Tricks for Packing Light
Share your creative tricks to fit your world into a small bag for a European trip.
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
1 dress/skirt 30 + looks
I like to pack light, but I also like to look good. This is one size fits 2-16, can be worn about 30 different ways and is supposed to be hand washed. It comes in all sorts of colors. dress it up, dress it down.. it looks great and it is easy. There are styles that you can wear a bra with. I have both the satin and jersey-- jersey is more versitle. It isn't cheap, but it is worth it. Butter by Nadia-- check it out! www.butterbynadia.com
Cara
Houston, tx USA 06/26/2009
Travel Hair Brush
On my last trip, the only hair brush I brought was a little folding comb/brush combo with far-apart brush bristles that have tiny 'balls' on the ends, and it worked great! In the past I've carried around a wide-toothed comb to detangle after shampooing, but this one little gizmo replaces that, too!
Grandma
Euless, TX USA 06/26/2009
Travel Deodorant
Years ago I started using a deodorant stone (a natural product that seems to last forever) at home, and now I take a small 'leftover-end-piece' that's still big enough to hold, in my travel bag. It's simple, cheap, and in a solid - easy to travel with - form.
RKG
TX USA 06/26/2009
Itty - Bitty Toiletry
The perfect concentrated hair conditioner is a leave-in product by Garnier - Fructis - Sleek & Shine. For my short (& sometimes fuzzy) hair, a one-time use is only dime-size - so for travel I just squirt out what I think I'll need for my trip plus just a little more - just in case I get stranded somewhere - and the amount is still tiny.
Bekka
D/FW, TX USA 06/24/2009
Travel Pants
Zip on zip off pants are easy to convert for those important events. They add ease to my travels. I got some at REI.
Joseph
Los Angeles, USA 06/22/2009
Pants for all occasions
When touring Italy I found convertible pants to be essential. In the morning we would tour cathedrals which require pants. In the afternoon the weather became warm so all I had to do was zip off the legs and I was in shorts. Almost all backpacking outlets offer these pants in synthetics that dry quickly.
Charles <email>
Las Vegas, NV USA 06/20/2009
Dad gear Jacket
I like to be spontaneous so have eurail will travel, hop on hop off when the mood strikes me attitude. However, with heavy luggage, you are limited in where you can go and who will let you in with a heavy pack or luggage or you wind up standing in line to check a pack and then pick it up when you could be out exploring. My secret is a dad gear fleece jacket. Target sells them as do lots of on line stores. Basically, it is a fleece jacket with lots of pockets for the "dad" who wants to wear the diaper bag not carry one. The pockets are huge and they hold everything without bulging out or looking like a travel vest. I use a packing folder with the plastic overlay cut down to fit the huge pocket on the back, also acts as a lumbar pillow for those long flights! It holds a pair of yoga pants which I can layer under my REI cargo pants if it is cold or wear alone,an extra shirt made of polyester like a very thin hoodie (mountain gear buttersft) and silk underwear.I wear cargo pants, tee, and overshirt with zip airline pocket. My e-reader,packable rain jacket, orakaso flat fold plate (great for picnics in the room, and wraps around my reader to protect it). I also have a buff wear headcover, it works great as a head band, neck warmer, hat and can be used a a towel in a pinch. My toiletries and misc things fit in the large inside pockets with ipod, etc in the upper chest pocket. A very small waist wallet with essentials and a kiva pocket tote for market trips makes up the rest of my items. I can go anywhere and don't have to check bags anywhere. I rinse every thing out at night and am ready to go the next day. I would encourage everyone to go light, it changes your whole perspective and lets you wander where ever you want!
Tina
Los Angeles, CA USA 06/20/2009
Great Travel Shirts
I found Kohl's Axcess (polyester/rayon)
pullover to be ideal for travel. Classy, lightweight, quickdrying and is wrinkle free.
Will
MN USA 06/15/2009
See everything Packing
I only travel with carry on, one of which is an oversized soft 18X11 black shoulder bag.I discovered that those heavy plastic zippered bags that sheet sets come in are a perfect packing tool. I put everything small that I can organize into separate zip lock baggies, cosmetics, my liquids, meds,jewelry, hair elastics,first aid stuff, phone chargers,adapters etc. and through them into the large plastic bag and also things that are a bit large like my hair brush. I put this in the centered zippered compartment. Books,Travel file, computer (sometimes) all fit in the side compartment.This goes under the seat in front. It is so easy even at 30,000 feet, in a cramped space, to pull out the big plastic bag turn it a few times and find just what I need. Also reduces searching if you stay in a different place every night like hubby prefers.
