Have you ever thought about ditching your monster of a suitcase and travelling with only a carry-on? Depending on your type of trip, as well as the duration, it might just be a viable option. Think about the benefits:
Money. As in, you’ll save a bunch of it. You won’t need to spend your hard-earned dollars to check a bag on an airline, and when you get to your destination you can easily take public transit opposed to stuffing your bag into the trunk of a pricey cab.
Mobility. You’ll be able to lift your bag on and off of public transport without using your hulk-like muscles. You won’t need to drag a 50 pound bag across ancient cobblestones, and you won’t have to wait at the airport carousel for 20 extra minutes just to pick up your bag.
Minimalism. The mental load that travelling light takes off a person is enough of a reason. There is less to keep track of, and therefore less to lose.
So how does one go about travelling like this?
Here are 9 tips to help you travel with only a carry-on
Choose the right bag
Before you choose a carry-on bag to bring along, make sure that it will abide by any airline or train space restrictions. It is not worth getting to the gate and being told your bag is too big and will have to be checked. Plus, when this happens, the airline usually charges a fee for having to check a bag at the gate.
Choose a bag that you can easily carry, that is on rollers, and is light enough to not add too much weight to your load.
Additionally, decide whether a soft bag or a hard-shell bag is right for you. A soft bag will give you a little wiggle room when packing oddly shaped items, while a hard-shell will make sure you abide by size restrictions.
Leave the “just in case” items behind
If you’re not sure you’ll need the item, leave it behind. When packing a carry-on, it is necessary to bring only the essentials, and everything else will only take up precious space in your bag.
Wash your clothing
If you will be travelling for longer than just a few days, plan to wash your clothing at your destination. By doing this, you’ll get double the wear out of your clothes for just a few extra dollars. To prepare, book a hostel that has laundry on-site, or a hotel that has a laundry service.
Pack multi-purpose items
You don’t need to take your Kindle, Tablet, and laptop with you on the same trip. Give yourself some extra wiggle room and decide which one of these would make the most sense for you to bring.
Buy at your destination
Leave behind any items that you can buy or acquire at your destination. The hotel you are staying at may not have your favorite brands of shampoo or soap, but you’ll be able to get by using theirs for a short stay. Pick up any other toiletries you may need at the local drug mart.
Additionally, research whether your hotel supplies things such as hair dryers, irons, and garment bags; if you require such things.
Roll your clothes
It’s been said that simply rolling your clothes opposed to folding them will give you 20% more room in your bag. Plus, this is a great technique to keep your clothing wrinkle and crease free.
Leave the extra shoes at home
A good rule of thumb when it comes to shoes, is bring three pairs. One pair should be comfortable yet stylish shoes for nights out, the second should be practical walking shoes, and the third should be flip-flops for around the hotel, beach, or pool.
If you plan on hiking or trekking in your destination, wear your bulky hiking boots on the plane.
Layer your clothing during check-in
If you don’t mind being a little warm while going through security, layer your clothing and wear the bulkiest items. Pack your shorts and wear your jeans, and keep your jacket on your person. By doing this, you’ll save room in your carry on bag for more important things, and you can always take off layers when you’re on the plane.
Pick a colour scheme
Choose three colours to wear in your destination, and pack clothing only in those hues. By doing this, you’ll give yourself the ability to mix and match wardrobe pieces thus creating many options for different outfits.
