Back 20 years ago I was part of a group that really wanted to do carry-on only for our adoption trips to China.
I never quite got there (still checked one bag), but one tip I did use was to bring clothes you didn’t care about and ditch them for your return trip in favor of souvenirs. That worked great until the hotel staff in Beijing followed us to the airport and came in after us. They were returning a coat that I left in the hotel :))
^ I was going to suggest that with your underwear. I always take my worst underwear and throw it away towards the end of my trips.
Eddie Bauer has a travelex line as well. Personally, I think it comes down to shoes. You don’t want to wear runners in Europe, and need something black and comfortable for long days on cobblestones. As well as another pair for variety/dress up and slippers for hotel rooms. I have always liked a wheeled backpack for a carry on. There are places where I am very thankful to put something on my back, such as the Paris Metro where stairs are unavoidable, or the airbnb walkups I have stayed in. High Sierra is the brand I use for this flexibility. I tend to find great luggage at TJ Max. If using wheeled, It luggage is very light.
Hand washing with hotel shampoo for knits has always been my go to, rather than looking for washing machines.
Check weather carefully. I have had some very chilly trips to Europe and been glad for my long puffer coat and wool sweater. But off season is a great time to travel.
D and her then boyfriend spent an entire summer camping Europe with carry ons alone that included a lightweight tent and sleeping bags. I can’t imagine, but they were quite happy.
As a family we did 24 days in Europe with just carry on bags. We traveled to many locations spending between 2-5 days at each place so we wanted to be mobile.
We each took a carry on size back pack (E-bags brand “mother load” luggage backpacks - currently about $85) and then an additional carry on “day bag”. The bags are awesome and we have since taken them on many other multiweek trips. My youngest at the time did not have a full bag since she would not have been able to carry it full. We also used packing cubes to keep organized and help to squish things down. They were great and then we could use some for dirty and others for clean. We started off with different colored packing cubes for each person so we could mix and match the cubes into different backpacks to get the best use of space but the kids could always find their stuff.
It was challenging for me (larger size clothes and big shoes) but since I had the kids bags for some overflow it worked out great. We had going out outfits and touring outfits. We took lots of clothes that could do double/triple duty. Maxi dresses for the girls, black skirt for me that could pair with lots of things and dress up or down. I didn’t want all black since it was summer but had a lot of black basics with some prints/brights that would change it up. Even plus size summer blouses don’t take up much room, I think I took 8. Reused the same 5 bottoms over and over (3 pants, 2 skirts) also had 1 dress. We did go to many churches where we needed to be covered - long pants for the guys, longer skirts/dresses or pants and shoulders covered for us girls. We each had 3 pairs of shoes and 10 outfits all that mixed and matched. We each had a packable rain jacket, a mini umbrella, a long sleeve zippy, and a swimsuit. The kids all had some things that they didn’t need and never used. For me a large scarf was great for dressing up an outfit or covering arms in a church. It also doubled as a wrap skirt for my teen dd while she was wearing a mini skirt and we were headed into a church. She always travels with one now to wrap up in on chilly planes or for unexpected changes in weather.
We spent at least 2 days at each location so each night we did a little hand washing. We each carried a hanger, 2 clips, and I took a stretchy travel line for drying things. The kids especially had lots of quick drying things (nike collared golf shirts for my ds, and athletic shirts/ shorts that dry easily, and the little skirts travel dresses also dried easily). The sink laundry took no time at all while we were getting everyone through showers. Mid way through the trip we were at a little hotel in Austria who advertised that they would do laundry so paid like 7 euros a load and had them do a load of darks, brights, and whites. That was a life saver! If we were staying a week less we would not have bothered.
It was nice to have the freedom to get on and off flights and trains and just go. It was nice to not have to spend time packing up stuff at each location. It was nice to not have to fight with dragging wheeled luggage on crowded streets and up the stairs of little hotels. Good luck and enjoy!
