Should you bring checked luggage to Europe?

Should I check a bag to Europe? Ultimately it depends on your trip, but my short answer is no – if possible, it is best to travel to Europe with carry-on luggage only. The challenge for Europe in particular, is that usually when people visit Europe, they move around a bit.



Deciding whether to bring checked luggage to Europe in 2026 depends heavily on your itinerary and mobility. If you are planning a "multi-city" trip involving frequent train travel or navigating cobblestone streets in historic districts, carry-on only is strongly recommended to avoid the physical strain of hauling large bags up stairs and onto narrow overhead racks. However, for longer stays or those planning to bring back significant souvenirs like Italian leather or French wine, a checked bag becomes a necessity. Most major European carriers have strict weight limits for carry-ons, often as low as 7kg to 10kg, which can be easily exceeded. If you choose to check a bag, ensure you have a durable, hardside suitcase to protect your belongings from the rigors of automated sorting systems. While checking a bag adds the risk of loss and a wait at the carousel, it allows you to bypass the liquid restrictions and pack bulkier items like hiking boots or formal attire for high-end dining.

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With checked bag fees through the roof and the possibility of baggage handling delays much higher than ever, it might make sense to pack light. There's no fear of baggage going missing, an ever-present risk if you're changing planes. You also won't waste up to an hour waiting for your bags to come out at bag claim.

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Checked luggage is the best option for serious travelers. It's the right choice for when you need more packing space, especially if you plan to return home with large souvenirs and gifts. For longer trips of a month or more, checked luggage is the way to go unless you want to live within carry-on size limitations.

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During the first three months of 2023, over 721,000 bags checked on domestic flights were mishandled out of 113 million checked bags in total—an average of 0.64 bags per 100 checked bags, per the U.S. Department of Transportation. That's up from 2019, when 0.59 bags were mishandled per 100 checked bags.

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RISKS YOUR BELONGINGS BEING DAMAGED, LOST, OR STOLEN However, even if you have nothing valuable or fragile in your luggage (thus curbing the likelihood of theft and damage), once the check-in counter swallows up your bag, that luggage becoming lost on its way to your destination is completely out of your control.

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In general, spaces are a lot smaller, the infrastructure isn't very suitcase friendly and if you're backpacking, you'll probably be flying with a lot of low-cost airlines or taking the train or a bus. All this is what makes travel backpacks the ideal packing method for a European vacation.

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Low Odds. Odds are slim your airline will lose your luggage. According to the Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, you face less than a 1 percent chance that a major airline will misplace your bags; in 2022, there were only about 7 reports of mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers.

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Europe worst for mishandled baggage, report says
The report said 26 million bags – or 7.6 per 1,000 passengers – were mishandled in 2022, up from 4.35 per 1,000 the previous year.

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If you go on a 2-week trip to Europe, there is a good chance you'll need at least a 25” suitcase, and perhaps even bigger 28” luggage will be more suitable. Still, within these suitcases, you want to choose one that weighs the least.

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Backpacks, while more challenging than suitcases on smooth floors, excel on more uneven terrain. They'll go wherever your feet can take you! Backpacks are easier if you're not on a smooth surface! However, neither option is great for crowded streets, busy trains or packed buses.

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Use Packing Organizers Roll your clothes and use packing cubes, stuff sacks, compression bags or cheap zip-top bags to maximize space and keep your things organized. Packing organizers make it easier to find what you need quickly without having to rummage through everything in your bag.

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Across the board, the chance of an airline losing a suitcase — at least for a little while — is around 0.4%, according to LuggageHero. That's about one in every 250 bags. Meena Thiruvengadam is a Travel + Leisure contributor who has visited 50 countries on six continents and 47 U.S. states.

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According to the Department of Transportation, luggage theft is a common problem. U.S. airlines reported more than three mishandled bags for every thousand in March. More than 1 million bags were stolen in 2018. It resulted in $1.2 billion in missing valuables.

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