Trying2beVegan

Do you hate dragging a huge suitcase around?

How about struggling to open doors with two bags in tow?

Feel cheeked having to pay extra to store your luggage or fly it in hold?

Hate waiting for that airport carousel when you arrive eager for the fun to start?

If you answered yes to any of the above, this is the post for you…

Here are some of my hints and tips to why and how to travel anywhere and for however long with only hand luggage. As you will see in the post below, there are a large number of benefits, with only minimal negative points to only taking carry on!

Benefits:

1. Don’t have to pay extra on flights– Big plus for me as a savvy traveller, much better to spend the money on anything else, rather than carrying extra un-needed stuff.
2. Less chance of loosing your stuff – Kinda related to checking, it doesn’t happen that often ( I hope) but if you only have hand luggage you eliminate the risk of your bag no meeting you on the other end of your flight, a bad start to any trip.
3. Ease of carrying it round– So many times I see travellers with 60L+ bags (HUGE) struggling under the weight of their packs, even from the airport building to a taxi.
4. Fitting in busses, or lockers for Security– Some places you travel to will be by bus. Sometimes the buses I have been on strap big bags to the roof, I don’t like the idea of that for my bag, so having a small bag allows me to keep it on my lap or under my chair. Great to have a small bag too as hostels tend not to have the biggest lockers and being able to throw your hold bag in gives you a peace of mind you will thank me for.
5. Less stuff to worry about – The last thing you need when travelling about is a tonne of stuff to worry about. You have enough stress trying to work out if you are getting on the right bus, or what the driver is saying to you in a language you don’t understand, to have to worry about making sure your excessive amount of stuff is with you. You’re going to be stressed. Reduce it as Much as possible. Great way, just don’t have stuff to worry about.

Downsides:

1. You won’t have a tonne of outfits – Big reveal, no one cares or will notice that much. If they do, they will let you off, you are TRAVELLING, it’s not about being a fashionista. You ain’t on the catwalk, ditch the vast numbers of outfits for lightweight versatile gear.
2. You need to be careful about weight – Some airlines do strictly enforce the weight of hand luggage. Yes it’s annoying so be careful as you could end up having to pay more, or even having to pay to put it in hold. PRO TIP: wear as much stuff for flying as you can, yes you look like Joey from Friends but if it saves you money its worth it.
3. You won’t be able to fit much else in – Too bad for friends and fam as you won’t be able to fit many souvenirs in your luggage to take home.

Tips For packing light:

1. Buy a smaller bag! – This is the most important first tip. You need a bag that can fit into hand luggage dimensions. Whatever size bag you buy, YOU WILL FILL IT. So this works as, big bag: loads of stuff, small bag: less stuff. I use a cabin max bag when I travel, I have found it great and able to hold a lot of stuff and love the easy access to the main compartment. Only downside with this bag is that it isn’t water proof so in Guatemala rainy season Alllll my stuff got wet. Maybe worth looking at a waterproof bag if you plan to do some off the beaten track travelling. Other options are small walking rucksacks. I personally like the look of Ospreys 50l as I have met other travellers with them and they give good reviews. Personally can’t comment.
2. Make a packing list – Make a list, try fit the stuff in, then cut accordingly. Consciously making a list lets me see what essential items I’m taking and what superfluous items I’m wasting precious space in bringing.
3. Invest in sensible clothes– by sensible I mean lightweight, multipurpose, fast drying clothes. You may pay a little extra for them but you will reap the benefit later on, with easy washable clothes that last through being washed regularly and don’t fall apart after a few weeks of continuous use. Exofficio boxers were a great investment before my last trip. It just makes life easier if you can hand wash and dry stuff within a day when you are on the road.

Those are my best tips for packing light when on the road as a millennial bum.

Leave me a comment below to let me know any tips you have, that I have missed!