How I pack for a 2-week Europe trip with a single carry-on

If you’re heading on your next Euro-trip where you’ll be hopping from city to city, one thing that I highly recommend is to pack as light a possible. After traveling the world for a year on a Broadway tour with just a single suitcase, I feel like anything is possible. I’ve gone on multiple two-week trips to various cities in Europe, and I’ve never once regretted my decision to pack light.

Packing light can do so many positive things for you trip. First and foremost, it can help you save money on plane tickets–especially if you’re taking any extra flights from city to city within Europe. Paying for a full-sized suitcase can sometimes cost an extra $100 per flight. If you can manage to pack your things in a carry-on, you’ll definitely save some money. Plus, having just a carry-on to worry about will save you time in the airport as well. Lastly, when you’re traveling around Europe on cobblestone streets, up steep staircases, through train stations and airports, the last thing you’ll want is a full sized suitcase. Having everything in one tiny carry-on will simply make everything easier.

For the purpose of this article, let’s say we’re traveling to a few major cities: London, Paris,Lisbon and Barcelona. During the summer, all of these destinations will be very warm. You’ll need clothing that’s great for going out to dinner, exploring museums, shopping, and visiting beaches, too. With all that in mind, let’s get packing!

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A Capsule Wardrobe Is Key

For a longer trip, the most realistic way to be able to bring enough outfits in a small amount of space is to create a capsule wardrobe. For this trip, I chose five bottoms and four tops that all can be mixed and matched with each other. For the bottoms, I first went with three pairs of shorts. These will be mostly worn during the day. I chose a tan linen pair, a cotton white pair, and a classic medium-length jean pair. Then, I picked out one skirt that could be good for both the day time and night time (depending on what shoe I paired it with). Then, I packed a comfortable pair of jeans, just to have incase any nights are a bit chilly.

For the tops, I chose very neutral options of varying styles. One very basic tan t-shirt, one white bodysuit, one cropped t-shirt with a martini glass on it (we need a little bit of fun) and then a dark tan tank top. It will be easy to cycle through these shirts throughout the two weeks, pairing them with different bottoms each time.

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Dresses Are A Must

Wearing sun dresses is one of the easiest things you can do on vacation. You don’t have to pair anything together–you just pick up the dress and go! They’re great for those super hot days where you don’t want your clothes too tight to your body, and they’re also great for beach days where you want something loose to throw on over your bathing suit. Whether you wear them with a pair of sneakers, a chic sandal, or cute ballet flats, sun dresses can easily be dressed up or dressed down as well.

Now, maxi dresses are great for a Europe trip as well. These are perfect for when you want to go out for a nice dinner, for drinks at a bar, or for a nice walk in the evening. Especially if you pair the right accessories, these casual-type of long dresses can feel very dressy. I decided to go with four options that were each very different from each other. They all have different shapes, patterns, and materials. That way, each night I wear one of these it will feel completely different. I thought four was a great number to bring, and I will probably wear each one twice for the duration of my trip.

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Shoes, Accessories And More

Now that we’ve gotten all of our clothing packed–it’s time for shoes, toiletries, and other necessities. For shoes, I chose three pairs to bring. One pair is a pair of white sneakers, which are great to walk around cities with. That pair will be worn on the plane, so I don’t need to worry about fitting them in my suitcase. For the second pair, I chose my favorite pair of sandals, which are great for moments at the beach as well as day time exploring. Lastly, I brought a pair of ballet flats. These are the brand Vivaia, which have a very supportive sole–perfect for walking long distances while looking a little bit more dressed up.

Especially for beachier cities like Barcelona or Lisbon, you’ll need some bathing suits. For two weeks, I think having four pairs is more that enough. Plus, two of the pairs that I chose can be mixed and matched with each other, so technically I have five options here.

Now for the rest. I packed a few accessories, like two fashion scarves which can spice up my outfits throughout the weeks. Of course, I need a hair brush and a straightener, as well as my bag of makeup. For toiletries, I keep it very simple. Believe it or not, in that small purple bag, I have a bar of soap, a bar of shampoo, a bar of conditioner, face lotion, a razor, a tooth brush, and toothpaste. When it doubt, use solid soap products.

You’re probably thinking that I forgot underwear and socks–but don’t worry, I always leave those for last! I was able to fit two weeks worth of both in a small compression cube, plus a pair of pajamas. As for the other necessities like electronics, a small purse, a book, medication, and whatever else I might need–those fit into my personal item perfectly.

Pro Tip: Always Weigh Your Bag

While major U.S. airlines rarely weigh your carry-on luggage, European regional carriers (like Ryanair, EasyJet, or Vueling) are more strict. Even if your suitcase perfectly matches the physical dimensions, many budget airlines impose a strict 10kg (22 lbs) weight limit for overhead bags. I think it’s worth it to invest in a cheap, portable luggage scale and weigh your packed bag at home and before you get on your return flight. Knowing your numbers ahead of time prevents an unexpected, expensive $100 penalty at the gate.

5 More Musts For an Extended Europe Trip

To ensure you breeze through transit from London to Lisbon without a hitch, add these five items to your pre-trip checklist:

• A Crossbody Phone Lanyard: Pickpocketing in high-traffic areas like Barcelona’s Las Ramblas or the Paris Metro is fast. A subtle, adjustable cord that anchors your phone to your wrist or shoulder case means it can’t be easily snatched out of your hand while you’re navigating maps.
• Laundry Detergent Sheets: If you’re packing light for a two-week trip, you will need to do a quick sink-wash of your favorite linen shirt or undergarments. Liquid detergent runs the risk of exploding; a couple of flat, weightless soap sheets take up less room than a index card and dissolve instantly in water.
• High-Fidelity Earplugs (Like Loops): Historic European boutique hotels are incredibly charming, but their centuries-old windows are notoriously thin. Whether it’s late-night scooters echoing off Lisbon’s cobblestones or early morning trash collection in London, a solid, reusable pair of earplugs is essential for actual sleep.
• A Packable Nanobag or Tote: Most European markets and high-street shops charge for bags, and gate agents on regional European flights will ding you if you are trying to carry loose items. A high-strength, ultra-thin tote that folds down into a pouch the size of a keychain is a lifesaver for market runs or overflow souvenirs.
• European Pharmacy Acetaminophen (Paracetamol): If you get a headache or a fever mid-trip, don’t waste time looking for “Tylenol” or “Advil”—you won’t find those brand names on the shelves. Pop a small blister pack of ibuprofen or paracetamol (the European equivalent of acetaminophen) into your personal item so you don’t have to track down a local farmacia during closed Sunday hours.

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