One Carry-On, Two Weeks In Europe: My Packing Secret

Two full weeks in Europe with just one carry-on? It's a big challenge, and for many people it is impossible. 

Two weeks in Europe was a business and leisure trip, which meant double the items needed to be organized for packing. I only took one carry-on bag. No checked luggage and no backache from dragging suitcases over cobbled streets. I had just one compact bag that stayed by my side from the airport to the hotel rooms to the train stations.

Traveling becomes memorable when you have less stuff to focus on. You need to tackle things with less stress, and you prioritize experience. So, packing everything in one carry-on was my real challenge. And guess what? I won this challenge because of the little trick that changed everything.

My Philosophy is Simple and Light Packing to Remain Stress-Free

Big suitcases make it possible to pack more items, but at some point, they make travel harder. Maybe it's my point of view. I believe that more items and more luggage slow you down as your bags get all your attention. You just think about how many bags you carry, where they are, and you can't forget any at the airport or train station. Only headache. 

I wanted my European trip to be worry-free. It was already a mix of business meetings and vacation days, moving across five cities. 

So, I planned everything before the trip. I picked lightweight and wrinkle-resistant clothing that worked well in business dinners and street tours. I packed only the necessary shoes, which include: 

• One pair of comfy walking shoes
• One pair of flats for dinners
• Neutral colors to mix and match

Heavy luggage could make me tired as I was hopping between cities and using trains, subways, and short flights. I had no other choice but to put everything in one carry-on in a well-behaved manner. 

Vacuum Storage Bags Served as an Unexpected Hero

Too many professional and personal items in one carry-on seemed impossible, but no more due to Vacuum storage bags.

It was my first experience using them on the recommendation of online experts and reviews. 

The vacuum travel bag that got my attention was the VacBird Turbo Series. These weren’t just your regular vacuum storage bags for clothes, but a complete packing solution. The various sizes of plastic bags with a compact travel pump that removes the inside air in just 30 seconds. 

What I Loved About VacBird Vacuum Bags:

• The bags are transparent, and I get the idea of what's inside within a minute.
• Make the bulky items like my sweaters and coats compact like a pancake.
• No dirt and debris gets access to clothes 
• Keep the fabric wrinkle-free 
• Help me in separating clean items from the used and dirty ones, as I put them in different bags
• Its small air vacuuming pump is lightweight, so it stays inside my bag without causing any problem and adding weight

I ended up packing way more than I thought I could.

What I Actually Packed – My Tiny Carry-On List

Here is the list of items I fit into my carry-on because of vacuum sealing. 

Clothes

• 3 formal blouses
• 2 office trousers
• 1 blazer
• 1 black dress
• 3 casual shirts
• 2 jeans
• 1 warm cardigan
• 1 set of nightwear
• 2 scarves

Shoes and Accessories

• 1 pair of sneakers
• 1 pair of flats
• Lightweight crossbody bag

Toiletries

• Mini shampoo and conditioner
• Face wash, toothbrush, and toothpaste
• Sunscreen and moisturizer

Gadgets

• Phone and charger
• Laptop and power adapter
• Headphones

And yes, it all fits. The VacBird storage bag made packing feel almost like cheating.

Business Meetings by Day, Sunsets by Night

Landed in Amsterdam, I was a bit charged with excitement as the first week was, although full of meetings, it was going to open a big opportunity for me.

The whole week was packed with work. I attended meetings and presentations. The nights went into client dinners. I needed to look professional and polished in all these scenarios. I had packed formal clothes in one vacuum travel bag, and they came out looking fresh.

I switched to vacation mode after completing the work duties. I loved to walk through old towns and dine by the river. The same carry-on now held casual and relaxed outfits. No mess and no digging around. It just gave me the feeling of a magical bag that allowed me to put my hands in and take out anything that I needed at that time.

I also kept one vacuum seal travel bag for used clothes, one of my great ideas. It made sure nothing else smelled or got dirty.

Moving Around Europe Made Easy

This trip took me from Amsterdam to Berlin, then to Paris and Rome. Different trains and different languages. I experienced multiple things during a lot of walking. 

This trip didn't look this exciting and entertaining if I had 2 or 3 big suitcases to handle. I would have been stuck in elevators, lines, or on stairs with dragging wheels. Instead of enjoyment, the trip would become a duty of just handling the bags and my stuff carefully. 

But my carry-on not only saved my items but also me from all this trouble. It was easy to lift, and I never had to wait at baggage claims. I breezed through airports and could hop off the train. I didn’t lose time and energy and started exploring without delay. That’s a win.

My Top Travel Packing Tips (Now That I’m a Pro!)

Here are a few lessons I learned from this trip:

Make a List Before You Pack

Avoid packing randomly without spending time thinking about what you actually need on your trip. It’s better to open the doc or take a diary to make a packing list and include all important items. 

Use Vacuum Seal Travel Bags

You can’t leave important things behind, but you can pack them intelligently to save space and pack them in one carry-on. So, use vacuum seal travel bags that help you pack more, but in a small bag. It also protects your items from outside elements like dust and moisture. The VacBird vacuum luggage bags with the travel pump are the best I’ve used.

Choose Versatile Clothes

Clothes are always important during short or long trips. Picking a whole wardrobe is not possible, so it’s better to pick pieces you can wear more than once. You can carry those that combine in different ways.

Don’t Overpack Shoes

I don’t like those people who think every dress needs a matching pair of shoes. It depends on your styling; you can repeat shoes with different dressings if you know how to style and confidently carry them. 

Shoes are heavy and take up space in your luggage. So, a better decision is to wear your heaviest pair and pack just one more that is comfortable and goes well with all dressings. You know better. 

Keep a Small Bag Inside for Dirty Laundry

Vacuum bags make items flatten by removing the inside air. They are lightweight, so you can carry one or more with you during your travels. You can pack all your used and dirty clothes in a separate bag. This helps you to keep your remaining things fresh. 

Conclusion

This trip taught me something important: you don’t need big bags to enjoy a big trip. Packing light is not only possible, but it's better if you work with a little planning and the right tools. 

The VacBird Turbo Series helped me pack everything I needed into one carry-on. I didn’t worry about losing bags or paying for extra weight. I moved quickly and enjoyed it more. This felt so relaxed.

Give vacuum storage bags a try if you're planning your next trip. Especially if you hate dragging luggage around. My suitcase was small, but it carried two weeks of memories, all thanks to smart packing.

I must say I have zero regret about choosing one carry-on for a two-week trip.