Packing for 5 Weeks in Europe with 7kg Carry-On – Too Ambitious?

Pack enough for 1 week and wear on repeat, washing as necessary. Or you could choose a capsule wardrobe--either a 3 x 3 (3 of of each top, bottom, layer--all that mix and match) or a 5-4-3-2-1 (5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses (for women), 2 shoes, 1 midlayer and 1 accessory--that all mix and match) plan. Travel outfit would be included in both of those--not separately. I personally like the 3 x 3 and add 2 dresses for a total of 11 items with at least 2 of the layers being able to wear with each dress. I wear the heaviest shoes, pack 1 other pair good for walking, and 1 pair of flipflops for hotel/pool, etc. I think it would be doable in 7 Kg, but it would really depend on whether you take a second pair of shoes and what other items you need to take--laptop, book, meds, toiletries, etc.--which can really add to the weight. Take 3 pair of undies, 1 spare bra, 3 pair of socks--if all of these are made of merino wool then you can wear the socks and bras for days with no stink--undies I would sink wash at night or in the shower. Merino wool dries fast so should be dry by morning. Once you have determined what clothing items you want to take, get a kitchen scale and weigh your clothing items--that should tell you if it is reasonable for you. Good luck and let us know what you decide

Is that weight limit for your personal item, too? If not, your electronics and heavier items can go in there.
Regardless, have you weighed the suitcase? At an average of likely 2-3 kgs that's heading towards half your limit before even putting anything in!
I have accomplished this, but only with a lightweight duffel or backpack and packing, as noted above, as if for a week and rewearing clothing in a rotation (hang inside out overnight and spray with a lovely fabric spray). The other consideration is time of year, you don't say? As well as if you have specific activities (hikes? opera/fancy meals? mostly city sightseeing...etc).
Can you provide a little more context? You're in good company here :). The kitchen scale suggested is really helpful, stuff always weighs more than you expect!

Maybe some people can do it but we can't. Our carry-on bags come in at around 10-12kg (22-25lbs) and trust me, we're not bringing everything plus the kitchen sink. Our electronics (chargers, adapters, iPod mini, etc) and the pack along probably get us to 5kg. So we fly carriers that have a size but not weight limit, or at least a generous weight limit. Note that many carriers, and probably all the budget carriers, will weigh your personal item together with the carry-on. Best of luck!

Thank you, it is next April and this is the list of places for 5 weeks:

Sydney, Tokyo, Munich, Rome, Castiligion D'Orcia Castiligion D'Orcia (wedding) Rome, Budapest, Vienna, Cesky Krumlov,Prague Prague, Nuremburg,Rothenberg, Paris, Seine Cruise( Paris to Honfleur) last place Amsterdam.

Wont take a laptop.

I have also noticed that some carriers such as Easy jet you have to pay extra for a cabin bag anyway. The only free is under the seat bag. This is a flight from Munich to Rome.

1 personal item
Included
Fits under the seat in front of you

Add 1 cabin bag
+ AUD61.99
25 x 45 x 56 cm · 15 kg

Add 1 checked bag
+ AUD67.93
15 kg

Every airline is different. It's usually Asian/Australian carriers that limit to 7 kg. Other airlines, like Easyjet force you to pay if you want to bring a "normal" size carry on.

Make a packing list of everything you want to take then weigh each item including the bag. (Or just pack it and weigh the it all at once.) There are plenty of videos online on how to pack light. Sarah Murdoch, who was once a guide or RS, has a couple for ultra-superlight packing.

The other important point is whether or not you will take a personal item and is it included in the 7 kg limit or separate?

Clearly many air carriers are making much more money by charging for bags rather than raising fares. A simple touring vacation can most likely be done with 7kg in a carry-on excluding electronics in your personal item, BUT...The wrinkles in the plans lie in the dressy occasions that may require clothing that won't be worn much (wedding, cruise) , and the number of "cheap" flights that add charges each time. Choice #1 will be selecting very lightweight luggage, probably a ripstop nylon duffle/backpack style, not a heavier roller bag or sturdy actual camping backpack. Choice # 2 will be your decision on how to choose "dressier" clothing options that can be used in more casual settings. My wife, for example, has a lovely black merino "base layer" that is really a quite nice top for evenings. It is multi-use but it was a premium cost up front. I always wear a blazer for flights (initially for the pockets) but it also can be dressed up or down. Choice #3 concerns how many cheap flights to take with their added luggage cost rather than taking trains. Choose # 4 - you can also shop for things in Europe and have your hotel/cruise contractor ship them home. Choose #5 - you accept the "luggage fees" like we have to accept currency fees and phone roaming charges as relatively minor expenses in the context of the major costs of long-haul airfares, cruises, and wedding venues. After our last two-week trip to Europe I actually added everything up out of curiosity and discovered that our choice of wines at dinner was a much more significant cost than any of these nagging fees. Have a GREAT TIME!