Helen
Vieques, PR USA 06/14/2009
No faded clothes for me
Sorry, but I don't want to wear faded clothes on the plane or anywhere else on my vacation. You can always pack several nice looking tees that can be handwashed and will look great with your black outfit.
bettyk
Missouri City, TX USA 06/11/2009
Tricks for packing light
I have two biggies with packing...
#1---Take almost wornout t shirts to travel in, sleep in, work out in, layer under outfits...and then pitch. A stack of these means that you will have plenty to wear..and then room for new stuff to bring home. (I do the same with underwear.)
#2---MUST HAVE--all Black outfit for women. A couple of nice looking colored shawls do not take any room...give you a shot of color and style...and these will carry you into ANY restaurant...or evening Opera, Symphony, Theatre. The on-air shopping shows sell ones that will roll up into nothing. A simple pair of black flats to finish the look.
And--one final tip---I wear lots of Black knit sports outfits at home so will wear one of those on the plane for the long flight over that is faded and about gone...and that is the first thing that I pitch when I arrive.
Joan
Indianapolis, in USA 06/07/2009
Torn apart guide books
Most of us tear apart our guidebooks to only contain the needed pages. Take those pages and the front and back cover to your copy center/office supply store and for $5-7 and 10 min. they can serial bind it for you. It will lie flat and hold together for the whole trip. Also laminate the cheat sheet for each language.
Diane <email>
Tucson, az USA 06/05/2009
Buy a kindle
Buy a Kindle! You can have many of Rick's guidebooks, his louvre tour & all your other books on a 10oz kindle! It's the best
Ambrosia Harwood <email>
Mar Vista, CA USA 06/04/2009
Packing light
If you want to pack light than just buy a small bag. If you don't have the space you can't pack to many things.
Emma
Star, Idaho USA 06/03/2009
Shower-cap those wet umbrellas
Use your shower cap as a cover for your wet umbrella. While traveling around Ireland my umbrella was dripping wet so I grab my shower cap so I could put the wet umbrella in my bag. My traveling buddies liked the idea and they all were shower-capping their umbrellas by the next day.
Jane <email>
Portland, Or USA 06/01/2009
Great travel slacks and shirts)
I highly recommend Dockers iron free cotton khaki's as travel slacks. They are light weight, dry fast and are iron free. Additionaly, I found some very nice long sleeve collared dress shirts ("GEORGE", 60%cotton/40% polyester) at Walmart that are also wringle free. Last September I enjoyed a month traveling (Backpacking) in Germany and Central Europe and the DOCKERS were great.
Will
MN USA 05/28/2009
Light Jackets for Colder Weather
I love my REI Mistral Soft-Shell Jacket, it has a fleece inside and the outer shell allows light rain to just bead right off. I travel in October every year and I have found this paired with my Eddie Bauer RipPac Packable Jacket are the perfect way to stay warm and dry. I also pack a pair of silk or poly-pro long johns just in case. The REI Soft-Shell jacket in black is sleek-looking and can be paired with a scarf to dress it up a bit. Add a smart looking hat and a pair of gloves and you can be comfortable just about anywhere.
Kristy
Tacom, WA USA 05/08/2009
Best carry-on ever!
My Kelty Hub convertible is my new best friend. It holds everything for a month's travel and that's without expanding it. I'm planning to buy another to put away for the future. My Pacsafe SlingPac 100 is my day bag. I travel very light.
coco
DC Metro, USA 05/03/2009
Convertible Bags
I absolutely love my Osprey Porter 46. It is carry-on size, light weight, has comfortable zip-a-way backpack straps and waist belt, compression straps on the outside to make your bag smaller when it is not full, and I think it looks a little more stylish than most of its competitors. However, there is no one, perfect bag for everyone. www.onebagger.squarespace.com is a good website for convertible bag reviews.
Heather <email>
Mukilteo, WA USA 05/01/2009
Essentials for Packing Light
My husband & I go to Europe for five or six weeks at a time, usually combining two Rick Steves tours with independent travel, and using only carry on luggage. My travel essentials include Rick's Roll-Aboard, Civita Day Pack, Silk Moneybelt (an expectation on Rick's tours), a Micronet travel towel (perfect for wicking moisture from hand washed clothing), a Kiva Pocket Tote (now available in the Rick Steves collection & great as a market bag in place of your day pack) & a hooded raincoat from Travelsmith. I pack using large plastic bags & packing cubes. My favorite travel clothing, lightweight & appropriate for washing in a hotel room sink, includes ExOfficio & Columbia sportswear & Tilley's socks. Previously committed to Tumi wheeled luggage, I purchased Rick's Convertible Carry-On Bag for my first European trip. At 5'1", I found it somewhat cumbersome (although several petite women seem to do fine with it). Now I use a Rick Steves Roll-Aboard for all of my airline travel. With each trip, we pack lighter than the time before!
