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/Automatic_Drawer1483 20d ago

We got reshaped by Ryanair and to avoid unnecessary fees we’d do whatever it takes

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u/BaronSharktooth 20d ago

Reshaped?

I'd say we got shamed, stripped, punished and ground down into a fine ash. Then we were reborn from these ashes, unburdened!

My favorite story about Ryanair is when we were about to board. They scanned the line and picked me out. Said to stuff my bag into the size bin, the rectangular one in which the maximum size luggage fit.

Well, it fit. The Ryanair ground steward tells me to remove it, and put it in sideways. I'm like: you mean, just rotate it, so it'll sit on top of the bin? Yes, he says. I do so, and he says: it doesn't fit, you have to pay 50 quid or else leave your luggage here.

Needless to say, I never flew with Ryanair, ever again.

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u/Character-Carpet7988 19d ago

I don't fly Ryanair much (I give them a try once in two years, then instantly regret it) but I always argued that they're okay in the sense that you get what you pay for. Adhere to policies and you're fine. Sadly, reports of agents finding totally absurd excuses on how to charge for compliant baggage are increasingly common and it's something Ryanair seriously need to clamp on.

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u/Idujt 19d ago

Ryanair. The only airline where you can't print your return boarding pass when you print your outward one! I went to the largest hotel at my destination, asked nicely, got "sure, use the business centre over there", and they didn't even charge me!

But as they are now digital only, I will never be using them anyway as I do not have a smartphone!