European domestic airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling are popular low-cost, no-frills carriers are ideal for long weekends away or summer travels to Greece, Italy, and Croatia. Although travelers can sometimes score flights to dreamy destinations for incredibly low prices, the affordable price tag comes with a single, important caveat: very strict luggage and personal item restrictions. 

As a travel writer from Italy, traveling throughout Europe via these low-cost airlines has been my bread and butter for well over a decade. Over the years, I’ve learned the 12 items you should never pack when flying low-cost domestic European airlines, and the essentials you should bring instead. Items like laptop backpacks with shoe compartments, travel-size wrinkle-release sprays, and digital portable luggage scales will have you packing like a pro, so you’ll never again have to wear multiple, sweltering layers on the plane in order to bring more of your favorite travel outfits. The best part: many of my favorite items are on Amazon, starting at just $8.

Don’t pack: Overweight suitcase

Pack this instead: Portable luggage scale

While it may sound obvious, it’s not hard to overpack and exceed the airline’s weight allowance. Don’t forget: the suitcase’s weight also contributes to the overall weight allowance. For low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet, the maximum weight for a carry-on suitcase is a measly 22 pounds. To avoid overweight luggage fees, I always pack this small portable digital scale. Compact and lightweight enough to pack into a personal item, the easy-to-use scale can weigh your luggage in both pounds and kilograms — and it’s currently on sale for $8.

Don’t pack: Bigger carry-on suitcase

Pack this instead: Compact carry-on suitcase 

Many luggage companies like Away have started rolling out bigger carry-on styles which may be great for international trips, but not so much for domestic travel throughout Europe. While dimensions vary by airline, and you should always double check them prior to traveling, the average baggage limits for a carry-on on these low-budget European airlines are quite small at 22 x 18 x 10 inches. These restrictions are pretty strictly enforced — it’s not unusual for travelers to have their suitcases measured at the gate, and then have to check them for a fee if their luggage is above the specified dimensions.

This compact Samsonite carry-on suitcase is not only featherlight, clocking in at just 7.5 pounds, but also has the right dimensions for any low-cost European flight at 14 x 9 x 22 inches. It’s also not without added perks: It has an interior battery pouch, USB charging port, expandable sides, and spinner wheels — and a reasonable $119 price tag is just the cherry on top.

Don’t pack: Vacuum seal bags

Pack this instead: Compression packing cubes

Vacuum seal bags may be great at compressing clothing, but they’re notorious for adding weight to your luggage because they might lead you to overpack with the extra space — and you often need to bring a hand pump. I prefer compression packing cubes, like these ones from Gomex, not only for their compressing ability but also because of how squishy and flexible they are — their ripstop nylon material makes it easier for me to fit more into my carry-on suitcase without going overboard. And, because they compress via a zipper, I don’t need to carry around a hand pump or worry about finding a vacuum. You can currently invest in a pack of five different sized packing cubes and a separate laundry bag for just $27, including an onsite coupon. 

Don’t pack: Purse

Pack this instead: Spacious laptop backpack with shoe compartment 

Low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet allow travelers to bring a personal item onboard for free, but even these smaller items are subject to strict size restrictions. While they vary by airline and should also be double-checked prior to traveling, personal item dimensions average 18 x 14 x 8 inches. That’s why this spacious laptop backpack with a separate shoe compartment is the perfect personal item alternative to a regular purse. Aside from being the perfect size – its dimensions are 18 x 11.81 x 7.87 inches — the backpack boasts a slew of smart organizational features that’ll help you maximize your limited space. Oh, and did we mention that it’s a steal at just $44?

The spacious main compartment that can fit bulkier items like cameras, toiletries, or even extra clothes. There’s also an impressive array of features: a laptop sleeve, a built-in battery and USB charging port, several zippered pockets, a secret exterior back pocket for more valuable items, a trolley pass-through sleeve, and a shoe compartment large enough to fit a pair of sneakers. Just remember that it’s always best practice to wear your bulkiest shoes when traveling to save space. 

Don’t pack: Pillow

Pack this instead: Stuffable travel neck pillow 

While I haven’t needed to try the stuffable travel neck pillow hack (yet), it’s a unique way to pack more with less that’s naturally gone viral on TikTok (alongside stuffing a pillowcase with extra clothing).

