Anonymous
07/11/2018 14:51
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
Family of 4 we just did a 3 week Europe trip - London, Paris and Switzerland. We packed 7 days worth of clothes and washed once through laundromat, washed some clothes in sink (dried overnight or the hair dryer, much less hassle than finding a laundromat) and reused some clothes. 3 carry on roller suitcases , 3 backpacks. Carried rain jackets and warmer sweatshirt that can be layered with rain jacket.
Anonymous
07/11/2018 14:40
Subject: Re:Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the poster about backpacks being the way to go. Big fan of this type of backpack/suitcase hybrid- it has enough shape to keep things in order and not shift around.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075WRLNBX
Combined with a small packable daypack like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Hikpro-20L-Lightweight-Packable-Resistant/dp/B00KX0B5ME
Is now my go-to for travel- doing away with the frame/wheels/handle of a suitcase allows you probably 25% more packing space in the backpack. Should be able to fit 6-7 days worth of stuff in there, doing 1-2 loads of laundry along the way. Amazon also makes a more basic carry-on backpack that is only $50, but some of the reviews seem to say it isn't quite as durable, especially on the seams.
Try the Osprey backpack with wheels---it's perfect for these kinds of trips, where it's sometimes easier to carry than roll (but also sometimes easier to roll than carry).
Anonymous
07/11/2018 12:37
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
If it's the summer and you are not going into the mountains, you only need one sweater/cardigan or jacket. You can bring a light long sleeve shirt. And you don't need so many underwear. You can wear and wash and it will likely by dry the next evening. Instead of so many dresses, add a pair of capris.
Anonymous
07/11/2018 12:15
Subject: Re:Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
Anonymous wrote:I am in Europe now visiting 5 countries in 6 days and a wheeled bag is fine. Actually a backpack is heavy and every time you turn around you end up hitting people so I don’t recommend it unles you are an 18 year old from Australia spending the summer in Europe.
The temperature is all over the place right now so pack layers. I’m not sure why everyone says Europeans don’t wear shorts. They do. Also, jeans are perfect at night. Throw on a t-shirt, blazer and scarf and you’ll look like a local.
Me again. When I was out and about today I checked what everyone was wearing and it was all over the map. Lots of blue and white jeans, shorts and above the knee skirts. I was surprised by the number of jean shorts and skirts. Older women were almost universally wearing crop pants. Some women were wearing longer, flowy skirts. Most everyone is wearing t-shirts but that is because it is unusually warm. Yesterday I was in a different city further south and it was freezing (low 60s with rain) and lots of jeans and dark pants.
Anonymous
07/11/2018 07:49
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
And if you do need to get some laundry done there (we have found it to be very reasonable), the detergent sometimes smells amazing! I need to go back to Italy just to get my clothes laundered there again. Drop off and pick up the next day. Don’t waste precious vacation time at a laundromat.
Anonymous
07/11/2018 07:44
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
I prefer a wheeled bag (not spinners) over a backpack. Even in Europe.
And after years of fewer, bigger bags with small kids I now love that everyone just carries their own small bag. Keeps us better organized in hotel rooms too to have our own spaces.
And after years of fewer, bigger bags with small kids I now love that everyone just carries their own small bag. Keeps us better organized in hotel rooms too to have our own spaces.
Anonymous
07/11/2018 07:16
Subject: Re:Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
Anonymous wrote:I am in Europe now visiting 5 countries in 6 days and a wheeled bag is fine. Actually a backpack is heavy and every time you turn around you end up hitting people so I don’t recommend it unles you are an 18 year old from Australia spending the summer in Europe.
The temperature is all over the place right now so pack layers. I’m not sure why everyone says Europeans don’t wear shorts. They do. Also, jeans are perfect at night. Throw on a t-shirt, blazer and scarf and you’ll look like a local.
Agree -- and have to say it's a bit surprising to see the advice to pack for major cities in Europe as if one were going to a national park in the US. Both are wonderful destinations, of course, but very different culturally and sartorially. I would advise packing as if you were going to NYC.
