Packing tips for 2 weeks in Europe this summer

Just got back from 10 days in Portugal.

Delays always seem to happen. We just got pimped on the flight to Amsterdam, missed our connecting flight and ended up with like a 26 hour travel day. I'd personally don't schedule a connecting flight with less than a 2 hour layover. 3 hours might be better. You can always find a longue and drink.

Always a battle for overhead space on international flights. Some within the continent, like Ryan Air, have restrictive size limits and charge more. Know your airline and dimension requirements as they can vary. IF by any way you can upgrade, say to a Delta Comfort Plus, it just makes it so much easier not to have to fight with the other cattle mooing to get on board.

Let me tell you, I'm sold on Tripped Compression Cubes.

Compression cubes can save even more precious room in a carry-on or checked bag than traditional packing cubes.

Love my Osprey Transporter Bag. Doubles as a back pack. Lots of room and compartments. Easily fits in any overhead or under your seat. My preferred "personal item" to carry on. Could use it for a week or more even if you wanted to and packed efficiently.

I usually take an extra pair of shoes. Usually wear a pair of New Balance sneakers and take a pair of All Bird loafers. Note: Almost ALL men you ever see in Europe wear sneakers like New Balance, Adidas etc.

Pro Tip: They sell toiletries in Europe. Seriously, don't over pack them. Buy what you need over there.

I love taking my Apple AirTags. One in the carry on. One in the suitcase. Great knowing where they are as you fly along the way. Get baggage transfers etc.

Take breathable and nylon type pants that can be rolled. I'm increasingly liking my Kuhl and Prana hiking pants. Pants with zipper pockets can be a plus to avoid theft.

Book ahead of time online tickets for popular attractions (say you're going to Florence and want to go to the Uffizi Gallery). Lines can be massively long during the popular times of the year.

Always carry a lot of Euro coins for tips, bathrooms, tolls etc. Always seem to happen you don't have them.

Packing cubes are game changers if you don't already use them, buy them now. So nice to know exactly where things like your socks are and they save tons of space also.

Most people VASTLY overpack. I would absolutely pack an extra set of shoes because your shoes can get wet and then you are fricked, but you have a pair on your flight on your feet. So I normally bring something I can walk all day in and then another pair of nice-ish shoes I can wear to dinner but I can also walk in if need be.

Only pack clothes that go with everything. In other words, all your shirts should go with all your pants and vice versa. Don't bring an "outfit" that only goes together.


Share shite. Also, they sell tooth paste and deodorant there believe it or not. Stuff like that, you don't need to pack. EXTRA socks also, buy if you need.

There's no reason to bring anything cheap you aren't 100% sure you are going to use.

How many people? Young kids are nice because their clothes are super small and they can bring things like extra shoes of yours' in their bags.

With kids though you need to make sure they can all carry their own stuff, or what they can't carry you can. Even if you get an airport luggage cart there's still times when you gotta carry your own stuff. Like onto the plane.

We have each kid bring a backpack for their things like tablets and entertainment, and their own snacks and water bottle. That way there is no arguing over Johnny eating the last candy bar, they have their own.


Then the luggage each kid just has to be able to roll a bag, which is easy enough usually. My 4 year old could do it for the most part.

But dad can carry the heavy things in his bag like shoes and what not, kids can just have clothes if need be.

But yes, my 4 year old we could have packed 2 weeks of clothes without doing laundry in a carry on.

International carry ons have a standard size, you'll just need to look it up. Its basically the standard carry on size.

ETA: Not packing. But for the meals, strongly consider looking into the options ahead of time and seeing if you can special order. We forgot to last time, they often have kids meals for the flights. If you don't, plan on the kids not liking the food.

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AirBnB with washer/dryers

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This, but it's also very easy to wash a few things in a tub/sink and hand up to dry. Did both this week.

I can carry on for two weeks, that's about my limit, but I always put an empty backpack in my bag. This way if I need to check on the way back I have a carry on and a small bag for day trips.

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Ive never figured out how to travel for 2 weeks with a single a carry on.. I always end up just packing and checking my bigger bag.. at which point I say f it and try to cram in everything I own!

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Gotta do laundry.

I can easily carry on:
3 pairs of pants (so 4 total)
3 polo shirts (so 4 total)
1 sweater (wear this or jacket on plane)
3 t shirts
1 long sleeve light jacket
1-2 work out shorts/ pants
5-6 pairs of underwear
5-6 pairs of socks
1 pair of shoes (2 total)
Toiletry bag

Use the packing bags to keep organized and save room.

I then bring a backpack for stuff like laptop, maybe put a sweater or jacket in there, and any other minor stuff.

That gets me through 4 days after arrival easily and maybe 5-6.

A washer/ dryer in the apt helps tremendously and I'd plan to do laundry every 4 days to be safe, or the morning of the 5th day. But again in an apt its easy.

The biggest key again is to understand there will be times you may be under dressed and to not bring anything you 100% won't wear.

just curious what is the aversion to checking bags? I only travel with my wife and we always check bags. frick lugging that shite around and fighting for bin space

I gladly pay to check at the curb and have the bag waiting when I deplane

Nole Man-

Great tips. Headed to Portugal for 14 days soon. Any good tips for Portugal? We plan to travel the mainland of the country via rental car.

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just curious what is the aversion to checking bags?

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While it is very nice to drop the bags and be light and stroll in late as you said, I've had my bags not make it too many times when I'm not staying anywhere near the final airport. It's been a PITA too many times. I definitely pack extra in carry on when checking.

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Nole Man-

Great tips. Headed to Portugal for 14 days soon. Any good tips for Portugal? We plan to travel the mainland of the country via rental car.

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Thank you. Don't want to hijack the thread too much, but FYI, will be adding a quick trip report soon and others can weigh in further.

But...

We flew into Lisbon and spent two days. Didn't like Lisbon at all.

The visit to Fatima and the shrine was amazing. Tour of the Sandeman Winery was great.

Then on to Porto, which is a very nice town, but crowded and very touristy. Later took a Douro River Cruise.

The Minho region in the northern part of the country looks spectacular, but we didn't make that.