How We Traveled Italy for 3 Weeks With Just a Carry-On

After three weeks, 272,162 steps, and over 224 stops across Italy—from ancient ruins in Rome to romantic canals in Venice—we returned home with more memories than muscle aches, thanks in large part to choosing the right carry-on luggage for Italy.

For this trip, our goal was clear: travel light, travel smart, and travel beautifully.

Our group of four decided to go carry-on only as we explored Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast. We were flying ITA Airways, which has one of the strictest carry-on limits I’ve ever encountered—just 8 kg (17.6 lbs). We also knew we’d be hauling our bags across train platforms, up steep staircases, over cobblestone streets, and into tiny hotel rooms.

Here’s exactly what we packed, how we chose our bags, and the carry-on luggage that made our 21-day journey seamless—plus all the accessories that helped us stay organized, safe, and underweight.

Why We Chose Carry-On Only for 3 Weeks in Italy

✈️ Our Travel Scenario:

• Flight: ITA Airways from the U.S. (carry-on weight limit: 8 kg/17.6 lbs)
• Transport: Trenitalia and Italo high-speed trains, walking, ferries, water taxis, and private drivers
• Trip Type: A romantic, adventure-packed itinerary with everything from hiking Cinque Terre trails and climbing the Phoenician Steps on Capri (in the rain!) to sipping cocktails on fancy water taxis in Venice and listening to live jazz in an intimate club. All while staying gluten-free and stylish with a capsule wardrobe.
• Goal: No lost bags, no waiting at baggage claim, no overpacking, and extra peace of mind with secure luggage setups that helped deter pickpockets in crowded train stations and tourist hotspots.

Even though most U.S. airlines don’t enforce weight limits on carry-ons, European carriers are a different story—especially ITA Airways, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines. To keep things stress-free, we packed for the strictest limit on our itinerary: ITA’s 8 kg (17.6 lb) cap.

That meant weighing every item—literally. I swapped out jeans for Quince ponte pants, skipped my usual big travel sweatshirt, and even cut weight with toiletry swaps (more on that later). My husband and I did three full test packs before the trip to make sure we met the limit with room to spare.

We also had to think about mobility. Italian train stations don’t wait. You have about 90 seconds to get on or off before the doors close. And when you’re surrounded by tourists, stairs, and no elevators in sight, having a bag that’s easy to grab, lift, and roll becomes essential.

That’s where our Briggs & Riley carry-on spinners came in—and they exceeded expectations.

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Choosing the Best Carry-On Luggage for Italy: Briggs & Riley vs. the Competition

When we started planning this trip, I knew I needed a suitcase that could handle everything: strict international weight limits, rugged cobblestone streets, fast train transfers, and a 3-week capsule wardrobe. After weeks of researching, measuring, test-packing, and checking airline specs, all four of us ended up with Briggs & Riley carry-ons—even though we shopped independently, in two different states!

Nick and I dove into blog reviews, Reddit forums, and packing videos. Meanwhile, our travel partners visited a specialty luggage store and spoke with a knowledgeable salesperson. We all prioritized quality, durability, and ease of use. Unintentionally, we each landed on Briggs & Riley, but we didn’t choose the same model.

• J. and R. chose the Baseline Global Carry-On Expandable Spinner in olive and black.
  
• Nick and I chose the ZDX Carry-On Expandable Spinner in Hunter (green).

And after 3 weeks of Italian travel, I can confidently say: both models performed beautifully.

Why We Chose Briggs & Riley Over Other Carry-Ons

Here’s a quick comparison of the top options we considered and how they measured up:

The Deciding Factors

• Strict Size & Weight Compliance: Both B&R models met ITA Airways’ international carry-on limits and kept us under 17.6 lbs with smart packing.
• Softside Flexibility: Crucial for train racks, cobblestone streets, and navigating tight hotel corners.
• Expandable Zipper Design: Great for souvenirs on the return trip—but stayed zipped flat for the outbound flight.
• Flat Interior Packing Surface: Thanks to the Briggs & Riley ZDX’s outsider handle system, the handle hardware sits on the outside of the bag—giving you a completely flat interior. No bulky bars to pack around, which made compression cubes and outfit stacking far easier.
• Olive Green Color: Easy to spot (and photograph!) in a sea of black luggage.
• Lifetime Warranty: Any repair, any time, no questions asked. It’s a huge value for frequent travelers.

