DH and I will be taking a two week trip to Europe this spring - London for just two days (we’ve been there before, but got the best deal flying there) and 2-3 other cities TBD, most likely Vienna/Prague/Budapest. Because of a good amount of train travel I am thinking that we should just do a carry on piece of luggage along with a smaller backpack/daypack.
Have you done this before? I need advice on packing this light. Any other trips even close to this long we have taken larger bags that we needed to check. But I actually kind of like the idea of going lighter.
Any suggestions for a specific bag to take? I have the usual carry-on roller bag but I don’t think it’s an efficient use of space. I read somewhere that a wheeled bag that is also a backpack would be useful, kind of like this one: https://www.luggagepros.com/eagle-creek-exploration-series-switchback-international-carry-on.shtml
It makes it easier to take up and down stairs in train stations. I’m hoping for something a bit more economical than this one if possible since I would need to get one for each of us, along with it being kind of light yet sturdy.
Any advice or suggestions welcome! Thanks!
I will usually purchase a brand new pair of comfortable walking shoes (that don’t need breaking in) in a solid darker color like Black, Grey, or Navy.That way you have plenty of cushion and tread for everyday wear and will save lots of room in your luggage by not bringing multiple pairs of shoes. The other space saver I discovered was owning a packable jacket. My wife and I both have Patagonia jackets that can really pack small.
Love your tentative add-on cities. Been to all 3 and they are great choices. Have a memorable time!
I did an 8 day trip in China with a similar backpack with wheels, but in the end I never used it as a backpack. We were on lots of escalators. If I were shopping again I’d just get a regular wheeled bag that’s the biggest carry-on allowed. My second under the seat bag was a backpack so it was easier to wear that on my back than to carry it by its handle. It was cold so we had a lot of thermal underwear. My nicest outfit was black pants, a nicer looking but still essentially black pull-on top, a cardigan and a silk scarf to dress it up.
I have “It luggage” that fits under the seats-with 4 wheels and almost weightless. The wheels are terrific and the bag holds a lot; the wheels don’t add weight in the way most still do. It would work well for a trip like you describe.
I did a two week Europe trip in winter with a regular backpack and a carryon with wheels. It’s definitely doable in terms of lugging it around and packing enough warm stuff. Staying in Airbnbs that had washer and dryers helped with recycling outfits. I always wore my heavy coat and my boots so they weren’t taking up space in the luggage when we traveled from city to city (plane and trains). I brought 3 pairs of heavy black leggings and a couple of skinny jeans which took up hardly any room. I brought 2 thermal l/s tops to layer under my sweaters which weren’t very thick because my jacket was down filled. Some scarves gave my outfits a pop of color and were versatile pieces (wore them as shawls at dinner).
I looked at your luggage selection link and I really like those pieces!! I say buy it and you’ll be more than fine with them.
@my2sunz I travel carryon almost always. I really like the Osprey Ozone - very light and has durable wheels. I pack a few solid colored bottoms and mix and match tops in a unified color palette to make multiple outfits. Like @CALSmom, I use scarves and a couple of signature jewelry pieces to dress things up. Icebreaker makes good non-itchy light wool layers that dry overnight (rental properties may often have a clothes washer but not always a clothes drier). Uniqlo has similar items at a lower price. Thermasilk tops and leggings are also great and take up virtually no space or weight. A puffer coat is versatile for all kinds of weather and can be stuffed into a packing cube when not needed. Enjoy your trip!
There’s much more. All sorts of tricks about taking the lug out of luggage.
I like this one:
It’s hard to be disciplined and take so few choices with you, but the rewards are many. And, you may come home with that lovely jar of gourmet British jam and find that they sell it at World Market. Eat the jam while you’re there and travel light!
My D and I have done several two-week European trips with just backpacks and has been great. Don’t recommend the usual roller carry-on. Here are some resources:
I have a 13x20 wheelie that’s sturdy and weighs 5 lbs. $16 at Walmart. I have handsome, very light, synthetic v-neck pullover sweater tops that weigh just ounces and are good in all sorts of weather, can serve casual or dressy. A few tank tops to wear under, if needed. Yes, I bring a silk scarf or two. I don’t think you’ll be cold enough for anything bulky, but a silk thermal shirt is a light insurance option. A few light shirts, one black cardigan sweater, black jeans, leggings (and some shorter leggings to sleep in.) I think the current limit on carry-on is 21 x 13.5 x 7.5. You can double check that number.
