We decided to travel light on a recent two-week trip to Europe and use only carry-on bags and backpacks. No checked luggage. This decision had several reasons—all tied to keeping things simple. We knew that many European cities and villages would make larger, checked luggage a nightmare as we moved from one hotel or B&B to another. The cobblestones can be tough on your body never mind a body pulling a large suitcase. And more suitcases mean more things to keep track of as you change locations.

You will walk with your luggage much further and more frequently than you realize, particularly if you are using trains and public transportation. And, if you opt to rent a car, you’ll likely park in a garage or lot within walking distance to lodging because few have parking on-site. If a medieval-walled village is on your itinerary, you’ll park outside the walls and walk in—pulling your luggage along uneven cobblestoned streets and sidewalks. Even using four-wheel swivel luggage is a struggle because of all the cracks and crevices.

Another biggie for traveling light is that checked bags get lost. Sometimes they don’t make your destination when you do. On a one-week trip to Canada, my checked bag didn’t reach me for 5 days. I now use an iTag to track bags I check but even with that tool, it’s a royal pain if your bag isn’t with you when you land.

How Do You Pack Light?

Carefully! Every item in your bag should be used for multiple days. Think like a backpacker heading off for a week. You need comfortable shoes (one pair you’ll wear on the plane, and potentially, one light pair packed as a backup), a few pairs of pants, 3-4 shirts, perhaps a sweater, a rain jacket, socks, and underwear. Plan to mix and match. I’m simplifying, but you get the idea.

There are many travel clothing stores out there. Travel and Leisure highlights a list of brands to consider if your wardrobe is lacking here.

Do a Tub of Laundry Mid-Vacation.

Doing laundry on vacation may sound like a terrible idea, but it’s a pretty simple thing if you plan it right. Bring a few laundry detergent pods from home or buy a few single-tub laundry soap packets found in the travel-size section at CVS, Target, or a similar store.

Where can you clean clothes while on vacation? There are a few options:

1. Rent an apartment with a washer so that you can wash a load at night. Just keep in mind that some countries don’t typically include dryers but have drying racks, and your clothes may need a full day or two to air dry. We found this was the case in Portugal.

2. Pick a city neighborhood or village that you are interested in walking around, and locate a public laundromat. Laundromats typically work the same as US public laundromats (coin-run) and will often have a bill-changing machine on the premises. Once your wash starts, you have about 1/2 hour to walk around. Be back in time to throw your clothes in the dryer, and you have another chunk of time to sit in a cafe and have coffee. We have never had a problem leaving our clothes in a washer or dryer. We just set our phones to be back when the cycle is done so that we are not hogging a machine should someone else need it.

3. Identify a dry cleaner that offers same-day laundry service. Drop off your laundry bag in the morning and pick up clean and dry laundry in the afternoon. This is a bit pricier than options 1 and 2 but gives you more flexibility. A friend who is traveling extensively around the globe in his retirement has found this is his best option in most countries he’s visited.

4. Due to the cost, a last resort is to pay your hotel to clean those pieces you need (if this service is available). Hotels usually charge per item which means your bill can add up quickly.

What Are the Drawbacks of Traveling With No Checked Luggage?

• Carry-on bag size and weight restrictions are tight.

  • Be aware that European carriers require smaller bag sizes than US carriers and they often check the size and weight at check-in or the gate. A good guideline for international carriers is 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches but check your airline website. Do not assume your carry-on bag used domestically will meet international requirements. Measure it.

• Many international carry-on bag weight restrictions are 16-18 pounds and airlines can be strict. With online check-in, some weigh bags at the gate and if you are over, they charge you to check the bag. Buy a luggage hand scale so that you can confirm your bags are within airline weight restrictions BEFORE you head to the airport. Pack it in your bag so that you have it to check your bag weights before your return flight.

• You are very restricted with the clothes you pack as already mentioned. Doing laundry (or having it done for you) is a reality.

• Cosmetics can take up a ton of space and weight in your carry-on or backpack. Decide what you really need and only bring the essentials. If you need standard things and don’t care about the brand—sunscreen, shampoo, and conditioner come to mind—plan on buying them in the country you are visiting. Travel has become very casual. Forget the hairspray!

• You are very restricted when purchasing any souvenirs. My understanding is that anything bought in Duty-Free Shopping does not count toward weight carry-on restrictions, but items bought during your travels do. Think size and weight of each purchase you make. Consider shipping some souvenirs home either directly from the store (if offered) or by going to a local post office. It will not be cheap. Buy any liquor at an airport duty-free shop so you can bring it on the plane with you—duty-free bags are not included in your carry-on weight or size restrictions.

Things Happen Even To Seasoned Travelers

I’m a seasoned traveler. But on one recent trip, I was not thinking like one. I had just finished walking up a steep incline of cobblestones, pulling my carry-on luggage and wearing my backpack. It was the end of a very busy day, and I was tired.

As I started to open the B&B door, the weight of my backpack threw me off balance, and I landed—in slow motion—in a nearby shrub. Two very deep scratches on my glasses mean they likely saved my eyes from injury. A bloody cut to my nose and cheekbone was the worst of it. All because what I was carrying was too heavy for me. It was crammed with souvenirs.

What a way to meet other B&B guests!

Why am I bringing this up? Well, I packed light until I started shopping. I had crammed too much into my backpack. As a final blow, the airline weighed my carry-on and backpack at the gate and the combined weight was over the limit (26.4 pounds). So I had to check my carry-on and pay a fee. I’ve read on different travel forums that this has become common practice with different European airlines, particularly low-cost carriers, although it is hit or miss.

Was the fee worth what I purchased? Maybe. Maybe not. The days of sliding in a few extra pounds at boarding may be over.