What I Pack for 10 Days Away in One Carry-On
If you only have five days of leave, you can't spend two of your holiday hours at a baggage carousel.
Ten days fits in one carry-on. I promise. Skipping the checked bag saves you an hour at each end of the trip: no bag drop, no carousel, no waiting. It also removes the one way an airline can properly ruin a holiday, which is losing your luggage.
Here's exactly how to do it.
First, check one number
Before you pack anything, look up your airline's carry-on weight limit. Many Australian and Asian airlines allow 7kg. That's the real limit, not the size of the bag, and it's why everything below is about cutting weight.
The capsule wardrobe
Pick one colour family, and everything works with everything. Neutrals plus one colour you love is the easiest place to start.
5 tops: a mix of plain tees and one nicer top for dinner
2 bottoms: one pair of trousers, plus a skirt or shorts
1 dress that dresses up or down
1 light layer for planes, air-conditioning and cool evenings
1 scarf or light cover-up
Sleepwear, swimwear, and underwear for five days
The scarf earns its place. When I was in Siem Reap this year, the temples expected covered shoulders and knees, and it's the same at temples in Bali, Thailand and Sri Lanka. A light scarf turns any outfit into a temple outfit in two seconds.
The final edit: lay everything out on the bed, then put a third of it back. You won't miss it.
Two pairs of shoes, no more
Shoes are the heaviest, bulkiest thing in your bag.
One pair you can walk 8 kilometres in. Wear them on the plane so they take up no space in your bag.
One pair of sandals that work for dinner and the beach.
That's it. If you're tempted by a third pair, it's the first thing to put back.
Do laundry once
Halfway through the trip, do one load of washing. Most hotels and guesthouses offer it, and laundromats are easy to find almost everywhere. That one wash is what makes five days of clothes last ten. Pack a few zip-lock bags for damp swimwear and anything that hasn't quite dried.
The long-haul flight bag
This is the small bag that lives under the seat in front of you:
Compression socks
Hand cream and lip balm (cabin air is very dry)
Eye mask and earplugs
A pen for arrival cards
An empty water bottle to fill after security
Snacks you actually like
The manicure that survives a long-haul flight
It's a small thing, but it makes a difference in every photo.
Book a neutral gel manicure a day or two before you fly. Gel lasts the full ten days, and soft neutrals like nude, milky pink or sheer beige hide small chips and regrowth far better than a bright colour. Pack a small nail file and cuticle oil in your flight bag. A minute with each on the plane, and your hands still look holiday-ready in your day-ten photos.
Toiletries that fit the liquids bag
Solid shampoo, conditioner and cleanser keep the liquids bag small
Decant everything else into travel bottles of 100ml or less
One multi-use balm for lips, cuticles and dry skin
Sunscreen: buy it when you land
Liquids rules vary by airport, so check yours before you fly.
Tech and documents
Power bank: always in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. Some airlines no longer let you use one on board, so check their rules.
Universal adaptor
Phone charger and earphones
A copy of your passport saved somewhere other than your bag
Your travel insurance details on your phone
Where to go with ten days
So you're packed. Where are you going?
If you'd like ideas, my free 10-Day Escape Plan has six trips that fit inside your annual leave, from Japan and Cambodia to a New Zealand road trip. It also lists every Australian long weekend worth booking. Easter 2027 gives you 16 days off for 8 days of leave, if you get your request in early.
