Mistakes to avoid when packing for European domestic flights

European domestic airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air and Vueling are popular low-cost, no-frills airlines, ideal for weekend getaways or summer trips to Greece, Italy and Croatia. While travelers can sometimes score flights to dream destinations for incredibly low prices, the affordable price tag comes with one major caveat: very strict restrictions on luggage and personal items.

As a travel writer from Italy, traveling around Europe on these budget airlines has been my bread and butter for over a decade. Over the years, I’ve learned the 12 items you should never pack when traveling on European budget airlines and the essential items you should bring instead. Items like laptop backpacks with shoe compartments, travel-size anti-wrinkle sprays, and portable digital luggage scales will have you packing like a pro, so you’ll never have to wear multiple, stifling layers of clothing on the plane again in order to bring more of your favorite travel essentials. The best part: many of my favorite items are on Amazon, starting at just $8.

Don’t pack: Overweight suitcase

Instead, bring this: Portable luggage scale

While it may seem obvious, it’s not hard to overpack and exceed the airline’s weight limit. Don’t forget: the weight of your bag also contributes to your total weight allowance. For budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet, the maximum weight for a carry-on bag is just 22 pounds. To avoid overweight charges, I always carry this small, portable digital scale. Compact and light enough to fit in a personal item, this easy-to-use scale can weigh your luggage in both pounds and kilograms. It’s currently on sale for $8.

Don’t pack: Larger carry-on bag

Pack this instead: Compact carry-on suitcase

Many luggage companies like Away have started releasing larger carry-on models that may be great for international travel, but not so much for domestic travel around Europe. While dimensions vary by airline and you should always check before you travel, the average baggage allowance for a carry-on on these low-cost European airlines is fairly small: 22 x 18 x 10 inches. These restrictions are fairly strictly enforced: it’s not unusual for travelers to have their bags measured at the gate and then have to check them in for a fee if their luggage exceeds the specified dimensions.

Not only is this compact carry-on from Samsonite super lightweight (it weighs just 3.4kg), it’s also just the right size for any budget European flight (35.5 x 23.8 x 55.8cm). Plus, it has a few extra perks: it has an interior battery compartment, a USB charging port, expandable sides and spinner wheels, and a reasonable price of $119 is the cherry on top.

No packaging: Vacuum sealed bags

Pack This Instead: Compression Packing Cubes

Vacuum-sealed bags can be great for compressing clothes, but they’re notorious for adding weight to your luggage because they can cause you to overpack with the extra space, and you often need to carry a hand pump. I prefer compression packing cubes, like these ones from Gomex, not only for their compressibility but also for how soft and flexible they are—their rip-stop nylon material lets me fit more stuff in my carry-on without going overboard. And, since they compress via a zipper, I don’t need to carry a hand pump or worry about finding a vacuum. Currently, you can invest in a five-pack of different-sized packing cubes and a separate laundry bag for just $27, including a coupon from the site.

Don’t pack: Wallet

Pack this instead: Spacious Laptop Backpack with Shoe Compartment

Budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet allow travelers to bring one personal item on board for free, but even these smaller items are subject to strict size restrictions. While they vary by airline and should also be double-checked before travel, the average dimensions for personal items are 18 x 14 x 8 inches. That’s why this spacious laptop backpack with a separate shoe compartment is the perfect personal item alternative to a regular handbag. In addition to being the perfect size (its dimensions are 18 x 11.81 x 7.87 inches), the backpack boasts a number of clever organizational features that will help you maximize your limited space. Oh, and did we mention it’s a steal at just $44?

The spacious main compartment can hold bulkier items like cameras, toiletries, or even extra clothing. There’s an impressive array of features, too: a laptop sleeve, a built-in battery and USB charging port, several zippered pockets, a secret exterior back pocket for more valuable items, a trolley sleeve, and a shoe compartment big enough to hold a pair of sneakers. Just remember that it’s always best to wear your bulkiest shoes when traveling to save space.

Do not pack: Pillow

Pack This Instead: Refillable Travel Neck Pillow

While I haven’t needed to try the stuffable travel neck pillow hack (yet), it’s a unique way to pack more with less that naturally went viral on TikTok (along with stuffing a pillowcase with extra clothing).

