I really pride myself on packing lightly whenever we go to Europe. We’re both REALLY frugal, but traveling is one thing we allow ourselves to spend some money on.
In order to keep the trip cheap, we’ve found that we must pack as lightly as possible to avoid having to pay for taxis or other forms of luggage help. Plus, we’re both happier when dragging around bags that weigh less than a ton of bricks.
Everything I read online said that once you have a baby, your light-packing days are over. I took this as my call to the Ultimate Packing Challenge: one bag per person with no checked luggage. We usually take one backpack per person, so this would just be adding another small bag and another small five-month-old person, right?
Unfortunately, limits had changed since our last trip. The airlines we were taking would only allow carry-ons of up to 13 pounds. And the one carry-on per person rule had gotten even more strict. For a moment, staring at all the stuff I needed to pack for our 16-day trip, I wondered if I could really pull this off.
Proud to say that my mission was accomplished! Here are my greatest tricks:
1. Reruns are good – I only packed about four days of clothes for myself and did laundry a few times in Europe. Tank tops, an extra pair of pants, and a nice sweater for layering were key.
2. All in one – the baby lived in one-piece outfits (onesies and footed pj’s), eliminating the need for socks that he would eventually pull off or a midsection exposed to the cold.
3. Put your back into it – we left our stroller at home and used our hotslings instead! This was a bold move, but it worked out quite well to simplify things. Not only did it keep him close to us and away from some germs, it also allowed us to wander places with cobblestones and steps easily.
4. Go flat – all of our clothes went into 1-gallon Ziploc bags which we sat upon before zipping to get the vacuum-packed effect. It really works!
5. Bulk up – we each needed a thick coat, so we wore them on the plane. What you’re wearing doesn’t count as luggage! In a moment of desperation at London Gatwick, we stuffed our coat pockets with things we had accumulated during the first flight leg (uneaten snacks, cheap toothbrushes, etc).
Here is my entire trip wardrobe, plus the baby’s. Oh, did I mention that I fit this stuff, 48 diapers and his pop-up travel bed into one small carry-on duffel bag?
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What!!!!!!!!!! After such an amazing feat, not one of your “so called friends” has posted to congratulate / honor you on your achievement?!?! Well, let me be the first, albeit tardy, to say +10 cool points. Dad may share in them to the degree he helped plan & “carry” out the mission.
Did you bring a car seat? My wife and I were considering going with our son (3 month old), but weren’t really sure if we needed it or not. By not bring it means we walk of take the subway, but thought it would be nice to have an actual seat for him. Any thoughts? BTW, I applaud your packing skills…..
M Lorenzo–We didn’t bring a car seat but we borrowed one for a portion of the trip where we’d be traveling in someone’s car.
I think that bringing a car seat is the ideal if you have a lightweight stroller or frame it can snap into. It is much safer/more convenient for the baby to be in a car seat on the plane and it gives you the option of taking a cab if necessary.
If you’re planning on taking a stroller and/or having to check in some luggage anyway, I would say go ahead and take the car seat.
If you’re trying to pack as lightly as possible, can walk or take trains and planes everywhere, and don’t mind carrying your baby in a sling, then yes, it is possible to go without a car seat. Not easy, but definitely possible!
I’d like to hear how it all turns out. Where are you thinking of going?