We took along some twist ties (the wire/paper type that comes with a loaf of bread or some brands of trash bags). We used them to secure the zippers on our day bag. They were easy for us to undo but too much work for a pickpocket! We considered zip ties but you need to carry around something to cut them off,and once removed they aren’t reusable.
I’ve done 4 weeks with one bag…but i’ve kept open the option of buying things (usually at consignment or thrift stores) while on the road…i regard it as “renting” the clothes and tend to donate them back before I get on the plane home.
Wow…I am loving all of these suggestions!!! A couple of thoughts (in no particular order):
- Love the link to the stowaway Eddie Bauer backpack. I’m going to order that for DH. The one thing I have done on past trips is take a medium sized duffle bag that folds up into it’s own case that is the size of a birthday card, but sturdy enough that it can be checked. I use that for all my dirty clothes and anything else that fits and check that bag for the last flight home. Gives me room to bring back a few things.
- Shoes. Ugh! I have issues with proper fitting shoes sometimes and have tendinitis issues in one ankle that I've been dealing with. Rothy's do not work for me - tried them and had to send back. My current casual footwear is Allbirds, which are (in my mind) a small step above "regular" sneakers. I will look at Merrill for something more shoe-like. In the past I have worn Ecco and they have worked well when traveling, but my foot size has changed and I seem to be between two sizes of Eccos - one too small and the next size up too roomy.
- Carry on backpack with no wheels: This will not work for us....DH has had shoulder issues that he has needed PT for; I like the backpack feature just for stairs in a train station or cobblestone streets (we have dragged a suitcase over cobblestones in Copenhagen and up and down stairs in Venice, neither experience I want to ever repeat.) I ordered this last night on eBags on sale - I don't know if we'll use it or not, but I think it will work as a carry on for UK - Vienna (or wherever) flight. https://www.ebags.com/product/olympia/cascade-20-rolling-carry-on-with-hideaway-backpack-straps/354775?productid=10620151 (I paid less than this last night...I think it was about $75.) I'm also going to look for the Osprey Ozone as suggested.
- Wardrobe suggestions are good ones and I have bookmarked this entire thread. I also like the idea of throwing things out as I go along. I also have no problem with lots of black (the line about having more black clothing than a funeral director made me laugh)
- We don't need any real "dress up" clothes, save for maybe one black dress that can be dressed up a bit with a scarf, but on the flip side, we also don't need any hiking type clothes or shoes. We basically like walking around cities, going to museums, visiting tourist sites, etc.
I’m sure I’ve missed some comments, but thank you SO much…you all are a wealth of information!! Feel free to PM me if you have visited Prague/Vienna/Budapest and would like to pass on any travel suggestions. This is our first trip to this region.
Must just be us but we are not fans of hand washing in the sink. If we’re going for longer than 12-14 days, I select a hotel that has on site washer/dryers available and one night after dinner, somewhere around mid-trip, we just do one to two loads of laundry. This is where it’s expensive. We just got back from Thailand and it was so inexpensive to have our clothes washed that we sent it out.
Also, if you’re going to consider a backpack only (no wheels), think about your physical fitness level. There will be long walks in airports, train stations, to taxi stands, etc. We tried this on one trip and my back was aching after awhile. We prefer wheels. Also, to maximize my space, I have a large personal size bag that fits over the handle of my bag that is the maximum size to fit under the seat. Then I pack either my longchamp (folds flat) or a packable backpack for daily use.
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/longchamp-large-le-pliage-tote/3241956
Sounds like you could encounter some coldish/cooler weather. I’d consider a packable down, which doubles as a pillow when traveling, and then a rain slicker that packs flat.
Your trip sounds fabulous!
The main thing to remember (and why we’re doing a bit of competition here about how much we can do without) is that it is SO liberating!
No checking, no worrying whether baggage shows up, No worry about getting across town or walking around town with luggage–even going into a restaurant with luggage. No sudden horror at the sight of stairs or cobblestone. No worry about the tiny size of the taxi.
