Europe Travel Essentials That Won’t Weigh Down Your Carry-on

I thought I was going to breeze through security at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport and make my flight to Athens with ease. Instead, I ended up running for my gate as they called final boarding. Little did I know, flying with Air France comes with an extra line at security where you must weigh the combined weight of your carry-on bags (that means your personal item and your carry-on luggage at the same time). If they’re over 12 kilograms (26.4 pounds), then you’re sent back to the checked bag counter—no exceptions. 

This was an especially hard blow because I’d packed my carry-on extra carefully to safely travel with my valuable camera gear (which requires lithium batteries). So my rolling carry-on suitcase just couldn’t be checked. However, the Air France check-in attendant said the only way I could bring my carry-on roller aboard was to upgrade to business class. Watching the minutes tick closer to departure, I was left with no choice. 

89 euros (about $104) later, I was sprinting for my gate and cursing this lesser-known luggage rule. And although Air France’s impressive business class breakfast helped make up for my unexpected expense, I knew I’d never make this mistake again. Here’s what I’d do and pack differently to avoid an unexpected gate cost. 

Luggage scale

I have a luggage scale, but it goes largely unused most of the year, sitting at home in my closet. From now on, I’m tucking it into my toiletry bag so I always have it on hand. A luggage scale not only would’ve helped me avoid this 89 euro expense, but it also would’ve been handy in ensuring none of my checked bags exceeded 50 pounds (the standard weight cap for most airlines). Upon departing from Athens, I was just 2 pounds over and found myself having to rearrange the contents of my luggage yet again. For just $8, this Amazon-favorite luggage scale could’ve prevented a lot of headache and stress that comes with having your personal items strewn out at the airport. Plus, this one reads both kilos and pounds.

Apple AirTag

Not a weight-saver, but a sanity-saver if you’re forced to check your bag at the gate. I’m always anxious when I get separated from my luggage, so an Apple AirTag will give me peace of mind if I have to put it in the cargo. Slip one inside all your luggage so you always know where it is—or where it was left behind.

Reusable toiletry bottles

I was traveling out of Paris with a big pharmacy haul in my luggage, which meant I had a lot of small bottles of liquids in heavy glass bottles. Looking back, I should have put these in my larger, checked luggage and just used reusable toiletry bottles for the essentials. What’s more, these Mrsdry travel bottles are easy to empty if you need to cut even more weight from your suitcase. 

Packing cubes

I usually only use packing cubes for shoes and underwear. But in the future, I might try testing out different variations of packed cubes and weighing them to find out the perfect formula for a lightweight carry-on. This way, I can do easier mental math to know how many pairs of pants, shirts, and shoes I can fit in a carry-on without exceeding Air France’s 12-kilogram combined weight limit.

Lightweight sneakers

Shoes are one of the heaviest items in your luggage. Next time, I’ll try swapping my clunky shoes for lightweight versions, like this flexible, breathable pair from Allbirds that works for sightseeing, the gym, or even casual dinners. They pack down much lighter than bulky, heavy rubber running shoes.

Foldable flats

Speaking of shoes, these compact and lightweight flats can be a versatile swap for bulky sandals, slides, and heels. Making the swap can save you from packing three extra shoes in your bag, reducing your luggage weight considerably.

A jacket (with a lot of pockets)

If you’re flying Air France, I recommend wearing your heaviest items on the plane (you can always de-layer once you’re through security). Don a jacket like this fall-friendly Levi’s one with a lot of deep, big pockets and store toiletries and even small cameras in the various cavities. You can shave a few kilos off the scale by simply stuffing your pockets.

A lightweight wrap scarf

It’s tempting to pack a big, fluffy, cozy sweater, but try swapping it for something lighter yet still warm, like a cashmere wrap scarf. This luxe, lightweight layer can double as a blanket, scarf, or evening wrap—without the bulk and weight of a sweater. Or try these sneaky infinity scarves with secret pockets where you can store small heavy items on your person, instead of in your luggage.

A down jacket

Warmth without the weight, a down jacket folds into its own pouch and feels light as a feather—literally. Instead of a bulky, heavy pea coat or trench coat, having a down coat in your carry-on is practically weightless.

Kindle Paperwhite

As a travel writer, I have a soft spot for reading physical books and magazines on my travels (and picking them up at airports). But carrying four to five books adds a lot of extra weight to your luggage. I need to start uploading my books and periodicals to an Amazon Kindle e-reader and getting used to consuming stories on the go with this helpful weight and space saver.

Buff headband

I first learned about Buff’s when I started camping. Like most camp tools, the brand’s gear is multifunctional and incredibly versatile. A Buff headband can stand in for a hat, scarf, neck gaiter, or sleep mask. You can even tuck bills or cards into its layers as a quick wrist pocket. Having one item that does a lot is key to keeping your packing list small. You can find a wool Buff’s headband for cold-weather travels, or pick up one made with UPV cooling fabric for hot, sunny locales. 

Body wallet

To outsmart Air France’s 12-kilogram carry-on cap, try strapping as much to your body. A body wallet can help reduce luggage weight by taking heavy things, like wallets and coins, off the scale. 

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