How I Pack a Carry-On for One Week in Europe (Without Overpacking)

Packing for a week in Europe doesn't have to mean checking a suitcase. Here's exactly how I fit everything I need into one carry-on while still feeling prepared for whatever the trip brings.

TRAVEL TIPS & ESSENTIALS

6/29/20265 min read

person in blue white and black shorts sitting on car seat

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Why I Always Travel With Just a Carry-On

If you can manage it, traveling with only a carry-on is absolutely the way to go.

For starters, it saves money since you're not paying to check a bag. It also saves time at the airport because you can head straight to security instead of waiting at baggage check. And when you land? You can skip baggage claim altogether and get on with your trip.

Traveling with one bag also makes train travel, hostel hopping, and walking through cities so much easier. You have less to carry, less to keep track of, and less to lose—which is a huge plus when you're traveling around Europe.

I've packed this way for every solo trip I've taken while living in France, from Spain and Italy to Switzerland, and I honestly wouldn't do it any other way.

My Carry-On Setup

My packing system is pretty simple.

I use a large duffel backpack as my carry-on, and buying it before my Spain trip was one of the best travel purchases I've made. It's roomy without feeling oversized, and since I can wear it as a backpack, it's much easier to carry through airports, train stations, and city streets.

Inside, I organize everything with packing cubes so my clothes stay neat and I can fit much more than you'd think.

For my personal item, I carry a small backpack that fits perfectly under an airplane seat or at my feet on the train. It holds everything I want easy access to during travel—electronics, snacks, my Kindle, chargers, and other essentials.

I Pack Outfits—Not Individual Clothes

Before I pack anything, I check the weather forecast. It makes choosing what to bring so much easier.

Then I build outfits instead of throwing random clothing into my bag.

It takes a little longer up front, but it saves so much time once I'm traveling. I never have to stand in my hostel wondering what I'm going to wear that day—I just grab the outfit I've already planned.

I also try to pack pieces that work with multiple outfits. A basic white shirt might be worn with one pair of shorts one day and a different pair of pants the next. Mixing and matching means I can pack less while still feeling like I have plenty of options.

For my one-week trip to Italy, I packed five planned outfits along with a few interchangeable basics. It never felt like I was wearing the same thing over and over.

Shoes Are the Biggest Space Killer

If there's one thing that takes up the most room in my bag, it's shoes.

My rule is simple: two pairs maximum.

The pair I wear while traveling and one additional pair depending on the weather or activities I have planned.

It's tempting to pack several pairs because one matches a certain outfit a little better than another. Trust me—I get it. But versatility always wins.

Your future self will thank you when you're carrying your bag through train stations or walking twenty minutes to your hostel.

And honestly... are you really going to remember that one pair of shoes matched your outfit slightly better?

I don't think so.

Packing Cubes Changed Everything

If you've never used packing cubes, I can't recommend them enough.

I'm a little obsessive about staying organized, and packing cubes make that incredibly easy. I can separate shirts, pants, pajamas, accessories, and even complete outfits, so I always know exactly where everything is.

They also help compress clothing, which gives you a little extra space—something every carry-on traveler appreciates.

I genuinely don't travel without them anymore.

Link: Packing cubes I recommend

Keep Toiletries Small and Simple

When you're staying in hostels, you can't count on complimentary toiletries, so you'll need to bring your own.

The trick is keeping everything travel-sized.

I use refillable travel bottles for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer instead of bringing full-size products.

Link: Refillable travel bottle

I also separate my toiletries into two bags:

Daily essentials (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, skincare)
Makeup

Keeping my makeup minimal saves space, makes packing easier, and honestly makes things simpler.

Link: Travel toiletry bag

My Carry-On Essentials

There are a few things I never leave home without:

Portable charger (absolute must for solo travel)
Travel adapter
Noise-canceling headphones
Kindle or a good book
Reusable water bottle
Journal
Multi-charging cable

These are the items that make travel smoother, especially on long train rides and airport days.

My Packing Philosophy

I'd much rather spend time planning my outfits than spend my trip dragging around a heavy suitcase.

So far, all of my solo trips have been a week or less, so I haven't even needed to do laundry.

Packing also gets much easier during warmer months when clothes are lighter and take up less space.

I genuinely enjoy putting outfits together before a trip because once I arrive, I don't have to think about it. Everything already works.

I like fashion. I like feeling put together. And honestly...

Look good, feel good.

Things I Don't Pack Anymore

Over time, I've realized I don't actually need as much as I think I do.

Now I leave behind:

Extra shoes
"Just in case" clothing
Full-size toiletries
Excessive makeup
Anything I know I probably won't use

If I haven't reached for it on my last few trips, it probably doesn't belong in my bag.

My One-Week Europe Carry-On Packing Checklist

If you're looking for a simple place to start, here's a quick overview of what I typically pack for a one-week trip around Europe.

Clothing

5 planned outfits with mix-and-match pieces
Pajamas
Underwear & socks
Lightweight jacket or sweater (depending on the weather)
Rain jacket (if the forecast calls for it)

Shoes

1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (worn while traveling)
1 additional pair for nicer outfits or different activities

Toiletries

Travel-size shampoo & conditioner
Body wash
Moisturizer & skincare
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Deodorant
Minimal makeup
Hairbrush

Links: Travel toiletry bottles | Toiletry bag

Electronics

Phone
Portable charger
Travel adapter
Multi-charging cable
Headphones
Kindle (or a good book)

Links: Portable charger | Travel adapter

Travel Essentials

Passport
Wallet
Reusable water bottle
Journal & pen
Sunglasses
Any medications you need

Packing Gear

Carry-on duffel backpack
Personal item backpack
Packing cubes

Links: Carry-on backpack | Packing cubes | Personal item backpack

Remember: This isn't meant to be a one-size-fits-all packing list. Every trip is different, but this is the system that's worked for me on multiple one-week trips around Europe.

Final Thoughts

I used to dread packing light.

Now I actually look forward to it.

Packing with just a carry-on means less stress, less to carry, and more freedom to enjoy the trip itself. Instead of worrying about luggage, I get to focus on wandering new cities, catching trains, meeting people, and making memories.

For me, that's what travel is really about.

And if it means repeating an outfit once or twice? That's a trade I'll happily make every time.

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