Option A · recommended
One carry-on suitcase + one personal item
- One carry-on suitcaseMaximum 21″ × 14″ × 9″ — it stays with you the whole trip.
- One personal itemSmall backpack, purse, or similar item that fits under the seat.
Luggage · One Bag. Your Choice.
One bag.
Your choice.
We highly recommend traveling with a carry-on bag only. If you must check a bag, it's one medium checked bag — and then no carry-on suitcase. Here's the whole policy, in plain English.
Our strong recommendation
Carry-on only.
We highly recommend traveling with a carry-on bag only. This isn’t just a suggestion — it’s a game-changer for your travel experience.
Tour Directors recommend it, and teachers on their fifteenth trip swear by it. Five reasons why, on the right.
Maximum size: 21″ × 14″ × 9″
Never lose your luggage
Carry-ons stay with you, eliminating the risk of lost baggage.
Faster transitions
No waiting at baggage claim means quicker departures.
Perfect for group travel
Lighter, smaller bags work better on trains, buses, and boats.
Save money
Avoid potential overweight fees on internal flights.
Greater mobility
Easier to navigate cobblestone streets, stairs, and tight spaces.
If you must check a bag — mandatory
One suitcase. Never two.
You are allowed ONE checked bag only — medium size, not American large — maximum 27″ × 21″ × 14″, 50 lbs.
Critical rule: if you bring a checked bag, you cannot also bring a carry-on suitcase. Pick a lane — Option A or Option B. There is no version of this policy where you bring both suitcases.
Why these restrictions matter
Five reasons the rule exists.
None of this is arbitrary. Every line of the policy traces back to a real moment on a real tour — a train rack that wouldn’t take one more bag, a gate agent with a scale, a hotel with one small elevator.
01
Transportation limitations
European and international trains, buses, boats, and water taxis have limited luggage space. Unlike in the U.S., these are not designed for large suitcases for entire groups.
02
Internal flight restrictions
Short-haul flights have stricter size and weight limits. Large American-sized luggage often incurs extra fees.
03
You're responsible for your luggage
You'll be moving your own bags through airports, train stations, cobblestone streets, and up staircases. The more you pack, the heavier your burden.
04
Group logistics
When 20+ students travel together on the same train car or bus, space fills up quickly. Smaller bags ensure everyone's luggage fits.
05
Unexpected situations
Sometimes elevators break, or you need to walk 15 minutes from a train station to your hotel. Lighter bags make these situations manageable rather than miserable.
Size and weight guidelines
The numbers, side by side.
Long-haul international flights are the looser of the two. The moment your itinerary includes a hop between European cities, the limits tighten — and the weight limits are the ones that catch people out.
International flights
The long-haul flights that get you there and home.
- Personal item18″ × 14″ × 8″
- Carry-on21″ × 14″ × 9″
- Checked bag27″ × 21″ × 14″, 50 lbs max
Intra-European flights
Short hops between cities. Stricter on every line.
- Personal item15.7″ × 11.8″ × 7.9″
- Carry-on21″ × 14″ × 9″, 22 lbs
- Checked bag27″ × 21″ × 14″, 44 lbs max
Important! If your tour includes an internal flight, you must adhere to the size and weight restrictions above or you will be charged a fee by the airline.
Challenge yourself to pack light
Can you fit everything you need into a carry-on?
Millions of travelers do it every year — it’s worth it. Five habits that make the difference:
Choose versatile clothing — mix and match outfits.
Limit shoes to 2-3 pairs maximum.
Use packing cubes to organize and compress your items.
Think about what's essential and leave behind anything that won't be used multiple times.
Follow airline size restrictions to avoid last-minute fees and delays.
The full category-by-category list — documents, clothing, footwear, toiletries, tech, daypack — lives in the packing guide.
Carry-On Quest · free to play
Think you’ve got it? Prove it.
Nine days, three countries, one bag. Carry-On Quest is a ~7-minute retro mini game that drops you into every decision this policy is trying to save you from — the packing screen, the terminal dash, the intra-Europe weigh-in, the souvenir run home. Finish with zero fees and you’ve got a perfect run.
Next up
You know the rule. Now find out if you can live by it.
Play the game for the fun version of the policy, or open the packing guide for the list that actually fits inside a 21-inch carry-on.