But my concession to small luggage is a willingness to take a taxi, rather than walk great distances if it’s too cold. I take a light knee-length raincoat. That was fine in Rome in January, Irelandin February. Our next size up is about 14x24. That needs checking in as baggage. No issues here with wheelies, up stairs or down. Having done the 40 lb backpack trips when younger, I’d rather wheel than wear.
@my2sunz have you tried looking at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s or Ross for luggage? They usually have pretty good selections much cheaper than the ones you’re considering.
On a side note, don’t mean to hijack your thread but I’m taking another trip across the pond but this time my flight is nonstop (11hrs). Any tips on how to knock out for this long of a flight? This will be the longest time in the air for me. I have a hard time sleeping on planes as it is. I have the essentials: sleep mask, ear plugs, noise canceling headphones, travel pillow.
We traveled to Copenhagen, London, through Italy and Barcelona for 4 weeks with wheeled carryons. Pulling luggage over cobblestone streets is no fun! The size of our bags were not an issue on the trains but they may be on the airlines that you use. Make sure to check their baggage allowances because they may vary. Mine was a very inexpensive canvas rolling bag (soft sides). DH used his hard shell carryon and before boarding on a flight between Barcelona and London, they made him put his bag in the measuring box at the gate. Fortunately, it fit but someone else behind us had to pay an extra $100 to check his non-compliant bag. Btw, I lov
We stayed in a couple of places with washing machines and it helped immensely. For ideas on what to pack, check out “capsule wardrobe for spring travel” or “two weeks in Europe with carryon” on Pinterest.
Last spring in Paris, it was so cold, I think I wore the same two-three pairs of jeans and leggings. (Febreeze fabric spray is the best!) I also wore the same jacket so it looked I never changed in my photos outdoors. Lol.
Yes, I’ve done it (and in winter when I was carrying clothes that kept me warm during a blizzard) – and my daughter has spent an entire summer that way. You actually can get quite a lot into a small suitcase if you plan well.
Check out REI for really lightweight clothing. I like their skirts when I travel… for summer trips I’ll often pack several skirts and wear those for both casual and dressier occasions.
I also bought bought something similar thinking it would be great for international travel, took in one one trip and never used it again. If you bring a daypack as your other carry-on, you can’t wear two bags on your back at one time, so there’s not much point.
After that I just brought a daypack and a very light weight carry-on spinner (MaxLite TravelPro) and packed all my clothes in two gallon ziplocs - the ones you get at the grocery store, not the fancy ones from the travel stores. You’d be amazed at how much more you can fit in a suitcase when you use those bags and squeeze all the air out. It also keeps clothes from wrinkling to the degree they do otherwise.
We pulled off 4 weeks in Europe last year with one carry-on backpack and small personal bag each. We also airbnb-ed everywhere and I made sure there was a washer-dryer at every place (was a bit challenging in some cities). Traveling light was liberating, especially since many apartments required climbing up steps.
We found the TLS Mother Lode weekender convertible at ebags.com and Osprey Farpoint 40 were small enough to be carry-ons on even the discount airlines in Europe, and large enough to stash everything we needed for summer travel.
Tip: splurge for a private compartment on the Prague-Vienna train, it was only about 10 Euros more per person, was very comfortable, and came with complimentary refreshments.
We did two weeks in France, headed over from the UK on a cheap-o airline with just a carry on. Minimal toiletries, Lululemons, camisole tank tops, short and long sleeve thin t-shirts and a nice scarf. My scarf was great for moderating my comfort as temperatures shifted. I think I took one sundress, easy to pack, just for dressing up. My jacket and bulkier shoes I wore on the plane.
I think you need to take the rolling carryon and a backpack that fits snuggly over the carryon handle, also. You can do it, I think it’s actually easier with a multi city vacation.
Let’s say you do 4 cities. Plan on wearing each outfit 4 times (just pretend you”re going to one city for 4 nights and do a scaled down wardrobe. Add in a couple lightweight scarves and a couple necklaces for variation. 3 pairs of shoes…wear the bulkiest on the plane. I like an “evening” shoe, so I take a wedge heel. Pack a lightweight sneaker.
Get out everything you think you want and then start playing around with it. Take one of those lightweight packable coats. They are so warm and pack up so small.
It was liberating when we did it in Italy for 10 nights. We did all train travel, too. I had a 19” suitcase even! DH has a 22”, I think I would have preferred that…just a tiny bit more room. We like Eagle Creek and Travelon.
