Greece Packing List: 2 Weeks of Island Hopping in a Carry-On
Greek island hopping means a ferry every few days, a new hotel on every island and stairs everywhere. Two weeks in a carry-on each made all of it easy. Here is every piece that made the cut, so you can pack for the white dresses, the cliff jumps and the sunset dinners without dragging a big suitcase down to the port.
why carry-on only
Island hopping rewards a small bag
We moved islands every couple of nights, sometimes after just one. On the ferries your suitcase gets stashed in a luggage hold or a pile by the door, and the ports, ramps and island stairs are no place for a big bag. A carry-on each kept every travel day simple.
her greece packing list
What Fin packed
Fin's system is two color stories: a cube of whites and a cube of blacks, with neutrals and accessories that mix with both. Everything is lightweight and packs physically small, so it all fits in the six-piece carry-on cube set plus the toiletry set.
Wear itTravel-day outfit
- Sweatpants that look like real trousers
- Neutral tank top
- Linen jacket (it doubles as a blazer over dinner outfits)
- Tennis shoes, the biggest pair, so they never take up bag space
Worn on the plane and every ferry ride.
Large cubeThe whites
- The flowy white dress: beach cover-up by day, dinner dress at night
- White kimono
- White button-up shirt (belt it, or wear it as a sun layer)
- Champagne silky top
- Casual white top that ties at the front and covers the shoulders
- White swimsuit
If one piece had to go, it would be the kimono. A dress that doubles as a cover-up does more.
Large cubeThe blacks
- Little black dress in lightweight cotton: sneakers by day, jewelry at night
- Black plunge one-piece swimsuit that doubles as a bodysuit with shorts or a skirt
- Black shorts
- Cropped black tank
- Flowy black skirt
- Black kimono (honestly, one kimono is enough)
Everything in this cube mixes with the whites, so the outfit count multiplies.
Medium cubeThe in-between outfit
- A swimsuit that works for cliff jumping, kayaking and diving in
- Jean shorts (they dried fine after the mid-trip laundry)
- Graphic tank
The rugged-beach, back-of-the-scooter outfit.
Medium cubeUnderwear and sleep
- Underwear and pajamas
- Bralettes that double as tops
Tube cubeAccessories
- Two headscarves or bandanas (hair, braid, or a belt)
- One tan belt with gold hardware
- Scrunchie with a bow
- One chunky statement necklace
The accessories are what turn the same few pieces into different outfits.
Laundry bagSandals
- Tan sandals for casual days
- Black and gold strappy sandals for dinners
Toiletry setToiletries and makeup
- Hanging bag: makeup and brushes up top, big powders and palettes in the stretchy back pocket
- Rings, earrings and hair ties in the small mesh pockets
- Tiny perfume samplers instead of a full bottle
- Liquids bag: skincare, nail polish, deodorant
- Tube cube: retainer, sunglasses, travel curling iron, hairbrush
Pack toiletries first. They are heavy, so they go at the bottom, and they take more room than you expect.
his greece packing list
What Tim packed
Tim's rule: it is really hot in the Greek islands, so everything breathes. Linen does that, and it looks good in photos.
Shirt cubeLinen shirts
- Blue linen shirt: hides dust and dirt, so it is not in the wash every other day
- White linen shirt: photos and dinners
- Room for 8 to 10 shirts, before using the compression zip
Shorts cubeShorts and pants
- Linen shorts that go with every button-up
- Light-colored chinos for sit-down seafood dinners where shorts feel underdressed
- Room for 6 to 8 pairs of shorts
ShoesThree pairs
- Darker everyday sneakers: scooters and cliff hikes beat shoes up
- A nicer pair that only comes out for dinner
- Rubber sandals for beaches and boats, kept in a tube cube
Skip leather sandals. They are heavy and nobody likes them wet.
Day bagThe ferry pouch
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Hard drive and cables
- Wallet and ferry tickets
- Snacks
Your suitcase gets stashed on the ferry, so keep what you need for the crossing in one pouch.
Toiletry setToiletries
- Hanging toiletry bag with a pull-out hook
- Liquids bag for security
- Tube cube for flip-flops
With some one-night stays, hanging it on the towel rack and zipping it up the next morning saves a lot of unpacking.
what we learned
8 rules for packing for the Greek islands
- Wear your biggest shoes on travel days.Sneakers on your feet are sneakers out of your bag.
- Pack toiletries first.Heavy things at the bottom keep the bag from tipping over, and you can fill the rest with clothes.
- Pick two color stories.A whites cube and a blacks cube, plus neutrals that go with both.
- Shop for small.Silky and lightweight pieces fold down to almost nothing; lacy, boho styles take up much more room.
- Make every piece do two jobs.A swimsuit that is also a bodysuit, a dress that is also a cover-up, a shirt that is also a sun layer.
- Cover your shoulders.The island sun is strong. Pick shirts, tops and cover-ups that double as sun protection.
- Bring one dinner outfit, minimum.Chinos and a nicer pair of shoes for him, a dress and sandals for her. Sunset dinners are the point.
- Plan one laundry stop.Halfway through, and keep dirty clothes in the cube laundry pocket until then.
the system
What we packed it in
Both bags were organized with Tripped, the travel gear brand we started.
good to know
Greece packing questions
Can you go Greek island hopping with only a carry-on?
Yes. We did two weeks with one carry-on each and one load of laundry halfway through. With ferries every few days, a small bag is much easier.
What should women wear in the Greek islands?
Light, breathable pieces in a simple color scheme: a flowy white dress that works as a cover-up and a dinner dress, a little black dress, linen, a couple of swimsuits and one statement accessory. Pack layers that cover your shoulders from the sun.
What should men wear in the Greek islands?
Linen shirts and linen shorts during the day, and light-colored chinos with a nicer pair of shoes for sit-down dinners.
What shoes should you pack for Greece?
Three pairs: everyday sneakers that can take scooters and rocky paths, a nicer pair for dinner, and rubber sandals for the beach. Wear the biggest pair on travel days.
Do you need dressy clothes for the Greek islands?
Bring at least one dinner outfit. Shorts feel underdressed at the nicer sit-down seafood restaurants by the water, so pack light pants or a dress.
now plan the route
Your Greece trip, day by day
Mykonos, Paros, Milos and Santorini by ferry, with 7, 10 and 14-day versions and the hotels we stayed in.
Greek island itineraryGreece travel guide
