I have a question about packing for experienced travellers. I am a college student on a limited budget who will be studying in Europe for four monthes, however, I am travelling around Europe before my semester starts so I want to pack as light as possible. I do not want to have to purchase much clothing in Europe because of the limited budget... Do you have any recommendations for packing everything from summer to winter clothing in one back packing backpack? Or am I just crazy thinking I will get it all to fit? Thanks so much!
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Karen, if you plan to be in Europe for more than four months, I recommend bring much clothing, and many things with you. Or have some clothes mailed to you. If you will be at a place that has cold weather, you will need warm clothes. If you will travel in Europe before you arrive at the school in Europe, some days you could put a bag and coat and hat in a locker or baggage storage room in a train station, or other place, and retrieve it later. At some places in Europe it is possible to leave a bag at a storage place for 2 days (48 hours).
Or, if you will be at a hotel in Europe, and check out from it, and plan to return to that hotel several days later, the hotel might let you leave a large bag there, they will hold it for you while you are away. No fee for that. I recommend that your back pack, when fully loaded, not be heavy. (When you arrive at the school, you do not want to have a broken back). Some airlines allow two large suitcases per person for a flight to Europe. Have fun !
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Although I'm a firm believer in packing light, I don't think your circumstances will allow you to take only one backpack to Europe. Would it work time- and expense-wise to make your first stop the city where you'll be going to school? If so, you could drop off your excess luggage there before you go touring. If you're under the checked luggage weight limit, you'll pay nothing. If you exceed the limit, the extra charges the airline will levy will be a lot less than shipping the luggage from home.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
Karen, you should talk to other students from your school who have done the overseas program or the people running it and get their advice.
Posted by
Seattle
223 posts
I studied abroad twice. Once for a year and a second time (right now, in fact) for 2 1/2 months. Packing light is do-able. It is somewhat dependant on when you are going. For example, July - Oct (cross-seasons) will have different requirements than Nov-Feb (all winter). However, you can do it - the key is layering.
Bring clothes that can be layered to make yourself warmer or cooler as needed. For example, a tank top for hot weather, add a T-shirt if it is cooler, then add a light jacket over the T-shirt if it is cooler still. Bring several pairs of pants and a couple of skirts for flexibility that will go with all the shirts.
If you think about it, you probably wear the same favorite outfits over and over in the US, even with a closet full of clothes.
Be aware that with the last postal reforms (that took effect in May or June), the USPS eliminated surface-mail shipping to Europe. Therefore, only airmail is available to ship items to Europe, which is expensive.