When I first wrote about our plan to spend months exploring Europe, one detail received some extra attention: the fact that we were each taking a single (small, wheeled) carry-on suitcase and one backpack per person. Plenty of you said there was NO way you could travel so lightly!!
When I asked if anyone had questions about our trip, I wasn’t surprised that people were curious to hear about our experience of packing for long-term travel with such limited luggage space.
You can see our luggage in the pictures above—that was it! For 110 days! Across multiple countries and wildly different weather conditions!!
I’m happy to report that it worked remarkably well.
I’ll try to break everything down and answer your packing-centric questions, though my pictures are a bit lacking. I find taking pictures of packing procedures tedious and boring, so I never do it. Also, if you want to know how to pack expertly, you need to talk to my husband. (A guest post idea, maybe?) His proficiency with packing is truly incredible and in the interest of transparency, for most of the trip I had him pack my things because he can get at least 25% more into a suitcase than I can.
Part 1 of this little Q&A series ran a few weeks ago, where I talked about how I plan itineraries when we travel.
Table of Contents
Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Luggage Did We Take?
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We each had a wheeled carry-on suitcase (the kids’ were both thrift store finds; John had a new Level8 carry-on—specifically chosen for its wide handle—and I used a Kenneth Cole Reaction wheeled suitcase we already owned)… and we each had a backpack.
The limited size was occasionally tough, but it was also a blessing. We had to navigate public transit quite a bit with all our luggage in tow, and carry-on suitcases were much easier to schlepp through transit stations, onto buses, etc.
They also stowed more easily on trains, buses and, of course, planes. Not to mention inside hotel rooms and apartments. Large suitcases would have given us more room, but they would have made every transition significantly harder!
The Packing Items I Loved Most
I bought this BAGSMART hanging toiletry bag before we left and was thrilled with it. Of all the items I took with me on the trip, this was my favourite in terms of packing convenience.
It was so, so, so handy and could hold SO MUCH STUFF. Our daughter had a slightly smaller hanging toiletry bag.
Being able to unzip the bag, hang it from a hook and see everything at once was extremely useful—especially in bathrooms with minimal counter space.
Compression packing cubes are great. We didn’t take enough!
I always used to pack my liquids in Ziploc bags, but we are now big fans of transparent, zippered bags that are TSA-approved.
I bought some inexpensive toothbrush covers (those take up a lot less space than a toothbrush holder).
And I packed a lot of little things like bobby pins and earrings in thick sealable plastic sleeves you can buy at crafting stores. These were AMAZING at keeping all sorts of items organized.
We bought each of the the kids this exact travel journal. It was great. Belle wrote every single day the entire trip and absolutely loves flipping through it. Indy… managed to keep up with things (loosely) until Helsinki and then his journalling petered out. But I’d consider it a big win and we were very happy with the quality of the product!
My Kobo was hands-down one of the best things I brought on this trip. (I got mine second-hand but I’ve linked to a newer version of the one I have.) I used it constantly.
Universal chargers, Goodr sunglasses, and eye masks like this (one for everyone!) were all worth the space they took up in our luggage.
Did We Use Everything We Brought With Us?
No.
Some clothes were put into donation boxes. Since we get most of our clothing second-hand, it didn’t pain me too much to leave things behind.
We also left some clothes in Helsinki in a locker at the office where John works so he could bring them back to Canada on subsequent work trips.
For the most part, though, we had what we needed.
Clothes I Rarely Wore
Overall, the weather was cooler than I expected.
A few things received almost no use:
- A black bodysuit (wore it zero times)
- A black skirt (wore it zero times)
- Several T-shirts (wore a handful of times)
- One dress I only wore once or twice
My jeans weren’t as comfortable as some of my other pants, so I didn’t wear them very often. That said, I wore them enough that I think (?) they deserved the space they took up in my luggage.
I also took a heavy puffer vest, which I used quite a bit during the colder months but eventually donated.
I bought it for $15 at a consignment store, and it was so bulky that I left it behind in Helsinki. (I knew it wasn’t going to be cold enough to need it in Denmark and Wales.)
The Columbia jacket I bought on discount that came with a removable liner was amazing and I used it ALL. THE. TIME.
Aren’t You Glad You Left the Polka-Dotted Jumpsuit at Home?
Jana asked this question because, before the trip, I shared pictures of different clothing options.
I tried everything on, mixed and matched outfits and took pictures so I could get a better sense of what deserved space in my suitcase.
And yes, Jana: I am glad I didn’t take the polka-dotted jumpsuit.
I wouldn’t have had many opportunities to use it since the weather was relatively cool for most of our time in Europe. (And it’s not exactly convenient for bathroom breaks.)
You were right!
