European Logistics: How to Pack Smart

If you pack smart, your European vacation will be more enjoyable.

We all know people who bring everything but the kitchen sink for a weekend getaway. This is fine if you are traveling domestically and by car. It doesn’t work so well when you are flying across the ocean, may be traveling by public transportation during your trip, and may be staying in accommodations without elevators.

Then there are the people who take great pride in packing light. These are the folks who cram just the bare essentials into a backpack for a two-week odyssey and have to wash clothes in the sink every other night.

Our approach to packing is a happy medium. We bring enough to get through without needing a laundromat but not so much that it’s a burden to tote around. We each bring a carry-on size suitcase plus a backpack. If you pack smart, it’s amazing what you can fit in these pieces of luggage.

How Women Can Pack Smart

If you are like me, you hate wearing the same thing over and over again. Nor do you want to look the same in all your photos! I will say that it is much easier for women to achieve outfit diversity within the confines of a carry-on suitcase and a backpack than it is for men whose clothing is so much bulkier. Of course, it is also easier to pack more in warm weather than in cooler weather when you need jackets and sweaters. I have been able to fit what I need for 17-18 days in these two pieces of luggage and never need to wash anything. Here are my strategies:

  • Mix & Match. I try to pack things that can go together in multiple ways — i.e., a pair of pants can go with multiple tops and multiple accessories (jewelry/scarves). A cardigan sweater or light jacket can go with multiple pairs of pants and/or skirts.
  • Limited Color Schemes. The best way to achieve mix and match is to limit yourself to 3-4 color schemes. I usually have two neutrals (i.e., grey and brown or black) plus one or two brigher hues like red, blue, green, or purple.
  • Layering. Instead of packing a number of heavy sweaters, I choose two cardigans and a light jacket that can go over a multitude of solid color t-shirts (long or short sleeve) or lightweight turtlenecks that don’t take up a lot of room.
  • Accessorize. Scarves and jewelry are a great way to add color and variety to your wardrobe without taking up much space in your luggage.
  • Shoes are where I struggle the most but I think I’ve finally got it under control. Even so, I end up bringing four pairs – good walking shoes (depending on weather, these are gym shoes or hiking boots), neutral flats (2 pairs), and either a pair of pumps or nice boots (again, dependent on weather).
  • Purses are just big enough for my camera (and extra batteries), glasses, a small hairbrush, and lip balm. I usually bring two — one taupe and one black. Mine are cross-over mesh bags so fold flat and fit into my luggage.
  • Roll your clothes and they will be less wrinkled and take up less space.
  • Wear my bulkiest shoes, clothes and jacket on the flight so they don’t have to go in my luggage.

My biggest packing challenge was our 18-day trip to France that started in the Riviera and meandered north to Normandy that included a two-day layover in Iceland. In essence, this was a three-season trip starting with late summer weather in the Riviera, fall weather in Lyon, the Loire Valley, and Normandy, and early winter weather in Chamonix and Iceland. My pack smart list was as follows:

The other item I always bring is a nylon backpack that folds up to a small package about this size of my fist as well as a small umbrella. This bag gets used for any items purchased on the trip and also serves as a daypack or grocery bag when needed. I will say that on this France/Iceland excursion, I did end up buying a winter jacket in Chamonix (off a clearance rack) and a couple of heavy sweaters (on a sale rack) in Honfleur (that came in handy in Iceland). For the most part, however, the list above served me well.

How Men Can Pack Smart

Dave’s approach to packing smart is totally different. He goes with only one or two color schemes, both neutral. He is also much more willing to wash shirts, socks, and underwear in the sink as we go along (sometimes with hilarious consequences!).

  • 2 pairs dark dockers plus 1-2 pairs jeans (one of which is worn on the plane)
  • 6-7 high-performance, quick-dry polo shirts (predominantly long or short sleeve depending on weather). These wash up well and dry overnight if washed in your hotel sink.
  • 2 pair or moccasins — one sturdy pair for walking and one two-tone for dressier occassions
  • 1 lightweight sweater (usually black)
  • 1 rain jacket
  • 2 half-zip nylon jackets (black and another neutral – grey or navy)
  • Socks and underwear for one week. Wicking underwear washes up better and dries more quickly than cotton.

With his skinny clothing list, he can include several travel books which we reference frequently while on our trip. He also usually brings a nylon, collapsible cooler for picnics. Dave found that the above list worked pretty well for him on our three-season trip to France (although he too bought a clearance rack winter jacket in Honfleur that he was happy to have in Iceland).