Packing for a week at one beach resort and packing for a trip with six stops in Europe are two very different problems. On a multi-city route you will carry your bag up station stairs, over cobblestones, onto crowded trains and into hotels without lifts. Every extra kilo is felt many times over. Here is how to pack for a route with many moves.
Start with the constraint, not the wish list
Pick a bag first, then pack to fit it. For most multi-stop trips, a carry-on-sized suitcase or a backpack of around 35 to 45 litres is realistic. Ask yourself one question before you leave home: can I lift this over my head and carry it up a flight of stairs by myself? If not, it is too heavy.
Know your airline’s cabin rules
Low-cost airlines in Europe are strict about bag size and weight, and their allowances are often smaller than the standard carry-on in other regions. On some airlines, the free allowance is only a small under-seat bag, and a larger cabin bag costs extra. Rules change and differ by fare, so check the current allowance for each flight before you pack and again before you fly, and weigh your bag at home if the airline sets a weight limit.
When flights, luggage limits and train transfers all interact, it can help to check the whole route together rather than solving each piece separately.
Choose a wardrobe that mixes and matches
A workable packing formula for two weeks or more:
- Tops: 5 to 6, in colours that work together.
- Bottoms: 2 to 3, at least one comfortable for long walks.
- Layers: a light jacket or cardigan, plus a packable rain layer.
- Shoes: two pairs at most, both broken in. Cobblestones and long walks punish new shoes.
- Underwear and socks: 5 to 7 sets, then wash.
- One smarter outfit for a nice dinner or a performance.
The key is repeating outfits. Nobody you meet will notice that you wore the same trousers twice.
Plan to do laundry
If you carry a week’s worth of clothes and wash every five to seven days, you can travel for a month with the same bag. Many apartments have a washing machine, and most cities have a laundromat. A small bottle of travel wash or a few detergent sheets makes sink washing quick, and quick-dry fabrics help.
Dress for churches and heat
Many cathedrals and religious sites, including in Italy, Spain and Greece, expect covered shoulders and knees, and some enforce it at the door. A light scarf or shawl that you can carry in your day bag solves the problem. In summer, breathable fabrics matter more than style, especially in southern cities.
Power and electronics
Most of continental Europe uses 230-volt sockets with two round pins (types C and F), while the UK and Ireland use a different three-pin plug, and Switzerland and Italy have their own variants that some plugs do not fit. A universal adapter is safer than several single-country ones. Most phone and laptop chargers accept 100 to 240 volts, but check the label on each device, especially hair tools and razors.
Pack for pickpockets without being paranoid
Crowded stations, tourist areas and public transport in big cities are common places for petty theft. Sensible habits are enough:
- Use a cross-body bag with a zip, worn in front in crowds.
- Keep your passport and spare card separate from your main wallet.
- Do not put valuables in an outer backpack pocket.
- Keep your phone secured when standing near train doors.
Split up your day bag
Your day bag should let you drop your suitcase at a station or hotel and walk around freely. Keep in it: a refillable water bottle, a charger and power bank, a light layer, sunscreen or a rain cover depending on the forecast, and copies of tickets and reservations. Many stations have lockers where you can leave a case for several hours, which turns a travel day into a sightseeing day.
What most travellers over-pack
- Extra shoes “just in case”.
- Full-size toiletries. You can buy shampoo almost anywhere in Europe.
- Guidebooks. Download the information you need instead.
- Heavy items for rare situations. Buy an umbrella when it rains.
What people forget
- A small padlock or cable tie for hostel lockers.
- Basic medication and any prescriptions, kept in original packaging.
- A photocopy or photo of your passport, stored separately from the original.
- A reusable shopping bag for market days.
Putting it to the test
The more stops on your route, the more these choices matter. A slow trip with two bases can forgive a heavy suitcase, but a fast multi-country route makes every kilo count. If you are tempted by a very ambitious itinerary, remember that every extra stop adds another station transfer, another repack and more time carrying your bag. Trimming the route to something your suitcase, and your energy, can handle is often worth more than trimming the packing list. Whatever your route, the same rule applies: if you notice yourself struggling with your bag before you have left the first station, take something out.
Conclusion
Pack light, wash often, and leave space for the things you will want to bring home. If you want a route that suits the bag you are carrying, Let Me Plan Your Travel plans personalised European trips around your pace and travel style.
