How to pack for 2 months in Europe...

I leave in 10 days. Will be mobile throughout. Wondering how much clothes and what type of luggage.

Would love to avoid lugging a medium-sized suitcase around, but not sure if that is a possibility. I wonder if a duffel/backpack plus a small daypack (Filson?) could work...

Would appreciate your help, travellers.

Is this business? Pleasure? Study?

Pleasure, mainly. There are three weeks where I'll be studying music, but I have no major books or accessories to carry.

I'd love to be able to hop on those cheap European flights without having to pay for additional baggage...probably an impossibility, but I'm open.

Where exactly do you plan on going? I doubt you'll be fine on small luggage only. The limit is usually about 7kg. Some airlines can be very strict about it and the fines can be heavy, compared to the fares. Also if your two luggage items are too large it may also cause problems, usually you are allowed only one larger bag and one small hand luggage item. Don't expect any sympathy from most of the low-budget carriers. You could also consider trains to connect between larger metropolitan areas, doesn't take much longer but I find it more relaxed, escpecially if you don't have to hurry.

Are you planning on staying in hostels and travelling around using public transport rather than a car? If so, i'd suggest using a backpack to carry your stuff, i had a 60 litre bag for a 15 month trip so a 50/60L bag should be more than enough for you. In terms of a day bag, you could perhaps take something slightly nicer than a rucksack but again, if you're hostelling it, i probably wouldn't take anything too nice. A lot of backpacks come complete with a small daypack that can fit on to the larger pack when travelling.

In terms of what to take, the only advice i'll give you on this front is once you've packed it remove half of the stuff you've packed and leave it at home. Everyone ends up taking far too much stuff on trips like this and to be honest, if you're backpacking you'll find yourself wearing the same few items over and over (once you've had them cleaned of course). Plus, if you suddenly find yourself needing something desperately when you're in Europe, you can always buy it whilst over here.

Lots of good advice so far. I agree with the train suggestion; you'll find that 2nd class on nearly every major train route is more comfortable than flying on those budget euro airlines. I also agree to cut in half whatever you think you're going to take. Nearly everyone travels too heavy.

Here is an expert opinion: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/pack-light.htm

Take fewer shirts / sweatshirts than you think you'll need. Buy them there, get a souvenir, kill two birds with one stone.

it's hot right now dudes and will get hotter.

underwearX6
teesX6
jeans + casual pants
2 jackets with pockets, one good when its raining
2 light sweaters
2 dress shirts
1 pair of slacks
1 blazer
nice sneakers
captoe boots or whatever you like wearing as dressy or casual leather shoes
sunglasses
hat/cap/whatever

DONE, it can fit in a standard carry-on rolling bag with place to spare and can be worn for like 1 week, 1 month or one year



Fuuma said:

DONE, it can fit in a standard carry-on rolling bag with place to spare and can be worn for like 1 week, 1 month or one year

Click to expand...

exactly. dunno why the duration matters to people. a month is a weekdays worth of clothes cycled 6 times. 2 months is a weekdays worth of clothes cycled 12 times.

you could also consider trains to connect between larger metropolitan areas, doesn't take much longer but I find it more relaxed, escpecially if you don't have to hurry.