Patrice
Pittsford, New York USA 04/22/2009
best luggage
If you are looking for ultra light-weight luggage try Tutto.com. It is sturdy, stackable without falling over, and best of all, collapsible so it will fit under a bed. Great for extended stays in a small hotel room or on a cruise ship. See video on website.
Mary
Holliston, MA USA 04/20/2009
Classic Convertible - as Checked Luggage!
I need to take more stuff along with me on an upcoming trip than will fit in the Appenzell Day Pack I use for my carry-on "one bag" with my "must have" travel essentials (couple of days of clothes, bathroom stuff, comfort items).
So what do I turn to, for a "checked" bag?
A Rick Steves Classic convertible, of course!
Why?
After all, the Classic is "only" carry-on size.
Well, because the same features that make if great for carry-on also mean it's great for checking in as well.
To start with, it only weighs 2.9 pounds.
And tt's got an ideal rectangular shape for packing efficienty (no rounded corners or trapezoidal tops).
The compression straps on the outside means I can check it in underfilled (I'm not a packing glutton, after all) and leave space for souvenirs on the return - without stuff otherwise rattling around in a partially filled traditional bag.
It has tie downs in the main compartment. Which is great if I don't use packing cubes.
The Steves Packing Cubes - cheap, and the best on the market! - are designed to fit perfectly in the main compartment, if you prefer the organization provided by packing cubes. (The Steves versions are great because they are light, compress down so they don't waste space if they are only partially filled, and have "wire frames" to keep their shape.)
There's a front slash pocket that's perfectly sized for a jacket - whether to put on when you arrive, or to stow after a chilly departure city (and flight!).
A lot of people turn to "too much bag" when confronted with the "check-in" option. Their thinking is that if they are accepting the need to check a bag in, suddenly it doesn't matter what size, weight, and functionality that bag offers.
But that's not true. There's still a surprising amount of hauling to be done even with a checked-in bag - there aren't always porters or (free) luggage carts.
So it's important to keep raw bag weight down, as light as possible. That's where the Classic excels, it only weighs 2.9 pounds, compared to an average of 10 pounds for a wheelie, for example, and even compared to comparable soft-side bags, which are usually 4.0 pounds.
Also, the Classic is soft-sided unlike a rigid wheelie. There is no exo- or endo-skelton taking away clothing space, as with a wheelie. And it will cram into a small foreign taxi trunk, unlike a wheelie...and won't punish you, if you have to ride with it on your lap, unlike a wheelie.
Finally, you can pull out the backpack straps (they pull out and clip on quickly and easily) and wear the Classic if you have to walk a little further, carrying your carry-on bag on one shoulder or in your hand. The backpack straps are a LOT more efficient solution to the carrying problem than wheels, exo or endoskeleton, rigide sides, and 7 pounds extra weight - a wheelie isn't a good solution. And I'll take dual backpack straps, distributing the weight equally over both shoulders. over a painful single sided shoulder strap on a duffel or shoulder bag anyday.
So all in all, there are a lot of good reasons why one of the best "carry-on" bags ALSO makes a great "check-in" bag.
It's not even that crazy to carry-on one, and check one...if you are a bit of a packing glutton.
Michael W.
San Francisco, CA USA 04/14/2009
Keep ears warm
On a late March trip to Victoria, BC I **almost** took an ear band that I use to bike to work in the winter. I regreted the "almost". Vic was chilly, windy & damp. Next time, I'll pack the band.
Fred
Cleveland, OH USA 04/13/2009
Travel Bag recommendation
I highly recommend the luggage from High Sierra Sport Company. They are a small family run organization who talks to their customers. I will be using for our 6 week trip this year the Next Level-NL2148 wheeled carry-on and a Transport pack. In terms of price/weight/durability/functionality these are some of the best I have seen. We use public transportation and a lot of walking on our trips (2 Rick Steves tours this year). We need luggage that can take the European streets and not fall apart. The Transport pack even has a separate day pack which can secure on the front straps for security. The combination of a pack and a wheeled back gives me the flexibility to travel comfortably and securely.
