How to Pack for a Flight and a Week-Long Road Trip in a Single Carry-On

Before you start packing, choose the right tools. They will define your limits and enforce discipline. 

• A carry-on suitcase on wheels: This is your best ally. Why? First, you save on checked baggage fees. Second, you don't waste time at the baggage carousel after landing. Third – and this is key – you are 100% sure it will fit in the trunk of any car from a car hire company's fleet, even the most compact one. 
• Packing cubes: These are an absolute game-changer in organization. They allow you to compress clothes, divide them into categories, and maintain perfect order throughout your trip. No more digging through your entire suitcase to find a clean pair of socks. 
• A backpack as your personal item: In addition to the suitcase, take a comfortable backpack. This is where you'll keep your most valuable items: electronics, documents, and a small toiletry bag, in line with airline requirements.

This is the heart of the whole process. A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of clothes where almost every item matches every other, allowing you to create many different outfits.

How to build one for a week-long trip?

• Choose a color base: Stick to 2-3 neutral colors that work well together (e.g., white, black, beige, navy, grey). 
• Add one accent color: Add one bolder color to your neutral base (e.g., olive, mustard, terracotta) to liven up your outfits. 
• The 5-4-3-2-1 Rule (example for a summer trip): 
  • 5 tops (e.g., 3 T-shirts, 1 linen shirt, 1 tank top) 
  • 4 bottoms (e.g., 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of chinos, 1 skirt/dress) 
  • 3 pairs of shoes & accessories (e.g., 1 pair of comfy sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of dressier shoes, 1 belt, 1 scarf) 
  • 2 outerwear items (e.g., 1 light jacket/denim jacket, 1 sweater/hoodie) 
  • 1 swimsuit, 1 watch 
• Materials matter: Choose clothes made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics (e.g., merino, lyocell/Tencel) or those that look good slightly wrinkled (linen!). 
• Roll, don't fold! This is the most effective way to save space and avoid wrinkles. Place tightly rolled clothes into packing cubes.

The liquid limit in carry-on luggage (100 ml per container) is a rule that, thanks to modern CT scanners at airports, is slowly becoming a thing of the past. However, before you gleefully pack a full bottle of your favorite shampoo, be sure to check the regulations at your specific departure and arrival airports.

For now, the safest and most universal strategy, which also supports minimalism, is to stick to smaller containers.

• Travel-size versions and samples: Pour your favorite cosmetics into small, reusable bottles. Collect samples of creams and perfumes – they are perfect for travel. 
• Solid toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, or shower gel in bar form are a minimalist's dream. They are not subject to liquid limits, take up extremely little space, and will never leak. 
• First-aid kit: A small, handy kit is enough: painkillers, plasters, something for stomach issues, and any personal medication you take regularly.

• One universal adapter with USB ports: Instead of several chargers, take one that can charge your phone, power bank, and watch simultaneously. 
• Power bank: An absolute must-have on a road trip when navigation drains your phone's battery. 
• E-reader: Instead of heavy books, take an entire library in one lightweight device. 
• Phone mount for the car: A small but crucial gadget. It's worth asking when renting a car if the vehicle is equipped with one, or if it's better to bring your own just in case.

We know you travel light because airlines require it. We also know that your needs change after you land, especially when travelling with family.

That's why our offer is designed to supplement your minimalist luggage with everything you couldn't bring with you. Need a safe child seat? Or perhaps a GPS navigation unit to save your phone's battery? You can simply add these crucial and bulky-to-fly accessories to your online reservation. They will be waiting for you on-site, ready to use. It's that simple. That's our philosophy: you pack light, and we provide the rest to make your journey fully comfortable.

When you effortlessly close your single, lightweight carry-on suitcase the evening before your flight, you feel at peace. And when you land, bypass the crowd at the baggage carousel, walk straight to the car rental desk, and a few moments later start your journey, you feel something priceless – true independence.

Minimalist packing is not about sacrificing comfort. It's a conscious decision to free yourself from the weight of unnecessary things and make room for what truly matters in travel: experiences, adventures, and memories. It's the freedom of choice that comes with light luggage and a set of car keys in your pocket. You'll find the rest along the way.