Travelling light? Carry-on baggage: overseas travel

[shootingstar]

Today a work colleague asked me if I use 1 carry-on luggage for any long vacations out of the country (ie. Europe, etc.) He was curious since his girlfriend was planning to check in her luggage. It includes for her to have 4 prs. of shoes during 3 wk. trip in Italy this fall.

For 3-4 wk. long trips overseas, I try, though not always successfully try to have 1 carry on luggage. Certainly flying in North America, I really try to aim at 1 carry-on luggage. Unless I bring back gifts, etc. I don't enjoy spending time at the baggage claim carousel areas.

If I check in more baggage, it's because of bike or 4 panniers.


I really have become minimal in what I pack for plane flights for vacation trips where I'm touring /sightseeing an area for several weeks. Cycle touring has also made me appreciate what I truly absolutely need to wear on a trip.

[OakLeaf]

I won't put too fine a point on this.

There are two basic requirements. (1) You don't care what your shoes look like, and you don't plan any activity that requires a particular kind of shoes. (2) You don't plan to make a record of your trip [since electronics like computer or tablet+keyboard and/or photography equipment take up a LOT of space and pretty much fill one carry-on].

Then there's the laundry issue. The only way to make this work is by wearing every item of clothing you plan to bring, for a flight that may last 9 hours or longer. So, when you arrive at your destination, all your clothes stink. Is it humid at your destination? You can wash out your clothes in the sink (which I do during a trip), but they may not dry for days. BTDT. So I usually bring three days' worth of clothes that I can rotate, plus two sets of workout/running clothes (one to wear, one to wash) and one nice outfit.

I know people who get by traveling without luggage. They don't mind smelling bad, and they neither exercise nor dress up, so they have no need for more shoes than they wear on the plane. I'd love to be able to travel lighter, but I have my limits, and they're on the other side of that line. At the very least, I just can't go that long without either a run or a gym workout, and I don't really see the point of traveling if I can't go someplace nice at least once. And I really try not to stink.


You can save a lot of time and possibly a little money by shipping luggage to your destination. But shipping through customs is more hassle than it's worth to me, for international trips.

Seasons have a lot to do with it also. Obviously you can travel much lighter in summer than in winter. Traveling at change of seasons is worst, since you need at least a couple of outfits to wear in any weather.

[BodhiTree]

Shootingstar, I would really enjoy seeing you have the self confidence to talk about your experiences without comparing yourself to others every time.

Be secure in yourself. Tell about your choices, the foods you enjoy, the way you like to ride, the clothes that make you feel good, how you like to travel. Stand proud and tell about yourself without mentioning someone else's choices, foods, bike, riding style, clothing, and so on.

You have a lot to share. You are unique. Let yourself shine!

[shootingstar]

I already gave my experience/story, Bodhi. Nothing else.

This is all part of participating in any Internet forum. Start a topic and it's up people whether or not they respond.

I also respond to other people's topics that they start up. Which means maybe other people are comparing against others as well? Or just sharing experiences?

Yes, Oak that's what I try to do --just have 3-4 rotations of clothing. Most of it usually casual..the dressest might be "business" casual. It's very rare I bring along a lovely dress/skirt...only if I'm attending a wedding. If I dress up, that means.....HE should dress up. But he dislikes that. Ever since he took early retirement, he abandoned most of his business attire.

[Crankin]

I tend to take way too much on trips. But, the last couple of times, I've done better. As Oak stated, most of my trouble comes from the varying types of exercise apparel and shoes I bring. When we have gone to Europe on cycling tours that included 2-3 days of city relaxing on both ends (2 weeks or so total), we each bring one huge suitcase that is legal size. Then we have one duffel type bag that is for helmets, shoes, saddles, and pedals that we brought for the rental bikes. And, I have a large "purse" type leather bag I use as a carry on. The airlines we use to fly to Europe don't charge for baggage.
However, the last 2 times I went to Phoenix for my in-laws memorial services, we did long weekends (4 days) where I put everything in a carry on. The last time included hiking shoes and clothes for 3 days of hiking. That was a miracle.

[Becky]

*shrugs* I used to really stress about this, but I've recently come to two conclusions: I will always have more luggage than others due to a health concern that requires some gear of its own, and there is no prize for packing the smallest suitcase. If a bigger bag allows me to more fully enjoy my destination, then so be it.

[malkin]

Less luggage is of course an advantage in transit, more is generally an advantage staying comfortable on the trip.

The worst is traveling with someone who is smug about their packing.

[shootingstar]

The last time included hiking shoes and clothes for 3 days of hiking. That was a miracle.

Not sure how much you had to haul around, but is one of the reasons why I have never done hiking/skiing and camping beyond long day hike trips.

I'm not terribly keen to carry alot of weight on my back. I just don't enjoy the hike when I'm reminded of weight on me that I could remove.