Packing for Several Seasons
We all took coats and needed them.
We also packed gloves and hats and used them often enough that I was glad we had brought them.
That’s one tricky part of travelling for several months: the weather can vary wildly, and it’s difficult to pack lightly when you need to be prepared for everything from cold rain to sunshine. (Most of the places we stayed had umbrellas but we did end up buying one.)
Layering was essential.
Photos above: we went from chilly Zurich to sweltering Monaco in a handful of days.
The Medical Supplies/Toiletries I Was Glad to Have
I took almost everything we ended up needing:
- Fingernail clippers
- A digital thermometer
- Basic medications
The thermometer was especially important. At one point, Belle had a sky-high temperature, and I was so glad we could check it rather than guessing.
For medications, I took a single weekly pill divider with each “day” filled with a different OTC product:
- Advil (ibuprofen)
- Aleve (naproxen)
- Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Drowsy antihistamines
- Non-drowsy antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Gravol (didn’t end up using, but I wanted some for our boat ride from Helsinki to Stockholm)
We came home with some of everything left, but it was reassuring to have a small supply of things we might need.
I did forget to pack Band-Aids; a rookie mistake! But, guess what… they sell Band-Aids (or plasters) in Europe.
What Did We Buy in Europe?
We bought consumable products like:
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Sunscreen
- Facecloths because this is just not a thing in Europe which BAFFLES me.
There was no point trying to carry enough toiletries for three whole months. I didn’t end up needing to buy any makeup or deodorant. I did buy one nail polish on a whim and LOVE it enough that I’m going to get John to hunt it down next time he’s in Europe.
We did buy a few clothing items! I bought one shirt (the blue one pictured above) and we bought Belle a sweatshirt, two other shirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, and a pair of sneakers (she paid for the sneakers; she had plenty of footwear, but wanted a specific Adidas pair).
Did I Get Sick of My Clothes?
Not really.
I like having limited options and am relatively unfussed by wearing the same thing again and again.
A few items didn’t make their way back to Canada, and the timing of our return worked well. I transitioned directly into wearing dresses most days… my favourite summer uniform.
What Would We Do Differently?
There isn’t much I would change.
Neither pair of jeans was overly comfortable because they were a bit loose around my waist. I suppose I could have left those at home or replaced them with better-fitting options.
I would also take fewer T-shirts. I packed three or four and rarely wore them. (I almost always run cold, not hot!)
It’s almost impossible to pack for several months without bringing a few things that get little or no use.
The important thing is that we had the items we genuinely needed, and we managed to travel for 110 days without dragging enormous suitcases around Europe.
Would We Travel Carry-On Only Again?
Yes!!!!!
It forced us to be selective, but it made the actual travel days so much easier.
When we were climbing stairs or trying to find space on public transit, I was very glad we didn’t have larger bags.
Packing for long-term travel with carry-on luggage occasionally felt restrictive, but the freedom of having less luggage was 100% worth it.
Your turn:
- Could you travel for several months with only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack?
- What do you bring on almost every trip and then never use?
- Do you have any more packing questions for me?
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How did you launder your clothes, and how often?
Great question!
All three long-term stays (a month in Vienna, Helsinki, and Cardiff) had washing machines. So we did laundry as often as needed in each of those places.
When we were visiting my brother and SIL in Denmark, we had access to their washer and dryer (the only place with a separate washer/dryer). The only other place we did laundry was at our apartment outside Venice where we stayed 2 nights (we did one load).
We never went more than a week without access to laundry.
Well done! You really don’t want to travel around Europe loaded down with heavy bags, especially if you’re using public transport. Social media has been having fun with US tourists discovering that historic Italian towns don’t necessarily come with elevators and escalators! 😂
For me, doing multi-day hikes in remote areas is always an eye-opener when it comes to packing efficiently and travelling light. You take tiny amounts of toiletries, all squeezed into a single Ziploc bag. Two sets of underwear and two T-shirts: one set you wear while you hand wash the other in a sink, and then you just hope it dries before you need to change. And if you forget something, you either go without it or hope someone else has brought one you can borrow.
The way we travel (public transit, not Uber), it’s especially challenging to navigate places with bulky luggage! And for our roadtrip it was HARD to squeeze everything into our rental car which was a station wagon (so not the smallest option at all). Imagine if we’d had “normal” checked bags. It would have been impossible!!
I have only handwashed underwear a handful of times in the sink in my life (and never needed to on this trip); I know it’s a go-to strategy for a lot of people but I admit I HATE it! I try to have enough socks and underwear to last a week, and I generally don’t mind re-wearing the same clothes unless they actually got dirty.
I would love if we could finally put this washcloth/facecloth myth to bed once and for all.
