Women's packing tips for business trip - 1 month across Europe

How are you getting from A to B to C? If you have to lug the suitcase yourself, and using lots of public transport (eg, buses, trains, subways etc), then I'd stick with carryon only. However, if there's pre-arranged transportation to get from one place to the next, I would just go with a "larger" suitcase. It gets boring after a while, wearing the same clothes over and over again in a month, no matter how many permutations you can get out of the few pieces.

Take a look at this thread by Therese. She doesn't pack for more than two weeks but there is a lot of useful information.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/what-to-wearpack-part-7.cfm

I think a carry-on would be difficult for a whole month of travel where you have business events. You could do it, but as yk says, you'll be really sick of your clothes.

I think that mix and match separates work well for this type of trip. One or two basic colors like navy or gray with coordinating tops that can be worn with both. I'd take a pair of shoes for work days and another more casual pair that could be worn on weekends or travel days.

If you know the hotels where you will be staying, check to see if they have hairdryers in the rooms. Most business type hotels probably do so that would be something you wouldn't have to pack.

Keep toiletries to a minimum by utilizing as many products as possible that can do double duty.

hi Colleen,

I agree about the colour-theme, but I'd go for black. yes I know it can be boring, but you will always look smart, everything will go with everything else and you can wear any no. of bright scarves and even tops with it.

as for carry-on v checked luggage, for a whole month I'd go for the latter. you are bound to pick up stuff as you go round, and it is difficult to pack enough clothes for a month in carry-on luggage, let alone smart stuff. also it solves the toiletries problem.

also think about getting those vacuum bags that you can suck out the air from - they both compress your clothes plus enable you to keep different types of garments separate - eg, underwear, tops, casual wear, etc.etc.

not sure what you mean by "necessary supplies" but there are few things you'll need that you can't get here. However, whether you want to take the time to find them it is another matter. I would bring basics that you can trust with you - there is nothing worse than finding that that new shampoo doesn't suit your hair and it looks a mess for that all important meeting. another reason to check your luggage.

yet another reason - you'll need more than one pair of shoes, particularly as you need smart ones and casual.

convinced yet?

regards, ann

You will need both dress/skirt and pants outfits for that range of activities. Plus casual, comfortable clothes. A 24" suitcase will be needed so carry-on not possible. Any over-the-counter meds, cosmetics, lotions, etc. easily available in Europe so you need take only what you use regularly..no just in case stuff. If you can get manicures, etc. there then you don't need to pack those products either. Don't forget an umbrella!

Just to add to what ann said - I've found the giant Ziploc bags (2 gallons) very useful, and they eliminate the need to buy special vacuum bags. Just zip them mostly closed and squash the air out however you see fit. Or just use them for organization - they're fabulous.

Also I'm with yk. If you'll be getting yourself around on trains for a month, I'd pack as light as you reasonably can (even if you need the larger suitcase, keep the weight down). However, if you'll be with a group that has organized transport and people to carry your luggage for you, by all means pack a larger suitcase and save yourself some stress.

You've gotten some great advice here! In addition, if you haven't already done so, check into lightweight, wrinkle-proof clothing, e.g., Chico's "Travelers" line. And bring layers for colder days/evenings. Consider taking silk gloves and a silk scarf - they can be surprisingly warm, but weigh very little and take very little space. Hope that helps!

"A 24" suitcase will be needed so carry-on not possible."

One cannot make an absolute/blanket statement like that. I could very easily do a month (or 6 days or 6 months) in a carry on. I've done both leisure and business trips of a month or more w/ a 21 inch bag. (I usually take a smaller 18 or 19 inch bag for 10 days or less).

But honestly, a 24 inch checked bag would be fine. You likely don't need larger than that. But an issue is what IF your bag is lost or delayed more than a day? Could you manage w/ the small allowance the airlines give?

So what I'd recommend is 2 small suitcases. Maybe an 18" carried on, and a 19-21" checked. That way you'll have plenty (way more than plenty) of space for everything, plus have almost 1/2 of your items w/ you in case there is a luggage snafu. . . . .

When I check bags, I always take a small flight bag as my carry-on luggage so that I have a couple days' worth of clothing in case my luggage is delayed - my flight bag snaps on to my suitcase, so when I am travelling from place to play on my trip, they are easy to deal with together.

For a business trip that long there's no way I would try to do it carry-on. You're going to need the carry-on for your computer, files, toiletries and personal items. And given the number of meetings you will be in (and the scarcity of overnight dry cleaning in europe) you will need a variety of business outfits, several evening outfits, plus all the usual underthings and a couple of casual relaxing outifits.

