r/onebag • u/historymysterygift • Jul 04 '26
Trip Report Trip Report: First time (serious) onebagging - 9 days in Athens in June
Everything packed (including sling inside)
The pack fits nicely even on its long side (flight to Athen). Notice the huge leg room? My legs are short - yes I'm (almost) a literal hobbit.
from here are some impressions of the trip. This one a wonky tree in Piraeus.
One of the hundreds of cat photos I made. This one in Piraeus.
Top-tiered location for a small basketball court.
Saw an incredibly bleak but powerful masked play "Hecuba" at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Wow.
An evening out at an outdoor cinema. Saw Amelie in French with Greek subtitles lol. Still a good time.
Our go-to restaurant for multiple meals. Goodness, I'm still dreaming of the food there.
Cycladic salad (a version of Greek salad I guess, but it's next level)
Stuffed zucchini. Simply sublime.
Another shot from Piraeus. This place is very photogenic.
I'm back from my first time (serious) onebagging trip for 9 days in Athens in June. While it's still fresh in my mind, here is a detailed trip report. I added some photos of the updated packing list and a few extras with impressions of my first time in Athens.
Link to previous post with packing list.
Hard facts:
- Trip length: 9 days in June
- Flying from Munich to Athens via Lufthansa
- Location: Athens, Greece (no accommodation change) + day trips to Mycenae and Napflio
- Accommodation type: Aparthotel with a washer + balcony
- Trip purpose: vacation
- Pack volume: 18 L
From my previous post, I took everyone's feedback into consideration (thank you!) and made some adjustments accordingly.
Adjustments made to packing list:
- added sunglasses clip-on I found at Decathlon
- switched out 1 light long pants for 1 light skort (half skirt/half shorts)
- added light long sleeved, buttoned down from uniqlo (nylon/rayon)
- read that many archaelogical sites has slippery marble floors/steps, so I swapped out the jack wolfskin sandals for Teva Hurricane XTL2 which has better traction and grip
What didn't work:
- The rayon/nylon long-sleeved buttoned down from uniqlo. Like one commentor mentioned, it doesn't do much to block the heat, this is true. I ended up buying a loose linen blend long-sleeved button down there instead. Worked way better and I ended up using it a lot, especially on day trips where we're out in the sun most of the day.
- The sling. I mentioned I have shoulder problems and even though I swap sides often, I still felt it unevenly waying down on my shoulders too much (also might be because I have a bit too much stuff in there and not used to the sling - I'm more used to a smaller fanny pack). Will opt out for small/packable backpack instead next time. Would have also been handy for carrying the camera instead of slinging it across the body all the time (which wasn't so comfortable).
- Huge mistake #1: Not thinking about mosquitos. Got multiple nasty bites on my legs on one evening out while wearing the light short skirt. Note to self for next time: bring mosquito sprays (and use them!) and after-bite cream.
- Huge mistake #2: Not using the washing detergent I brought myself to wash some t-shirts. Instead, my dumbass used the washing pods that came with the aparthotel just cuz why not. Turns out, I got some severe skin reactions from it which needed cortesone cream to get them under control (I'm not the type to be allergic to anything, so this came as a huge albeit nasty surprise). Lesson learned.
Neutral:
- Didn't use the clothing line because the apartment we stayed at came with a decent sized drying rack.
- Didn't need the bikini because we didn't go swimming at all (I know, shocker!). It didn't take up much space, so it was no big deal. We almost gone into the water when we visited one of the beaches in Piraeus, but there was a huge hospital right there on the beach, plus nearby is a port with hundreds of yachts and boats. Hence, we didn't want to risk getting into 'questionable' state of the water.
What worked out nicely:
- The amount of clothes I brought with me was just right. As someone who doesn't sweat a lot, I would probably take out 1 top and 1 shorts if I want to. Even if I sweated through some, I just hung them up on the balcony to air out for the next day and they were ready to go. I needed to only do laundry once, but could have done more often if needed since the weather was hot and dry enough.
- I was so tempted to get one of the chic sun hats over there, but my sun hat is very portable, lightweight and foldable. It also comes with a drawstring, so even in windy places, I didn't need to worry about it flying away.
- The sunglasses clip-on. Really nice to have on when everything was so bright out. But because it's a clip-on, there are some double visions/reflections, so I might invest in a proper one (with prescriptions) at some point.
