Traveling in Italy can be a transformative experience, and we rarely know exactly what to expect when we set off on a new adventure. Will it rain? Will there be an unexpected dinner that calls for cocktail attire? Will there be access to a washing machine? These uncertainties often lead to overpacking. It’s understandable, being prepared for anything seems like the best way to ensure a smooth trip. But in reality, that assumption doesn’t always hold up.
I’ve been fortunate to travel throughout my life, and over time, I’ve become a firm believer in the carry-on only approach. It not only reduces the chances of travel headaches, but it also encourages you to pack more mindfully and move more efficiently. With a few helpful tips and strategies, it’s entirely possible to fit everything you need into a single carry-on only bag. Keep reading to see how much easier travel can be when you’re not lugging oversized bags through narrow streets. You might just thank me the next time you’re carrying your bags up a steep staircase in Sicily.
Part 1: Why Go Carry-On Only?
1. Save Time at the Airport
Traveling in general, especially internationally, requires a lot of logistics. Two of the most time-consuming parts are often the bag check line when departing and the baggage carousel upon arrival. I’ve waited well over an hour for a checked bag to clear customs after landing, which made for an extremely tight connection and a lot of unnecessary stress. Once I switched to carry-on only, it was such a relief to skip those delays entirely.
Skipping the bag check line means you can head straight to security when you arrive at the airport, which is especially helpful if you’re already tight on time. And on the other end, avoiding baggage claim helps you get through the airport faster and with less stress. This is a big win at busy international hubs like Fiumicino in Rome or Marco Polo in Venice. It also gives you a better chance of making tight connections or catching a train to Florence or Veneto without rushing through terminals.
2. Avoid Lost or Delayed Luggage
I may just have terrible luck, but I have had just about every kind of bad experience when it comes to checking luggage. Beyond waiting for my bag leading to tighter timelines, I have also had bags get stuck in different cities due to tight connections, had my bag damaged during handling, had items stolen out of my baggage, and even had my bag lost entirely (although Delta was able to reimburse me).
When traveling internationally, there’s nothing worse than arriving in a new country only to find your luggage has not joined you on the journey as you expected. The most common issue is probably bags getting stuck due to tight connections or delays, especially when changing flights at major European hubs like Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, or Amsterdam. And if you’re heading straight from Naples to a small hotel in Ischia or a guesthouse in the hills above the Amalfi Coast, tracking down a missing bag can be nearly impossible.
Traveling with just a carry-on only bag means your luggage is always with you. No worrying about lost bags, airline delays, or trying to explain your hotel location over the phone in another language. You land, grab your things, and go. Simple as that.
3. Easier to Navigate Narrow Streets and Public Transport
If you’ve ever tried rolling a large suitcase over cobblestones in Rome or through the bridges and alleys of Naples, you know it’s no small feat. The same goes for navigating the narrow streets of Positano or the steep steps of the Cinque Terre. A smaller bag is simply easier to manage in places where space is limited and the terrain isn’t ideal for large suitcases.
Smaller bags are also easier to lift on and off trains, especially in stations that don’t have elevators or escalators. Packing light allows for more flexible, low stress travel
4. Cut Costs on Budget Airlines
If you’re planning to hop between regions, say, flying from Rome to Sicily or from Milan to Bari, there’s a good chance you’ll end up on a budget airline. These carriers have cheap base fares, but often add on surprisingly high fees for things like seat selection or checking luggage.
Packing in a carry-on helps you avoid those added costs. Most budget airlines allow one small suitcase and a personal item for free or at a lower fee, so you can keep your travel expenses down without sacrificing convenience. Just think, that extra cash could go toward a seafood lunch in Ortigia or a boat ride along the coast of Puglia instead.
5. Encourages a Simpler, More Flexible Travel Experience
One of my favorite things about traveling with a carry-on is how much lighter and easier everything feels. Dragging heavy bags through crowded streets or up staircases quickly gets old. When you’re walking from your hotel in Florence to the Duomo or catching trains between seaside villages in Liguria, traveling light makes the entire experience easier, and therefore, even more relaxing.
For those that like to go with the flow, traveling light also allows you to be more spontaneous. Want to change plans last minute, jump on an earlier train, or stay somewhere you come across while exploring? You can. Traveling light makes you more mobile and less tied down to rigid plans or the logistics of your luggage. It’s a more flexible, more relaxed way to explore.
Part 2: How to Pack a Carry-On Like a Pro
1. Pick the Right Bag
The best carry-on only strategy starts with the right carry-on. European airlines tend to be stricter with size limits, so it’s worth double-checking the dimensions, especially if you’re flying with budget carriers. So it’s important to look for a bag that’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and fits EU carry-on standards.
