The first time I tried packing carry-on only for a two-week trip, I genuinely thought I'd packed too little. By day three I realized I'd actually packed too much. That's the secret — not "pack less", but "pack the right things, twice as ruthlessly as feels comfortable".
Why carry-on changes the trip
Skipping checked luggage isn't just about saving the fee. It's about the time you don't lose at baggage claim, the bag that won't get lost mid-connection, the trains you can hop on without dragging anything bulky, and the freedom to change plans on the fly. Once you've travelled this way, going back to a 23 kg suitcase feels weirdly stressful.
The capsule wardrobe approach
Stop thinking "outfits" and start thinking "pieces that all work together". My rule: every top should match every bottom. Five tops + three bottoms gives you fifteen combinations — more than enough for two weeks. Stick to two or three colours that play nicely together (I default to navy, white, and one accent like cream or olive).
For a two-week summer trip, that looks roughly like:
- 5 tops (a mix of t-shirts and one slightly nicer one)
- 2 trousers + 1 shorts or skirt
- 1 light jacket or cardigan
- 2 pairs of shoes max — one walking, one slightly nicer
- Underwear and socks for ~7 days (you'll do laundry once)
- 1 swimsuit if relevant
The laundry trick
This is the part most people miss. Plan to do one laundry round mid-trip, and suddenly you don't need fourteen of everything — you need seven. Most hostels have a laundry service for €10–15. If you're in an Airbnb, even better. The cost is far less than checked luggage fees over a year of trips.
The lighter your bag, the more your trip belongs to you. You're not babysitting luggage anymore.
What I always leave behind
The "just in case" pile. The fancy outfit you'll never wear. The third pair of shoes. The stack of books — your phone has a Kindle app. Specialty toiletries — most things you can buy at any pharmacy abroad, often cheaper. Cash in multiple currencies — a single travel card handles 99% of countries now.
The non-negotiables
Power adapter. Portable battery. Headphones. A basic medicine kit (painkillers, plasters, anti-diarrhoea pills — sounds dramatic but you'll be glad). A small day-bag that folds flat. Copies of your passport in your phone and email.
The packing day itself
Lay everything out on your bed before it goes in the bag. Cut whatever feels excessive in half. Roll clothes instead of folding — they take up less space and crease less. Use packing cubes if you want to feel like a real adult.
Then weigh the bag. If it's over 8 kg, take something out. The whole point is mobility, and 12 kg on your back during a hot day in a Greek alley turns "adventure" into "regret" very fast.
Two weeks, one bag. Once you've done it, you won't go back.