Carry-On Only Travel: How I Spent 30 Days in Europe Without Checked Bags

If someone asked me five years ago about spending thirty days traveling across Europe with a single carry-on suitcase, I would have laughed at the idea then and there as I tried to stuff more boots into my overstuffed luggage.

I finally booked my first large-scale overseas journey for 2025. One small bag, six countries, ten cities, and just about every type of weather imaginable. And guess what? Throughout my thirty-day European journey, I never missed my pieces of luggage

Here’s how I made it work—and how you can too.

Why I Went Carry-On Only

The decision to go carry-on only was a mix of practicality and ambition. I had a jam-packed itinerary with multiple budget flights, trains, and buses—none of which are kind to oversized suitcases. I also didn’t want to deal with situations like lost luggage, fees, or the stress of dragging heavy bags across cobbled streets.

More importantly, I wanted freedom. Carry-on travel forces you to pack light, think smart, and move fast. That sounded like the kind of challenge I needed.

My Carry-On Setup

I used the Koora Carry-On (39l capacity), a sustainable and smart suitcase that meets most European airline restrictions (even the strict ones like Ryanair and Wizz Air). I paired it with a lightweight backpack for tech and daily essentials.

What I packed in my carry-on:

• 5 tops (neutral colours)

• 3 bottoms (1 pair of jeans, 2 pairs of black and brown trousers)

• 1 light dress

• 1 hoodie

• 1 packable puffer jacket

• 1 cardigan

• 5 pairs of underwear and socks

• 1 swimsuit

• 1 set of sleepwear

• 1 pair of walking shoes (worn on the plane)

• 1 pair of sandals (packed)

• Toiletries (TSA size approved)

• Mini makeup pouch

• Tech pouch (chargers, power bank, AirTag)

• Laundry bag

My backpack held:

• E-reader

• Passport, wallet, and documents

• Travel journal

• Snacks and a water bottle

• Sunglasses, mask and a scarf

• Foldable tote for groceries/souvenirs

Laundry is a Game Changer

If you want to travel for 30 days with a carry-on, embrace doing laundry. I did it once every week, wherever possible, using a mix of Airbnb machines, hotel laundry rooms, and old-school sink washing.

I packed a travel-sized detergent bottle and a universal sink stopper. Hanging clothes on a travel clothesline in the bathroom worked perfectly.

The Art of the Capsule Wardrobe

I stuck to a capsule wardrobe—everything mixed and matched. Neutral tones like black, white, beige, and olive ensured my outfits looked different even though I re-wore the same items.

• My black trousers could be dressed up for dinner or dressed down for a walking tour.

• The dress doubled as a beach cover-up and a night-out outfit.

• Layers were everything for weather swings—my hoodie and cardigan were constantly rotating.

My packable jacket handled chilly Paris nights and windy ferry rides in Greece.

Flights Without the Stress

Budget airlines in Europe are notorious for strict carry-on policies. I made sure my Koora Carry-On fit under every regulation, including Ryanair’s 55 x 40 x 20 cm limit.

I never paid extra baggage fees. I never waited at a baggage carousel. And I never worried about lost luggage.

Wear your bulkiest layers on travel days. I wore my sneakers and jacket every flight. Worked like a charm.

My Travel Toiletries

European drugstores are heaven, so I didn’t pack much beyond the basics.

What I brought:

• Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

• Toothbrush & toothpaste

• Facial moisturiser with SPF

• Deodorant

• Tiny hairbrush

• A few makeup basics (concealer, lip balm, mascara)

Most of these lasted the full month, and I replenished anything I ran out of.

Most Airbnbs and hotels had body wash and shampoo, so I saved space there.

Tech Essentials That Made a Difference

I kept tech minimal to stay light and focused on the experience.

My tech kit:

• Phone (with offline maps + esim)

• Power bank (TSA-approved)

• E-reader (saved so much weight)

• Universal adapter (essential in Europe)

• AirTag in my suitcase for peace of mind

Since it was a healing trip, I skipped the laptop. It felt freeing.

What I Learned from 30 Days of Carry-On Only Travel

1. You need way less than you think.
   I re-wore outfits. Nobody noticed. I was too busy living.
   
   

2. Freedom > Fashion.
   Packing light meant I never felt burdened. I took the stairs over elevators, moved fast through stations, and switched cities effortlessly.
   
   

3. Organisation is everything.
   Packing cubes and a tech pouch kept chaos at bay. I always knew where everything was.
   
   

4. It makes you a better traveler.
   You adapt. You get creative. And you start focusing more on experiences than things. 

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Carry-On Only?

Absolutely. The choice to fly with a carry-on bag works for any length of travel starting from seven days to thirty days since it lets you maintain better control, reduce stress, and provide additional travel flexibility.

Your travel experience becomes more efficient and resource-saving when you use only a carry-on since it helps you maintain superior mobility across Europe. Doing it once gives you the chance to never need a checked-in bag in the future.

Smart packing and careful planning can help you succeed when working with fewer things because less truly represents greater value. You'll succeed at European travel for thirty days using only a carry-on if I did it successfully.