European Travel Skills: Packing Light - Rick Steves' Europe Travel Guide

In Germany you can’t swim in a public pool in shorts. You have to use “proper” swimming bottoms. I.e. “speedo”.

Du sollst immer früh sein. Nicht spät!

I travel very late. I only use carry-on and that’s it. I can go for three weeks with two pairs of pants four pairs of boxers, four shirts four pair pairs of socks is do laundry. It’s not hard. It’s just like you’re living at home.

I have owned two of his backpacks over 25 years and they have each been to at least 15 countries each.

Is that first shot in Cinque Terre, Matogrosso?

I haven't done europe yet, but I've done plenty in the US by plane train or car. I use a 45l Goruck GR3 and that's it. For a week, I use 3 merino wool shirts for multiple day use, 2 pairs of pants or shorts (depending on the weather and location), shorts for sleeping, a pair of pants for fancier occasions if I'm packing shorts for daily use, a pair of boat shoes with boot inserts for comfort while walking, sneakers if I plan on working out. Depending on the weather I'll wear some plain black boots that are weatherproof and are good for walking, or some hiking boots if I'm doing outdoor stuff, but I'll wear those on the plane or train if I bring them. One thing I won't compromise on is socks and underwear. I will not wear socks or underwear for multiple days. A small toiletry bag. I experimented with a small cook kit with a backpacker stove, a military style mess kit, and a little stanley pot to save money on eating out. It worked ok. The only annoying part is having to buy a little propane bottle for it when I get there because I don't think I can fly with it, but I was able to cut my food budget in half so I might keep that included in the future. I'm excited to test the setup in europe at some point in the future

ok

And then you complain that we laugh at your ‘fashion’😂

Pity Rick is an antisemite

I enjoy packing light.. Only a rucksack with a weight limit of 5kgms of hand luggage for 2weeks but it was to a hot country!!

Smart

Great advice. Especially given that you’ll need to be able to move at speed when those angry European mobs start chasing you out of their country for daring to want to visit ☕️💅🏼

I was delighted to follow Rick’s advice and trust that I could find toiletries in Scotland with no problem. Yup! Right as usual and I found some things I wish I could find over here. I was gone for 5 weeks with a small carry on and a small purse. There are wonderful heated towel racks in most hotels you can dry lightweight clothes on overnight. Happy traveling!

This video pretty much got me into ultralight backpacking 16 years ago.

If you can’t carry everything you’re bringing with you all day comfortably, you have too much stuff.

European are to busy pushing LGBT to mange overcrowding that comes most from illegal immigrants

No your a man trying to tell a woman how to pack ? Total BS

From camping, I have a lot of clothing that can be easily washed and dried overnight. I pack one pair of pants, and or shorts to suit the weather. Two shirts, 2 underwear and 3 pair of socks. I'll rewear pants and shorts till soiled, underwear and socks as needed. I don't care what I look like, I'm on vacation and avoid all formal events, I don't like them. My toiletries are Dr. Bonner's soap and a toothbrush.

Always bring a second pair of shoes in case you get stuck in the rain and your shoes get soaked

What Backpack was he using?

I love Rick Steves but he is a male and packing while male is very easy compared to us females :)

3:56 and Ireland

So surreal that it's 2025 and you're watching him say in 2013 that a smartphone is "an increasingly valuable tool", as you glance at all dem apps for trains, flight, hostels and everything on your phone

Whenever I travel by myself I can usually fit a week worth of clothes into just a carry on. Whenever I travel with my wife I end up lugging around a big wheelie bag.

Weather consideration if cold Need sweaters jackets coats

Thanks, Rick !

A medication and vitamin pack ESSENTIAL

“Might be toothpaste? Beware, it might be Preparation H… 😆

thank you

I travel on motorcycle. Don't need much and wash out clothes every night. Light weight nylon dries quickly.

Pick up something you think might be toothpaste ?
If you don't speak (or can't read) a language, you could conceivably end up with Preparation-H instead ! Don't think you'd want to brush your teeth with it !

Yea, most of the things we carry around can be bought over there wherever we go, maybe just enough clothes, barely enough, if you are brave enough you can take as little clothing as possible and wash it over the, if there even is a place to do that.

I’ve still got Rick’s suitcase that he marketed about 35 years ago. It’s great.

Very helpful.

I ran out of contact lenses in Moscow and found a vending machine that sold the brand that I wore for so much less than I would pay in the US and didn’t require a prescription!

Do pack aspirin in a bottle because in countries such as France one needs a prescription to buy aspirin it's not over-the-counter.

Your idea of picking up each item holding it in your hand and considering do I want this will I use it if I don't use it do I still want it anyway is a great advice, also for doing a total purge of one's belongings. For example, when one moved continents several years ago, I spent 7 months to do that. I pickrd up every single item, trying on every piece of clothing etc., every single thing, and for each I decided whether I wanted to keep it, to donate it, to give it away, or to throw away or recycle it. Very helpful.

Packing light is liberating! It's amazing how little you actually need when you focus on experiences over possessions.

It's definitely a video just for men.

Awesome video and great tips

But what about souviners how can you get any home if you pack light?

Excellent advice! Thank you.

Terrible video .!!! Misleading information

I love Rick Steves!!

Being Vintage age, we can’t carry a heavy back pack or suitcase. What kind of bag do you recommend with wheels?

Take it from an individual who did not pack light through Europe, Rick Steves is right and I was clearly wrong. The worse place to not pack light is Venice, Italy; too many bridges and steps. Trust me, no one else cares as they navigate around you, quickly becoming a billboard for what an American tourist looks like on vacation.