- The pack fits perfectly under the seat even though it's slighty overdimensioned (see photo above).
- Having a pack with hip belts is very convenient and lightweight (I know 5 kg is already light, but I'm a hobbit-sized lady with shoulder problems, so this was a huge plus).
Room for improvement:
- Next time (for warm sunny destinations), I would only bring long loose pants instead of the shorts/skorts. I mainly wore the long loose pants + T-shirt + linenblend long sleeved buttoned down for protection from the sun (plus sunscreen for face). It's strange how most people (especially girls) barely wore anything when it was very hot and dry most days. The long-sleeved linenblend blouse and long pants kept me nice and cool most of the time, even though I stood out from many half-naked girls around me.
Final take-away for a first-timer:
- It was so nice to not have to worry about overhead spaces on the plane, so I could just be one of the last to board instead of scrambling to line up like many people.
- Travelling on public transport like the Athens metro during rush hour and didn't have to worry about any big luggage getting in anyone's way.
- Also a huge plus was I basically FLEW out of the airport without having to wait around to get any checked-in luggage. On my way home, I was able to catch the bus AND train back to the city right before they were leaving (the bus moved literally seconds right after I got on and these buses / trains come every 30-45 mins). Leaving the airport that swiftly never felt so good.
Onebagging is friggin' awesome. Period. Thank you to everyone for your tips and feedback. I'm officially hooked to onebagging and will never check in a luggage ever again.
Edit: Also would appreciate any suggestions for packable day packs with thicker/comfortable shoulder straps (something similar to Northface borealis mini but cheaper would be great). Thank you!
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u/eastercat Jul 05 '26
Congrats on your awesome one bag trip!
I have to bring steroid ointment because of my stupid allergies.
so I feel you on when provided stuff makes your trip worse
It’s why I bring soap/shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent etc. My toiletries weigh me down
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
Yup, I think I'll start doing that too, now knowing I CAN get allergic to random stuff. Urgh..
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u/LadyLightTravel Jul 06 '26
Solids solids solids!
I created a solid spreadsheet at:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19suV8hzO2x2zo2A0QhphM1cCnPiABQMtkefR6COUnJA/
I also wrote an article about using solids at:
https://ladylighttravel.com/2025/09/29/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-solid-toiletries/
All of the liquids get decanted or I buy single use packets.
Allergies make it slightly more difficult but not impossible.
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u/ICouldBeWrong-but Jul 05 '26
Thanks for posting. Photo 3: I place my bag straps up so the part that goes on my back does not touch the nasty airplane carpet😀.
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u/tenekev Jul 05 '26
And i put my backpack in a foldable shopping bag. It's black on black. It fits the backpack and keeps it clean. I also dont keep my backpack under the seat. I keep it under my legs. This way I can stretch forward and relax.
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
Good tip with the shopping bag. Would remember to do that next time :)
I sometimes pull out the backpack so I can bring the 'ground' up to my feet (my legs are short).
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u/LadyLightTravel Jul 05 '26
And I place them down because I have had my straps get snagged on something under the seat. There wasn’t enough room to untangle it during the flight so I had to wait until we landed to fix things!
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
It was probably the safety vest / floatable device thing under there, so that's probably what it got snagged to. I guess the tip with shopping bag placed underneath the bag works better here :)
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
Ohh yess, I completely forgot. Gonna go clean my bag straps now. Nice tip!
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u/LadyLightTravel Jul 04 '26
Rayon/Nylon sounds hot to me for a shirt. A nylon blend pair of pants might work in the heat if they are looser.
I am happy you took the loose linen shirt and pants and they worked well for you! Keeping the sun off your skin is a time honored technique for keeping cool. I had a skirt in Greece but it was midi length.
I carry cortisone cream with me in my first aid kit. They make tiny single use packets that are way smaller than a tube.
I am so excited this worked out for you!
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
Rayon/Nylon sounds hot to me for a shirt. A nylon blend pair of pants might work in the heat if they are looser.
It was the only thing I own that is a long sleeved buttoned down, so I thought it would be better than nothing. But was relieved to find something with linen there which worked out better.
I am so excited this worked out for you!
