How to travel light for two weeks or more: layering, laundry and liquids

TUREFF• •0

Packing a cabin bag for a weekend is easy. Making it last two weeks, a month or a long trip across different climates is where people give up and check a suitcase. The secret is not packing more cleverly but needing less: clothes that layer, a laundry routine and toiletries that do not depend on the liquids rules.

Think in a loop, not a list

On a long trip you are not packing for every day; you are packing for about one week and washing as you go. Two weeks or two months need almost the same bag. A practical base for most trips:

4 or 5 tops, including at least one that looks smart enough for a nice dinner
2 bottoms, plus shorts or a skirt if it is warm
1 warm mid-layer, such as a fleece or light jumper
1 lightweight waterproof jacket
underwear and socks for about 4 to 5 days
1 set of sleepwear, which can double as lounge clothes
2 pairs of shoes at most: one comfortable for walking, one lighter

Layering beats bulky clothes

Layers let one small wardrobe cover cold mornings, warm afternoons and air-conditioned trains.

Base layer: a T-shirt or thin long-sleeved top. Merino wool resists smells and can be worn more than once between washes; quick-drying synthetics are cheaper and dry fastest.
Mid layer: fleece, a thin down jacket that packs into its own pocket, or a cardigan.
Outer layer: a packable waterproof shell that blocks wind.
Add a hat, gloves and a scarf for cold destinations; they take little space and add a lot of warmth.

For a trip that spans seasons, buy the one bulky item you need locally rather than carrying it for weeks.

Laundry on the road

Sink washing: a small bottle of travel wash or a bar of laundry soap, a universal sink plug, and five minutes in the evening. Wash, rinse, then roll each item tightly in a towel and press to remove most of the water before hanging.
A travel washing line, stretchy and peg-free, hangs almost anywhere.
Wash in the evening so things have all night to dry.
Launderettes and laundry services are cheap and common in many countries. Plan a proper wash every week or so.
Book somewhere with a washing machine every week or two on a long trip; many apartments and hostels have them.

Liquids: check every airport on your route

For years, liquids in hand luggage have been limited to containers of 100 ml or less in one small clear bag. Newer CT scanners have changed that at some airports: in the UK, for example, several large airports now allow larger containers, while others still apply the 100 ml limit even though you may leave liquids in your bag. Rules in the EU have changed back and forth as scanners were approved, and the US TSA still uses its 3-1-1 rule. On a long trip you will pass through several airports, so the safe approach is to pack to the 100 ml rule unless you have checked the official security page of every airport you will fly from. Easier still, avoid liquids:

solid shampoo, conditioner, soap and deodorant
toothpaste tablets
buy sun cream and full-size toiletries at your destination and leave them behind or pass them on

Packing tips for a long trip

Use packing cubes and keep each one to a category.
Leave a little room: you will buy things.
A foldable daypack or tote gives you a day bag and extra space for the flight home.
Keep chargers, a universal adaptor, medicines and documents in one pouch that never leaves your day bag.
Check your airline's cabin bag dimensions and weight for each flight; they differ by airline and fare.

What not to bring

A different outfit for every occasion
Full-size bottles of anything
Books you can carry on a phone or e-reader
Things you could buy cheaply if you really needed them

Have you travelled for weeks with only a small bag? Share your best laundry trick, or ask about your own route, in the comments.