For a week away, pack about 7 pairs of underwear and socks, 4 tops and 3 pairs of pants, and plan on laundry after that. Pick your trip length, weather and bags for the whole list, with toiletries, documents and a health kit.
How long is the trip?
What’s the weather?
How are you flying?
Your packing list
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How many clothes to pack
Travelpro’s weekend list is two to three tops, one pair of pants or shorts and three pairs each of underwear and socks. For a week it puts three pairs of pants and four shirts, mixed and matched.
Pack one pair of underwear and socks for each day, up to seven. On a longer trip, pack seven and wash clothes on the way. Wear your bulkiest shoes and coat on the plane instead of packing them.
Clothes for each trip length
Trip
Underwear and socks
Tops
Pants or shorts
1 to 3 days
3
3
1
4 to 5 days
5
4
2
6 to 8 days
7
4
3
9 to 14 days
7, then laundry
4
3
15 days or more
7, then laundry
4
3
Tops and pants for a weekend and a week, and a weekend’s underwear and socks, are Travelpro’s counts. Cold weather adds extra warm socks, a thermal base layer and a coat worn on the plane.
What stays in your carry-on
Power banks and spare lithium batteries can’t go in a checked bag. Under the FAA rule they travel in the cabin, each protected from short circuits. More on power banks on a plane.
Keep your ID, boarding pass, phone and medicines in your personal item, and pack a change of clothes in your carry-on when you check a bag.
Carry-on liquids go in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in one quart-size bag, and bigger bottles go in a checked bag. Medicine has its own allowance: see medication on a plane.
Will it fit in a carry-on?
No carry-on from Monos, Away or Travelpro is listed for a trip longer than 7 days. Packing cubes keep the clothes in order: see packing cube sizes, and for the suitcase itself, what size suitcase for my trip.
Health kit and medicines
If you have a medical condition, ask your healthcare professional what else to bring. Some countries limit the medicines you can bring in, so check with the US embassy for the country you’re visiting.
Pack two pairs of shoes for a trip of 4 days or more, and wear the bulkier pair on the plane. For a weekend, one comfortable pair is enough. In cold or wet weather, make one pair waterproof, and insulated for the cold.
What documents should I bring when traveling?
Bring your ID, or your passport for a trip abroad, and your boarding pass. Also bring copies of your passport and travel documents, your health insurance card, where you're staying and a contact card for someone at home.
Weekend and week clothes counts come from Travelpro’s packing lists, the documents and health kit from CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages, and the rules from TSA and the FAA. Suitcase trip lengths are each maker’s own. Checked against published data from Travelpro, TSA, Monos, Away and CDC (plus 19 more).
See all 50 sources
American Airlines, Carry-on bags (aa.com)
Delta Air Lines, Carry-On Baggage (delta.com)
United Airlines, Carry-on bags (united.com)
Southwest Airlines, Carryon and Personal Item Policy (support.southwest.com)
Delsey Paris, How To Choose Luggage Size: A Guide For Travelers (us.delsey.com)
CDC Travelers' Health, Pack Smart (cdc.gov)
CDC Travelers' Health, Sun Exposure (cdc.gov)
CDC Travelers' Health, Cold Weather and Travel (cdc.gov)
Travelpro blog, What to Pack for a Weekend Getaway (travelpro.com)
Travelpro blog, Five Tips to Avoid Overpacking (travelpro.com)
Travelpro blog, How to Pack Your Carry-On (travelpro.com)
Travelpro blog, Winter Trip Packing List (travelpro.com)
Travelpro blog, Five Packing Tips for the Heat When You Live Where It's Cold (travelpro.com)
Carnival, Help: prohibited items, exemptions and luggage (checked October 2026)
Norwegian Cruise Line, What can't I bring onboard? (checked October 2026)
Disney Cruise Line, Prohibited and Restricted Items (checked October 2026)
General guidance from airline, TSA and FAA rules, checked on the date shown. Rules change, and the airline and security officers decide on the day: check your airline before you fly.