clothes, underwear, toiletries, chargers and travel documents. Categories make it easier to see what you have before you start filling every gap.
2. Build outfits, not “just in case” piles.
Pick pieces that work together. Put one outfit or category per packing cube; keep laundry separate as the trip goes on.
3. Keep your airport essentials reachable.
Passport, phone, charger, medication and a snack should be in your personal item — not at the bottom of the carry-on.
4. Give toiletries a fixed home.
Use a contained case for small bottles and daily items. Check airport liquid rules before you leave.
5. Treat bulky soft items as a space problem.
Coats, sweaters and spare bedding take room quickly. Compression bags can reduce loose volume; results vary by fabric and how much air you remove.