Travel overseas with just a carry-on backpack? Yes, really!

Last Updated on June 12, 2023

Being in our mid-40’s raising two teenagers and a tween while working hectic jobs in the States, we are not your typical European backpackers. But that’s exactly what we become when we travel overseas with just our carry-on backpack.

No, we don’t generally stay in hostels anymore (although often we seek out budget accommodations), but we still find it essential to travel with just a backpack on our back.

Our friends and family often ask us how we manage to travel so light. Truth is, we find it essential for efficient travel. Packing light can be challenging, but the benefits are huge – especially for international travel. Most of our trips abroad are to Europe, but packing light – especially utilizing a carry-on backpack – is beneficial for all international travel.

6 reasons we prefer a carry-on backpack to a suitcase on our European travels.

1. We like to be as mobile as possible.

We are travelers on the go, moving around a lot. Being limited in vacation time means we plan our itinerary to fit in as much as we can. We seek out multiple destinations on our trips and like being as portable as possible. Having just one manageable bag to pack, grab and go is easier for our way of travel.

2. Maneuvering public transportation is easier with a backpack.

We use public transportation almost exclusively while traveling abroad. Buses, trains, ferries, gondolas, funiculars, the metro – they are cost effective ways to get around European cities and villages. They are also very busy. Wearing a backpack is easier to handle on crowded buses and metros than pulling behind a wheeled suitcase. Navigating unfamiliar modes of transportation in foreign cities while deciphering signs written in other languages can be frenzied. Sometimes we need to react quickly as the door is about to shut. It helps when we have our luggage attached to us as we make last minute decisions about whether to hop on or hop off.

3. Many European roads are not meant for small suitcase wheels.

Strolling down a quaint European village street en route to a charming historic hotel nestled among ancient buildings, mountains, or the sea is what memories are made of. Loudly and laboriously yanking your wheeled suitcase in and out of the grooves of cobblestone is not.

4. Many European hotels do not have elevators.

Upon arriving at your charming historic European hotel, be prepared for them to inform you that your room is on the fourth floor – with no lift – only a narrow, winding staircase leading up to your room. You can either skip up the stairs with your backpack attached or schlep your suitcase up one stair at a time, knocking your luggage around every winding corner as you trudge toward your room.

5. During the trip, I don’t overthink what I’m going to wear.

Packing everything I need in only a carry-on backpack takes preparation. I carefully plan out what will fit and pack fewer outfits and shoes than if I had more room. During my trip, I appreciate the planning I already put in. I have everything I need, I know what I’m going to wear, and it’s all right there. If you’re worried about not being able to take along enough items, you’ll be glad to know that large backpacks actually can fit almost as much as a small suitcase when you plan properly. However, your back will thank you if you decide to pack lighter in spite of this. 

6. Multiple pockets in carry-on backpacks make it ideal for keeping things organized.

Backpacks have lots of little pockets and compartments making it easy to store smaller items and stay organized. While living out of a backpack, you will be glad you’re able to locate everything you need for whatever adventure you have planned on your trip.

So… exactly how do we make everything fit in a carry-on backpack?

It’s really not as hard as you would think to fit all that you need into a large carry-on backpack. Here are some tips to keep in mind…

• Don’t stuff it full. A large backpack may hold almost as much as a small suitcase, but that doesn’t mean you fill it to the brim. Lugging a heavy backpack on your back will be difficult and negates the benefits of bringing only a carry-on backpack in the first place. Packing light is one of the most beneficial things you can do ahead of your trip.
• Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack. Doing so will make you throw lots of unnecessary items into your pack in the off chance you will need them. Taking time to plan your outfits can save space in your backpack and also save you time on your trip – as you won’t need to rummage through a pile of random clothes to find your outfit for the day.

• Note the weather and your planned activities. Think about what your destination’s weather will be like in the morning, mid-day and in the evening. Visualize what you will be doing each day. Temperature can be drastically different depending on the time of day and whether you are in a valley, high on a mountain, or cruising on the water, etc. What types of activities do you have planned? Hiking, biking, swimming, museums, going to nice restaurants, trendy bars?
• Choose clothes that all go together. Pack clothes that are versatile so all your tops can be matched with any bottom and vice versa. Packing this way provides ample outfit options while saving valuable backpack space.
• Prepare to re-wear clothes. Re-wearing clothes on trips is essential in packing light. This is an important rule some people have a hard time with. They may not want to be seen in the same clothes on different days or think wearing an item once automatically means it’s dirty. However, re-wearing clothes is something that is non-negotiable for packing efficiently… except for undergarments, of course.
• When necessary, launder on site. Of course there are some exceptions. Some activities leave you extra sweaty or muddy so you’re unable to re-wear your current clothes. Research ahead of time if you’ll have laundry facilities at your lodging and at what point in your trip. Then you can pack accordingly. If you won’t have access to laundry at your location, it’s easy enough to wash dirty clothing in the sink and air dry.
• Bring clothes that layer. Layering is key if you’ll be experiencing different temperatures on your trip. A long-sleeve t-shirt can add a layer of warmth under a sweatshirt when it’s cool. Wear it by itself and roll up the sleeves for a reprieve when it’s hot.
• Bring small accessories to mix it up. Packing light doesn’t mean you must forego your fashion sense. If wearing (and re-wearing) clothes that all go together seems boring to you, go ahead and pack your favorite scarf, hat, or inexpensive jewelry to accessorize and still look fashionable. No one will be able to tell you are living out of a backpack during your travels.

  

• Stay organized with packing cubes. These soft-sided bags allow you to organize your clothes and entire contents of your backpack. Whether you group items by clothing type (all socks in one bag, all shirts in another) or by outfit, your clothes will stay sorted, tidy, and can even help reduce wrinkles. An added bonus: unpacking becomes a breeze when you use packing cubes.
• Make use of pockets and compartments. While packing cubes are great for clothes, you may find it easier to use your backpack’s pockets and compartments for gadgets and things you need to reach easily while traveling. Thankfully most carry-on backpacks come with a boatload of little compartments to aid in staying organized.

To see how I put these packing tips into practice check out my article, Packing Light for a Multi-temperature Trip. With a variety of temperatures and activities to pack for, this was a real test in my packing prowess.

Are you a pro packer? Comment below and leave us your favorite tip for packing light in a carry-on backpack.