Master the Art of Travelling with Just a Carry-On
When I say I usually travel with carry-on luggage only, people usually either go:
Oh God, I could never! or;
Yes girl, only way to go!
It took me years of practice to start packing light and I’ve made many mistakes in the process. But I’m so glad I get to travel this way and enjoy more stress free trips.
Because, let’s face it, travelling these days is fun, but not the most relaxing experience. Planes and airports are crowded, people are impatient, luggage gets lost or delayed all the time and connecting flights don’t always happen as per my last trip to Paris and Greece.
So if you’re ever been curious about what it’s like to travel with carry-on luggage only, read on.
Why I Finally Decided to go Carry-on Only
The first few times I travelled to Europe in my 20’s, I did what probably most people do: I borrowed a “giant” backpack, one that was way too big for my 5’1” frame, and filled it with all the things I thought I would need for a successful trip.
As a result, I was a very uncomfortable traveller and even injured my lower back, making the rest of one particular trip somewhat painful.
I also had delayed luggage on a couple of occasions. Let’s just say it’s really a bummer when you have to spend your time finding necessities, when you should be exploring and visiting your destination on your very limited vacation days.
So a few years back, I simply decided it was worth trying to bring all the things with me.
How to Pack Like a Pro
1. Get the Right Luggage
This will be different for everybody. I travel either with a backpack or a roller suitcase and a daypack; it really depends where I’m going and what the trip is about. I have two criteria; they both have to fit airlines carry-on restrictions and they must be light.
I can always choose to check my luggage if I want to, but I don’t have to. Travelling with just a carry-on and a personal item may come in handy when travel plans get derailed. Your flight got cancelled and you’re stuck in an airport for several hours/days? It’s way easier for airline agents to rebook you on available flights if you have all your belongings with you.
You will have to do some exploring to find the right luggage for you and your family, but it’s definitely worth the time.
2. Use a Packing List
There are a gazillion packing lists online, but I couldn’t help but create my own (Notion Template). Feel free to use it.
Curious about Notion, you can start here for free (Affiliate Link*) or get a free PDF version here.
3. Think Capsule Wardrobe
No need to pack an outfit for everyday of your travels. For three weeks, I pack items for about 7 to 10 days.
Choose basic items that don’t wrinkle too much or need special care, and choose colours that go together. On my latest trip, pretty much every piece of clothing could fit with at least 2 to 3 other items.
This way you can wear your clothes more than once, without looking like you’re wearing the same thing all the time. But know that it’s totally OK to wear the same outfit multiple times. Literally, no one cares!
4. Use Packing Cubes
Roll, fold or Konmari your clothes, that’s your preference. I rolled my clothes for years and now I prefer to fold and use packing cubes.
Essentially, have a system for keeping your stuff organized, especially if you have multiple stops or destinations and you have to repack several times.
Packing cubes can also help you separate dirty clothes from fresh ones. I have two smaller packing cubes, one with a green zipper and one with a red zipper that I use for my underwear: Green Means Go (clean), Red Means No (dirty) ;).
5. Plan To Do Laundry
Speaking of dirty clothes: plan to do laundry in your rental, in your room, in a laundromat or pay to have your clothes washed.
Travel packs of laundry detergent are easy to find at drugstores or we use this at home, so it’s easy enough to bring a few strips.
6. Use Solids Instead of Liquids
There are a lot of products that come in bars instead of liquids, like shampoo & conditioner, moisturizers, sunscreen, etc. This will allow you to travel with carry-on luggage and follow the limits for liquids (read your airline specifics before you leave).
You could also decide to buy what you need at your destination. But if you choose to bring liquids, spillage is a fact of travel. Prevent disasters by holding your products in a zipper bag (in Canada, you don’t have a choice to use their little prescribed plastic bag). Products can then spill all they want, but they won’t ruin your clothes.
Some Downsides to Travelling Light
Seriously, for me the benefits outweigh the downsides, but I’d be remiss, not to mention them:
1. Wearing the Same 2-3 Pairs of Shoes All the Time
It’s definitely important to bring comfortable shoes. It doesn’t matter how many times you have worn your shoes, you will most likely walk more than in your regular life. So even the most comfortable pairs may start to hurt. Rotate which shoes you wear and go for comfort over style.
2. Being Limited in your Outfit Choices
To me that’s more freeing than limiting.You don’t have to make so many decisions when your wardrobe is limited. But at times, I would have been happy to have one or two more pieces. That feeling doesn’t last very long though and it definitely doesn’t prevent me from enjoying my trips.
3. There is very little space to bring stuff back
Again, that is a plus for me. I used to agonise over what souvenir to bring back for myself and my loved ones. Although I still manage to bring some souvenirs, gone are the days where I spend way too many hours in tourist shops.
I still manage to bring a few things, usually consumables or small flat things: snacks, postcards, prints, etc. But I much prefer to take lots of photos and will only buy items that already fit with my style.
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