Footwear- Bring two pairs of comfortable shoes plus something you can wear with a dress. Wear each for a few days in a row before you go. That way if the ones you thought you wanted to bring are going to rub or feel tight you’ll find out in advance. I find I don’t necessarily need padded walking shoes as long as what I bring fits well. I’m a fan of flats/loafers with a 1/2 inch heel.
My footwear list would be 1 pair of something you could wear to hike or get dirty (sneakers, light hiking shoes, lace up flats with a good sole, etc.), one pair comfortable slip-on flats/loafers, one pair sandals you could wear with both shorts and dresses in a neutral color.
Layers on a plane are good for comfort, but if you’re layering to save space you’ve brought too much. You don’t want to have to wear a heavy sweater and sneakers each time you get on a train, right? If anything you want to have room to spare at the beginning of the trip so you can pick up an item or two on the way.
I always have a thin, foldable pareo in my carry-on. Essentially just a large square or rectangular piece of light cloth. It works as a shawl (for a bit of warmth or to cover shoulders in churches), beach cover up, belt, picnic blanket, beach blanket, or even an emergency sundress.
No one is mentioning this, but I have had trouble in the past getting my wheeled carry on through train turnstiles! As in stuck! (As my teenager laughed at me). There must be a technique, or a video!
We recently did our first trip with backpacks only and really, really loved it, although it was very short. But using the backpack getting on and off trains, and also while walking around in between hotels, was very nice. The only problem we ran into is that it was pouring, and putting wet stuff in with the rest of our stuff was a bummer. But if you have at least two bags, or take some plastic storage bags, this can be dealt with.
We also have the EBags Motherlode weekender but haven’t tried it yet.
I “Just say No” to sneakers or runners, in Europe. When I lived there, we made up a game, Spot the American (or Brit) Tourist, and most of that came down to shoes. I have a pair of clunky, rubber soled, suede shoes that are quite nice, zip top, feminine enough (not orthopedic looking at all,) can walk in them for days. Worth looking for what suits you. The other pair is rubber soled low wedgie, for walking around the hotel or out to dinner. The forgotten issue re shoes is if they get get too wet and need a dry out.
I don’t want to look like a tourist. Maybe that’s just me. But I like stopping in somewhere and looking enough like a local. To me, it’s an icebreaker.
I take a cheap plastic poncho ($2 at the drug store) if it rains too hard. Have never even taken it out of the package. Yes to a cheap fold up unbrella.
Yes, it’s about planning well.
I’ll throw in my suggestion to pack a skort. Looks nicer than shorts but has the convenience of the under short for stair climbing, light hiking, etc. Athleta has some great versatile ones. Look for the longer length (still above knee but I love them). If you get one in a neutral you can also dress it up a bit for a dinner out with a nicer top and a pair of sandals or flats (Rothy’s are also multipurpose!)
It’s been a couple years since we went to Europe but everyone wore athletic shoes. I don’t think you could actually play spot the tourist. Keep your feet happy no matter what. Fun vacations aren’t dependent on being a fashionista.
To pack light you’ll need to wear bulky shoes on the plane.
Pack microfiber that dries quick. Especially tops, socks, and underwear. I’ve come back to a hotel, rinsed out a top, rolled it up in a towel and put it back on to go back out.(trick I learned on Rick Steve’s site). I’ve got a dress that dries in a snap–I took that. Once you have the right fabrics you are set for a long time with very little weight or need to worry about washing.
I have a plastic hanger that folds that I always take for longer trips. Very handy.
Look for clothing that have zippers/velcro rather than open pockets.
I have a 22" Delsey (pretty light) I’ve always taken but the IT nylon luggage is lighter (measure!).
Four wheels give you less room since the 2 wheeled version meets the box rather than sticking out. If there are cobblestones or rough pavement you’ll be carrying it. I personally can’t put that weight on my back (my kids could).
The lighter the suitcase the more you can load inside and stay within weight limits.