Anonymous
07/10/2018 19:37
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
Anonymous wrote:I’m going to suggest a different alternative. Although you have been well-advised to pack light and bring clothes you can easily wash and dry in your hotel room, I would argue you would do just as well to bring two larger rolling suitcases (or duffles) instead of four smaller bags. Granted we started taking these trips when our kids were younger than yours and too small to reliably control their own suitcases, but we have always packed for four in two good sized bags which the parents handle, and everyone has a backpack of their own.
We just got back a 19 day trip packed in these same bags and visited three countries with a range of weather. I personally would also bring a pair of jeans for everyone as there is no “Columbia” substitute for the weight or the look. Bring small bottle of spray Febreze to freshen and/or air out. More tops than bottoms, and wash things the first night in your hotel room so they have time to dry. At the end of our trip we had plenty of clean shirts but not enough clean socks or underwear. Consider leaving out one or two t-shirts to bring clean socks and undies for the duration.
At the beginning I share a bag with my husband and kids share a bag. I bring extra plastic bags so I can bag and seal up dirty clothes and gradually one bag becomes the bag for all dirty clothes and shoes and the other holds clean clothes and toiletries. I also bring several of those reusable shopping bags in case at the end we need to carry on anything that doesn’t fit in the bags, like souvenirs, although on this trip and most others, everything fit.
I actually like big bags on trains as I think they are less likely to be taken (intentionally or unintentionally) and sounds like you are only going to three places. If you aren’t changing hotels every night, staying in hostels, or in the Amazing Race, I don’t see the advantage to the smaller bags. I’m assuming once you arrive in each city via train you have either selected hotels that are close enough to walk to from the train station or will take a taxi anyway.
We always bring a second pair of shoes for everyone (even if only flip flops or crocs) just in case the first pair gets wet or dirty or just to have a break from the shoes. Try to bring one respectable outfit per person so if you go in a nice restaurant or end up seeing a show or something.
Have fun!
This is the strategy we are planning. I just need to find the right size bags for this.
Anonymous
07/10/2018 19:22
Subject: Re:Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
I am in Europe now visiting 5 countries in 6 days and a wheeled bag is fine. Actually a backpack is heavy and every time you turn around you end up hitting people so I don’t recommend it unles you are an 18 year old from Australia spending the summer in Europe.
The temperature is all over the place right now so pack layers. I’m not sure why everyone says Europeans don’t wear shorts. They do. Also, jeans are perfect at night. Throw on a t-shirt, blazer and scarf and you’ll look like a local.
The temperature is all over the place right now so pack layers. I’m not sure why everyone says Europeans don’t wear shorts. They do. Also, jeans are perfect at night. Throw on a t-shirt, blazer and scarf and you’ll look like a local.
Anonymous
07/10/2018 18:17
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
Just wanted to add one thing to the above - I tried one time to pack very light, bringing neutral clothes etc, and realized I hated everything I was wearing and wasn’t happy and comfortable. There is something to be said for bringing your favorite and comfortable clothes. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear the same outfit over and over even if the pieces don’t match any others. I bring some items just to wear out to dinner, a few dressier tops and a couple skirts, and if you are only wearing them for a couple hours in the evening and don’t spill you can wear them multiple times. They won’t get dirty the way your daytime clothes will.
Anonymous
07/10/2018 18:10
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
I’m going to suggest a different alternative. Although you have been well-advised to pack light and bring clothes you can easily wash and dry in your hotel room, I would argue you would do just as well to bring two larger rolling suitcases (or duffles) instead of four smaller bags. Granted we started taking these trips when our kids were younger than yours and too small to reliably control their own suitcases, but we have always packed for four in two good sized bags which the parents handle, and everyone has a backpack of their own.
We just got back a 19 day trip packed in these same bags and visited three countries with a range of weather. I personally would also bring a pair of jeans for everyone as there is no “Columbia” substitute for the weight or the look. Bring small bottle of spray Febreze to freshen and/or air out. More tops than bottoms, and wash things the first night in your hotel room so they have time to dry. At the end of our trip we had plenty of clean shirts but not enough clean socks or underwear. Consider leaving out one or two t-shirts to bring clean socks and undies for the duration.
