There are two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wished they packed light. Get serious about living out of a …
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There are two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wished they packed light. Get serious about living out of a …
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45 comments
I have enjoyed Rick Steves' talks for years. I even got to see him in the Chicago area about 10 years ago. He gave a wonderful talk about traveling and how it adds so much to a person's experience. I just came back from a trip to Ireland, and I used a roller bag and packed some basics in a backpack. It worked quite well. Anyone can make a capsule wardrobe of harmonizing basics. And I like the comment that no one ever came back from a trip saying they loved packing heavy!
1 carry-on, one personal item…3 years to learn, yes, it IS enlightening in every way!
Great video and good advice. Pack light. Unfortunately, 9 x 22 x 14 is still too big to take on board for Ryanair and EasyJet in the UK.
I spent two weeks in Italy and two weeks in Ireland in the last few years. I had a foldable backpack that was my personal item and my day carry. I carried a 40L backpack for the main stuff. The secret is in wearing layers, and I benefited from including 2 merino wool tee shirts (google the reasons).
The weight of my luggage was no more than 15 lbs. I wore every piece of clothing multiple times, and still had a different outfit combinations every day. It could have been a two-week trip or a 6 month trip. It would be just fine. I am so thankful that Rick Steves encourages light packing!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart Rick Steves! In 2024 I did a month in Asia with nothing more than a 24L personal item backpack.
Though I've also never heard anybody say, "Every year I pack heavier," in early 2025 I moved up to a 30L carry on sized backpack for a 6 week 6 country work / travel trip.
I enjoy your travel show!
Sincerely, Nils Karlsson
I got my high school degree high school diploma I graduated high school
Rick Steves got his history degree
Time to travel with our degrees diplomas
I don’t want to “pack light”. I want one big roller suitcase with enough clothes so as not to need to wash and to have room for shopping. I have a backpack and a sling bag. Hands free.
I'm often one of the last off the plane but one of the first out of the airport, and that's because I overtake everyone as they're waiting at the baggage carousel.
He exhorts us to pack light but doesn't offer any tips in this video. Most of us gradually learn this from experience but for someone taking a first extended trip abroad some more specifics would be helpful.
I carry all my cine video equipment into my shimodo 70 liter backpack
I use one and only pair of 30 year old hiking boots.
The shirt and pants I wear on the plane
2 underwear and 2 socks
When I get where I’m going I buy a new shirt as souvenirs and wash my clothes daily and hang dry
Everything is fresh each morning
Would love to pack light, but spouse has cancer and congestive heart failure. We have a foldable wheelchair plus one large suitcase on wheels. Also needs a portable oxygen concentrator. Throw in a garment bag for clothes for a wedding in France and a couple of backpacks and we're good to go. Would give anything just to have a carry-on and a personal bag each. Count your lucky stars.
Terrible 😢 .!!!
Rick Steves has lost my respect for using the image of the donkey overloaded with suitcases. Shame on you, Rick!
Some people will never change their minds about bringing one bag as a carry-on.
All I use is 20 liter under seat bag and wear my jacket and jeans through airprt with the pockets stuffed full.
Misleading, in my opinion. There's no real info in this video, which is really a promo for something else.
Easy to say when you don't have leg wraps for lymphedema, a cpap for breathing, and numerous medications.
Doesn't leave much room for everything else. My spouse and I survive with two carry ons, 2 backpacks, 2cpaps, and one checked. Is it too much? Yes, but it's what we have to do, or stay home. Currently on a one month trip to the UK.
100%. Did 10 days in Sweden and the Netherlands – in December – and had only one 25L backpack. Wear your heaviest clothes/shoes on the plane and wear merino wool that can be washed in hotel sinks and dry overnight. Best way to travel.
Goodluck finding over head locker space. This practice needs to be properly monitored by airlines because every tightass is doing it.
Discovering minimalist packing was the greatest journey I’ve ever been on.
just finished 2 weeks in italy (this was my first trip to an area in europe) and i only packed a carry on and a backpack and im so thankful i did. it was so easy getting aorund. highly recommend it.
I agree that packing light is enjoyable and an interesting challenge to meet. Two things that often get left out: airlines are getting pickier, and the carry on suitcase you bought last year may not work; and, if you have any particular health issues or special needs (or you are simply on a high-activity trip and need to take gear for sports and weather) it can be impractical to just pack carry on. There’s a sort of minimalist judgmental attitude that isn’t helpful. Pack as light as you can, but it’s counterproductive to leave stuff out that is essential to your health or to the activities that you will most enjoy on the trip.
