The biggest mistake many first-time visitors make isn't choosing the wrong hotel or missing a train—it's bringing too much luggage. After years of traveling throughout Europe, we've discovered that packing light has made every part of our trips easier. We no longer check bags, even for vacations lasting two or three weeks. Here's why.
Contents:
- Is checking luggage really the right idea?
- Why we stopped checking bags
- Is there a better way?
- How?
- What we pack
- What we don’t pack
Is checking luggage really the right idea?
Should you check your luggage or just use a carrry on and a personal item? This is a difficult question. It depends on how much time and effort are you willing to spend hauling around large, heavy bags AND is there an alternative?
By the time you arrive at your destination dealing with extensive luggage may be a significant burden. Figuring out how to get from the airport to your hotel by navigating the train and bus system when you are jet lagged is not fun. If your itinerary includes multiple hotels it may be an even greater problem.
| Checking Bags | Carry-On Only |
|---|---|
| Wait at baggage claim | Walk straight out of the airport |
| Risk of lost luggage | Bags stay with you |
| Heavy on trains | Easy to lift |
| Hard on cobblestones | Much easier |
| Long customs connections | Simpler |
| Large hotel rooms needed | Fits anywhere |
Why we stopped checking bags at the Airport
- No long lines at check in
- No baggage claim.
- No waiting.
- No lost luggage.
Trains
- Limited Storage space
- Risk of theft
- Steep, narrow steps onto train
- Narrow, crowded platforms.
- Increase fall risk
Hotels
- Tiny elevators – if they have them
- Narrow, steep staircases
- Small rooms.
Streets
- Cobblestones.
- Rain, snow, icey conditions
- Uneven sidewalks
- Bicycle traffic
Connections at a US or Canadian airport
- Waiting for luggage to go through Customs
- Changing Terminals
- Rechecking luggage
- Passing through security
Many subway/metro/underground stations utilize turnstiles at the exits. These are cumbersome to get through with smaller luggage. Larger, heavier luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, etc. may require the staff to open a special gate to allow you through. During early or late hours the exits may not have an attendant to open the gate.
- Trains have limited storage for large luggage
- Select seats near the end of the train car or the center storage section to keep an eye on them.
- Steps up into a train car can be very steep and narrow
- cobble stones possibly break a heavy luggage wheel.
If an escalator is available it may be a single one thereby assisting travelers in one direction only . Also, as with any government facility, one cannot assume an escalator will be functional (we saw several non-functional escalators on our last trip).
🧳 Don’t Be Surprised
If, on your return trip home you have to make a connection at a US based airport you will have to gather your luggage, clear customs, possibly change terminals, recheck your luggage, and clear security before you can proceed to your gate.
To lessen the risk of having your carry on checked at the gate sign up for the Frequent Flyer Club app for your airlines. Many airlines assign members of their club to earlier boarding groups than those who are not members. On crowded flights earlier boarding is not only more convenient, it also increases the chance for finding an overhead bin for your luggage.
.🧳 Don’t Be Surprised
European airlines often have smaller carry-on size limits than North American airlines.
Ok, but what is the better way?
- Only pack a carry on and a personal item even if you are staying for two or three weeks
- Strategically locate a hotel near a laundry
- Spend a couple of hours in the morning sipping coffee and eating a pastry while your clothes are washing.
How? The laundromat is all in German!
Sitting quietly enjoying the morning is what a vacation is all about. Also, many people don’t take the time to plan their day. This is a perfect time to review your scheduled events, dinner plans, send pictures home, just sit and do nothing for a bit. Take a minute to look out the window and people watch. Relax and enjoy the peacefulness.
This is easy to solve.
Laundromats in Europe similar to North America except the machine controls are in the local language.
Process:
- Find the general directions. In the picture it is all diagrams — no text. If it is in the local language use a translation app with a camera option to take a picture of the directions so that it will translate it for you.
- Load the machine.
- Add money to the central pay station — some require coins, some will take a credit card.
- Select the machine number you are using
- This laundromat provides soap in a cup.
- Go back to your machine and use your translation app to translate the machine controls. Then choose the settings desired and the press the start button
What we pack
We generally pack enough clothes for 1/2 of the trip and have a planned day for doing laundry in our schedule. If the weather is a bit cold we wear a heavier sweater on the plane and carry our jacket with us rather than pack them. We also wear our walking shoes and try to avoid packing another pair. In winter or if heavy rain is expected we will wear water resistant shoes. We also take a backpack or similar bag.
- 5 shirts
- 2 pants
- 1 sweater
- underwear
- socks
- PJ’s
- If if will rain a lot an umbrella
- Laundry bag
- toiletries
What we don't pack
- Fancy outfits
- Extra shoes
- Laptops
- Full sized shampoo or soap
- Hair dryer/curling irons
- Sweater or jacket that can only be worn once
For years we packed huge suitcases because that’s what everyone does. Then one trip we decided to try carry-on only. We were skeptical. By the end of the trip we realized we had walked past baggage claim, climbed train station stairs more easily, fit into small hotel elevators, and never worried about lost luggage. We’ve never gone back.
Carry-on-only travel isn’t right for everyone. If you’re traveling with infants, specialized medical equipment, formal clothing, or staying in one location for an extended period, checking a bag may make more sense. For our style of travel—moving between cities by train—it has been a game changer.