Leigh V. <email>
Pittsford, NY USA 04/10/2009
Packing Light
I love Rick and agree almost 100% with his travel philosophy. I do have my own system for traveling light which is a slight departure from Rick's philosophy. I have a 22" Samsonite hardshell spinner which I can carry on the plane. On my trips to Europe I pack a medium size JanSport backpack inside my spinner with limited clothing and necessary items. I like to shop and buy so by the end of the trip, my backpack is being utilized for all my treasures and my 22" spinner is checked on the flight coming home. Carrying my backpack on my back and rolling my small suitcase through the train stations and airport coming home is not a big problem.
Jenny P <email>
San Diego, CA USA 04/05/2009
Packing REALLY light
Broke my foot in Hallstaat and sent my suitcase hOme. I kept ricks favorite day pack and my favorite sling bag.
His bag held( and I got by well on) 1 pair slacks, 4 jersys,1 lite wool v-neck sweator,1 rainjacket, 1 bra,3 panties,2 socks 1 sleep shirt ,1 pair of flats, my cosmetics,tour book pages,camera,monocular,1 spare book.
I wore 1 pair of slacks(poly to dry at night)1 jersey, and walking shoes,1 set underwear and a scarf. My sling had my water,sandwich,book,a pashima,emergency kit(purell,aspirin etc.). I was on crutches for a week and then a cane so needed my hands free to get on and off trains. I had more then enough as I washed slacks every other night. I was ready to throw my clothes away when I got home but less helped me thru an impossible situation and I had a GREAT time.
PS. Hallstaat was an ideal spot to break my foot. The people were so nice to me ...as they were in Melk,Vienna Prague and London... Next trip will be a bag only slightly larger then the day pack. a
V Rankins
Tracys Landing , MD USA 04/03/2009
travel bag recommendation
My Wife and I purchased Rick's convertible carry-on/backpacks. They are fantastic. I was amazed at what I could get stuffed in there and how easy it was to move thru the airports/train stations. Everything we needed for a three week Euro trip fit nicely in the two bags. We also have Rick's Civita day bag - perfect for holding guide book, camera, etc for the day.
Casey
Clermont, FL USA 04/02/2009
Pockets- cont.
When we first started to travel to Europe, my husband bought a photgrapher's vest. More pockets than you can imagine. It really made bringing stuff homme simple!
Toni
Charlotte, NC USA 03/31/2009
Lightweight silk clothing lightens load
I have discovered a great Canadian online company to buy my silk clothing that I take when I travel. It is www.kimallansilk.com - I have no financial interest in the company, but they have fantastic service and I love their items.
My husband and I both take the silk long underwear and underpants with us - folds next to nothing, washes easily and dries quickly when first rolled up in a thick towel to absorb excess water.
I wear one set of long underwear on the plane and pack the other set. I also wear the camisole to save washing my tops as often. I love silk because it is natural, lightweight, doesn't get sticky like manmade fibers and dries quicker than cotton.
Debbie
Southern Ontario, ON Canada 03/28/2009
adapter tips for portable electronics
gomadic.com has these adapter tips and retractable USB cables that helps to cut down on the number of chargers you need to pack. I have adapter tips for my kindle, ipod and phone.
Wayne Phillips <email>
Norwalk, CT USA 03/27/2009
Chargepod
Chargepod by Callpod is similar to the Gomadic device except you can charge up to six items at the same time
www.callpod.com/products/chargepod
Franklin
USA 03/27/2009
It's all about pockets!
We just returned from three weeks travel through Britain, France, Germany and Italy...all made easier because of the pockets in my husband's clothes. Rather than carry a day bag or a purse, we put the stuff in the pockets of his pants, shirts and his coat. He favors the clothing line of ExOfficio, which has zippered closures on all of the pockets. His all-weather Eddie Bauer coat was lined with pockets. In addition to our ID and money, we carried a small umbrella and our Rick Steves guidebooks. We feel that not carrying a bag of any sort allowed us to travel without the constant worry of being pickpocketed.
Gail Neubert
Woodinville, WA USA 03/14/2009
Solid shampoos and other toiletries
Doug Dyment's One Bag site turned me on to Lush solid shampoos and EcoDent tooth powder about two years ago. I now lighten my load by using tap water in my room to suds up my solid shampoo and tooth powder instead of carrying around the water added by toiletry manufacturers. Because I have no liquids or gels in my carryon, going through security takes less time. And another benefit is that my two ounce solid shampoo lasts three months on the road, and the tooth powder about six, so I don't have to spend my vacation searching for toiletries. Lush is a Canadian company that makes its products by hand from very high quality essential oils and other fair traded ingredients. It has stores in major cities throughout the world, but the online store and those in the US and Canada have the best prices. Ecodent is a European company that now manufactures in the US. Their toothbrushes with replaceable heads are also handy if you happen to drop your brush or wear out the bristles on a long trip. Ecodent products are available in many drugstores.
