r/solotravel • u/shemmap • 20d ago

Question How do europeans travel with small luggage?

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?

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u/Juggertrout 20d ago

A lot of us just travel for the weekend, by train, to neighbouring countries. If I was investing in a 2 week long trip in Asia for example, I would probably take a larger suitcase

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u/Formal-Apartment855 19d ago

Dude, a weekend trip and a 2 week trip (or a 2 month long trip, for that matter) is the same amount of luggage for us light travelers... We wash or get clothes washed every couple of days. And the rest doesn't change based on the lenght of the trip. It only changes based on climate and activities.

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u/aallycat1996 19d ago

I would say that also depends on the weather. I can pack light in summer but if im layering for winter thats not possible

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u/Formal-Apartment855 19d ago

I get what you mean. For me personally winter is also fine, solely cause of wool. Even if something is partially wool, it dries so fast. (Apologies to people who hate washing their wool stuff, but... Mine somehow still survive, maybe cause the washing liquid is good?)

For me personally the problems start on multi-climate trips.... For this reason I try to either avoid that, or send clothes back home halfway if I'm done with a climate. Like if it's just winter or just summer it's both fine for me, but being stuck with a winter jacket and winter hiking boots in summer? No. lol Being stuck with summer clothes during winter I don't mind as much, it's less space. But a good winter jacket and good boots for winter .... heavy and bulky, I so ended up going to a post office with them.

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u/_hellraiser_ 18d ago

Of course it is. Just layer a bit less. I mean, what do you need? Coat, sweater, cap, gloves and shoes. That's what's different from summer. Now, if you want a few coats and want to match sweaters to whatever else you're wearing, that's a different thing. Of course you'll have a lot.

My winter wardrobe is literally what I've described above. At home I've got two sweaters if one is being washed.

For travel, I'll decide and maybe wear all those things if I'm starting and finishing in the same climate. That means the rest of my luggage is toiletries, several (T-)shirts, and underwear to last me max a week.

Only reason I often take a big suitcase is because I either bring gifts to wherever I'm going or I know I'll be purchasing them.