For spring I would go with a mix of navy, khaki and white (blouses, silk tees etc) with jackets, skirts and pants that mix and match - so it seems like you have at least 8 or 9 day outfits. Have 2 pairs of sensible but professional shoes that go with these as well as a pair of evening shoes that go with 3 evening outfits (yes- stick to all black, except for a blouse or scarf or similar). I've done this for two weeks - and believe me - there is no way you can fit what you need in a carry-on. (I usually bring a black silk pants suit - slacks, jacket that can be worn with a tee and a tunic - so it makes a couple of outfits - plus at least one dress - usually very simple that can be changed with a scarf or a jacket.)

Wow, ladies, thanks for the great and speedy replies - I am impressed! All great advice. I will ask how the onsite luggage transport will work, good point that if our organizers take care of moving bags to the next city/country, then I can bring a larger checked in suitcase. But it sounds like a larger bag is the most realistic option... just keep it light!

I had a carry on and a checked bag for a recent three night trip to London (and wore every single thing I packed, including 4 pairs of shoes) so I guess I'm not the best guide, but, I'd definitely go the carryon-1 checked-1 route.

Carryon the essentials/things you would cry if they were lost, and check the rest.

does anyone ever pack running shoes to jog while traveling?

colleen, not yet. I'm packing my running shoes on my next trip - not for jogging, but for walking around all day. Nothing feels as comfortable as my running shoes (which I use for walking - 25 miles/week at home). BTW, I walk so much when I travel (easily 6-8 miles a day) that I don't feel that I need extra exercise like jogging.

However, I do know that many business travelers pack running shoes so that they can use the gyms at hotels. For them, all they do is sit in meetings all day, and eat. So I see the reason for working out while on business trips.

My suggestion----black, black and more black. Colors for accent. Or I like nytraveler's suggestions. Check www.travelsmith.com for some great packables. I pack for 2-3 weeks in a carry on. But then we stay in apts. with a washer.

Just don't check anything you can't live without. Lost luggage doesn't happen often, but when it does you could just scream!

Are you going to be carrying a laptop, hard drive, or other electronic equipment? I'd be less concerned about what clothes/shoes to bring/wear and more concerned about data.
Clothes/shoes/luggage, you can buy anywhere if you need it.
Lost data will be hard to replace.

Agree it's likely some will check luggage, likely guys! I've traveled Europe by plane, train, bus & car and no matter what the transport arrangements are supposed to be, do be prepared to carry all your luggage yourself. Do not expect handicap accessable. Due to a baggage handlers strike initiated between takeoff in NYC and landing in Paris, the pilots and cabin attendants unloaded the checked baggage onto the tarmac and we had to carry our luggage up a narrow stairwell to reach customs. My carryon always has a shoulder strap & I will take 2 smaller (18"-20") bags instead of one larger bag that I cannot carry far or up stairs. Sometimes one of smaller is my carryon depending on the season & itinerary.

On your running shoes question - Yes! They take up a lot of space, but I love running on vacation. I am able to get and about, and see things and places that I probably wouldn't get to otherwise. If you're in meetings all day, running in the morning or evening would give you a chance to get out and about, and stretch your legs a bit before a day of meetings.

In my real life, I don't wear sneakers or running shoes except for running. So while I take my running shoes with me on vacation, I rarely wear them except for running. But that's just my personal preference. And I'm a small woman with small feet, so I can always make room in my 22-inch bag for everything I need AND my running gear.

Wear your running shoes when you move from point to point. Don't put them in your suitcase.

Invest in multiple sets of Winter silk underwear.

http://www.wintersilks.com/

It's incredibly lightweight, washes and dries in a flash, and it means that you can pack lighter weight trousers and blouses, knowing you can layer long underwear beneath it and still be just as warm as if you'd packed sweaters and wool. And you can wear it as pajamas.

Another item I would pack is a vest, which can add tremendous warmth in a pinch. And I would stick to as much black as you can tolerate, blouse choices that hide stains, and a variety of lightweight pretty scarves for color and evening dressiness.

One pair of comfortable flats will do you for both day and evening smart attire.

If you are going to be changing hotels every three days, and not staying in hotels with overnight laundry service or unwilling to pay for it, you probably can't do carry on. And if everyone else is checking luggage and you have to wait for them, might as well check yours too.

I would take luggage with wheels. I recently bought A.Saks soft, collapsible-sided, ripstop nylon wheeled duffel which most airlines accept as carry on provided you don't stuff it full out with heavy things, using the expansion features. But it is also tough enough to check and lightweight in itself, so you it doesn't add to your weight when you can't roll it or must lift it up stairs:

http://www.luggageonline.com/product.cfm?product_ID=8585