Packing for your first big trip is a peculiar mix of optimism and mild delusion. You lay everything out on the bed: the “effortless” linen outfit, the shoes you’ve never properly worn, the jacket for the version of you who drinks espresso dramatically in a Roman piazza at dusk. Just the essentials, you tell yourself.
And then reality arrives in the form of Prague’s cobbled streets, Lisbon’s steep hills and Edinburgh’s hotel staircases. That suitcase suddenly outweighs your enthusiasm.
Many travelers overthink and overpack, preparing for every possible scenario. So before you zip that case shut, here’s what not to pack – and what to bring instead.
Mistake #1: Packing for your fantasy self
A lot of us pack for the person we imagine we’ll be abroad. She wears floaty dresses daily. He somehow never sweats. Together they attend elegant dinners every evening and never once need blister plasters.
In reality, a real travel day can involve 15,000 steps, early starts and weather that changes its mind between breakfast and lunch. That chic linen blazer? Wrinkled before your first coffee. Those statement shoes? A regret by day two in Florence.
You have to pack for your real self. Be someone who values comfort, layers cleverly and has already broken in their travel shoes. A common packing mistakes is getting a new trip wardrobe. Choose pieces you’ve worn before, fabrics that breathe, and outfits that work for wandering markets as well as lingering over dinner.
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Mistake #2: Packing everything ‘just in case’
The ‘just in case’ line of thinking is when suitcases lose control. You’ve packed what you need and then think, well I’ve got space so why not add an extra pair of jeans, two more tops, full-size toiletries and seven more pairs of underwear.
One of the best travel tips we’ve heard is that if the item is worth less than $20 and you can source it within 20 minutes, you don’t need to pack it or bring a spare. Most destinations, from alpine villages to coastal towns, have pharmacies, supermarkets and corner stores where you can restock with essentials.
Plus, if you’re traveling with Trafalgar, you’re supported by our crew and fellow passengers. Chances are, if you don’t have something, someone else will – or your trusted Travel Director can help you source it quick smart.
Overpacking usually comes from anxiety, not necessity. We try to prepare for every scenario so nothing can catch us out. Trust that is you forget something, the universe will deliver it for you.
Mistake #3: Ignoring local culture and dress
It’s easy to pack for the climate and forget to pack for the culture. That cute sleeveless top feels perfectly practical for summer in Italy – until you’re standing at the entrance to St Peter’s Basilica, borrowing a paper shawl to cover your shoulders.
Considering local dress codes are about respecting the local culture, not restriction. Often it can be solved with a lightweight scarf or wrap, which takes up almost no space in your suitcase and solves almost everything.
A little research before you go saves awkward moments later. For example, while you can wear whatever you like in Morocco, culturally it’s more conservative so you might feel more comfortable wearing light, long flowy pants rather than shorts or tight jeans.
READ NEXT: What to wear in Italy: a seasonal packing guide
Mistake #4: Underestimating the power of good shoes
If there’s one packing decision and common packing mistake that can make or quietly ruin a trip – it’s shoes. European cities, in particular, are incredibly uneven underfoot. Rome’s cobbles. Dubrovnik’s shiny, polished stone streets. Porto’s steep laneways. These are beautiful places built over centuries of humanity – but they can be a killer for your feet!
Don’t pack brand new shoes. They might look shiny and white in photos, but after a few miles you may have regrets. Instead bring at least one reliable pair you know you can walk in for hours. Think supportive, comfortable shoes that are already broken in.
After that, if you want a second pair that is a little more chic for dinners out then go for it.
Mistake #5: Packing too many gadgets
Do you need that curling wand or third camera lens? Probably not. Think about your tech kit before your travel and try to minimize what you bring. Before you fly, consider the difference in voltage (it can fry hairdryers etc!) and what adapter you’ll need.
Now that most things charge with USB-C, smart travelers might have a charging hub – a box that plugs into a single power outlet and has half a dozen USB-C or USB outlets. This allows you to charge your phone, camera, tablet and powerbank all at once.
Mistake #6: Packing for perfect weather
Relying on the weather isn’t always wise. A warm morning in the Amalfi Coast can turn breezy by late afternoon. Mountain regions cool quickly after sunset. Even July in Paris can surprise you with rain.
Plus, as you travel around from cities to regions you’ll reach different climates and altitudes. The best idea? Think in layers. A breathable base. A light knit. A packable waterproof that folds into almost nothing. If you need to buy an emergency umbrella or extra scarf, it’s easy enough, but you’re always more comfortable when you arrive prepared.
READ NEXT: The ultimate travel checklist: what to pack for the perfect vacation
Mistake #7: Overloading your toiletry bag
Full-size champoo. A 12-step evening routine. Those ‘just in case’ face masks. A new country can make us panic-pack skincare, but soon half your suitcase will be bottles. Decant what you genuinely use into smaller bottles and bring the essentials that make you feel like yourself. Leave the rest. Analyze your routine – if you wash your hair 2-3 times a week, a travel-size shampoo will do.
Plus, most hotels provide the basics and pharmacies (especially in Europe) are excellent and often have travel-size products so you can travel light. When every kilo counts, go lighter!
Mistake #8: Not leaving space for the journey home
Speaking of weight… try to leave 10-20% of your suitcase space and airline weight allowance free. Why? Well, travel has a way of presenting small, irresistible temptations – hand-painted ceramics in Seville, leather gloves in Florence, delicate textiles in Cusco, spices in Marrakech… that space is for souvenirs!
Another top idea is to pack a foldable duffel bag. If you can travel light – a checked suitcase and just a day bag or backpack on the plane – then you can pop out the duffel as your bigger carry-on for the return journey.
Mistake #9: Forgetting you have to carry your bag
If you can’t comfortably lift your case into an overhead rack or up a short flight of stairs, it’s probably too heavy. It’s a common packing mistake!
If you’re traveling independently, then your suitcase will likely meet cobblestones, train platforms, narrow pavements and the occasional staircase in a beautifully historic building that will never be fitted with a lift. Test it before you go. Pick it up. Carry it across the room. Be honest with yourself.
That said, if you join a Trafalgar tour you just need to get your bags from baggage collection and through customs, and then downstairs to the hotel lobby each travel day where the tour driver will load them onto the bus. Yes, it’s princess treatment!
READ NEXT: What to pack for a trip to Europe: 15 essential items
Mistake #10: Forgetting to pack an open mind
Travel has so many lessons to teach those who are open to the experience. Sure, we try to prepare for every variable – but you can’t control it all. A train may run late. A café you planned to visit might be closed. The weather might change. And yet, no matter what happens you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Don’t forget to bring your curiosity and adaptability. A well-packed bag is brilliant, but letting go and enjoying the journey is what it’s all about.
So what are you planning to pack (or leave behind) for your next trip? Did our common packing mistakes guide help? Leave us a comment….