At the beginning I share a bag with my husband and kids share a bag. I bring extra plastic bags so I can bag and seal up dirty clothes and gradually one bag becomes the bag for all dirty clothes and shoes and the other holds clean clothes and toiletries. I also bring several of those reusable shopping bags in case at the end we need to carry on anything that doesn’t fit in the bags, like souvenirs, although on this trip and most others, everything fit.
I actually like big bags on trains as I think they are less likely to be taken (intentionally or unintentionally) and sounds like you are only going to three places. If you aren’t changing hotels every night, staying in hostels, or in the Amazing Race, I don’t see the advantage to the smaller bags. I’m assuming once you arrive in each city via train you have either selected hotels that are close enough to walk to from the train station or will take a taxi anyway.
We always bring a second pair of shoes for everyone (even if only flip flops or crocs) just in case the first pair gets wet or dirty or just to have a break from the shoes. Try to bring one respectable outfit per person so if you go in a nice restaurant or end up seeing a show or something.
Have fun!
We just got back a 19 day trip packed in these same bags and visited three countries with a range of weather. I personally would also bring a pair of jeans for everyone as there is no “Columbia” substitute for the weight or the look. Bring small bottle of spray Febreze to freshen and/or air out. More tops than bottoms, and wash things the first night in your hotel room so they have time to dry. At the end of our trip we had plenty of clean shirts but not enough clean socks or underwear. Consider leaving out one or two t-shirts to bring clean socks and undies for the duration.
At the beginning I share a bag with my husband and kids share a bag. I bring extra plastic bags so I can bag and seal up dirty clothes and gradually one bag becomes the bag for all dirty clothes and shoes and the other holds clean clothes and toiletries. I also bring several of those reusable shopping bags in case at the end we need to carry on anything that doesn’t fit in the bags, like souvenirs, although on this trip and most others, everything fit.
I actually like big bags on trains as I think they are less likely to be taken (intentionally or unintentionally) and sounds like you are only going to three places. If you aren’t changing hotels every night, staying in hostels, or in the Amazing Race, I don’t see the advantage to the smaller bags. I’m assuming once you arrive in each city via train you have either selected hotels that are close enough to walk to from the train station or will take a taxi anyway.
We always bring a second pair of shoes for everyone (even if only flip flops or crocs) just in case the first pair gets wet or dirty or just to have a break from the shoes. Try to bring one respectable outfit per person so if you go in a nice restaurant or end up seeing a show or something.
Have fun!
Anonymous
07/10/2018 15:41
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
OP, for the kids, I would have them wear cheap t shirts from AC Moore craft stores ($2.99/ea or so) and abandon them along the way. You're going to need suitcase room for souvenirs. For you and your husband, you will likely be more careful with your clothes and can wash things out in the hotel sink, hang to dry.
Anonymous
07/10/2018 14:41
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
DCUM at its very best, btw!!
Anonymous
07/10/2018 14:40
Subject: Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
This is fabulous and very helpful feedback. Thanks so much again! Now I’m starting to get excited rather than stressed about packing. 
Anonymous
07/10/2018 13:37
Subject: Re:Family of four, 3 European cities, 12 days: how to pack (light)??
We just got back from a 12 day trip to Hungary. I followed Rick Steves' advice when it came to packing light and am very glad I did. Here are his suggestions: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/ricks-packing-list
Here is a suggested packing list for women: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-list-women
Agree with PP about not taking sweatpants, yoga pants, jeans, or similar items that are heavy, take up a lot of room, and take forever to dry. For our trip we took advantage of sales at Columbia. There's an outlet store at Potomac Mills and their website also has great stuff. REI, LL Bean, Athleta, and other outdoor outfitters will have what you're looking for. Comfortable, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and fast drying is what you want for everyone in the family. And comfortable shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking!
Here is a suggested packing list for women: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-list-women
Agree with PP about not taking sweatpants, yoga pants, jeans, or similar items that are heavy, take up a lot of room, and take forever to dry. For our trip we took advantage of sales at Columbia. There's an outlet store at Potomac Mills and their website also has great stuff. REI, LL Bean, Athleta, and other outdoor outfitters will have what you're looking for. Comfortable, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and fast drying is what you want for everyone in the family. And comfortable shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking!