Packing mistakes to avoid when flying within Europe

European domestic airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Vueling are popular low-cost, no-frills airlines that are perfect for long weekend getaways or summer trips to Greece, Italy and Croatia. Travelers can sometimes snag flights to dream destinations at incredibly low prices, but the affordability comes with one important caveat: very strict baggage and possession restrictions.

As a travel writer from Italy, traveling around Europe on these budget airlines has been my main source of income for over a decade. Over the years, I’ve learned the 12 things you should never pack when flying on budget European domestic airlines, and the essentials you should bring instead. Items like a laptop backpack with shoe compartments, a travel-sized wrinkle remover spray, and a digital portable luggage scale will help you pack like a pro. No more wearing layers of muggy clothes on the plane just to bring more of your favorite travel outfit. The best part is, many of my favorite items are available on Amazon, starting at just $8.

What not to pack: An overweight suitcase

Pack this instead: a portable luggage scale

It may sound obvious, but it’s not uncommon to overpack and exceed the airline’s weight limit. Don’t forget, the weight of your suitcase also affects your overall weight limit. Low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet allow a maximum carry-on suitcase weight of just 22 pounds. To avoid excess weight fees, I always bring this small, portable digital scale with me. Compact and light enough to pack in your personal belongings, this easy-to-use scale can weigh your luggage in both pounds and kilograms and is currently on sale for $8.

Don’t bring: Large carry-on suitcases

Take this instead: A compact carry-on suitcase

Many luggage companies, such as Away, have begun to roll out larger carry-on styles that may be great for international travel, but not so great for travel within Europe. Dimensions vary by airline, so you should always double-check before traveling, but the average carry-on limit for these budget European airlines is pretty small: 22 x 18 x 10 inches. These limits are enforced pretty strictly, and it’s not uncommon for travelers to have to measure their suitcases at the gate and pay a fee to check them if their luggage exceeds the specified dimensions.

This compact Samsonite carry-on suitcase is not only incredibly light, weighing just 7.5 pounds, but it’s also the perfect size for budget European flights at 14 x 9 x 22 inches. Plus, it comes with extra perks like an internal battery pouch, USB charging port, expandable sides, and spinner wheels. And what’s more, its affordable price of $119 really adds to its appeal.

Do not pack: in vacuum sealed bag

Pack This Instead: Compression Packing Cubes

Vacuum packs are great for compressing clothes, but they are notorious for adding weight to your luggage because the extra space can lead to overpacking. They also often require you to bring a manual pump. I prefer compression packing cubes like these from Gomex, not only for their compression capabilities, but also because they’re soft and flexible. The ripstop nylon material makes it easy to pack more without overstuffing your carry-on suitcase. They also zip up for compression, so you don’t have to carry a manual pump or hunt for a vacuum cleaner. Right now, you can buy a pack with five different sizes of packing cubes and a separate laundry bag for just $27, which includes onsite coupons.

What not to bring: Wallet

Pack this instead: A spacious laptop backpack with a shoe compartment

Low-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet allow you to bring personal items on board for free, but they also have strict size restrictions for these small items. Although it varies by airline and you should double check before you travel, on average, personal items measure 18 x 14 x 8 inches. That’s why this spacious laptop backpack with a separate shoe compartment is the perfect personal items alternative to a regular handbag. In addition to being the perfect size with dimensions of 18 x 11.81 x 7.87 inches, this backpack also comes with a ton of smart organizational features that help you make the most of your limited space. Oh, and did we mention it’s a bargain at just $44?

The spacious main compartment can hold bulkier items like your camera, toiletries, and a change of clothes. It also comes with a variety of features, including a laptop sleeve, built-in battery and USB charging port, multiple zippered pockets, a secret exterior rear pocket for valuables, a trolley pass-through sleeve, and a shoe compartment large enough to fit sneakers. Remember, when traveling, it’s best practice to wear your bulkiest shoes to save space.

Don’t take: Pillows

Pack this instead: a packable travel neck pillow

While you haven’t yet had to try out the stuffable travel neck pillow hack, it’s a unique way to pack more with less, and it’s become a natural favorite on TikTok (alongside stuffing extra clothes into a pillowcase).

