5 Countries, 2 Months, 1 Carry-On: 21 Tips for Traveling Light

Airlines are insane. For anyone who has traveled recently, you know that they’ll charge you for anything-it’s getting ridiculous. One easy fee to avoid is for checked baggage. The fees for checking luggage are only going to continue going up as the price of fuel rises. You can avoid these hassles, and stick it to the man by not bringing as much luggage as the average traveler. For the past 2 years now, I’ve gone on extended trips to Europe without checking luggage. My trips have lasted over a month and I traveled through a variety of climates, but I only brought one small carry-on of clothing. I did take a small messenger bag for use during the day, but it only held my camera and sketchbook. This year, I plan on doing the whole trip from one single backpack. If you want to travel light, follow these simple tips, then walk smartly and smugly through the airport and chuckle to yourself at the masses lugging around their ginormous bags.

Packing

1. Gather everything you want to bring and lay it out on the floor or your bed. Now cut the pile in half-you don’t need that stuff. I like to follow this simple rule: “You pack the same amount for a long weekend as you do for a month long trip.
2. Go through what’s left and pick out the “what if” items. I’m going to just tell you outright-you’re not going to need them.
3. Cut out extraneous hygiene products. Don’t bring soap and shampoo-the stuff at the hotel is probably better than the kind you use at home anyway. Plus, you don’t want to sacrifice precious carry on liquid space; all liquids have to fit in a small quart sized bag.
4. Review the pile again, you should be pretty light by now. Now cut the pile in half again. Seriously, you’re going to be so much happier if you don’t have to lug that stuff around and consequently, worry about something happening to it.
5. Expect to do laundry. Especially if you’re traveling for more than 2 weeks. You can’t expect to bring a month’s worth of outfits and not get a hernia or something. Bring dry laundry soap or buy it when you get there and wash your clothes in the bathtub or sink. Wring them out, then roll them up in a towel and walk on the towel. This squeezes a good deal of the moisture out and your clothes will be dry by morning. A mesh bag (I use a camping dish washing dunk bag) for stuff that is still damp is handy. Remember: you pack the same amount for a long weekend as you do for a month long trip.
6. This is a brain-dead tip, but bring items that have more than one use. Shoes are a typical offender here. Leave your sneakers at home and wear nicer leather shoes that will be comfortable during the day, and can be worn with dress clothes if needed. Sperry Topsiders are perfect for this, or leather oxfords in general. (Also a great opportunity to develop that awesome well-traveled patina on your shoes during your adventures!)
7. Dress nicer than usual. Don’t look like a fucking slob. If you’re abroad, you’re representing your home country whether you like it or not. And it goes without saying, but dress in light layers so that you can adapt to temperature changes.
8. No matter where you’re going, the shops sell soap, toothpaste, batteries, shaving cream, umbrellas, and sunscreen.

Travel

1. Take a small backpack or messenger bag that you can pack inside your carry on.  This will be your day pack, so while your carry on is locked at the hotel/hostel, you are free to enjoy your day. I recommend the sling-type bags that hug close to the body. It is less likely that someone will be able to pick-pocket you if your bag is touching your body. Just remember that your bag can be slit by a knife, so keep important stuff in the deepest location. And always choose a bag with a zipper. When you’re on the train or in a crowded place, put your bag in front of your body. Also, museums will usually allow you to carry your bag inside if you can carry it in front (they don’t want bulging backpacks knocking over priceless statues!) so you can save time by not visiting the coat check.
2. Use cash whenever possible, but don’t pack a bunch to start. Don’t expect to rely on your credit cards. Italy and Spain were mostly cash only, except for the big cities, but this is improving all the time. I usually pack a handful of the local currency to take care of stuff like train fare, bathrooms (yes, you will probably have to pay for the bathrooms), and other small incidentals. Once you’re actually there, use an ATM to withdraw a good sum of cash. You’ll get the best exchange rate from an ATM, but they charge a fee for withdrawals so get enough to get you through the week at least. If you make a bunch of tiny withdrawals you’ll drain your account with fees. (Side note: try to use exact change when possible.)
3. Be smart, avoid people on the street offering free stuff. It most likely isn’t free. For example, you’ll run into little girls that try to tie bracelets on your wrists and expect money for them. Be wary of fortune tellers outside touristy places, just kinda say no thank you. Another tactic is the little child asking “Speak English?” They then hand you a card with a sad story about how their family is sick or dead and they need money. While you’re distracted, their accomplice is robbing you blind.
4. Use public transportation. Most larger cities in Europe especially have excellent public transportation. Take advantage of it.
5. In more touristy cities, you’ll be fine with just English for the most part. This is kinda sad actually, I want to practice my foreign languages, but often people you meet will want to practice their English! Either way, knowing a few basic phrases will at least get a smile and make your life easier. (See: “Yes,” “No,” “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “Sorry,” “Where is the toilet?”)
6. Courtesy and kindness go a long way. You’d be surprised.

General

1. Don’t bother with guidebooks. These are antiquated and heavy relics. Scan a couple pages if you want and leave the book at home. You can print or save PDFs on your phone. There are now Lonely Planet travel guides for iOS devices that are really nice. Don’t bother buying maps either as you can get them for free at the desk where you’re staying.
2. Try to learn something. Everyone does the boring beach vacations. You’re packing light so you can have adventures and new experiences. Try learning something new while you’re there. Better yet, do research on a building, city, or museum before you travel so that you’ll appreciate it more once you’re there.
3. Keep a journal. Often times, we want to see so much at a new place that it quickly becomes a blur. You take photos thinking you’ll remember important events, but when you get home you’ll have no idea why you took certain photos. Keeping a journal is a relaxing way to help you reflect and remember your adventures better. 30 years from now that journal of your travels will be priceless to you.
4. Take photos, but don’t live in your camera. You’re on this trip to experience new things and have adventures, use your own eyes to do it.
5. Use your room for sleep. You didn’t come all this way to hang out in the hotel/hostel all day. Get out there and start walking around. Don’t buy beer and bring it back to the hotel to chill at night, go out and experience the night life. Absorb yourself in the culture. Stop being afraid. In the same vein, don’t eat at chain restaurants.
6. Lock your passport in the hotel/hostel. There is some disagreement with this one, but I figure that I’m far less likely to have my passport stolen/lost/forgotten if it’s locked up with my main bag. If that does happen, don’t freak out (okay, maybe a little). Before you leave, scan a copy of your passport and leave it with your family back home or email it to yourself (or use Dropbox). You can use this to get a new passport with the embassy.
7. Take a break from the internet. It’s cool to check in with your family and friends back home with a quick “I made it, I’m alive” email, but other than that you should unplug and be out and about. This is a perfect opportunity to take the ever-popular digital sabbatical. Your tweets and RSS feeds will wait for you. That hot stranger or rockin’ party won’t.

Hopefully these tips will be useful to you. I realize I went a bit beyond the scope of just packing light, but I think some people will find my advice helpful. I just want others to have the experience of traveling lightly so they can enjoy themselves and have awesome adventures. Remember to keep an open mind and accept that things will be different than what you’re used to. Breaking out of your comfort zone is the whole point.