With a travel season more chaotic than ever, airplane carry-on luggage is your best friend this summer. Checked baggage means more time spent in line, more time spent waiting after your flight at the baggage carousel, and the possibility of your luggage being lost. The good news is that the savvy traveler can pack for an entire week with just carry-on luggage (also known as carry-on), as long as they know the rules and take a minimalist approach to packing. Because after all, are you really going to wear that long evening dress or that third swimsuit for a week in Paris?
Here’s our guide to packing light and packing well for a 7-day trip to France.
Size of hand luggage and personal items
Budget airlines have reduced their baggage allowances, so be sure to check the specific bag size if you are flying with an airline like Ryanair Where French bee. You may not be guaranteed carry-on baggage, as your allowance is limited to one personal item. Standard sizes for personal items (backpacks, large purses, laptop bags) are up to 18″ x 14″ x 8″, but may vary by airline. Carry-on size is usually 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
What can’t I bring on a plane?
For those who need to hear it: do not carry a firearm in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include lighters, knives and scissors, federally prohibited substances (which include cannabis, regardless of its legality in your home country), alcohol (even if it meets the liquid sizing requirements) and some flammable aerosols. You can bring a bottle of water as long as you empty it before going through security and refill it once you have been cleared. Electronic cigarettes should have their batteries removed to reduce the risk of activating the heating element of the device.
If you have a bit more obscure articles that you would like to consult, the TSA has a Exhaustive list that makes you wonder how many people tried to bring wood on a red-eye delta.
Liquids must be in bottles of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and must all fit in a single, sealed, liter-sized plastic bag. It helps if the bottle also carries the measurement. (I had my 100ml travel size contact solution confiscated by Heathrow security this summer because it didn’t have the size written on the bottle.)
Backpack
(Note: Most airlines won’t let you put a backpack in the overhead bin if you’re bringing it as a personal item with a small suitcase, so be prepared to stow that bag under your seat.)
- Laptop (you will need to remove it and put it in a separate bin when going through security)
- Liter-sized plastic bag for liquids (same)
- Chargers (and adapters)
- Book
- Toiletry bag
- Medicines (any liquid prescription falls under the same rules as all liquids)
- Snacks (most flight foods are terrible)
- Empty water bottle
- Listeners
- A FFP2 mask (while masks are no longer mandatory in most parts of France, it’s still a good idea to wear one when traveling and have an extra on hand – Europeans prefer FFP2 over KN95 or face masks tissue)
- Portable fan (because no AC anywhere in France will really make noise for you)
Liter-sized plastic bag
- Shampoo
- Conditioner (see if your favorite brand sells travel conditioners in packageswhich saves space)
- Sunscreen SPF 50 (longer days in Europe during the hot summer mean more sun exposure… SPF 30 is for lovers)
- travel toothpaste
- moisturizer
- Facial oil that can also eliminate frizz for your hair
- Liquid deodorant
- Any liquid foundation or makeup…this includes concealer, mascara, liquid eyeliner, etc. seen)
- Contact solution (if needed)
Toiletry bag
(Note: This is a bag for all personal items that are not liquid.)