And yes—both bags held up across every surface Italy threw at us. On our last day, we wheeled them from our hotel in Venice to a dusty airport dock along the canals. They were filthy but still rolled smoothly. Once home, I vacuumed the interior and wiped the outside with Dawn soap and warm water—good as new.

How the Luggage Performed on Planes, Trains, and Cobblestones

When you’re traveling across Italy with just a carry-on, it’s not enough for your suitcase to look good—it needs to perform. And ours absolutely did.

✈️ At the Airport

We flew ITA Airways, which has some of the most restrictive carry-on rules: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.6 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) and 8 kg (17.6 lbs). We used compression packing cubes to streamline our capsule wardrobes and did multiple test packs beforehand to make sure we were under the limit.

When departing Venice (Marco Polo Airport) → Rome → Boston, even with priority tickets, our luggage was closely inspected. At check-in, a stewardess weighed and measured both our suitcases and our personal items—including our backpacks. Then again at the gate, our carry-ons were weighed a second time before boarding.

If you’re flying ITA Airways, don’t assume enforcement is relaxed—pack with precision. These international carry-on limits are real, and they will check.

🚄 On the Train (Trenitalia & Italo)

Italian trains don’t mess around. Once your platform is announced, you have minutes—sometimes seconds—to board. Luggage needs to be nimble, compact, and easy to maneuver.

Here’s how our bags performed:

• Storage Above Our Seats: The ZDX and Baseline both fit in the overhead racks on Italo and Trenitalia trains. This was ideal, especially when traveling first class.
• Luggage Compartments: J’s Baseline bag, after a few souvenir-heavy stops, expanded just enough that it no longer fit above the seat. She had to store it in the dedicated luggage rack at the end of the car. While it felt a bit exposed, everything was fine. In hindsight, we wished we’d used our cable locks.
• Mobility: Whether rolling through Firenze SMN station or down the narrow aisles of a Frecciarossa train, the spinner wheels made movement effortless—even when we were rushing.

🚶‍♀️ On the Streets (and Steps) of Italy

Italy wasn’t designed for wheeled luggage. That said, both the ZDX carry on and Baseline carry on bags held up shockingly well on:

• Cobblestone streets in Rome, Florence, and Venice
• Seaside promenades and stone walkways in Sorrento
• Dusty, grassy paths in Venice near the airport boat dock

The wheels showed some scuffing by the end, but the bags never lost functionality. They rolled smoothly from day one to day twenty-one.

Our Packing System – Compression Cubes, Smart Accessories & Staying Under 18 lbs

Packing for 3 weeks in Italy with only a carry-on might sound impossible—but with the right system, it was not only doable, it was freeing.

Before we left, Nick and I did three full test packs using our Briggs & Riley ZDX carry-on spinners. We knew we had to stay under ITA Airways’ strict 8 kg (17.6 lb) carry-on weight limit, so every ounce counted.

Safety & Security Essentials for Carry-On Luggage in Italy

When you’re traveling Italy with just carry-on luggage, peace of mind matters—especially in train stations, crowded piazzas, or when leaving bags behind in a rental. Here’s how we kept our belongings safe, trackable, and stress-free throughout our 3-week trip.

Our Smart Safety Setup

We layered a few lightweight security tools that worked beautifully:

• Apple AirTags were tucked into every item: each carry-on, both personal backpacks, my crossbody purse, and Nick’s hidden money belt. Using the Find My app, we could instantly check our bags’ locations—even from a train seat or water taxi.

  ✨ Tip: Name and test your AirTags before departure for easy tracking.