I’ve done 2 weeks with a carry on as well.
I pack all dark colors that can be mixed and matched.
Roll undergarments to create more space in the bag.
I love the wrinkle free, traveller’s collection from Chico’s. Everything can be mixed and matched and it takes up no room in the suitcase.
I have had good luck with Clarke’s and Merrills for walking shoes.
“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.”
I have a black puffy type jacket that isn’t bulky in the least. It’s very lightweight and folds to nothing. And has inside pockets! It might fail on the “looks good over dinner clothing” but I figure “good enough”. I’ve no one to impress.
Scott vests has some great travel jackets.
“Must just be us but we are not fans of hand washing in the sink.”
Rick Steve says don’t wash in the sink–wear your clothes into the shower and wash them there. Skip the sink hassle and mess. Take them off as you go, hang to dry and you’re done! Put them back on in the morning. (in fact take all your dirty clothes in and enjoy a new experience.)
I’ve done this–I took kids clothes in too-- and have to admit that it is the easiest thing ever! It sounds weird but great!
But you HAVE to have quick dry clothes! Only microfiber, polyester or nylon.
Just a few things I like on my trips to Europe:
- For shoes, I really like Ecco. https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-soft-7-sneaker-43000301001.html?dwvar_43000301001_color=01001#start=1
I have a bunch of different shoes and a couple of ankle boots. I once bought a pair of black, Gortex ankle boots as a “souvenir” on a Europe trip. - PacSafe bags. I currently use this one. https://www.pacsafe.com/citysafe-cx-anti-theft-convertible-crossbody/20405219.html?cgid=bags-cross-body#start=1 I pack it inside my Patagonia lightweight tote when boarding a plane. I like the size and haven’t had issues with it when going through security at museums and such.
- Travex tops from Eddie Bauer. https://www.eddiebauer.com/product/womens-departure-long-sleeve-shirt/23124025?showProducts=&sizetype=&size=
- Tasc Performance clothing https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/144271/tasc-performance-nola-quarter-zip-top-womens?CAWELAID=120217890006133247&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15884944720&CATCI=aud-363396065244:pla-419121560870&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C404_146080%7C1442710014%7Cnone%7C36662f46-68cf-4615-b5f9-5278f8be0bd1%7Caud-363396065244:pla-419121560870&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA%7C404_146080%7C1442710014%7Cnone%7C36662f46-68cf-4615-b5f9-5278f8be0bd1&kclid=36662f46-68cf-4615-b5f9-5278f8be0bd1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp_-Yh9m34AIVXp7ACh1zwQgUEAQYASABEgICpPD_BwE
- This raincoat has worked for me. https://www.eddiebauer.com/product/womens-kona-trench-coat/20612323?showProducts=&color=100&sizetype=&size=#BVReviewsContainer
I made my own Tide packets with snack-size ziplock baggies (I found some that are longer than they are wide.) I also make one with Dawn in case I want to wash a cup or something. I then put them inside a quart-size baggie for leak insurance. I use a very small amount of liquid so the packets are flat and don’t take up valuable space.
Remember that European carry on sizes are slightly smaller than US. Also, there are options besides washing in the sink - if you stay in a nontouristy neighborhood, there may be a laundromat readily available, and if you’re in a touristy hotel, they may have laundry available. I like to leave a sweater/undies/other things behind as I travel - there’s a trail of discarded clothing out there belonging to me. And after wearing that faded sweater for a week, I’m happy to get rid of it!
I’m late to the game and haven’t read all the posts.
I’ve been to all your destinations and have done that exact itinerary. Austria and England can be cool and wet in the summer. In fact, don’t be surprised if they ARE cool and wet all summer. That wouldn’t be unusual. I’m not so sure if Prague and Budapest can be as cool, but it wouldn’t surprise me. The flip side is that when it’s hot in those places, it’s VERY hot. At least humidity isn’t an issue.
