Hand luggage for a week-long trip

Who said that small hand luggage is only suitable for short trips? With the new cabin baggage rules introduced by many airlines, we’ve become accustomed to carrying only a small piece of luggage on board for free.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to follow a few tips on how to pack so that you can make the most of a small piece of hand luggage for trips lasting several days, even up to a week. Having a compact piece of luggage with only a few personal belongings that require little time to be washed and packed upon your return, is a huge advantage. Minimalism and the concept of “less is more” perfectly apply to travelling and the luggage that you can take with you.

A small piece of hand baggage is also very practical, making travelling easier and faster. Ever returned from a flight, exhausted, only to find yourself waiting at the baggage carousel for your suitcase? Well, you can avoid all that by using hand luggage. Getting around on public transport is also easier.

Choosing a small cabin bag also saves you money, as most low-cost airlines allow you to bring one with you in the cabin free of charge.

What to pack in your hand luggage for a week-long trip

So you’ve decided that you’re going to use a piece of small hand luggage for a week-long trip. Obviously you’ll have looked up the weather forecast at your destination (because this type of luggage is recommended if you’re going to a warm place), where you won’t need additional jackets, sweatshirts or other heavy clothing that would take up much of the available space on their own. The basic rule is to keep it simple, avoiding anything superfluous. Those who already apply this concept in their daily lives are at an advantage, but it’s something that anybody can do when it comes to travelling.

The first question to ask is: What will I be doing on my trip?

The answer will make it easier to calculate, for example, how many pairs of trousers or T-shirts to take. We recommend that you only bring one pair of shoes, the ones you’ll wear during the trip, because footwear is definitely a bulky item. It depends a lot on the type of trip you’re taking and the destination. If it’s a business trip with formal meetings that require a certain dress code then small hand luggage probably isn’t your best option. But if the destination is the beach then go right ahead, choosing clothing made of fabrics that are easy to iron, dry quickly and that can be mixed and matched.

How to pack

The way you fold clothes inside the luggage or the use of compressible bags has a great influence on the space available. For example, folding clothes by rolling them up helps to avoid creases. Remember that:

1. This method of folding is especially effective for shorts, socks, T-shirts, tops and pyjamas.
2. Flatten them by hand while rolling.
3. Put them in the closet as soon as you arrive at your destination so that any creases can be eliminated as soon as possible.

It’s essential to eliminate superfluous accessories in order to have more space for indispensable items.

A little trick: on the day of departure, dress in heavier clothing such as a sweatshirt and jacket so you don’t have to pack them.

Don’t underestimate the use of so-called travel cubes, i.e. very useful zipped cases where you can pack your garments by type to keep everything in order.

If you’re able to wash clothes where you’re going that will make it easier to carry even less with you.

However, if despite these tips you’re still not able to use just hand luggage for a week-long trip, you can always opt for a medium-sized bag, which you’ll obviously have to check in. You won’t have problems with space and it will be easier to carry