Sure, you could do it, but your itinerary is quite a variety of places, temperatures, rain chances, so it could be tough. For me, I would have to cut back my already light pack (closer to 10 kilos) and avoid picking up anything along the way. My concern is that it might get to the point of discomfort, and having to do laundry every few days. I plan enough for about a week.

When I do take intra-Europe budget airline flights though, I always check my bag, just eliminates any worry about being just over, and the total cost of the flight is still cheap, cheaper than train or a flight with a major flag carrier

The simple answer is that a 7 kg luggage limit can be accommodated for a stay of indeterminate length. The question is whether you personally would be happy doing so, a question no one but you can answer.

I've done it. My wife could not.

Good luck. Im still trying to do a carryon and personal item on American for 14 days. We will be in Venice 3 days and don’t want to worry about a large bag.

I've done just over 7kg for nearly 4 weeks for my suitcase. It involved me leaving out a 2nd pair of walking shoes and it was to Italy so I could take lighter weight clothing.

You mention having a wedding to attend so I wonder if this will involve a nicer set of clothes and something other than walking shoes? That might be the deal breaker.

I used a suitcase that weighs 4.5 pounds and my bag weighed 16.1 pounds when I walked out the door. That did not include the personal item. My goal was the Air France weight of 12kg for the total of 2 bags which is way more than you are having to deal with.

I also encourage you to weigh every item that goes into your suitcase and do several trial packs well before you travel. You may be able to save some weight by buying toiletry items at your destinations. I have some allergies so need to bring shampoo, conditioner, etc.

AJ, thank you for providing more details- what an amazing trip you have planned! So, the wedding is tricky, but easier than a lot of hiking needs!
I've done two weddings here in the US, prior to flying on to Europe. I'm not sure what your style is, but I'm a minimalist anyway. My clothes are mostly black or gray, with some white and beige.
A black jersey "hi-low" hem midi skirt with a black tank top and lightweight cashmere wrap (wear that onto the plane) and leopard print flats =wedding, unless yours is black tie, and then this may not work. I wear the same gold tiny hoop earrings and necklace throughout.
That same skirt is a workhorse for city touring, which it sounds like you primarily have. I wear either white sneakers (warmer weather) or Chelsea - style boots (colder). Those are worn onto the plane.
A wind/ waterproof jacket with either a zip-in liner or a fleece/lightweight puffer- wear onto the plane and make use of the pockets! (That's where I stash my heavy first aid kit, charger, etc!)
It takes more time and effort, but only you can decide if it's worth it!

Most talk on here relates to carry on size. So if you take a carry on size and only total 7kg in it you will have extra room. This way you can try your 7kg and see if it works for you. But, since you now have extra space you can easily bulk or weight up and accommodate your needs. You could add 3kg and still have a reasonable carry on although if weight limits you might pay.
Most every airline I fly has only a size for carryon. You could have a bag of rocks and bring it on.

Traveling carry-on only is great for a lot of reasons. Most people can do this for a trip of any duration if they are strategic in their selection of all items. Kitchen scale, as mentioned, is the first tool. Luggage scale (attaches to the handle) is next.
First, ensure that your bags are under 2.5kg (TravelPro MaxLite 5 is a popular bag that weighs about 2.4kg; I have an older Osprey Ozone bag that weighs 2kg; most backpacks weigh much less). Double check that your bag meets the airline's other dimensions (cmXcmXcm).
Here is what I do:
Lay out all the shoes and clothing I'm thinking about bringing. Put away anything that is obviously heavy. Then weigh each item. Record the weight on a list grouped by item type. When I'm weighing by item type, there are some items that are immediately stricken from the list because I have established a weight range for "short-sleeve tees," for example.
I use packing cubes to organize my items. This is non-negotiable for me, and I'm willing to carry the extra weight. The ones I use are VERY light.
The next step is a "test pack" weighed with the luggage scale. Since I know what each item weighs, it's easier to choose which items to drop.
This method has worked for me on trips of 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 7 months. I am 6 feet tall and wear plus-size clothes and size 13 shoes. If I can do it, anyone can. I always have something in my bag that can be worn to an "event." On last year's 3-week trip, I brought a dress (colorful, long linen dress that I LOVE) that I never wore. It would have been perfect for that April wedding in Italy! No regrets.
When I am clothes shopping (which I do frequently because I enjoy shopping; it's an expensive hobby), I seek out lightweight items that are good for travel. I do not use merino wool, except for socks. TMI alert: I have Ex Officio underwear (big old granny panties because that's what I like to wear) that I have bought on sale over the years and which I only use for travel. The most recent ones I have bought weigh even less than the earlier ones. I even cut the tags off. I bring them all (I think I have 6 pairs). I do laundry (in my AirBnB or a laundromat) as needed. I do not do hotel-sink washing unless I have miscalculated and run out of underwear.
One thing I'm not clear on is whether your 7kg includes your personal item. If it does, then I would bring virtually no toiletries (toothbrush, very small toothpaste tube or toothpaste tablets, a couple of facial "wipes" and a dab of moisturizer (or a contact lens case with moisturizer in one side and cleanser in the other), a comb and sample-size deodorant) and buy everything else on arrival (or use hotel-provided toiletries). Even if the 7kg doesn't include the personal item, you can greatly reduce the weight of your toiletries in a variety of ways (and there are online tutorials about this--someone referenced Sarah Murdoch, who is the queen of light packing).