Wheeled suitcases work well if you’re mostly sticking to cities or train stations, but a durable backpack or duffel can be a good choice if you’re planning to board a ferry to Capri or navigate cobblestone streets in Venice. The key is to find something comfortable to carry and compact enough that you won’t be asked to check it at the gate.
2. Use Packing Cubes or Compression Bags
Packing cubes or compression bags are game changers when it comes to staying organized. They help you fit more into a small space and make it easy to find what you need without digging through your entire bag.
If you’re moving between multiple Italian towns, like spending a few days in Rome before heading to Positano or hopping through the hill towns of Tuscany, keeping your things sorted makes transitions smoother. You’ll spend less time repacking and more time enjoying where you are. They can also help you to prioritize the items you will actually use.
3. Stick to a Color Palette
Packing clothes in a consistent color palette makes mixing and matching much easier, and helps you to stay stylish without having to pack half of your closet. When everything works together, you can create multiple outfits with fewer pieces, which is key when space is limited.
This is especially helpful on days when you don’t have time to change between activities. Think: sightseeing around the Roman Forum in the afternoon and heading straight to dinner in Trastevere that evening. A well-chosen outfit can handle both without missing a beat.
4. Limit Shoes
Shoes take up the most space in a suitcase, so keeping it to two pairs is key. One comfortable pair for walking—something you can wear all day on the Spanish Steps or along the scenic paths of the Amalfi Coast—and one less casual pair for dinner or evenings out.
This is made easier when you stick to a neutral color palette to neutral colors and choose shoes that go with everything. Just make sure both pairs are broken in before your trip. Your feet (and your packing space) will thank you.
5. Wear Bulky Items on the Plane
If you’re packing heavier items like a coat or boots, wear them on the plane to save space in your carry-on only bag. This is especially helpful if you’re visiting Northern Italy in the colder months or planning hikes above Positano, where sturdy shoes and layers come in handy.
Planes are usually chilly anyway, so wearing your warmest pieces is both practical and efficient. Plus, it frees up room for everything else.
6. Pack Versatile Pieces
Choose clothing that can be mixed, matched, and worn in multiple settings. A simple dress can work just as well for a daytime visit to the Vatican as it can for rooftop drinks in Florence. Lightweight trousers, a neutral blouse, or a button-down shirt can be styled for casual walks or slightly dressier dinners.
The goal is to create a small collection of pieces that work across different temperatures and occasions without feeling repetitive. When each item in your bag has more than one purpose, it becomes easier to travel light without sacrificing comfort or style.
7. Streamline Toiletries
Toiletries are one of the easiest things to overdo. But the truth is, most hotels in Italy provide the basics like shampoo, conditioner, soap and even smaller guest houses typically offer enough to get by. Think about what you actually use daily, and pack only that item in a travel-size.
Consider the climate too: Venice’s canals can bring extra humidity, while Rome in summer tends to be hot and dry. A small moisturizer or travel-sized dry shampoo can be more useful than a full makeup kit. Keeping your toiletry bag light means fewer spills, less hassle through security, and more space for the things you’ll actually need.
8. Make the Most of Your Personal Item
Your personal item, whether it’s a backpack or a structured tote, is the place to keep everything important and within reach. Use it for your camera, chargers, headphones, any medication, travel documents, snacks, and anything else you don’t want buried in your main bag.
This becomes especially useful when you’re constantly on the go, like hopping trains between Cinque Terre villages or navigating winding roads along the Amalfi Coast. A well-packed personal item means you can move more freely without having to constantly dig through your luggage.
Part 3: What to Leave Behind
Packing a carry-on means being honest about what you won’t need. For starters, skip the heels, especially if you don’t wear them on a regular basis at home. A new destination, especially Europe, is not the place to start. The cobblestone streets in places like Rome, Florence, or Sorrento aren’t kind to stilettos. Stick with shoes you can actually walk in, especially if you’re navigating train stations or climbing steps in hillside towns.
Trust local resources, too. Pharmacies in Italy are easy to find and well-stocked, from sunscreen and toiletries to anything else you might have forgotten. And if you’re on a longer trip, plan to do laundry halfway through. Many hotels in Italy offer laundry services, or you can find a local laundromat and take a quiet hour to reset. You’ll be glad for the space you saved.
Conclusion
Traveling with just a carry-on only isn’t just about packing light, it’s about traveling smarter. In destinations like Venice, where you’ll likely be crossing bridges on foot, or along the Amalfi Coast, where stairs are part of daily life, having less to lug around makes a noticeable difference.
The next time you plan a trip, consider skipping the big suitcase. You might be surprised how freeing it feels to keep things simple. And once you’ve done it once, it’s hard to go back.
These carry-on only tips are especially helpful for trips that center around hiking. We invite you to put these new tips to good use on our hiking group trip to the Amalfi coast. Or design your own itinerary for the perfect, flexible, and personalized adventure.
