Carry-on only: pack a family of 4 for a two-week trip

TL;DR:

Use 4 capsule wardrobes, 1 laundry day each 4–5 days.
Limit to 8–10 outfits per person from 15–18 items.
Two shoes each, plus packable rain layer, hat, and swim.
Share toiletries and tech, follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Choose bags that meet airline size, weigh when required.

You want two weeks, four people, no checked bags, no fees. You can do it with a family capsule wardrobe, a set laundry rhythm, and shared “family kits” for toiletries and tech. This guide gives you the exact lists, layouts, and rules that keep you under carry-on limits on most airlines.

Dates in this guide refer to 19 September 2025. Always confirm your airline’s rules before you fly. IATA notes that allowances vary by carrier and aircraft, even on the same trip.

Step 1: pick the right bags

Choose one overhead-size carry-on per adult or teen and one personal item each. For many airlines, a typical carry-on guide is about 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Some carriers use slightly different limits or add weight caps like 7–8 kg. Check your specific airline before buying or packing.

If any leg has a weight limit, use ultra-light bags and move dense items to personal items that fit under the seat.

Tip: Soft-sided or framed soft bags are easier to compress into tight bins than hard cases. Pack with cubes to keep family items sorted. REI and long-running packing experts teach light, multifunction setups that scale well to families.

Step 2: build four capsule wardrobes

Plan for 4–5 days of outfits, then wash and repeat. REI’s guideline of “1 hat, 2 shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 socks, 6 underwear” gets most people through a two-week trip with one or two washes. Adjust for climate.

Adults and teens (per person)

4 tops in quick-dry fabric
2–3 bottoms that mix and match
1 dress or button-down for nice dinners
1 light sweater or fleece
1 packable rain jacket
6 underwear, 5 socks
2 shoes: walking + dress/sport, worn one, pack one
Sleepwear, swimwear, hat, compact scarf

Kids (per child)

5 tops, 3 bottoms in quick-dry fabric
1 warm layer, 1 rain layer
7 underwear, 6 socks
2 shoes: sturdy sneaker + water or dress shoe
Sleepwear, swimwear, sun hat

Roll or flat-fold by outfit inside packing cubes labeled by person. Classic light-packing lists from Rick Steves and OneBag show that these counts work for long trips when paired with laundry.

Step 3: schedule laundry before you go

Book lodgings with a washer at least twice across the 14 days, or plan a laundromat stop on Day 4 or 5 and again on Day 10. Bring a few detergent sheets and a short clothesline for sink washes if needed. One-bag style lists often include compact detergent and sink-wash tools that weigh almost nothing.

Fast routine: Start a load at dinner, hang to dry overnight, finish with a quick tumble or air-dry in the morning.

Step 4: share family kits

Cut duplicates. Share what you can.

Toiletries kit, shared

1 quart-size 3-1-1 liquids bag per traveler for airport security in the U.S. and many regions
Decant shampoo, conditioner, lotion into 100 ml bottles
Solid options dodge the liquids limit: bar soap, solid shampoo, stick deodorant
TSA’s 3-1-1 rule allows containers up to 3.4 oz or 100 ml, inside one quart bag, one per person. Rules can differ by country and airport, and some airports now use CT scanners with different procedures, so always check your departure and return airports.

Tech kit, shared

1 multi-port USB charger and short cables for all devices
1 travel adapter per room, not per person
E-books and offline maps instead of heavy paper guides
Zip pouches by category: power, cameras, kids’ devices

Health/safety kit, shared

Tiny first aid: bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever
Any meds in original packaging
Two spare masks, hand sanitizer in 100 ml or less

Step 5: make outfits do more

Pick one palette for everyone. Neutral bottoms, 2 accent colors, and layers that all match. Use quick-dry fabrics so kids’ shirts and socks wash and dry overnight. Lightweight shoes matter more than a third pair. Long-time light-packing pros stress that packing less is the single biggest comfort upgrade.

Weather swings: Pack thin base layers instead of bulky sweaters. A compressible rain shell over a fleece covers most cold snaps.

Step 6: lay out the bags

Use the same layout in every carry-on so you can pack in minutes.

Bottom layer: Heavy items near the wheels or back panel.
Middle: Packing cubes by person.
Top: Rain jackets, snacks, and the liquids bag for fast removal where required. TSA recommends keeping the 3-1-1 bag accessible at checkpoints.

Personal items under the seat: Small daypack or tote with entertainment, snacks, meds, and spare layers for the cold cabin.

Step 7: if your airline weighs carry-ons

Some airlines weigh carry-ons, often at 7–8 kg. Wear your largest shoes, carry your heaviest layer, and move dense items like power banks to personal items. IATA notes many carriers set their own size and weight rules, so verify each leg, especially on regional planes.

Two-week family packing plan at a glance

Kit	What goes inside	Notes
Each person’s cube	4–5 tops, 2–3 bottoms, underwear, socks, sleepwear	Quick-dry fabrics halve laundry time.
Outerwear slot	Rain shell for each, 1 light fleece	Wear on a plane if bulky.
Shoe zone	1 packed pair each, in bags	Put socks inside to save space.
Toiletries	3–4 shared liquids total, solids for the rest	Follow 3-1-1, 1 quart bag per person.
Tech	1 charger, 1 adapter, cables, power bank	One kit for the family.
Laundry	6–8 detergent sheets, sink plug, clothesline	Book washer access twice.
Documents	Passports, cards, confirmations	Digital copies in the cloud.
Plane daypack	Snacks, water bottle, meds, layers, entertainment	Keep under the seat.

Sample family list you can copy

Adults, each

Tops 4, bottoms 2–3, light sweater, rain shell
Underwear 6, socks 5
Shoes 2, hat, swimwear, sleepwear

Kids, each

Tops 5, bottoms 3
Underwear 7, socks 6
Light sweater, rain shell, 2 shoes
Swimwear, sun hat, sleepwear

Shared

Toiletries in travel sizes that meet the 3-1-1 rule
Minimal makeup, solid sunscreen stick if available
Tech pouch, first-aid mini, laundry mini

For special plans

One set of nicer outfits for all, chosen to match existing shoes
Compact packable tote for groceries or picnics

How to keep it under control on the road

Do a 10-minute tidy every night. Return items to the same cube
Start laundry when 50 percent of clothes are dirty.
Keep one “clean flight” outfit sealed for the trip home.
Use a shared master list in Notes so kids help check items.

What about liquids and airports that changed rules?

Security rules are changing in some airports that use CT scanners, yet many still use the 100 ml liquids limit. In the United States, TSA’s 3-1-1 policy remains the baseline unless an airport states otherwise. If your outbound airport is more lenient, remember that your return airport might not be. Pack to the strictest rule on your route to avoid surprises.

Why it matters

Carry-on only saves time and money, but more than that, it simplifies travel with kids. Fewer decisions, fewer lost items, faster exits from airports. You will move easier, reach transit without lifts, and skip baggage carousels. Trusted light-packing sources prove that two weeks out of a carry-on works. Families can do the same with a plan.