This summer, I spent nearly two weeks traveling through Europe — visiting Germany, Prague, and Paris — with only a carry-on suitcase and a weekender bag. No checked luggage. No hauling huge suitcases through cobblestone streets or train stations. Just the essentials, thoughtfully packed.
It wasn’t always easy, but it was so worth it. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a carry-on work for a multi-country trip in Europe… you can! Here’s exactly what I packed, how I planned it out, and what I’d do differently next time.
The Bags I Used
- Carry-On Suitcase: A hardshell spinner that fit perfectly in overhead compartments (and passed all European airline size checks!). I packed all of my clothes and my heatless hair curler in the carry-on!
- Weekender Bag: This doubled as my personal item and held things I needed for flights or long train rides (like snacks, shoes, tech, toiletries, and an extra outfit just in case).
The Packing Strategy
- Capsule wardrobe: I stuck with mostly neutrals, so they were easy to mix/match and everything could be layered.
- Packing cubes: Total game-changer. They kept outfits organized by type and made it easy to grab what I needed.
- Laundry on the go: Whenever I had access to a laundry machine, I used it to stay on top of being able to rotate the clothes!
What I Packed
For 13 days of summer travel, here’s what actually went into my carry-on:
- 3 dresses (lightweight and easy to dress up or down)
- 2 pairs of pants (one linen, one casual)
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 maxi skirt
- 5 tops (mix of sleeveless and short-sleeved)
- 1 light cardigan
- 1 pair of comfortable walking sandals
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 crossbody bag (chic enough for day or night)
- PJs
- Underwear
- Minimal jewelry
- Travel-sized toiletries
My 2-Week Itinerary
Day 1–4: Germany (various towns)
My Dad lives in Germany, so I stayed with him for part of the trip (which helped with laundry!).
Day 5–8: Prague
Magical — think castles, cobblestone streets, and sunsets over Charles Bridge.
Day 9–12: Paris
Explored Montmartre, ate too many croissants, and picnicked under the Eiffel Tower.
Day 13: Back to Germany to Fly Home! ✈️
Top Travel Tips
- Wear your bulkiest items on travel days (like sneakers or jeans).
- Check weather before each stop and adjust packing accordingly.
- Pack a small folding tote in your carry-on in case you buy souvenirs.
- Use Google Maps offline and download public transit apps ahead of time.
- Be picky with shoes. You really only need two solid pairs max – comfort is KEY.
Final Thoughts
Traveling light gave me more freedom and flexibility. No lost luggage. No checked bag fees. And less stress all around. If I can do it, you definitely can too. Let me know if you want a more in-depth list of what I put into my toiletry bag!
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