Joelle Brink
Knoxville, TN USA 03/09/2009
Europe backpacks
Frank, I have heard very lauditory reviews of Osprey's Porter 46. I checked one out at REI last week and intend to get one for my next 3-week trip to Europe. I hiked two weeks in the Swiss alps a couple years ago carrying only a Millet Hiker II 38. Although not a travel pack, it worked very well for me. It has excellent pockets for organization. Above all I'd avoid a backpacking internal or external frame pack.
Dwayne Daehler <email>
West Lafayette, Indian USA 03/03/2009
Packing light for shoulder season travel
I also use Rick's latest Back Door Bag and my only problem is that I don't have enough stuff to fill it. Ever since I discovered cashmere sweaters (which I buy for around $5o in the US spring sales) packing light has been a no brainer. They are light, compact and very warm. The crew neck type is most versitile because it can function as underwear, a sport sweater, and, with a scarf, a chic outfit for dinner or a concert. I learned this as a student in France. Clothes are expensive in Europe so French women typically invest in quality dark-colored basics and dress them up as appropriate. (It's the home of the "little black dress".) They may also use the same sweater as underwear, sportswear and formal wear on different occasions. With this "dressing light" approach, packing light is a breze. For winter travel I pack a second cashmere sweater and silk long underwear so I can double-up if necessary and enjoy a new look on warmer days. With a lightweight packable rain jacket I'm good to go.
Joelle Brink
Knoxville, TN USA 02/19/2009
JanSport Euro Sak
I agree with Bill the JanSport Euro Sak is a great travelpack. I like that it is 10" deep because I have to carry a piece of medical equipment (CPAP). I use my daypack as a packing cube so if I need to slim it down to meet carry-on size, I pull it out and carry on 2 bags.
Larry <email>
Germantown, MD USA 02/14/2009
Travel Bag
We each used the eBags "Weekender Convertible" carry-on suitcase with hide-away shoulder straps. It worked great for a three week tour of Austria, Germany, France and England! We traveled in the Winter of 2007 and were able to carry a weeks worth of clothes, a few guide books and still have room to spare. The bag easily stows away in both a train and a airplane on-board cargo space as well as under the seat storage space. It is light weight (3.10 lbs)and easy to handle. We sometimes emptied it out and used it as a day pack for in town trips with ease. This is hands down our favorite piece of luggage!
Megan & Hailey
Marietta, GA USA 01/28/2009
Great Backpack
I spent a month (September 2008) backpacking in Germany and was extremly pleased with my JanSport Euro Sak (Backpack). It is carry on size and has many great features. Happy Travels!
Bill Budd <email>
La Crescent,, MN USA 01/26/2009
RE: What's the Best Backpack
Frank, I just returned from a winter trip to Europe and took only my Rick Steves Classic Back Door Bag. I think it is the best value you will find in a full size carry on backpack. Use the rest of your budget for a set of packing cubes and a few critical accessories like a proper clothes line. Spend some serious time at OneBag.com and keep in mind that the goal is to pack light, not to learn how to put more stuff in the space available! Have a great trip.
Bill B
Houston, TX USA 01/19/2009
What's the Best Backpack
I will be going on my first European backpacking trip this March. I want to travel light and try to stick to Rick's guidelines as best as possible. For those of you who have backpacked through Europe, can you recommend a quality backback? I want to use an internal frame that is small enough to carry on. Although I'm going for 4 weeks, I plan to only bring 1.5 week's worth of clothes and wash them as I go. What pack would work best for me and my $150 budget?
Frank
Tampa, FL USA 01/14/2009
bring neutrals but don't fear color!
If you're traveling to a colder climate, or traveling in the winter months, remember that dressing monochromatically may depress you after a few days. After a week of looking at gray and black (on your back and outside) you may be very irritated. I don't wear scarves, but I would definitely suggest bringing some brightly colored clothing as long as it coordinates. It will cheer you up when you wear it -- like a bright yellow umbrella on a rainy day. For me, my go-to fixes are a bright colored Marmot Precip rainjacket, painting my toenails a bright color, wearing cheerful pajamas, and when I go out a bright yellow t-shirt that I let a tiny bit peek out of a black or gray sweater. Don't overdo it but don't be afraid of something colorful!
USA 01/10/2009