Step One: Choosing Your Bags For Trips To Europe
For most Atomic Trips to Europe, we recommend the same basic setup we use:
- One checked bag
- One backpack or personal item
If you are joining through the $5 Travel Club, this combo gives you enough space for 8 days, 14 days, or even a whole month, without paying for multiple checked bags.
The Cobblestone Problem
If you only remember one thing from this section, let it be this:
Cobblestone will absolutely destroy weak suitcase wheels.
European cities love cobblestones. Train station approaches love uneven pavement. Hotel streets love curbs. Cheap wheels do not.
You have a few options:
- Roller with strong wheels:
Ideal if you want to roll through airports and train stations with ease. Just understand that 360-degree 4-wheel luggage, although very convenient, often has wheels that seem engineered to fail at the sight of a cobblestone. We have seen more than a few people dragging wounded luggage down the street to catch a train, and it is not fun.
A bit more forgiving on bumps, less sleek, but sometimes tougher wheels. These are often less versatile, with only two-directional movement. Still, the wheels are frequently built into the frame, making them more resilient.
Great if your shoulders and back can handle it. No wheels means cobblestone is no threat, but stairs and long walks become a workout. This option is mostly recommended for those who are more physically fit than we are. But it is also dependent on the destination. Rome has alot more cobblestone than Paris, for example, and Venice… Ahh Venice. A city on the water with literally hundreds of bridges.
There is no single correct answer for which to choose, but here is the Atomic rule of thumb:
Pick a bag that can survive being rolled over cobblestones, dragged up hotel stairs, and lifted onto a train without breaking your back.
Your backpack or personal item is much easier to deal with and the best practice here is to keep it simple. 3 basic parameters should be:
- Comfortable to wear for long stretches
- Able to sit under a seat if needed
- Big enough for your electronics, a change of clothes, meds, valuables, and your “if my checked bag disappears for 24 hours, I will still be okay” kit
Any small to medium-sized backpack or bag that works best for your needs is the best choice for packing for international trips. I have used an old tactical backpack for years, and it has gotten the job done. The main things to focus on here are size compliance (check with your airline for specific dimensions), storage capacity, and comfort. Oh, and it has to look cool!
Step Two: Vacuum Bags, Rolling, And The Myth Of Infinite Space
Let’s talk about the infamous vacuum sealing bags and the equally famous rolling technique. Both are great and help save space tremendously when packing for international trips. However, there is always a give and a take… as with most things in life.
Vacuum Bags: The Good, The Bad, And The Wrinkly
Hand-pump vacuum bags can be fantastic when used correctly, and the hand pump itself can be relatively small and easy to pack.
The pros:
- They significantly condense bulky items by sucking out the air.
- They keep outfits or clothing categories separate and organized.
- Using one bag per outfit can make your mornings on the trip incredibly easy. Grab a bag, get dressed, done.
The cons:
- The plastic can be weak in certain spots and prone to leaking. One tiny puncture and the bag slowly re-inflates.
- Some of the large sizes are just too big. Once full, they turn into awkward bricks that don’t fit neatly into a suitcase.
- Clothes can get extremely wrinkly. If you cannot live without smooth fabrics, this might not be your friend.
- The big one: vacuum bags change the size, not the weight. That compressed cube still weighs the same. It is very easy to overpack and then get smacked with an overweight baggage fee at check-in.
We like vacuum bags for:
- One outfit per bag setups
- Separating clean clothes from worn clothes mid-trip
- Compressing bulky items like sweaters or thermals
We do not depend on them as a magic solution to packing for international trips.
Getting the small to medium sizes works best for one bag per outfit per day. We have also found it advantageous to fold your clothes neatly, as flat as possible, to reduce at least a few wrinkles. Likewise, it is smart to place the bag inside your luggage, then pack and seal it while inside so it contours to your luggage.
Ranger Rolling: Simple And Reliable.
Ranger rolling (tightly rolling clothes into compact cylinders) is the other classic method. It has the bonus of working well without any gadgets. Rolling makes it easier to see what you have packed, as you can pick up an individual item without unrolling it or unsealing a vacuum bag. Another positive is that it reduces wrinkles more than basic folding, though not entirely.
It is not particularly effective inside vacuum bags. At that point, you are doing two systems for marginal benefit.
Our approach:
- Use ranger rolling as the default
- Use a small number of vacuum bags where it actually helps: bulky items or single outfit packs
- Always weigh your bag before you leave home if you are going anywhere near a weight limit
Step Three: Electronics, Cables, And Not Losing Your Mind
Modern travel means modern gear: phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, e-readers, chargers, adapters, power banks, headphones, and the cords that go with them all.