I would lay out the absolute minimum you think you will need to be comfortable and take part in the activities that interest you which might include something for the beach or bath house, maybe something for a special night, maybe something for the unexpected cold snap. Then after weighing it, deciding what you want to do.

In other words, the most important consideration is enjoying yourself.

Mr E's last sentence is key.

Thanks everyone for sharing your tips are really helpful! The trip’s not till April but it’s good to start thinking about it now. And yes, the main thing is to enjoy it. I’m going to pull together a few essentials I know I’ll want to take and see what they weigh, that’ll give me an idea of what the luggage situation will look like.

“I’m going to pull together a few essentials I know I’ll want to take and see what they weigh, that’ll give me an idea of what the luggage situation will look like.”

This is an excellent way to start. If you don’t have them, I’d suggest a digital kitchen scale as well as a handheld luggage scale. Begin with weighing your empty suitcase. This may be where you can save some weight if your current bag/s fit the dimensions as well.

I don’t want to push you over the edge but I also weighed all of my packing cubes/pouches and started a reference list. (Where is the eyeroll emoji when you need it!)

Thanks Pam, have some scales so will start on this.

If you want to decrease the weight in your carry on some advise to wear a vest with pockets both interior and exterior. You can wear your electronics onto the plane. I don't have an ipad but I put all my other electronics into various pockets. Even so my carry on bag is 16 lbs just a bit over 7kg and that covers a wide variety of weather patterns. The trip coming up will be lighter as I'm leaving the fleece jacket behind and using several layers instead. My toiletry kit went from 2 lbs to 10 oz. And as G3rryCee and Pam suggest weighing everything is essential. It is surprising how one t-shirt weights 1 lb and another similar one weighs 6 oz. Jeans are very heavy but they can be worn many times between washings, and are appropriate for a variety of activities. In lieu of jeans I take these lightweight pants since I usually hike for multiple days. They dry within 2 hours. https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/womens/products/womens-ferrosi-pants-regular-287668
These and a skort or dress and leggings are all lightweight options.

have some scales so will start on this.

When you have everything the way you want it and fully packed. Then weigh it with either a luggage scale or take it to the post office and weigh it for a final determination.

If you want to decrease the weight in your carry on some advise to wear a vest with pockets both interior and exterior.

My wife does this, not for the purpose of decreasing weight in a carryon or personal itiem, but for convenience and to avoid needing a purse or backpack or personal item. She wears a Scottevest, loves it.

I have never heard of these vests! Just looked uP the Scottevest and def. going to purchase one of these! WHAT A GREAT IDEA! THANK YOU!

I love this challenge! If you do this, PLEASE post about it! I’m always looking for new ways to improve on things.

I think the wedding & variety of locations & weather make it tricky. But, I believe anything is possible. It will depend on how extreme you want to go & if you’ll still be happy if you go that route.

Accurately weigh everything. Literally everything. Even your backpack when it’s empty. Don’t ballpark it. Ounces lead to pounds. Then decide how much you really need it (while chanting, “less is more, less is more, less is more” lol) and see if you can come up with a lighter option. People are often surprised by how heavy their clothes are. Cut the tags off your clothes. Use a Ziploc bag with all the air sucked out instead of a packing cube unless the cube is somehow lighter. Ask yourself if you really even need that.

Buy it there. Buy toiletries there or just use whatever the hotel can provide. Dentatabs instead of toothpaste. But be careful to not assume where you’re going will have “your” products & whether not having that product will affect your happiness to an unacceptable degree.

Consider thrift stores there. I’m not yet brave enough to do this but I have heard of some ultralight travelers who go thrift when they get to a place & donate when they leave so they only travel with the clothes on their back & true necessities. (I personally could see doing this with shirts, maybe even skirts. Pants? Yeah, not so much but that’s just me. Haha)

Scarves. You can get a ton of mileage out of a plain white tee with a good rotation of different lightweight scarves (that you buy there & get a good souvenir out of).

Check out Sarah Murdoch’s ultralight packing vids on YouTube. Click here

Good luck! My fingers are crossed that you update us if you even come close to achieving this.

The only thing I use my suitcase for is for packing clothes, shoes and a few odds and ends. Once it’s full, I stop. My suitcase for a month long trip to Romania right now is 18.4 lbs (8.3 kg). and originally I had it down to 16.3 lbs (7.3 kg). Since it was so low, I added a few things to it like a packable backpack and my rain jacket.

I don’t put electronics or toiletries in my suitcase. I save that for my personal bag which is within the maximum amount by the airline I’m on.

I would suggest taking the heavier items out of your suitcase and putting them in a personal bag. The smaller size will keep that from becoming too heavy.