• TSA-approved zipper locks gave us extra confidence when our carry-on luggage for Italy was stored in overhead bins, train compartments, or hotel rooms. We also locked our RFID-lined pockets where we kept passports and travel docs.

• Cable locks came in handy when J’s expanded bag needed to be stored at the end of a train car after a Florence shopping spree. Clipping it to the luggage rack added a layer of protection (and peace of mind).

• S-Biner MicroLock: Nick used this clever mini locking carabiner on his sling bag. It kept the zippers together and required a twist to open—great for deterring pickpockets while still allowing fast access.

Travel Light, Stay Aware

We never experienced theft, but we stayed alert. Our carry-on luggage for Italy was easy to keep close, our AirTags offered real-time tracking, and our lock setup provided subtle security without feeling paranoid. It’s the kind of system we’ll repeat every trip.

What We’d Do Differently (And What We’ll Never Travel Without Again)

Three weeks, five cities, countless staircases, and one 18-pound luggage limit later, I can say with confidence: we made great choices. But like any trip, we learned a few things along the way. Here’s what we’d absolutely do again—and what we’ll adjust next time.

✅ What We’d Do Again

• Stick with Briggs & Riley: Both the ZDX International Carry On and Baseline Carry On models exceeded expectations. Lightweight, durable, expandable, and still going strong after miles of rough pavement and packed trains.
• Use Compression Cubes: These made packing, unpacking, and sharing luggage space as a couple incredibly smooth. The color-coded system helped us keep everything organized.

• Apple AirTags in Every Bag: These tiny trackers gave us total peace of mind. Whether our bags were above our train seats or on a Venice water taxi, we could always check their location.
• Stick to a Capsule Wardrobe for Italy: Every piece of clothing earned its spot and mixed well. I never felt like I ran out of outfits, and everything fit in one carry-on.
• Bring the Hot Sock Diffuser: This tiny tool worked with every hotel hairdryer I encountered and saved my curls from humidity frizz.
• Mini Versions of Toiletries: Powder toothpaste, stick sunscreen, and the MakeUp Eraser towel made my toiletry bag featherlight—and airport compliant.

✋ What We’d Do Differently

• Check a Bag for the Return Flight: We ended up doing this anyway after purchasing leather jackets in Florence and a purse in Venice. Next time, I’d plan on it and pack a foldable duffle or allow for expansion from the start.
• Actually Use the Cable Locks: We brought them “just in case” but skipped using them when J.’s bag was stored at the end of the train car. Nothing happened—but next time, we’ll clip the bags to the rack anyway.
• Bring Bed Bug Spray With Us: While we had no issues, I missed having this on hand for peace of mind when staying in multiple accommodations. I used it to clean our luggage after the trip, but I’ll be packing it next time.
• Weigh More Frequently: Even though we packed light, I wish I’d done a mid-trip weigh-in. With souvenirs and new clothes creeping in, it’s easy to go over the 8 kg limit.

Final Takeaway

If you’re planning a romantic, multi-stop adventure through Italy and want to travel carry-on only, Briggs & Riley plus a minimalist mindset is the winning combo. Our luggage rolled smoothly, packed smartly, and held up beautifully through every twist of our itinerary—from cobblestone alleys to luxury lounges.

Packing light wasn’t just possible—it made the trip easier, more flexible, and a whole lot more fun.

Why This Carry-On Setup Worked for Italy

Looking back on our three weeks in Italy—across trains, boats, taxis, and cobblestones—I wouldn’t change a thing about our decision to travel carry-on only. The luggage we chose didn’t just survive the trip—it made the experience smoother, lighter, and more enjoyable.

The combination of a structured, expandable carry-on and a lightweight personal backpack gave us the freedom to move fast, pack smart, and skip baggage claim entirely. And thanks to compression cubes, intentional packing, and a few smart safety accessories, we never once felt overpacked—or unprepared.

If you’re planning your own Italy adventure, I can’t recommend this system enough.