While this memory foam travel pillow isn’t necessarily designed to be stuffed with clothing, its removable insert allows travelers to roll up smaller items, such as socks, underwear, tank tops, and swimsuits, into its soft cover. Not only does this allow you to fit more of your essentials, but you’ll also be able to use your extra clothing as a comfortable neck pillow when traveling—a win-win for the low price of $25.

Don’t bring: Standard wallet

Pack This Instead: RFID Blocking Travel Wallet

When traveling within Europe, you’ll want to invest in a wallet that can handle it all, like this travel-sized wallet from Zero Grid. Made from a durable, water-resistant ripstop nylon material, it’s designed with RFID-blocking technology and is small enough to fit in a crossbody bag or jacket pocket. Not only can it hold your wallet, but it can also hold four to ten credit cards, tickets, additional forms of ID, plus bills and loose change. It also comes with a small travel pen for filling out customs forms.

Do not pack: Canvas bag

Pack this instead: foldable bag

This mini crossbody bag can be easily compressed and folded to fit into your carry-on luggage and is a great option if you want to carry essentials with you while traveling through airports. The bag is also cute and functional enough to double as a purse when you arrive at your destination. It features a removable crossbody strap, an external pocket, an internal zipper pocket, and two internal slip pockets that can hold essentials such as your cell phone, wallet, sunglasses, and even a small water bottle.

Its mini size is especially ideal for entering certain monuments, such as the Vatican Museums, which do not allow large bags. But best of all is its main zippered compartment, ideal for protecting against pickpockets on public transport and in outdoor restaurants in major European cities.

Don’t pack: Travel vaporizer

Pack This Instead: Travel Size Anti-Wrinkle Spray

While travel steamers can help get the toughest wrinkles out of clothes, they’re usually pretty heavy, not to mention bulky. For trips where I’m only traveling with carry-on luggage, I bring Bounce Wrinkle-Removing Spray to remove wrinkles, static, and musty odors from my clothes. The TSA-approved 3-ounce spray bottle comes in a three-pack for an ultra-affordable $10, and the individual bottles are small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. For more severe wrinkles, I usually go old school: I spritz my clothes with the wrinkle-removing spray, then hang them in the bathroom when I take a hot shower and let the steam do the rest.

Don’t pack: Plastic water bottle from the airport

Pack this instead: Reusable water bottle

Traveling by plane, especially in the summer, can be a dehydrating experience that can sap the energy you need to drink in Europe’s cultural hotspots. Next time you travel, skip the expensive airport water bottles and help the environment by packing a stainless steel bottle, like this one from HydroFlask. And, since domestic low-cost airlines in Europe don’t offer free water on flights (that’s right, you have to pay for a bottle of water), you can also save a few euros while traveling. Plus, in cities like Rome, which has thousands of free public water fountains scattered around its historic center, it’s definitely worth having a reusable water bottle on hand.

Don’t pack: Bulky toiletry bag

Pack this instead: Small, clear toiletry bag

Large toiletry bags can take up a lot of unnecessary and valuable space in a carry-on suitcase. This pack of two small, clear toiletry bags will not only save you valuable luggage space, but will also help you get through frenetic security checks faster because they clearly show what’s inside. If your carry-on is already packed to the point of bursting, these toiletry bags are small and flexible enough to be compressed into a personal item. They’ll also prevent internal spills from leaking onto the essentials around you thanks to their thick PVC material.

Do not pack: Loose jewelry

Pack this instead: a foldable jewelry travel case

This foldable jewelry travel case from Bagsmart is a less bulky option than traditional travel cases, which tend to be quite boxy. Its roll-up bag-like design is also very compact, so it can easily fit into a personal item or even a jacket pocket, especially given how lightweight it is.

Although small, the case boasts a number of organizational features including three zippered compartments for larger earrings and necklaces, an earring panel that can hold seven pairs of earrings, and a long buckled band to store your rings.

Don’t pack: flimsy paper airline luggage tags

Pack This Instead: Leather Luggage Tag

Even after all these precautions, there’s always the chance that your carry-on bag will be checked at the gate. If this happens, you’ll want something sturdier and more eye-catching than the airline’s flimsy paper tag to identify your bag at baggage claim. That’s where this stylish little monogrammed luggage tag comes in handy. Made from supple faux leather, the black luggage tag is virtually scratch-resistant and comes with a subtle privacy shield to cover your personal information. Best of all, it’s only $9 and affordable.

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