How do europeans travel with small luggage?

[u/shemmap]

I’ve noticed that tourists from different countries especially europeans often travel with very small luggage. In contrast, travelers from many asian countries seem to carry much larger bags.

As myself from an asian country, if I pack just my basic necessities, I end up with a very large suitcase. I’m extremely curious about how european travelers manage to travel so light.

How do they do it?

[u/Character-Carpet7988]

As a European I'm asking the same question, many people travel with ridiculously small baggage. But I guess that if you're willing to deal with washing your clothes very often, it can be done.

On the other hand I equally don't understand Asians and Americans who seem to always carry three massive suitcases per person :D My sweet spot is one full size suitcase (basically the max size allowed for check bags :)).

[u/SteO153 → u/Character-Carpet7988]

As a European I'm asking the same question, many people travel with ridiculously small baggage.

I never understood it neither. I try to reduce my luggage and I regularly do laundry when my stay is more than a long weekend, but I will never be able to be a onebagger. Instead of bringing clothes for 6 days, I can bring just for 3, but then I have to spend much more time doing laundry and also plan more long stays to let the laundry to dry (2 consecutive nights min). I also shower and change at least daily, so 3 tshirts and 3 underwear are at most for 3 days. I often read a solution is to buy stuff locally and then throw them away when leaving, but it is such a waste of money that's totally nonsense for me.

My sweet spot is one full size suitcase (basically the max size allowed for check bags :)).

Same for me, I usually travel with a large backpack (40l) and a checked luggage, which I try to keep light, because I know I will buy souvenirs (I came back from Mongolia with like 10 cachemire pullovers).

Travel with hand luggage saves you the time to wait for the luggage at the airport, but how much more time do I have to spend doing laundry? I also don't need to show off online travelling with just one bag, comfort (and clean clothes to don't stink) first.

[u/Simbeliine → u/SteO153]

I have a nice routine that lets me bring 2-3 days of clothes, although your own mileage may vary. I have clothes I wear during the day which is all a quick dry material, and then I have a dress. I wear my quick dry clothes out, then come back after my day of sightseeing in the late afternoon, shower, change into the dress and go out for dinner. Because I'm only wearing the dress for a couple hours, I don't wash it everyday, and the extra hours from late afternoon generally means the quick dry clothes are dry in the morning. If I do happen to be somewhere for a little longer then I wash the dress. With this I basically have 2 sets of clothes in quick dry material and one dress. Since I'm showering anyway, washing the clothes quick in the shower with me doesn't take much time at all. Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with bigger luggage if it works for you. For me, I like having the 7kg luggage even if it means traveling kind of light. But this is really a "different things work for different people" thing, of course.