Secrets To Packing For a 3 Week Trip Taking Only a Carry-on

The longer you travel, the better you get at traveling light.  You figure out what you really need, what you can do without, and what you can buy at the destination if you really need an item. 

I remember one of my first trips back to Europe after graduating college.  I was flying with my Grandmother and meeting up with my parents in Germany.  My Grandmother and I  each had 3 bags, and mind you, this was before luggage had wheels.  We were supposed to drive, but my parent's flight was delayed by a day, so we had to get to our destination by train.  Me - trying get 6 bags and a Grandmother (with jet lag) onto a train.  I'm convinced I was being videoed for "America's Funniest Home Videos"! 

Fast forward to today.  I now can travel for weeks with just a carry on and a personal item.  I most often travel with my smaller 9" x 14" x 18" bag, but I also have a 9" x 14" x 22" bag if I need that little bit of extra room.  I don't expand the bag as I may need that extra room for a few souvenirs gathered along the way.  

The secrets are the same whether I travel for one week or 3 weeks:  

#1  Pack for only one week
      -  Whether you are traveling one week or three, always pack as if you were traveling for 
          one.

#2  Wear pieces multiple times
       -  Unless they are very soiled, wear pants and shirts 3-4 times each.  

#3  Coordinate your colors
       -  Stick to one base color scheme and coordinate around it.

#4  Think travel friendly fabrics
       -  Invest in travel friendly fabrics that minimize wrinkles and are easily laundered.

#5  Bring multi-use clothing
       -  Invest in multi-use travel clothes like zipper pants that convert from pants to capris or 
          shorts and jackets that convert to a vest. ​

#5  Think layers
       -  Pack clothing that can be layered.  Multiple thin layers take up much less space than 
          one bulky item.

 #6  Wear your bulkiest items
       -  Wear your bulkiest items so you won't take up precious luggage space. 

#7  Expect to do some laundry on longer trips
       -  Washing your clothes is better than carrying an extra piece of luggage.


Yes, there are a few sacrifices to be made, however you will be thankful when you don't have to carry the extra bags around.  Besides, unless you are with the same people every day, and even then, most people don't remember what you were wearing on previous days.  So no need to over pack.