While this memory foam travel pillow isn’t necessarily designed to be stuffed with clothes, its removable insert allows travelers to roll up smaller items like socks, underwear, tank tops, and bathing suits into its soft casing. Not only does this let you pack more of your essentials but you’ll also be able to use your extra clothing as a comfortable neck pillow when traveling — a win-win for the low price of $25. 

Don’t pack: Standard wallet

Pack this instead: RFID-blocking travel wallet

When traveling domestically in Europe, you’re going to want to invest in a wallet that can do it all, like this travel-sized one from Zero Grid. Crafted out of a water-resistant and durable ripstop nylon material, it’s designed with RFID-blocking technology and is small enough to fit into a crossbody bag or jacket pocket. Not only can it hold your wallet, but it can also fit four to 10 credit cards, tickets, additional forms of identification, plus bills and loose change. It also comes with a micro travel pen to fill out customs forms.

Don’t pack: Duffel bag

Pack this instead: Foldable tote 

This mini crossbody tote bag can easily compress and fold away into a carry-on, and is a great option for if you want to keep your essentials on your person while traveling around airports. The bag is also cute and functional enough to double as a purse when you reach your destination. It features a removable crossbody strap, an external pocket, an internal zipper pocket, and two internal slip pockets that can hold essentials like your cell phone, wallet, sunglasses, and even a small water bottle.

Its mini size is especially ideal for entering certain monuments, like the Vatican Museums, which don’t allow large bags. Best of all, though, is its zippered main compartment, which is great for warding off pickpockets on public transport and outdoor dining hotspots in major European cities. 

Don’t pack: Travel steamer

Pack this instead: Travel-sized wrinkle-release spray

While travel steamers can help remove the more stubborn wrinkles from your clothing, they’re usually quite heavy, not to mention bulky. For trips where I’m only traveling with a carry-on, I pack the Bounce wrinkle-release spray to remove wrinkles, static, and any musty odors from my clothes. The TSA-approved 3-ounce spray bottle comes in a pack of three for an ultra-affordable $10, and the individual bottles are small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. For more serious wrinkles, I usually go old-school: I spray my clothing with the wrinkle-release spray and then hang them up in the bathroom when taking a hot shower and let the steam do the rest. 

Don’t pack: Airport plastic water bottle

Pack this instead: Reusable water bottle 

Traveling by plane, especially in the summer, can be a dehydrating affair that can drain you of the energy it takes to drink in Europe’s cultural sights. Next time you travel, skip the expensive airport water bottles and help the environment by taking a stainless steel water bottle, like this one from HydroFlask. And, because low-cost domestic airlines in Europe don’t offer free water on flights (that’s right, you need to pay for a bottle of water), you can also save a few euros while you travel. Plus, in cities like Rome, which has thousands of free, public water fountains spread out across its historic center, it definitely pays to have a reusable water bottle on hand.

Don’t pack: Bulky toiletry bag

Pack this instead: Small, transparent toiletry bag

Large toiletry bags can take up a lot of unnecessary and valuable space in a carry-on suitcase. This pack of two small, transparent toiletry bags will not only save you precious luggage real estate, but it will also help you pass through hectic security checkpoints quicker because they clearly show what’s inside. If your carry-on is already full to the point of bursting, these toiletry bags are small and flexible enough to be squished into a personal item. They’ll also prevent any internal spillages from leaking out onto your surrounding essentials thanks to their thick PVC material.

Don’t pack: Loose jewelry

Pack this instead: A foldable travel jewelry case

This foldable travel jewelry case from Bagsmart is a less clunky option to traditional travel jewelry cases, which are usually quite boxy. Its rollable pouch-like design is also very compact, so it can easily fit in a personal item or even a jacket pocket, especially with how lightweight it is. 

Although small, the case boasts a slew of organizational features including three zippered compartments for larger earrings and necklaces, an earring panel that can hold seven pairs of earrings, and a long buckled band to store your rings.

Don’t pack: Flimsy, paper airline luggage tag

Pack this instead: Leather luggage tag 

Even after all of these precautions, there’s always the chance that your carry-on gets checked at the gate. If this happens, you’re going to want something more resistant and eye-catching than the flimsy paper airline tag to identify your suitcase at baggage claim. That’s where this small, chic monogrammed luggage tag comes in handy. Made from supple faux leather, the black luggage tag is virtually scratch-free and comes with a subtle privacy shield to cover your personal information. Best of all, it’s a budget-friendly $9.

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