We Europeans *do* use them. I, in southern Europe, could find 20 in my house within 5 minutes.
But they are a personal item and aren’t laundered and shared as towels are. So when you travel you bring your own.
We have them, we love them, we use them … we consider them as personal as a toothbrush.
Okay this is fascinating to me and the first time I’ve ever had an explanation! Thank you for clarifying.
I’m perplexed about hotels, though. Do they expect people to always bring their own? I guess, if they’re treated like a toothbrush, the answer would be yes!
But I also find it hard to find faceclothes to buy in stores. What I bought as a substitute was actually a microfibre dishcloth.
Yeah, it feels like one of those puzzles where a piece is missing.
You: you don’t use them!
Us: we do!
… then crickets rather than an explanation. Sorry?
I buy mine in supermarkets, in the homeware section or in multipacks in IKEA. When I travel, including to hotels, I always pack a couple and a small ziplock. Then I’m not trying to put a damp facecloth in my suitcase.
This makes so much sense to me now! Like I said, I have never heard a single explanation!
When we go for a short-term trip I always pack a few, so it makes zero sense I didn’t put a few in when we headed over this time, but it’s kind of fun that I now have two cute…dishclothes… in my linen closet from Europe.
ELISABETH!!! I HAVE THE EXACT SAME TOILETRY BAG, COMPRESSION CUBES, AND TRAVEL JOURNAL!!! I love all of them and that toiletry bag in particular is clutch, with the handle and the ability to hang from the bathroom door. I am, as you know, a huge proponent of carryon only, but I have never gone for such an extended period of time. I guess the change in seasons/ weather would be the trickiest. I think as long as you have access to laundry, you can totally do it. And my thinking is that if you need something, you can buy it.
I’ve gotten pretty good at packing, in that I haven’t had many items that I’ve packed and not used/ worn, or if I didn’t use them, there was a reason and I was still happy taking it. Like, I took a bathing suit to Africa and it turned out to be too chilly to swim, but I am still glad I had the option. Also bathing suits don’t take up much room!
I LOVE THAT toiletry bag. It is so inexpensive and works SO well.
Yes, bathing suits (and a few extra pairs of undies) don’t take up much space and they’re nice to have. I found having a good rainjacket that was roomy enough for wearing a sweater underneath was also important. That way I didn’t need two different coats.
I do regularly fall into the trap of taking warm-weather clothes when I should know myself at this point. I am almost always COLD and need to make sure I prioritize lots of layers and assume I’ll want sweaters almost every day.
It makes perfect sense that you would want to travel with only carryons, when you were switching locations so often. And it’s amazing how much you can actually fit in a wheeled carryon plus backpack (especially, it seems, if John is doing the packing!) I would ask if you had room for souvenirs, but I assume that room was made by leaving some things behind.
I could definitely travel like this, and I wear the same thing over and over again in my regular life so that wouldn’t bother me at all!
I like not having many choices and I don’t mind wearing the same outfits over and over. I can see how it would be very hard for someone who loves variety and fashion options 🙂
We bought a handful of small souvenirs that took up very little space (mostly key chains) and yes, leaving some items behind allowed us to have enough space to bring those home. I actually also left a few things (like a couple of Christmas ornaments I bought on our trip) in Helsinki in John’s locker because I knew I didn’t need to lug those around with me! And he just brought them home after a recent trip to Finland.
Travelling with carry-ons is so efficient for all the reasons you pointed out – navigating planes, trains, and automobiles!! I have not taken an extended trip as you have but I know I would pack light. As long as I have access to laundry facilities it’s manageable and toiletries can be purchased once I arrive to my destination if not available at the place I am staying.
The item we use the least when travelling is our bathing suits. We always say we will use the hotel pool and we never do.
What a great idea you had to donate items you didn’t want to bring back!
Yes! I did use my bathing suit once (for the sauna), but if we hadn’t gone there, I never would have used it. I’m not a big swimmer as an adult (I get cold too easily). But, as Nicole pointed out, the good thing about bathing suits is they don’t take up much space, so I do generally toss it in when we go places.
I could get by with a carry on and backpack for myself, and my husband manages his travels with a small backpack. But I always overpack if I’m helping my kids- too many years of Littles make me want to prepare for sartorial mishaps.
And now I know to bring my own washcloths if I go to Europe.
Yes! Definitely bring washclothes (and bandaids… though they sell them there, that was my biggest “medical supply” oversight and I needed them a few times when I didn’t have them).
I never through that it would work to go carry on only until I tried it and then I never looked back. Minimalist wardrobe FTW!
