Pack Like a Pro—Even for a Big Trip

The Stewart-Capell family spent six months planning their European vacation. After whittling down the list of cities they most wanted to visit, they chose London, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. From there, they carefully organized the logistics of their transportation and mapped out the sights they each wanted to see. Then they talked about packing.

AAA Member Crissy Stewart says that while planning a previous trip to Italy with her partner, Michelle Capell, they learned that hard-wheeled suitcases can cause damage to the old streets of Venice. The family agreed not to contribute to that problem.

So the family of seven—parents and five kids ranging in age from 6 to 18—set out last summer to conquer four cities over two weeks.

And they did it all with just one backpack each.

Daypacking

The kids understood that days would begin early and end late, with little downtime. They knew that backpacks would allow for hands-free exploration and make them nimbler. And backpacks that fit in the airplane’s overhead compartment would enable them to hit the streets upon landing, without waiting for checked luggage.

But how do you get two weeks’ worth of clothing, toiletries and entertainment items into one carry-on? Each child packed:

• 3-4 shorts/pants (mostly quick-dry)
• 4-5 T-shirts
• 6-8 pairs of socks and underwear
• 1 bathing suit
• 1 hoodie, which they wore
• 1 pair of shoes, also worn
• Toiletries (each child had a small toiletry bag, except for the youngest, who shared with his parents)
• A book or sketchbook, if desired
• Phone/device and accessories
• Earbuds
• Masks
• Travel pillow for overnight sleeping on the airplane

Some had smaller carry-on bags. The parents also packed a few first-aid items, tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes and extra masks.

The crew then established ground rules. Everyone understood that they were responsible for their own backpacks at all times, even 6-year-old Luther. Each child also had their own spending money and had to figure out how to fit any souvenirs into their backpack.

Packing tips

Stewart offers these pro packing tips:

• Quick-dry clothes are ideal because while travelers often usually wash their clothing, they can’t always dry it.
• Prepare to wear pants/shorts more than once. Darker colors are usually best.
• For dressier occasions, pack black clothing and scarves.
• Wear well-made walking shoes that are already broken in before you travel.
• Share toiletries like toothpaste and lotion when possible.

Samantha Brown, the two-time Emmy Award-winning host and creator of the PBS show Samantha Brown’s Places To Love, says you can save even more space by using toothpaste tablets and shampoo and conditioner bars.

Travel backpacks for women and men

How do you select the perfect backpack? Personal preference and price are usually the deciding factors. Stewart says her family opted for lightweight, inexpensive options with good zippers and convenient pockets that met the carry-on size requirement.

While spontaneity can be difficult with seven people, Stewart said the family learned a lot on the trip—most importantly, the benefit of being flexible.

“Traveling with kids is harder than just traveling as an adult or with other adults,” Stewart says. “Making the kids carry their own bags and buy their own souvenirs was smart. We won’t change that when we travel again. Not taking drag-along luggage is the only way we will ever travel!”

Get our downloadable packing checklist here.

She also shares how to pack a carry-on, showing what she puts in it and how to make it fit—even running shoes and bulky sweaters. Her secret weapon for getting it all in: packing cubes.

You may want to explore luggage options such as two vs. four wheels or hard shell vs. soft shell. Also consider whether you’re a frequent or occasional traveler. Here are six packing tips and a luggage guide.

Packing for a camping trip is a different beast, but the prep is similar. It also comes down to thoughtful planning, rolling rather than folding clothing, and selecting items that fold or collapse. Here’s a good guide that covers everything from clothing to gear and even how to pack your cooler.