Bring an extra “personal” bag that goes on your handle of carry-on like someone suggested. But don’t fill it up! Leave plenty of room in it!
Also pack a tiny foldable bag/tote or two.
" I always take my worst underwear…"
But what if you’re in an accident? :))
You CAN do this. I agree that there is nothing worse that lugging a larger roller bag and a too heavy carryon backpack/tote bag through train stations and then having to stow them way back by the train exit while worrying about their safety.
Carry on space on US to Europe flights is plentiful, not so much on the flights within European cities. I am always blown away at how tiny the rolling carryons are for some of these travelers and tiny allotted storage space. I have had what I thought was a small bag gate checked and a couple of times I have been required to check it for $$ at the check in desk.
I am reading lots of good advice on this thread. To make this work you need have a max of 2 pair of shoes.I love the Lulu Lemon clothing, but for travel I tend to like a few pieces that are also forgiving should I decide to eat my way through Europe. Take a peak at J Jill’s Wearever line. This fabric is perfect for packing and they are all about separates. New pieces come out every mid month.
I always toss in a Smartwool 150 weight tee which takes up no space and helps keep me warm in the damp spring evenings.
For me the hardest decision is the jacket/coat. It has to be rain resistant, long enough to look decent over dinner clothing, lightweight and functional for a lot of daytime walking yet large enough to allow for an extra layer without looking bulky.
What fun!
I take my quickest drying undies. If I go for X days, I take 0.5X or so undies and wash and dry them as needed. Exofficio and Tommy John dry very quickly.
2 weeks in Spain with this backpack: https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101
There is a slightly smaller version which some people prefer: https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/tls-mother-lode-weekender-convertible-junior/241465
Make sure to watch the video to see all of the bag’s features.
Inside the backpack was this lightweight day bag: https://www.eddiebauer.com/product/stowaway-packable-20l-daypack/82300168
We found this tiny packet of Tide in the travel section at Bed Bath and Beyond - it’s just enough for hand washing in the hotel sink https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/tide-reg-3-count-travel-liquid-detergent-sink-packets/1014376747?keyword=tide-detergent
EDIT: forgot to mention to use packing cubes to keep the inside of the bags organized. They worked beautifully!
I agree about wearing athletic shoes in the city. It’s not done in Europe. I suggested them because I’m a runner and hiker. I’ve also ended up doing activities where I’ve needed shoes that won’t slip off, such as riding on a moped. If you do these types of activities you need suitable footwear.
One more suggestion-a couple of large ziplock bags. They’re great for segregating wet or smelly clothes and they’ll keep any toiletries from soaking your things if a bottle comes open.
The shoe thing can vary. I was paying attention to shoes in Hong Kong. I’d bought some discreet all black sneakers that I wore everywhere, but everyone else (especially the kids at the university) were wearing really garish sneakers. There was also a big fad for Keds style sneakers.
Anyway I bring two pairs of shoes generally, all black suede Merrells or the above black sneakers for most walking and a very comfortable pair of flats with pointy toes for dressy occasions. They’ve been tested and I can walk a couple of miles in them. I like the Merrells for airports, but they are clunkier looking than my sneakers. Just get TSA pre-check and the airport shoe issue is a non-issue.
We do tend to do some outdoor hiking most trips.
In Hong Kong and China we were never going to look like a local! But like @lookingforward I prefer to blend in if I can.
A tip I received here on CC for a 10 trip to France in one carry on was to take old pairs of underwear and even sleepwear and just toss them throughout and at the end of the trip - then you end up with a LITTLE extra room for purchased goodies! (I didn’t do this by the way…)
I like the mini-Tide pack, but you could also bring a small bottle of castile soap. They come as small as 2 ounces. You could even bring a castile soap bar and use it for laundry.
Someone who does not resemble the local Europeans or the local minorities present in significant numbers may be seen as some kind of foreigner regardless of what shoes s/he wears.
Restating the obvious :-"