Travel Skills: Packing Light

Packing light is essential for happy travel. Learn the importance of being mobile with your luggage. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit http://www.ricksteves.com.

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Travel & Events

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• Rick
• Steves
• Steve Rick
• PBS
• Steeves
• Travel
• Europe
• Skills
• Packing
• tips
• best
• backpack
• planning
• pack
• light
• help

[lsusc]

That packing would be okay with me. BUT, how do you pack for a woman? That would never do for my wife.

[RickSteves]

@lsusc Our travel experts have compiled a packing list for women on our website in the "Plan Your Trip" category.

[Shift4g]

What kind of is he using? I'd love to get exactly what he has.

[RickSteves]

@Shift4g Rick is using the Rick Steves' Classic Back Door Bag.

[AceTracer]

Rick Steves is my homeboy.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Wonderful tips and presentation as always!

[annarborkm]

I wish I had viewed this video before traveling to Europe last summer. My husband and I each bought the Rick Steves' convertible carry-on backpack (we love them). They are very roomy! So I was able to pack a lot of different items. After a week of lugging around heavy backpacks, we found a DHL outlet in Nürmberg and sent back a box of stuff. It cost $75 to do, but worth every penny. Next time, I will wear my carry-on around town a few hours to see if it is light enough before I travel!

[macrent2]

I travel a lot from local to international. I use my Rick Steves' Convertible Carry On Backpack (green) everytime and have recieved more comments from people about how perfect it is!

[cassmi87]

@baconlatte, they're both wearing light coloured shorts and t-shirts (although one is black and the other white). Why does the man look like a twelve-year-old and not the woman?

[EverywhereVirtually]

The pocket knife / nail file / toiletries are often confiscated at UK airports because of all the ridiculous "security" checks. So to avoid having your favourite aftershave or newly bought toiletries taken from you leave them at home. The rules are not uniform across Europe as I once accidentally packed my Leatherman into my hand luggage in Salzburg and the airport security let me through. Common sense prevailed in Austria whereas in the UK bloody mindedness is the order of the day by security

[Adrian2c]

Packing a carry on is smart and the way to go for the most part, but only if the airlines your taking has a lenient carry on restriction. It's hard for my to pack a carry on because the airlines I'm taking only allows up to 15lbs for a carry on, and the lightest i can go is 17lbs. so it'll be hard for me to carry on. RICK STEVES I NEED HELP!!! haha.

[Hawkeyes711]

I enjoy his accent.

[sterling729]

I just bought Rick's bag from your site. Congrats, your subliminal messaging behind "giving your useful tips" worked :-P

[baconlatte]

I've seen this a million times. Good solid advice. Bit dated WRT gadgets and electronic. For guys I 'd recommend a bit more style or refinement in the wardrobe than Rick sports, esp if u will be going to some of the more sophisticated euro capitals. For what not to do see the couple with backpacks at 1:06. She's dressed classy and nice, while he looks like a 12 yr old boy.

[hadabenz]

Rick Steves is the best traveler in the world. Without him no American tourists will survive :) I rely a lot on his guide book and I made successful trips from it. Grazzi!

[lambchopxoxo]

Hes carrying his convertible carry on bag.