You need to pack a variety of items, but as long as you have a hoodie, a rain jacket, a couple of pairs of pants, a couple of pairs of shorts (or capris if you are female),various short and long sleeved shirts, and a couple of pairs of shoes (one suitable for wearing in rain, the other suitable for hotter days), you could get it all in a carry-on. It’s going to be a pretty full bag. My husband NEVER uses more than a carry on, and we go on trips for 2+ weeks. So it’s doable. Throw in a swim suit too. You have to go to one of the public baths in Budapest. We also had a wonderul swim in an Alpine lake in Austria on a blistering day. The next day, it was freezing and rainy though.
You will have a great time! Prague is INSANELY busy in the summer. I’ve travelled all over the world and have never been anywhere as busy as Prague. Not Venice, London, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, or NYC is as busy as Prague in the summer. Be prepared for crowds. Be sure to visit the House of Terror and Hospital in the Rock in Budapest. Very very good. In Vienna, go to the L Heiner Bakery. You can watch them make pastries in their beaufiful kitchen. In Prague, go to U Medviku and order beers. The waiter or waitress puts a tab on your table with beer mugs on it, and whenever you get another beer, a mug gets crossed off. It also has the best beer mats and you can take them as a souvenir (they’re paper.) In London, there’s too much great stuff, but with your two days, I think the Churchil War Rooms is an absolute must.
Imo, Woolite, not Tide. They used to sell packets of dry or you can get the liquid into a small travel bottle. Obviously, your best deodorant matters a lot. If Rick Steves suggests showering in your clothes, I have to wonder if he ever had to peel off soaking wet clothing. Ugh.
Wish I could link to my walking shoes, but despite a rubber sole, it’s not the obvious sole grip sort that some real hiking shoes have. Nonetheless, I could hike in them. I’ve walked all day in them. They’re sturdy, the top piece (which zips) comes up as high as laced shoes. But, we don’t go for those full hiking days. And mine are solid enough to climb over rocks, walk cobblestones, whatever, but still look like pants shoes. Ladies pants shoes, not unisex.
@Lindagaf - Thanks for the suggestions! We will be there in April, so I don’t think we’ll run into hot weather and (hopefully) not too many tourists. Interesting about Prague and summer tourists…I’ve been to Venice in summer and hated the crowds, so hope we avoid that in the spring. And I’ve been to Churchill’s War Room in London - one of my favorites there!
@lookingforward - Do you remember the brand of the wonder-shoes you refer to? 
No, sorry. El Cheapo, from some discount store, years ago. I’ve hung onto them for mostly travel.
Closest in spirit that I can show is these- imagine with a top zipper, thicker rubber sole. Mine don’t have the contrast stitching and are darker brown. (I even wear them with black jeans.) https://www.hsn.com/products/hush-puppies-mazin-cayto-nubuck-leather-dual-zip-bootie/8825108?
Merrill’s are the best.
Kudos to anyone who can do this. I need so many hair products to tame my frizz that I have to check a bag every single time. I just accept this.
Costco has some great Eddie Bauer travel pants for $20. My husband purchased a pair and now he just wants to wear them around the house 8-|
Shoes are just about the most divisive subject when it comes to traveling. Wear what is most comfortable for you. If you can walk for miles and then stand in museums, etc. in Allbirds, wear them. No one will pay attention to your shoes; you’re a tourist and they know it. I wore Josef Seibel slipons, my running shoes, or the Mephistos I bought in Paris.
We spent 3 weeks in Austria last summer as part of a 6-week trip. The biggest surprise to me was the lack of laundromats. Apparently everyone has washer/dryers in their homes, but there weren’t any in the apartments we were in until Vienna at the end of the trip. Even though I hate hand washing, necessity drove us to it and I survived. The W/D made up for an uncomfortable bed.
While our bags were technically carry-ons, we checked them on the intra-Europe flight as they were too big for the airline. We knew this going in and paid for the bags when we bought the tickets.
Vienna was fabulous. We stayed right in the center and walked everywhere. So many museums! The afternoon stop for cake and coffee or ice cream was the best way to break up the day.