Travelling With a Carry-on
Some of the best and yet hardest to follow advice is anything that encourages you not to bring a full sized suitcase with you as checked luggage. Travelling with only a carry on for luggage can seem daunting and sometimes even downright impossible but what if we told you it’s not only possible but actually ideal?
There are so many good reasons to travel lighter but the biggest one is cost. Many airlines offer cheaper flights because they no longer offer checked baggage and those fees to bring your extra stuff are not cheap. There is also the chance that you will end up without your luggage for some or all of the time you are away (direct flights have a much better chance of this not happening), and who wants to wait for their luggage once you arrive? It also makes it so much easier to utilize public transportation at your destination and less hauling your giant suitcase up flights of stairs. Below are some of our top tips and tricks for maximizing your travel while minimizing your luggage.
Be choosy
Even if you are getting free check in, you take a car and have an elevator the biggest reason is YOU DON’T NEED ALL THAT STUFF. You definitely need to be judicious and this means really knowing what you are planning during your trip, if you need anything special, and finding ways to have those things do double, or even triple duty for you. For example a pashmina works as a blanket on the plane, a scarf upon arrival and possibly a picnic blanket during your trip. Layering pieces are key, especially if you don’t know what the weather will be like, so always bring the lightest version of the thing you want. Your lightweight sweaters take up far less space than the chunky ones and you can wear two if it’s really cold. Thin puffy jackets and vests can be layered under raincoats or over long sleeved shirts to add in warmth and can be packed down to almost nothing. Bring extra accessories like scarves and belts to dress your pieces up or down.
Roll it up
If you have heard this one before and it’s because it really works! It does mean that you need to be prepared to de-wrinkle some things at the other end of your trip and you should try to consider not doing this with a suitcase full of linen. Roll everything as tightly as possible and forget those vacuum bags. Unless you have a vacuum at the other end too, how will you fit it all back in? Rolling up small items like t-shirts, underwear or socks and stuffing them into your shoes means you are using up empty space (use a plastic bag if you are worried about smelling up your clothes).
Consider the weight
If you really can’t live without those boots or that winter coat then wear it on the plane! While it can be a hassle at security to remove your boots just remember that you can always pop put the extra room in your suitcase before security as soon as you get through check in and change into something easier for the plane. Once they weigh your luggage and you’re through it’s all the same in the air so wear anything especially heavy until you are through to the gate.
Repackage your cosmetics
Cosmetics are often the reason people bring a suitcase since the amount of liquids and gels you can bring are usually miniscule. Travel sizes are great but also consider repacking the stuff you have in as small a container as possible. If you absolutely need to wash your hair every day, then try some of the bar shampoos available. Soap and body wash can be found in sheets and even some make up, like foundation, can be found in a solid instead of a liquid. Bring fragrance samples instead of full sized bottles and remember you can most likely buy what you need on the other side.
Maximize that personal bag
Along with your carry on you are allowed a smaller personal bag so make the most of it! This can be a great place to store your liquids computer and all the other items you need handy for security. Travel it on top of your wheelie suitcase so you don’t have to carry all that extra weight or do a slight repack once you are through security. This is where you should keep you magazines, extra food and water (after security) and anything else you need during the flight. If you use a tote bag all of your items are accessible but try to find one with a zipper compartment to keep your valuables safe. You can also “wear” another bag like a small crossbody or fanny pack for smaller things like earbuds, hand sanitizer, your passport, jewelry and anything else you might need to access once seated so you don’t have to haul the big bag out from under your too tight seat.
Some of you are now asking yourself, what do I do with all of the things I am planning on buying? Shipping is an easy option or if worse comes to worse you can always buy an inexpensive suitcase and check it! Bon courage!