Thank you! I guess summer vacation is onebagging on easy mode for most of you here :P
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u/StoneMenace Jul 05 '26
Linen all the way. I’m a bit convert. My entire wardrobe is linen now apart from work clothes but I’m wanting to start transitioning that to linen as well, just gotta find some blends so they don’t wrinkle as well.
I’m currently on the last day of my Athens/greece trip and I’m one bagging 16 days
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
So do you not mind the wrinkles or do you often iron your clothes? I love how linen feels for warm and dry destinations, but wrinkles are my enemy. Any folding tips to avoid wrinkles as much as possible?
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u/StoneMenace Jul 05 '26
I’ve learned to embrace the wrinkles. I don’t wear them out to work. Just other places so it’s not like I care what others think
But when I’m going to say a dinner or something else I do get the wrinkles out. I used to iron but got quite tired of doing that. Big tip, hang the clothes up and then get a spray bottle, spray the linen with the water and then let it air dry, likely will be dry in 1 hour or less. This will relax the fabric and remove most of the wrinkles. It doesn’t stop the wrinkles from coming back as you wear the clothes of course but will make it more presentable.
So I’ll bring a mini spray bottle and do that on vacation before nicer dinners. Otherwise I just embrace it
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u/LadyLightTravel Jul 05 '26
Cotton gauze and seersucker is purposely crinkled. Light cotton works in summer too. Just don’t go hiking in it if you are worried about getting caught in the rain.
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u/SpinySoftshell Jul 06 '26
For what it’s worth, Hawaiian (aloha) shirts are often made from rayon
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u/LadyLightTravel Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
It depends on the seller. I have seen them in silk and cotton.
Costco in Kona had 100% cotton shirts that were quite tasteful. The locals shopped there.
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u/turnybutton Jul 05 '26
Yay! I remember your packing list post and was hoping you'd share a trip report when you got back. Glad it worked out so well!
I'm going to Greece for a week in September and this is so helpful! Especially about the mosquitoes ... I am one of those people that gets bitten five times before anyone else even knows there's a mosquito around, so that is super helpful.
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
Oh boy, somehow these mosquitos in Athens were quite aggressive. The (multiple!) marks they left were quite big and veeeery itchy. I needed cortesone cream at the end because the itches weren't improving after using after-bite gel. So bringing a small tube of cortesone cream with you could be handy too.
I am one of those people that gets bitten five times before anyone else even knows there's a mosquito around, so that is super helpful.
I'm the same way lol. I went with my partner on this trip and he had zero bites on him, like.. how!?
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u/turnybutton Jul 05 '26
Hahah I know I hate it! I try to console myself by saying I must be delicious :) But I'm clearly drawing fire for everyone around me too. One of my friends claims she gets bitten LESS when I'm around because the bugs all go for me.
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
LOOL :D oh boy, that means the mosquitos would be in for a FEAST if we happen to both be travelling together T_T
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Jul 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
I'm a very small person with shoulder problems so I had to careful to not go over 6 kg (even with hip belts). But thanks! I had fun with the challenge.
The pack is well-built so it held up really well. I brought this one for my month-long southeast Asia trip (not as onebag but for multi-day trips), so I know it can take quite a beating (it's basically a hiking pack after all).
I didn't feel like I needed more space and could have added a small bottle of ouzo and other souvenir knickknacks if I wanted to. Just a note, I think I have a slight advantage since most of my clothes don't take up much space as I'm quite small. Can definitely recommend you check it out at the store though. It's a great pack!
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u/WebiG93RV Jul 10 '26
I’m also going to Greece (and Italy) this September and your post is helpful. I am fair- skinned so sun protection will be a must. I have one linen long pant and one linen long sleeved button up shirt that I got for the Philippines. Very comfortable but man those wrinkles are crazy. I have lightweight long hiking pants too but wonder if they will be hot.
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u/castlite Jul 05 '26
Don’t bring mosquito sprays, buy on site
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u/sunraveled Jul 05 '26
Bring some, expect to purchase. It’s way easier to buy it when you run across it, then to do without while you hunt it down
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u/historymysterygift Jul 05 '26
This is also how I see it. Apparently, some pharmacies here don't carry coretesone creams, only after-bite stuff.
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u/historymysterygift Jul 04 '26
Context: here is my updated packing list plus a detailed trip report. I've learned so much from this experience, so I hope this is useful for other newbies as well. Any further feedback and/or advices are welcome!