We’ve taken our kids on multi-week trips all around the world and every single time we’ve brought just one carry on suitcase and one backpack each! Learning to travel light like that requires some planning and strategy but it is very doable and SO freeing.
I’m always so grateful we packed light when I’m carrying a suitcase in each hand up and down subway stairs or dragging our bags across cobblestones and up hills. We’ve tested plenty of bags since we started traveling regularly and these are the ones that we bring with us every time!
1) High-quality spinner suitcases with 360 degree spinner wheels.
This past year we invested in four new suitcases – the small carry-ons from Away and the small carry-on’s from Quince (affiliate link). Both sets fit even the strictest size requirements for European airlines and have solid zippers, wheels, and handles.
I especially love the warranty on the Away bags! One of my kids broke the handle on our Away bag on our very first trip by falling and putting their full weight on the extended handle (eyeroll) but Away immediately sent us a replacement handle no questions asked and it’s good as new! The Quince ones don’t have as good of a warranty but are a great budget alternative to the Away bags and have held up well for us so far.
2) Travel backpacks with plenty of pockets and a luggage strap on the back.
We’ve tried quite a few over the years and they all have their pros and cons! We currently have two of these for the kids and we love the various pockets and luggage straps because we can use it as our day-bag during the trips as well. My husband currently uses this one (I had one too but my water pottle pocket wore out too quickly) and I have a Baggallini bag I got at TJ Maxx. We also have these bigger ones we’ve used in the past but they are too big for most European airlines!
3) Packing cubes with good compression.
I think we have 50+ packing cubes over the years and these Quince ones are my favorite by far (affiliate link)! They feel very sturdy, come in great sizes, and the double zipper for extra compression is great. Use code INFG-26KCSAVVYTRAVELERS10 for 10% off your first purchase with Quince!
4) An organizer for makeup and hair items.
This bag is small but it’s enough to hold a few basic makeup items, some hair ties/clips, nail clippers, etc. I know some people struggle to minimize here but I can’t encourage you enough to think through EXACTLY what you will need and use for your trip and bring nothing more than that!
5) Reusable clear toiletry bags.
We have four of these and have used them on multiple trips! You can fit quite a bit in them and they are perfect for things that might leak.
6) Reusable clear medicine bags.
These were a new purchase this year and I love them! We travel with quite a bit of medicine for all of our various health needs and the ziploc bag I’d been using took up so much space. I do keep 2-3 things in their original bottles but everything else I put in one of these bags, label it with the name and dosage (or attach the actual prescription label from the bottle) and tuck into a bigger ziploc bag. SO much space saved!
7) A utility bag IN our suitcases to take out on arrival.
This was our second year traveling with a Foldie duffel bag and it was so helpful! We pack it down into our suitcases on the trip over then take it out and use it as an extra bag for laundry, beach stuff, groceries, or anything else we need! We have to pack down very tightly for our flights so having more flexibility throughout the trip itself is so nice and makes the packing/unpacking process much easier as we change location.
After traveling carry-on only for multiple trips, we have some good systems in place and they make our travel so much easier and more organized!