No matter how lightly I pack, I find that I almost always bring clothes that I don’t wear. Like I might bring three shirts for a one week trip and just alternate two shirts for the entire time. The only thing that I’ve ever gotten caught on is unexpected weather. For example, the forecast was 90s for the entire week when I went to Illinois and Iowa, so I only brought shorts. Then the temperature unexpectedly fell into the high 60s on the last two days so I was a little chilly. It wasn’t a show stopper though, and I have no plans to start carrying “all weather” clothes for summer trips.
It really does make a huge difference for ease of travel. And I think a lot of people assume they couldn’t do it… without trying it.
I have never NOT brought things I didn’t wear and I have never NOT regretted failure to pack at least one item. It’s a moving target. But I must, must, must, must always remind myself that I tend cold. On far too many occasions I haven’t had enough warm layers. I’m getting better about that, thankfully.
Also, 60s in shorts. BRRRRRR.
ooh — what about SHOES? I always wonder about shoes.
Also – did you bring a laptop? I feel like I always want to bring my laptop, but then I end up doing just fine with my tablet. Shoes and electronics seem to be where my packing gets bogged down. I think paring down clothes is easy, especially if you have access to laundry.
Fingernail clippers are so important! I have it on my “do NOT forget” packing list because even though I don’t always use them, it’s torture when I need them and don’t have them.
The facecloth thing is so fascinating! I remember going to England with my Husband’s family for his sister’s wedding and his mother was so bewildered that there were no facecloths at the hotel – she found it just so unbelievable that the front desk couldn’t supply her with any. But not I’m glad I know to just bring my own.
Great question. I had one pair of boots and one pair of sneakers and that was it! Belle had a few extra pairs of shoes because… she likes shoes. She she ended up with 2 pairs of sneakers, UGGs, and Birks. John and Indy also had a pair of sneakers and a pair of boots.
I definitely brought my laptop. We had FOUR laptops, four phones (one without cell capabilities Indy can use for audiobooks + taking pictures), and John’s iPad. So… a lot of tech.
💯 on bringing only carry on bags regardless of trip length. We just got back from Japan for 2+ weeks and had 3 roller bags for 4 of us, and one was empty so we could pack a whole suitcase of souvenirs! We took trains everywhere and it’s very difficult to find luggage space for anything larger than a carry on. That’s what laundry machines are for! Our favorite (and frugal!) travel habit is to collect ticket stubs, museum pamphlets and such and make homemade scrapbooks of our journeys. (We staple together good quality art paper for the books themselves.) Japan was wonderful for this because they have stamps at every shrine with beautiful calligraphy and many museums and other cultural institutions have lovely stamps as well (many folks buy shrine books for stamps so there’s a strong culture around stamps.) They also have the most beautiful packaging, we found ourselves saving a lot of bags and will cut those for our scrapbooks.
Genius to travel with an extra suitcase!!
It is so, so hard to find places for luggage on trains. There is usually one small spot at the start of each carriage that isn’t really designed for full-sized luggage to begin with and it fills up SO fast. And then when people have no option but to keep it next to their seat, it blocks the aisles.
Love your scrapbook tradition. What a great way to celebrate the adventure, and with using things you already collect naturally while travelling.
This was perfectly timed. I’m starting to get my butt into gear checking if we have what we need for a holiday in a couple of months.
I *hate* my folding toiletry bag. It’s got all the spaces and folds up nicely…when it’s empty. As soon as you put anything it then it makes it impossible to clip. I might have to look seriously at the one you shared – would it be enough to hold basics for three of us, do you think? I use a subtl stack for makeup so that won’t take up much extra space.
We’re shoe shopping for new runners this weekend, and then starting to think about wardrobes. Capsule wardrobe for the win!
If only I wasn’t so determined to take my planner with me – I’m lost without it every day, but that and pens takes up so much space. I’m ordering a cool new pencil case to try out tho.
The one I have is quite big and if there wasn’t any makeup, I would definitely think you could (fairly easily) fit in things for 3 people.
I think there might be an even bigger size of it?
[…] for their go-to travel clothes, or any tips for packing at all, I’d love to hear them. Elisabeth just did an amazing round up of everything they packed for Europe, and I’m totally checking out […]
I loved to hear how you were able to fit everything into carry-on. Did you know there is a whole one-bagging community with tricks and tips? (I researched for my long weekend trip to Boston in May, which ended up not happening).
My only concern when I go overseas is that I always end up taking there or bringing home items that cannot go into carry-on. It’s a problem LOL did you have anything like that?
I have never read anything by the “one-bagging community” but I can 100% believe it’s a huge thing. I should check it out. I bet I’d get lots of good tips.
We left a few things in Helsinki at John’s office that he could bring home on a subsequent trip, and then we left a few clothing items at donation boxes in a few spots, but we didn’t buy much, and everything we did pick up by way of souvenirs was small!