Pro tip: A hostel manager in Lisbon told me my packing list was all wrong

I used to pack a full checked bag for a week in Europe, thinking I needed options... she looked at my stuff and said 'You brought three jackets but no quick-dry towel? You're paying for laundry you don't need.' She was right. I spent 40 euros on laundry my first two days. Now I pack one jacket, a micro towel, and two pairs of pants that dry overnight. My bag is a 40 liter carry-on, even for a month. Has anyone else had a packing habit totally changed by a simple tip?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_harper23d ago

My friend did the same thing with shoes. She packed like four pairs for a weekend trip, and a hostel worker just laughed and asked if she was planning to run a marathon. She only wore one pair the whole time.

the_wesley23d ago

You know, @the_harper, that hostel worker had a point. It's funny how we all do that, pack for every possible situation that never happens. Your friend with the shoes is all of us, trying to plan for a fancy dinner or a sudden hike that was never on the schedule. We end up carrying all that extra weight just to feel ready, and then wear the same comfy pair every day. It's a lesson I keep learning and then forgetting the next time I zip up a suitcase.

the_wesley22d ago

Wait, is a 40 liter bag really a carry-on for most airlines? I thought the limit was usually smaller. That hostel manager's advice is solid though, @the_harper. It's all about picking stuff that does more than one job and actually dries fast. I still see people pack a bunch of jeans, which are the worst for that.