[Pax]

OakLeaf - I travel super light, and I don't smell.

I've been traveling my whole life and have figured out what works for me. I don't mind doing hand laundry, and I don't dress up, so packing is relatively simple.

The exception to my "travel light" preference is when I'm taking a scuba trip, that requires a gear bag in addition to my carry on.

[Eden]

I just spent 4 weeks over seas with just carry on..... I do it because I prefer to travel by train and foot, and often go to out of the way places, where a lot of baggage is a serious burden.

The wardrobe I took was relatively casual, easy to move in, but still nice enough to go out in. It was cold where we went, so I took a lot of wool and cashmere which packs well. I took thick wool tights, skirts and wore a pair of Keens that had a very good walking sole, but a fancy enough upper to look fine dressed nicer. I found a packing method online that allowed me to pack 8 sweaters (4 turtle necks and 4 cardigans) 2 base layers, 4 skirts, 4 pairs of tights, a pair of insulated tights, and all my undergear in one carry-on. My outerwear stayed on me - waterproof/windproof jacket, gloves, scarf hat. I was able to do laundry several times during the 4 weeks and thanks to the wonders of the fruit of the sheep was not smelly.

My shoulder bag was stuffed full of my camera gear (and I'm a pro, so it wasn't a little point and shoot...) and Ipad.

Years ago my husband and I did a bike tour in the south of Spain with very, very little - it was a self arranged tour so anything we took we had to carry. It was warmer at that time of the year. We took two sets of biking gear - one to wear one to wash, biking outerwear, one set of town clothing and sandals to wear off the bike. I ended up buying a light casual jacket because I was a little cold one evening, that I still have and still wear sometimes.


worn out sandals at a Buddhist shrine - offerings from pilgrimagers

[Reesha]

It depends on the type of vacation. I often travel alone and to destinations that require a lot of moving about from transit to transit. As such I try to get away with just an internal frame pack (mine is a Gregory Diva) and a tote bag. I've never been denied carry on with the Gregory pack on an international flight and on domestic flights the worst they've done is check it at the gate with that little tag and bring it out when I get off right away. I like the pack because it makes it possible to walk around the city easily. I tried to do that once in NYC with a large rolling duffle and I'm pretty sure I wanted to murder things after 30 minutes. In my case, I prefer not to spend money on taxis though.

[Norse]

OakLeaf - I travel super light, and I don't smell.

I've been traveling my whole life and have figured out what works for me. I don't mind doing hand laundry, and I don't dress up, so packing is relatively simple.

The exception to my "travel light" preference is when I'm taking a scuba trip, that requires a gear bag in addition to my carry on.

+1. DP and I travel a lot and have mastered the art of traveling light, w/out stinking. The only time we check a bag is if we have to bring gear. Otherwise, 2 pairs of shoes (Tevas and comfy but nice-looking clogs) and a few interchangeable outfits that are mostly designed for travel and are quick-drying. We don't mind hand washing and have startled hotel maids on more than one occassion with our drying laundry hanging from everything, including the chandeliers.

[TsPoet]

I think it comes down to wool
I will wear a wool shirt more than once - and it doesn't smell. I will not wear a cotton shirt more than once, because it does smell (I'm a stinky person).
I also hate carry ons, though - My blood boils everytime I fly and I see people with 2 Large carry ons - pushing the rules so now I have to get hit in the head with their cr*p. Pet peave rant over
I purposefully bought an wonderful carry on bag that was an 1" smaller than the requirements and love it.
However, for a Euro trip, I'd carry a duffle, not a rolling bag.
But, I think Oak hit the nail on the head - how much do you care about what you look like? What is the purpose of your trip? I carry more for business travel, in fact I carry extra because I absolutely must change into casual cloths as soon as I'm out of the meeting.
I also love my vibrams - I used to carry jogging-type shoes, boots, and slippers. I don't need boots anymore, minimalist almost always works.
Edit to say - I'm a shutter bug with way too much camera equipment - I carry as much camera equipment as I do cloths - so I often check the cloths and carry a backpack with camera gear.

[Pax]

+1. DP and I travel a lot and have mastered the art of traveling light, w/out stinking. The only time we check a bag is if we have to bring gear. Otherwise, 2 pairs of shoes (Tevas and comfy but nice-looking clogs) and a few interchangeable outfits that are mostly designed for travel and are quick-drying. We don't mind hand washing and have startled hotel maids on more than one occassion with our drying laundry hanging from everything, including the chandeliers.

LOL! I've gotten some strange looks from the TSA because I travel with an 8' piece of thin rope in my carry on, it's my clothesline but they seem to think it has sinister implications.

[OakLeaf]

have startled hotel maids on more than one occassion with our drying laundry hanging from everything, including the chandeliers.

We had one hotel stop replenishing our shampoo (which is our preferred travel laundry detergent). We had to buy some of the real stuff.