Carry-on Luggage For Europe Travel: Which Style Should You Choose?

After years of travelling around Europe, often hopping between cities, islands and hotels in a single trip, I’ve learned that choosing the right carry-on can make a surprisingly big difference. But should you take a sleek hard-shell suitcase, cute tote or practical backpack?

As a full time travel writer and before that, avid traveller, I have over the years become somewhat of an expert in all things luggage-related, including packing well and choosing the perfect style of carry-on luggage for weekend breaks or jaunts across to Europe, I once took hand luggage only for two weeks in Croatia, this is how well adapted I’ve become!

And I got to this stage through trial and error, twenty years of research if you will, of dragging unsuitable cases across cobbles, overloading a shoulder bag – ouch and buying totes without proper useful compartments! So in the name of transparency here’s my tips for buying the best carry-on luggage for Europe travel, including the pros and cons of each style and what I personally look for in a cabin case!

Quick Carry-on LuggageTips!

For carry-on luggage for Europe travel I would truly only consider these five style of carry-on’s:

• Hard-Shell Carry On Suitcase
• Soft-sided Carry On Suitcase
• Carry-On Back Pack
• Travel Tote
• Duffel Bag

Considerations:

Before we dive in to each case and style, first think about the following for your trip!

Dimensions: Essential to avoid fees, check if your desired piece of carry-on luggage passes the airline carrier’s size policy before you travel – each airline is different, some come with strict measurement checks at the gate!

Mobility: Are you going to be walking around with your carry-on, over cobbles or up lots of stairs or is your trip more-or-less door to door? Wheels can become just as frustrating as heavy backpacks at times and comfort is key!

Space: Check if you can compartmentalise your belongings from clothing to toiletries and electricals and if you’re a shopper/souvenir hunter – is there enough space for extras?

Weight: Your aim to be be efficient and pack light, all luggage will have to be carried at points in your journey – start with a lighter carry-on!

HARD SHELL CARRY-ON SUITCASE

Best overall / stylish European trips

Hard shell carry-on suitcases are certainly the easiest style of luggage to roll through airports and cities and it’s the style I use most often throughout Europe, especially on multi-trip breaks where I need durability, security, comfort and movement, this is my ultimate goal for smoother vacations!

I’ve tried and tested many hard shell cases over the years and my favourite by far is the Level 8 Voyageur carry-on! Its durable shell and smooth 360 spinner wheels are excellent, most recently I went on a trip to Santorini and the four wheels withstood the sloping lanes around Imerovigli and there was plenty of useful space and compartments for my hand-luggage only trip!

I even used a couple of packing cubes and everything fit neatly, but what impressed me most of all is the sleek design and wide handle which you can extend, it’s perfect for tall people like myself and even though on this particular trip I travelled on various modes of transport there was not a scratch on the case!

TSA locks are also more useful in my opinion and give you an extra layer of security, which the Level 8 Voyageur features, hard-shell carry-on’s are well worth the splurge, they are more superior and are the best overall carry-on style in my experience – I haven’t left without the Level 8 Voyageur carry-on this summer!

Special Level 8 Voyageur carry-on suitcase offer for my readers – use code “littlewanderblog15” at checkout for an additional 15% discount!

Tip! As I usually travel hand luggage only, I often find taking the Level 8 Voyageur hard-case carry-on plus a laptop-friendly backpack plentiful for trips around Europe, packing my essentials in the backpack and everything else in the carry-on case, which remains locked – it works everytime!

Soft-Sided rolling backpack

Best for flexibility & shorter trips

A soft sided carry-on such as a rolling backpack or trolley backpack as they are most commonly known also offer comfort and movement when using the super useful hidden wheel and handle feature around airports rather than carrying it on your shoulders the entire time – trust me that gets heavy fast!

The canvas materials and soft outer case means it’s lighter to carry (it still doesn’t give you the green light to over-stuff) but, they tend to be a lot less protective and durable than the hard-shell cases. The soft-sided rolling backpack wears sooner and are a no-go for carrying breakables, but it works for shorter weekend trips where you may not need to pack as much or walk too far!

I found that rolling backpacks typically offer two wheels, which is not ideal for uneven surfaces or treks across towns as the bottom scuffs, I ended up carrying the soft sided case on my last trip to Spain, by comparison the hard-shell Level 8 Voyageur is superior in materials, durability and movement!

Carry-On Backpack

Best for multi-destination trips

Carry-on backpacks are one of the most versatile and mobile, you can fit a surprising amount into a backpack and they can be shoe-horned into most over-head cabins and gate checks and the best thing is the bag hardly leaves you, you’re literally carrying it on your shoulders, a nice extra security measure when travelling on various modes of transport!

I’ve used carry-on backpacks plenty of times, they are practical and you’ll be hands-free, the downside is the weight on your back, I once over-packed and it was a beast to even carry around the airport – so pack only your essentials such as electrics, make-up and entertainment otherwise it gets cumbersome and leaves your clothes super creased!

Typically, I’ll use the carry-on backpack in addition to my small cabin case, where I much prefer a useful sized backpack that includes zipped pockets, padded straps and most importantly; a proper laptop compartment and I found Level 8 Atlas Laptop Back Pack perfect for this use!

