This carry-on packing list for trips with hot and cold weather came from my September 2018 trip to Europe and Israel. I spent 2 weeks in Europe, in Ireland and Hungary, and one week in Israel. I was determined to only bring one carry-on bag plus my laptop bag. Ireland and Hungary were going to be between 50-60°F and Israel hot and humid. I managed to pack everything I wanted and needed into one carry-on bag without really sacrificing much.
This carry-on packing list is perfect if you want to avoid baggage fees, travel light or if you are having a hard time figuring out how to pack for two types of weather. After reading this packing list for trips with hot and cold weather, you’ll be packing like a minimalist in no time!
Carry-On Packing List Tips
So now it’s time to start packing. Before you dive in, read through these helpful tips:
- Only pack clothes you love and enjoy wearing.
- Only bring something if you will definitely wear it 3+ times.
- Pack all versatile items that can be mixed and matched.
- Don’t stress the first time around laying out your items for packing. Just lay it all out and cut down later.
- Choose your carry-on bag first and stick to only bringing what fits inside (reasonably fits inside people).
- GET PACKING CUBES and then roll each item of clothing before placing inside.
- Don’t just try packing minimally, be a minimalist packer. Your new identity chant inside your head is: “I am a minimalist packer. I travel light and in turn, I shine brighter than with a heavy bag of ‘just incases’.” 😉

Cheesing in front of Makhtesh Ramon in the Negev Desert, Israel
Carry-On Packing List for Trips With Hot & Cold Weather Overview
When you’re wondering what to pack for Ireland in September (or somewhere similar) think of chilly but comfortable temperatures. At 50-60°F, it’s not freezing and you won’t need to layer, but you’ll definitely want to be covered up. As far as what to wear in Israel, it’s going to be hot during the day and perfect at night, maybe even slightly chilly.
Colder Weather? No Problem.
If you’re facing colder weather than 50-60°F, simply switch out the medium-weight coat for a heavy coat and the chambray shirt for a warm sweater you can layer. You’re already set with long-sleeve shirts, so as long as one of your shoes is a versatile boot, you’re good to go!
Number of Clothes to Pack for Three Weeks in a Carry-On Bag
- 1 chambray shirt – Chambray shirts are so so so versatile! They can look dressy, go over a tank or you could wear it hiking or something!
- 2 long-sleeve shirts – 1 black and 1 burnt orange
- 2 tank tops – 1 turquoise spaghetti strap, 1 short tank with “dream & discover” on it
- 2 short-sleeve shirts – 1 striped crop top, 1 white shirt with floral print
- 1 black coat medium weight
- 1 pair jeans
- 2 pairs leggings – 1 black pair, 1 dark blue…but they’re like, nice leggings.
- 1 pair high-waisted shorts
- 1 black dress or romper
- 1 bikini
- 1 very thin pajama top
- 1 pair pajama shorts (If you will be in all private rooms (e.g. not hostel dorms) I’d skip this)
- 40 pairs underwear (I know I’m crazy, but I don’t like doing laundry if I don’t have to and I wear one pair during the day and one pair for sleep)
- 3 bras
- 7 socks

Feeding goats and sheep at the Lios on Slea Head Drive was amazing!
Shoes to Pack on Hot & Cold Weather Trip
1 pair black boots
1 pair rubber flip flops
1 pair black flats

Dinner at Fishy Fishy for my mom’s birthday in Kinsale, Ireland
Accessories to Pack
Scarf – floral print to add a little pop to whatever I’m wearing
4 pairs earrings
1 ring
1 pair cheap sunglasses

Standing on a beautiful hill/graveyard in Strandhill, Ireland
Toiletries to Pack
4 oz. Shampoo
4 oz. Conditioner
Razor
2 oz. Clinique Foaming Face Wash
Q-tips
Tube mascara
Small jar of foundation powder
Small jar of bronzer powder
1 oz. Clinique Even Better liquid concealer
Travel-size tooth paste
Tooth brush
Cotton headband
Related Post: Non-Toxic Female Toiletries for Your Carry-On Packing List

Appreciating the awesome landscape art in Hod Hasharon, Israel on Yom Kippur (there are no cars on the road during the tradition).
Electronics & Miscellaneous
Laptop charger
iPhone charger
Universal adapter
Notepad
Headphones
Glasses
Hair straightener inside cloth case
Travel lock

Eagle Creek Backpack
Backpacks & Bags for Hot & Cold Weather Trip
Eagle Creek backpack
Mesh packing cubes
Compact day pack
Black purse
Laptop bag* – this is seriously the sleekest, most compact laptop case I’ve ever seen. The side pocket has room to fit my MacBook charger, iPhone charger and headphones.
Would I Pack Anything Differently After the Trip?
As you can see in the photos, I rarely wore my boots. It turned out the weather in Ireland wasn’t nearly as cold as I expected, so I’m glad I brought a versatile pair of flats that were comfortable. The boots were worn, just mainly in transit and at night when temperatures were lower. Other than that, I wore everything over and over again.
Happy packing!
Love,
Tara
*She Needs Less is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Do you have any packing tips or tricks that always get you by? I’m always trying to improve my minimalist packing game, so let’s connect in the comment section below!
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