While this memory foam travel pillow isn’t necessarily designed to be stuffed with clothes, it does have a removable insert so you can roll up small items like socks, underwear, tank tops, and swimsuits into the soft case. This allows you to not only pack the essentials, but also use your extra clothes as a comfy neck pillow while traveling. At a low price of $25, it really kills two birds with one stone.

Don’t bring: Standard wallets

Pack this instead: RFID-blocking travel wallet

When traveling within Europe, you’ll want to invest in an all-purpose wallet like the Zero Grid travel size. Made from waterproof, durable ripstop nylon material and featuring RFID blocking technology, this wallet is small enough to fit in a crossbody bag or jacket pocket. It holds more than just your wallet; it also holds 4-10 credit cards, tickets, additional ID, bills, and coins. It even comes with a micro travel pen for filling out customs forms.

What not to bring: Duffel bags

Pack this instead: a foldable tote

This mini crossbody tote bag easily compresses and folds into a carry-on, making it perfect for keeping your essentials on you as you navigate the airport. Plus, this bag is cute and functional enough to double as a handbag once you reach your destination. It features a detachable crossbody strap, exterior pocket, interior zipper pocket, and two interior slip pockets to store essentials like your phone, wallet, sunglasses, or even a small water bottle.

Its mini size is especially perfect for entering certain monuments where larger bags are banned, such as the Vatican Museums, but best of all is the zippered main compartment, perfect for warding off pickpockets on public transport or at outdoor dining spots in major European cities.

Don’t bring: Travel steamers

Pack this instead: A travel-sized anti-wrinkle spray.

Travel steamers can help get rid of stubborn wrinkles in clothes, but they’re usually quite heavy and bulky. If you’re traveling with only carry-on luggage, bring along Bounce wrinkle-removing spray to get rid of wrinkles, static electricity, and musty odors from your clothes. The TSA-approved 3-ounce spray bottles are very affordable at $10 for a pack of three, and each bottle is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. For more severe wrinkles, I usually go the old-fashioned way: I spray my clothes with the wrinkle-removing spray, hang it in the bathroom while I’m in a hot shower, and let the steam do the rest.

Don’t bring: Plastic bottles at the airport

Pack this instead: a reusable water bottle.

Air travel can easily lead to dehydration, especially in the summer, which can sap the energy you need to drink water at Europe’s cultural attractions. Next time you travel, skip the pricey airport water bottles and do your part to help the environment by bringing a stainless steel water bottle like this one from HydroFlask. You can also save a few euros while traveling, as low-cost domestic European airlines don’t offer free water during flights (yes, you have to pay for water bottles). Plus, in cities like Rome, there are thousands of free public drinking fountains throughout the historic centers, so having a reusable water bottle on hand will definitely help.

Don’t bring: Bulky toiletry bags

Get this instead: a small, clear toiletry bag.

Large toiletry bags take up a lot of unnecessary and valuable space in your carry-on suitcase. This pack of 2 small clear toiletry bags not only saves you valuable luggage space, but also helps you get through busy security checkpoints faster by clearly showing the contents inside. Even if your carry-on suitcase is already full to capacity, this toiletry bag is small and flexible enough to squeeze in among your personal items. And the thick PVC material prevents liquids from leaking out and spilling onto the essentials around you.

Do not pack: Jewelry

Take this instead: A foldable travel jewelry case

This foldable travel jewelry case from Bagsmart is a less bulky option than traditional travel jewelry cases, which are usually quite boxy, and its roll-up pouch-like design makes it very compact and lightweight, so it can easily fit into your personal belongings or even your jacket pocket.

Though the case is small, it has plenty of organizational features, including three zippered compartments for larger earrings and necklaces, an earring panel that holds up to seven pairs of earrings, and a long buckle band for storing rings.

Don’t bring: Thin paper airline luggage tags

Pack this instead: Leather luggage tags

Even with all these precautions, there’s always the chance that your carry-on bags will be checked at the gate. When that happens, you’ll need something more durable and eye-catching than a flimsy paper airline tag to identify your suitcase at baggage claim. That’s where this small, chic monogrammed luggage tag comes in. Made from supple synthetic leather, this black luggage tag is virtually scratch-resistant and features a discreet privacy shield to hide your personal information. Best of all, it’s affordable at just $9.

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