I just had a week in the US with only a small backpack that fits under the airline seat. Bag had some underwear, toiletries, batteries/cables and a couple of spare shirts.
Makes it easier to walk off the plane, bypass the carousel and straight onto my holiday. In most cases, I didn’t even need to go straight to my hotel.
Glad this video came up. Reminds me to unsubscribe after see that demonstration you took part in. Bye!
My husband and I did 10 weeks in the UK and Europe last summer with just carry-on bags. We loved it. So freeing! Capsule wardrobe.
Just a clarification: the big bag is on the cruise ship, right? What we are shown are daypacks?
I am ok with that. But I'm not going to an international trip with 2 pairs of "slacks" 2 shirts and 2 pieces of underwear. No way no how. Another thing: I mostly carry a slightly bigger bag because I do pick up interesting things/gifts on the way back. Else you're holding 20 bags…
I also pick up books so I need the extra space!!
The problem is almost everybody brings a carry on backpack or wheeled luggage onboard and there's no room in the overhead bins. Then people try to store shopping bags full of stuff and bulky coats overhead too.
I went on a 3-week holiday in Japan and South Korea with a carry-on bag.
Come to Europe, afterwards you will know, you have to pack light. None of those huge carry on bags you like to take are allowed on planes over here. It slows everything down.
I have a bag that is actually a little smaller than his and I’ve travelled with it for three years now and I will not go to a wheeled bag until I am too decrepit to use a back pack. 😊
I saw this clip 5 yrs ago. It is a game changer and liberating. Now i only travel with a carry on luggage and a backpack even though my ticket allows for 2 check bags. Life is just so easy & free without the baggages in every sense.
In 2023 I spent a month traveling around Europe and Israel. Had just the carry-on, and it was fantastic. Pick up toothpaste and deodorant at a local pharmacy or supermarket. When you’re traveling, trust me, two pairs of shoes and a small wardrobe is all you need. Used laundromats a few times, and somehow there’s nothing that’ll make you feel like a local quicker than hanging out for a couple of hours doing laundry.
I actually do pack a little heavier than I did back when I first started following Rick back in the late '80s. There are so many more electronic devices, chargers, cables, etc. that you're going to need more room. It also seems like laundromats aren't quite as common in Europe now as they were in the '80s with more and more people being able to afford a clothes washer at home so the clothes I do pack are ones that I can hand wash.
Eversince we lost our check-in luggage on our flight to Dublin many years ago and wasn’t returned until our vacation was over, we’ve travel light.
As a European tour leader, I can't thank you enough for this kind of advice 😄
Truer words have never been spoken. Always pack light. Its the key to mobile travel in Europe. Want to pack heavy? Drive to Myrtle Beach.
Whenever I say that I only travel carry on some people I know who are overpackers ask me then you just waste the 1 or 2 free check in bags that I am allowed. I tell them I would be very happy to give it to others who would like to check in more bags. Even if the airlines would give me a dozen free check in bags I would still just travel with carry on.. period!
I've learned from former travel career(s) that less is more when it comes to packing.
My standard travel gear is one military backpack. I can go anywhere in the world & have all that I need with that one bag.
We ONLY travel with 1 backpack / 1 carry on (doesn’t matter if it’s a 1 week trip or 2 month trip) – our kids have adapted to pack lighter. One of the biggest mistakes while traveling is overpacking – you don’t end up using 1/2 the stuff you brought. #KeepItSimple
I just spent two weeks in Italy, 5 locations from Firenze to Catania, including a flight on ITA. Take small bags and do laundry.
That's Rick, travel light, travel light, travel light.
Thank you, Rick (Sarah & Lisa, too!!) for motivating me to pack carry-on only for flights (all domestic so far in my life…). I was a notorious overpacker (Two checked bags up to 50 lbs. each for free?!? Okay!!) I flew Southwest yet again without checked bags though I could have-I am proud of myself! The challenge, my most recent cross country flight to significant temperature differences (SE NV to Chicago, IL cooler by 40-50°F!!) I got honest & downsized more items/made lighter/thinner clothing choices, etc. ❤ I was able to get off my airplane & go right to catch my transportation, no waiting around for baggage claim. That's a great sense of freedom. 🛫🛬🧳😁♥️
So when I'm trying to put my backpack in the overhead, I can't fit it because you can't check your bag. Great,. Got it.
Especially these days with online checkin, no lining up, can get there later, no lost bags.