TRAVEL TOTE

Best for weekends & short city breaks

For neatly organised and stylish carry-on luggage the tote is a good choice it’s smaller size makes slotting into spaces easier and for those city breaks in particular they add a level of sophistication – and usefulness if you choose the type of tote that has compartments and zips for security!

I first carried a tote that looked beautiful but was not in anyway helpful, you really do need to separate those documents, electricals and make-up (I would avoid packing clothing)! You somehow always carry more than you think, which is why I only really use a tote for luxury city stays, business trips or vacations where you’re not moving around too much, trust me the short hand held style becomes uncomfortable to carry after a while!

A more robust leather tote does have it’s uses, especially if you have a medium-sized tote and a hard-shell carry-on case with spinner wheels as it sits neatly on top, so both can be easily wheeled around and you’ll arrive at your beautiful hotel without breaking a sweat, this is my top tip!

DUFFEL BAG

Best for lightweight, casual travel & under seat

Duffel or holdall bags are the lightest pieces of carry-on luggage, made from thin and flexible soft materials (to keep the weight to a minimum) and often you can fit more into them due to their shape, but they have very few zipped internal pockets so you will have to provide your own separators for ease of use!

The trick is not to add to much weight or make it bulky, as like the hand-held tote they can be awkward and a strain to carry, so this style are often used for under the seat, budget airlines across Europe (especially Ryanair) love them and you will not be hassled into checking dimensions – they know duffel’s can be moulded into any shape!

If you are not planning on taking a laptop or anything breakable and are purposefully travelling light, the duffel will be useful, if you are taking iPads for example I would switch to something more protective like a hard-shell case or laptop backpack, where you can pack safely and more securely!

Wondering what a frequent traveller actually packs for Europe – carry-on only? Read the full guide, plus my insider tips to maximise space, save time and the essentials I won’t leave home without! (coming soon!)

My Overall Verdict: Which Carry-On Style Is Best for Europe?

After travelling extensively around Europe, I’ve found that the best carry-on luggage really depends on the type of trip you’re taking. A backpack is practical when you’re moving between destinations, while totes and duffel bags work well for lighter and shorter breaks, but if you want something protective, organised and easy to manoeuvre through airports and hotels, a hard-shell suitcase with a wide handle is hard to beat!

For my own European trips a hard-shell carry-on is still my overall choice, especially when travelling for more than a few days! I like having the structure and organisation of a suitcase, while four spinner wheels make navigating airports and city streets much easier. The Level 8 Voyageur carry-on combines that usefulness with the sleek design I tend to look for in my travel luggage, making it a style I’d happily take on everything from European city breaks to longer multi-destination trips!

Special Level 8 Voyageur carry-on suitcase offer for my readers – use code “littlewanderblog15” at checkout for an additional 15% discount, see the details here!

CARRY-ON LUGGAGE FOR EUROPE TRAVEL: FAQ

What makes a good cabin suitcase?

What makes a good cabin suitcase is great design, durability and smooth movement, I look for spinner wheels for ease of use with comfort and durability being non-negotiable when travelling, a strong and tall handle and smart compartments to maximise packing space and lighter the better such as Level 8 Voyageur carry-on– hard-shell my favourite!

What is the best material for a carry-on suitcase?

For extra piece of mind I recommend hard-shell carry-on cases – in particular German-made Makrolon polycarbonate, which is known for durability with its premium anti-scratch and waterproof shell, featured on premium cases such as Level 8!

What is a TSA lock and do you need one?

A TSA-approved lock is a three-digit combination lock built into the top of the case, which you set, it gives you extra security and peace of mind and you don’t have to worry about loosing your key, they are featured on many luxury and quality carry-on cases, like Level 8 Voyageur mentioned above!

Is there a universal airline size for hand luggage?

No, unfortunately this is not possible due to the differences between the airlines size and weight limits and whether you’re travelling on budget airlines within Europe or internationally. It’s best to check the policy with your carrier before flying – if you get it wrong, you could earn a fine!

How can I pack efficiently for hand luggage only?

For hand luggage only, I recommend looking for a carry-on case with dry/wet compartments and zip pockets features that separates your essentials such as clothing, electrics and toiletries. The trick is to maximise your limited space and weight, here’s what a frequent traveller actually packs for Europe – carry-on only (coming soon!).

How are spinner wheels more beneficial?

Spinner wheels are incredible, they rotate 360-degrees, which offer a smoother experience when wheeling across uneven surfaces such as cobblestones offering more control and less drag! Your spinner wheel effortlessly glide, for this reason I prefer Level 8 Voyageur quality carry-on cases when travelling in Europe!

Level 8 Voyageur Discount Code

If you have decided to explore Level 8 Carry-on Luggage, you can earn yourself a 15% discount right now with my personal code littlewanderblog15 – happy shopping!

Legal Disclaimer: The Level8 Voyageur carry-on suitcase was gifted to me by Level8, which was gratefully received. Needless to say, the opinions expressed in this post remain my own.

Read Next:

• Level 8 Voyageur Suitcase – My Honest Review!
• Carry-on Essentials Packing Guide
• Winter City Break: Complete Packing List!

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