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The One-Bag Packing Checklist

This is the exact checklist we run before every trip, three days or three weeks, carry-on only. Tick things off on screen, or print it and stick it to the fridge. Built from our one-bag travel kit guide.

prints clean on one page, no ads, no nonsense

The bag itself

35 to 40L carry-on backpack or cabin case (check your airline's size limits) Weighed at home, under the airline's cabin weight limit Luggage tag with contact details old-school but works AirTag or tracker inside, in case of gate-check

Documents & money

Passport (valid 6+ months for most destinations) Boarding passes downloaded offline Travel insurance details saved offline One backup card, stored separately from your wallet Small amount of local currency for arrival Photocopy or photo of passport in cloud storage

Clothes (the capsule)

7 tops maximum, all colours that mix and match 4 bottoms maximum, one smart-enough pair 2 pairs of shoes only, wear the bulkier pair on the plane Underwear + socks for 7 days (sink-wash beyond that) One packable rain layer Everything in compression packing cubes, one per category Swimwear if there is any chance of water there is always a chance

Rolled tops sit side by side in the case, so every item stays in view without unpacking the lot. Video: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.

Toiletries

Hanging toiletry bag with removable clear liquids pouch All liquids under 100ml, in the clear pouch, ready for security Solid alternatives where possible (shampoo bar, solid deodorant) Paracetamol, plasters, any prescription meds in original packaging SPF, whatever the destination yes, even city breaks

Tech

Power bank, charged, in your carry-on (never hold luggage) One GaN wall charger + cables for everything you carry Universal travel adapter (buy before the airport, they triple the price) Headphones, ideally noise-cancelling for long-haul eSIM installed or roaming plan confirmed before departure Offline maps downloaded for your destination

Black GO PAC travel adapter resting on an open zip pouch holding coiled charging cables, on a hotel bed — Keep the adapter, charger and cables together in one pouch, so the whole tech kit comes out in one go at security and at the hotel.

Flight comfort (long-haul)

Travel pillow that actually supports your neck Eye mask + earplugs Compression socks for flights over 5 hours Empty water bottle (fill after security) Snacks that will not melt, crumble everywhere, or offend your neighbour

Two of the essentials, from us

Our own memory foam travel pillow and travel plug adapter, £14.99 each with free UK shipping.

Shop GO PAC Read the full guide

Packing for someone else's trip? See gifts for someone going travelling.