- Comb (takes up much less space than most hairbrushes)
- Powder-based makeup products
- Safety pins, bobby pins, small sewing kit
- Solid deodorant (if not using liquid)
- Bandages (if you plan to bring a full first aid kit with neosporin, remember it will need to go in the fluids bag)
- Toothbrush, dental floss
- Nail clippers, nail file, tweezers, hair ties, earplugs
What to wear on a flight
- Long sports pants or comfortable jeans
- Sports bra (optional)
- T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt (seasonal)
- Socks
- Sneakers
- Light sweater or denim jacket (this can be worn over other outfits on a chilly night, so bring something nice enough to throw over a dress, but comfortable enough for the plane)
- Coat (seasonal)
Prepare a suitcase
Keep in mind that the French tend to dress nicer than Americans on a day-to-day basis, but they also have a good pair of jeans that they wear all week. Stay away from graphic t-shirts and sportswear, and opt for comfortable basics. If you are going to take a more active trip, be prepared for this. If you want to do seven days of Instagram photo shoots, get ready for that. But if you’re somewhere in the middle, try to bring three nicer outfits (dresses, dress shirts and pants, blouses with dressy shorts, etc.) and two to four comfortable outfits (anything you’d feel good walking and sweating). for several hours at a time). Wear your sneakers (or boots, if you’re traveling in the winter) on the plane. Pack a pair of sandals or dressier shoes in a shoe bag, packing cube or a cloth grocery bag to keep dirt off your clothes, then use it as a dirty laundry bag throughout the week. Fabrics like polyester, nylon, viscose, rayon, wool, cashmere, knit and denim are wrinkle resistant and are good options for travel. But if you’re traveling in the summer, lightweight, breathable cotton outfits might be worth bringing, even if they require removing your Airbnb’s ironing board for a quick squeeze. There are also brands like wayre and Anatomy who design clothing specifically for travel, wrinkle-resistant, comfortable and elegant.
- 4 comfortable outfits, such as…
- 2 pairs of jeans, shorts or other bottoms and 4 breathable tops
- 3 prettier outfits, such as…
- 3 dresses, French women prefer long, flowing ones (maybe bring one and save room for a French shopping spree)
- 2 pairs of slacks or loose trousers and 3 button-up shirts or pretty blouses
- 2 pairs of dress shorts/khaki shorts and 3 short or long sleeve button-up shirts or polo shirts (depending on time of year)
- 1 matching set, 1 jumpsuit and 1 dress
- PJ, 2 sets
- 2-3 bras (if we still make them)
- 9 pairs of underwear (two pairs more than the number of days of your trip…thanks later)
- 8 pairs of socks (one pair more than the number of days of your trip; always bring a pair of woolen socks for that rare wet and cold day… smart yarns are an excellent choice)
- Flip flops or Birkenstocks (either for the beach or for your hostel)
- Swimsuit (if there’s a beach or pool in your future…or if you’re just optimistic)
- Travel towel (travel towels are lightweight, quick-drying and often sand repellent, and it’s good to have one on hand if you’re staying at a hostel or Airbnb) or a lightweight sarong that can do double duty on the beach and as a lightweight blanket on the plane
- Umbrella (for rainy Parisian days)
- Packing cube for dirty laundry (or a cotton grocery bag if you don’t have packing cubes)
What is the weather like in France?
The climate of Paris is roughly equivalent to that of New York. Be prepared for rainy weather in winter and spring, hot dry heat and a noticeable lack of air conditioning in summer.
The north of Paris will be colder, with Lille remaining quite cold even until May.
The hottest part of the country is the interior part of southern France, with places like Toulouse and Montpellier reaching 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit in early May. However, things are cooling down by the sea, although cities like Nice, Cannes and Marseille are warming up earlier and staying warmer longer than their northern counterparts. It’s far from tropical, but perfect for spending every day at the beach from June to September.
Other packaging suggestions
Matching sets
It’s a great way to make sure your travel wardrobe is as versatile as possible. More affordable options at Zara Where Lulus to high-end options at Everlane Where Reformationa few pieces in neutral or complementary colors make it easy to mix and match.
white sneakers
The best part of post-pandemic fashion is the formal canonization of the white sneaker as a pairing for every outfit. The French love their Stan Smithbut a pair of Nike Where Vejas will keep you stylish and comfortable as you ascend the stairs to Sacre Coeur.
Winter clothes
Uniqlo’s heattech The collection includes extremely lightweight, quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant basics like long-sleeved shirts and leggings, which will save you space while packing bulky clothes in cold weather. Always have a thin all-wool sweater to layer and two pairs of good quality woolen socks for cooler nights and mornings.
Catherine Rickman is a professional writer and Francophile who has lived in Paris, New York and Berlin. She’s currently somewhere in Europe with a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, and you can follow her adventures on Instagram @catrickman.
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