If you toss them in, they will turn into a knot. That is not a maybe. That is a guarantee. Packing for international trips means not only keeping your devices safe, but also organized and accessible.
Cord Organizers And Rubber Ties
A simple electronics and cord organizer can be a sanity saver. We like organizer bags equipped with:
- Elastic loops for cables
- Small pockets for adapters and plugs
- A zippered section for smaller items like memory cards
Rubber cord ties or reusable cable bands are also beneficial. Wrap each cord individually so you can pull out exactly what you need without dragging half your tech life along with it.
Protecting Electronics With Clothes
A very low-tech but effective trick:
- Wrap sensitive electronics like cameras, laptops, or external drives in soft clothing
- Place them in the center of your backpack, surrounded by softer items
Your clothes become padding, and you save space by combining protection and packing. But there is an important rule here:
Do not put your sensitive electronics in your checked bag.
Luggage handlers have a challenging, fast-paced job. They are not gently lowering your suitcase into a hammock. They are throwing it with Herculean enthusiasm. Add the risk of lost luggage and theft, and it simply is not worth checking your laptop, camera, or tablet.
Keep the essential things in your Backpack, Personal item, or Cabin bag.
If you cannot afford to lose it or it will ruin your trip if it breaks, it lives with you, not under the plane.
Step Four: What You Wear On The Plane Really Matters
Most people default to pajamas, leggings, or whatever combination of “comfy airport outfit” they love. Comfort is important, but there is another strategy that can save serious space and even money.
Wear your heaviest, bulkiest items on your travel days.Here is a real example.
I travel with a hefty pair of paratrooper boots (size US 13), cold-weather thermal pants, and a fleece-lined, heavy jacket. Those three items alone can fill almost half a checked bag and push it closer to the weight limit. Instead of packing them, I wear them.
Was it warm on the plane? Yes. Did I question my life choices in the security line? Also yes. Was it worth it to save around $80 on extra luggage fees and free up a massive amount of space in my suitcase?
Absolutely.
So while packing for international trips, if you want to bring that thing that takes up tons of room or weighs a lot, wear it. Wear your bulkiest shoes, your heaviest jacket, and layer up. You can always remove a layer once you are past boarding and stash it in the overhead or under the seat.
Think of your body as an extra luggage rack. Airlines do not charge extra for the jacket you are wearing or the boots on your feet.
On that note…
Sshhhh!! Secret Travel Hack!
Okay, you have to promise to share this only with your most trusted inner circle. I have used this simple travel hack for years, which has worked wonders.
I take all of my underwear and neatly stuff them into my neck pillow. I know, it’s brilliant!
What I do is remove the cushion, use the pillow cover to hold my undies and some socks, zip it back up, and clip it onto my backpack. Although it may be a little firmer than the cushion, it also still functions as a neck pillow and is a great stow-away. I have used this secret travel hack for years, and my skivvies have never since taken up space in my bags.
Be gentle and mindful when stuffing clothes into the neck pillow case. The stitching is regularly weak and may tear, exposing your smuggled unmentionables.
Another important reminder for this trick… Do Not Lose Your Neck Pillow!
Step Five: How We Fit A Month Into One Checked Bag And A Backpack
Here is how this all comes together for us when we are running back-to-back trips across Europe.
The Checked Bag
Inside the checked bag, we:
- Choose a color palette so that most items mix and match
- Pack 6 to 10 days’ worth of clothes, then plan to do laundry
- Use a few vacuum bags for:
- Bulky sweaters
- Winter layers
- One outfit per bag
- Ranger rolling any additional clothes
- Keep shoes to 2 or 3 pairs total, including the ones we wear on the plane
- Pack all chargers, adapters, and cables in an organizer
- Finish up with the toiletries and other bathroom items
This is enough to cover day tours, evenings out in cities, semi-fancy events, and various weather swings. With the proper rotation and occasional laundry, that setup easily stretches to 3 or 4 weeks. When packing for international trips it is important to remember that laundry facilities do exist and although it may take some time out of your sightseeing, it’s always better to have a pair of clean socks.
The Backpack / Personal Item
In the backpack, we keep:
- Laptop, tablet, or e-reader
- Camera and lenses (if bringing them)
- Necessary chargers, adapters, and cables, in an organizer
- A small toiletry kit with flight-sized liquids
- A change of clothes and underwear in case the checked bag goes missing for a day
- Any medications and important documents
- Passports
- Headphones
- Snacks
This way, even if the checked bag takes a scenic detour, you still have something to wear, your work and communication tools, and other essentials to function for at least 24 hours on arrival.
For Atomic Trips travelers, this setup works beautifully on our trips to Europe. Whether you are headed with us to Ireland, Italy, or Paris and Brussels, it keeps you mobile, organized, and under airline limits.
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