Have you ever wondered how some people book basic economy tickets and *actually* manage to survive off just a small backpack (for domestic) or a carry-on (for longer & international trips)? They just grab their things and waltz off the plane, past the baggage claim, off they go. How can these people fit their skin care routine, hiking shoes and also swimwear into a backpack? You are envious of them saving money and time, by not paying for luggage and not having to wait to pick it up? Then this article might just be the food for thought you needed to rethink your packing habits and make your next trip hassle free.
When we think about planning a week-long trip, we immediately assume we will need to factor in a suitcase (for some people, this also applies for just a long weekend trip but let us not be like those people). It seems that besides very travel experienced folks, anything longer than 5 days feels daunting for most to survive without a full suitcase. It makes sense – in the good ol’ days every airline had free luggage. Nowadays, almost no Economy class (except a few higher-end airlines) offers free luggage. Besides increasing prices to add a suitcase per flight (so times two, unless you are planning to lose your suitcase halfway through your vacation), the time you spend waiting at baggage claim plus the fun pang of anxiety that your luggage might be lost because it is taking forever, there is really nothing convenient about hauling around a large suitcase. And let’s be honest – do we really need 5 dresses, 9 shirts and 4 pairs of sneakers? Some might say yes, but in reality we more often than not bring unworn clothing items back home.
So the real question is – how to pack smarter and lighter. From personal experience, I know I can manage to get away with a personal item (small backpack/duffle bag) for a long weekend, and a big carry-on backpack for 5-9 day trip to Europe or South America, with varying climates.
Let’s start with the largest and often bulkiest items – shoes. There is some savvy footwear out there! You can get waterproof sneakers that can double for city walks or light hikes, as well as if it rains (works perfectly in humid rainy settings like Costa Rica). If you are planning on a day trip hike, some outdoor brands make hiking sneakers that take up a tad more space than sneakers but a lot less than hiking boots (obviously if you are going on a real Alpine hiking trip, you are better off investing in those and bringing serious hiking gear!). I bought some a few years ago before heading to Maui and they have proven a life saver – be it in the desert of Arizona, the jungle in Puerto Rico or the glacier in Patagonia. Besides stable walking shoes, and fashionable sneakers you wear on the plane, a pair of sandals for hot climate, or a pair of winter boots for cold (which you can wear on the plane instead to save space) is a good start. If you have space left, feel free to add more.
The second most asked question is about make-up and toiletries. There are several small pouches, containers and mini sizes of products you can buy which are TSA approved. I fill my expensive shampoo and conditioner in pouches. I take my day and night cream and fill a little bit of each into small round containers; and so on. Nobody needs a full size hair gel or skin product for a week of travel (a full size lasts MONTHS so think about how much you are really going to use). Everyone has different priorities on how many items they need, but traveling light does mean you will have to compromise on some ends, so be prepared to not bring your whole closet with you. If you rather have three hairbrushes and a curling iron, forgo a pair of jeans and a purse. If you’ll be in the water a lot and need extra swimwear, pack less hair styling products (don’t need those in the ocean anyways). You get the point.
Lastly, clothes and accessories are worth prioritizing by the likelihood of you needing them or the plans you have. If I am in a hotel or Airbnb, 99% of the time there will be towels. If you are not sure, always doublecheck before packing. If you are staying at a hostel, shoot them an email and ask. Usually you can rent a towel for a few dollars for the length of your stay. This will be worth it to forgo the hassle of trying to fit a towel into your carry-on, and also having to deal with a wet towel on the day you fly back home. If you have any set plans or day trips booked (experiences, excursions), always doublecheck their description. They should provide a list with items needed (bug repellent, rainjacket, water bottle,…). If you are going somewhere with multiple climates, wear your bulkier things on the plane. When I went to Argentina, I wore my warm water repelling half-zip sweater on the plane so I could use it for my glacier hike in Patagonia (40 degrees), and packed up all the warm weather clothes I needed for Buenos Aires (95 degrees).
On this note, I hope this is some food for thought you can digest while packing for your next trip and it inspires you to rethink how much easier and cheaper smart packing can make traveling. – AS
Alisha is a lifelong travel bug who grew up in Europe and has visited 39 countries so far. With a professional background in Tourism in Germany and NYC, she knows the ins and outs of travel hacking, budgeting and how to plan a successful trip. In her downtime, she is busy tracking flights and creating itineraries for her NYC visitors as well as her American friends traveling abroad. When she’s not on a plane, you can find her at the gym or enjoying the food scene in Astoria, New York.
