Why do some people seemingly breeze through the airport with only one small bag in tow and others roll out into the arrival terminal with various luggages, plastic bags and a backpack?
For years, I have been a notorious over-packer.
I don't even know why, it's not like I wore half of the things I had stuffed into my suitcase. It was more a question of “but what if I need this”… and then obviously I never did need any of that stuff.
The truth is, that all this luggage weighted me down, let me secretly swear about the tiny space you get in Economy class, had me break into sweat whenever I saw airport staff threatening to weight my hand luggage and gave me back pain and sore shoulders walking between terminals on connecting flights.
Why Should You Pack Light?
Packing light makes very much sense, especially if you want to effortlessly manage to carry your bag or suitcase onto a plane, taxi or boat. Or have you ever tried to lift a 30kg heavy luggage up 8 floors through a tiny stairwell in Barcelona? Well, I have!
Trust me, over-packing does not only cost money, because you might get charged excess baggage fees at the airport, but it will make most trips nerve-wrecking and ultimately less fun.
Travelling light means packing enough clothes and toiletries to be comfortable but without the whole anxiety and worry about how you are going to get from one place to the next.
But how on earth do you make it happen, pack and travel light and not having to wear the same every day?
How To Pack Light For Europe
As I am about to jump on the plane for a big 6-week trip to Europe, I set myself a challenge to go lighter than usual and minimize my luggage.
After all, my time will be spend with family in Germany, friends in Sweden, a road trip across to Norway, a flight up to Iceland, another road trip driving around Iceland and back to Germany for a big birthday party.
Lots of different things to do and wardrobes I will probably need. Don't loose sight of the packing light goal yet!
Research Your Travel Destinations, Weather & Activities
For the past few weeks, I have checked weather forecasts, looked at all the things to do and see and planned out what I'd be doing in each destination.
Surely, it's going to be summer in Europe, but I am not going to the Mediterranean and Europe is still pretty big! And while you could be expecting hot summer days in the south, the northern parts of Europe may indeed get chilly!
Hiking mountains, swimming in hot springs in Iceland, city sightseeing in Stockholm, discovering Dublin's hidden gems, having a nice summer party in Germany, and a couple of flights, trains and car rides might be where you like to stay cozy.
Lastly, I anticipate that especially Iceland will be windy with potentially colder nights, also seeing that I will be driving around in a campervan for 6 nights.
Choose A Light Suitcase
While standard medium-sized suitcases often weight up to 5kg, it might be time to invest into a more lightweight solution! Obviously, the larger the suitcase is the heavier it gets. It also automatically makes you pack more, because there is still a little bit of space right, so another piece of clothing surely won't hurt, right?
For this trip to Europe I have chosen a super lightweight suitcase, the American Tourister Applite 3.0 82cm (there is also a smaller 71cm version which you might prefer), which is a soft suitcase, has 360-degree spinner wheels, a built-in TSA combination lock and is feather light. It only weights 2.9kg when empty and has enough space to bring some nice souvenirs home.
I knew I wasn't going to travel to Europe only with a carry on luggage, I am not that hard core. But in case up you want to and you are looking for the lightest carry on luggage possible, check out the American Tourister Curio Spinner 55cm or the Belle Voyage 21” Spinner Cabin Suitcase which also very light and durable but stylish.
If you are on the hunt for a light travel backpack instead of taking a suitcase, I recommend these two:
It's Okay To Wear Clothes Again
When traveling light you need to realize that any packing light tips will come with some drawbacks, as such, you should be okay with wearing your clothes at least two or three times.
It pays to take basic pieces that can easily go together but never look like you are wearing the same two days in a row. Let them air out for a day or two before re-wearing the same piece.
Washing on the road can be a dreadful experience, because you either waste a lot of time or you come home with kids-sized clothes that have a pink touch. I don't believe in finding a wash salon on the road if you can avoid it.
What you can do however, if you know you definitely need to wash a few pieces, is to take a portable washing machine. Sure, that sounds a bit over the top, and it's not a real washing machine either, but Scrubba makes a cool wash bag that helps you wash your clothes in just 3 minutes and since it's so small, you can take it anywhere, pretty cool! If you choose quick dry fabrics, you can also simply hand-wash them in the shower.
For my 6-week trip, I know I can wash my clothes once in the first two weeks, as I will be in Germany with family and potentially before the big birthday party towards the end, if need be.
Tip: Pack some Laundry Soap Sheets when traveling more than 3-4 weeks, as you surely will be doing a wash then and you don't have to go hunting or overpay for a small amount of laundry detergent at the salon.
All in all, I am planning to pack outfits for 3 weeks of traveling through Europe without any washing opportunity.
Use Packing Cubes To Keep Everything Organised
When packing light for travel, I use packing cubes. I haven't always used them and only discovered them a few months ago but it's been life, or well travel-changing.
I like these with extra compression function. Brilliant!
This way you can organize your outfits and never have to search for a piece.
It also arranges your dirty washing which used to always fling across my luggage and my clean clothes.
Bulky, heavy items come on the bottom, all the light stuff goes on top.
Plan Your Outfits Day By Day
When it comes to planning your outfits day by day for your upcoming trip, there are a few golden rules to keep in mind. First, never bring any pieces you don't wear at home often either, because you think you will finally get to wear them when traveling. You most definitely won't.
What you pack will greatly depend on the seasons and locations you're planning to visit – a beach in the south of Spain or a city trip around rainy Dublin's attractions, your clothing choices should align with the climate and activities on your agenda.
Stick to your favorite pieces that you are comfortable with, you know you will wear more than just once, and that can easily match with other colors. Versatility is key, so opt for pieces that can easily mix and match with other colors and outfits. If you find yourself wavering about a particular item, it's probably best to leave it behind. After all, you can always pick up a special something along the way.
Remember, thoughtful outfit planning not only lightens your luggage but also ensures you look and feel your best throughout your journey. So, embrace the principle of less is more, and get ready for a stylish and stress-free adventure.
The Ultimate Packing Light For Europe List
And here we go, this is my list on how to pack light for 3 weeks traveling around Europe:
Clothes:
- Waterproof fleece jacket
- Cardigan
- 2 Jumpers
- 4 tank tops
- 4 short sleeve t-shirts
- 3 pairs of pants
- 2 Leggings
- Dress
- Skirt
- 4 bras
- 10 underwear
- 7 pair of socks
- 2 pair thermals (for Iceland)
Shoes:
- Sandals
- 2 Sneakers
- Thongs
Accessories:
- Sunglasses
- Bikini
- Light scarf
- First-aid kit
- Reusable grocery bag
- Travel towel, I love this one here
Electronics:
- Power Bank
- Phone
- Laptop
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Skyroam wifi hotspot
- Chargers & cables
- International power adapter, I love this one
Toiletries:
- Face wash & spray
- Face cream
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Shaving razor
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Make up
When are you off to Europe and where will you be going?
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