One of the questions I get asked most often is how I can possibly travel for upwards of 5 weeks to various climates and not have to check any bags.
Well, here’s the answer to that burning question and a series of tips that will help you be a better packer, and (hopefully) not have to check a bag on your next trip.
First, I use a 22″ carry-on bag. For most airlines this is the maximum size that will fit in an overhead bin. My current preference is the Briggs & Riley BRX Explore 22 Upright. (Note that this is not pictured left.) I’ve taken the B&R bag on dozens of trips over the last 2 years and it has served my needs quite well and continues to hold up strong (even on the few occasions when I’ve been forced to check it).
I always use at least one compression sac in which I pack my clothes. Basically, these are like big Zip-loc bags. You simply put your folded clothes inside, spread them evenly in the bag, zip it up and then squeeze the air out until it’s down to about 1/3 the size of the clothes without the air pushed out.
A large compression sac will easily sit in the bottom of my 22″ bag. If I need to pack more clothes than I would normally (perhaps because I’m traveling to both warm weather and cool weather climates OR I’m in need of both dress and casual clothes), then I’ll pack my clothes into 2 compression sacs and layer these on top of each other. Still, these will both fit into a 22″ bag.
Note that your clothes will get wrinkled when you use these, but all the more reason to pack clothes that are wrinkle-free. Most travel clothing companies specialize in wrinkle-free pants, tops and dresses so it shouldn’t be hard to find suitable items.
Now that you’ve got all your clothes packed and they are as hard as a brick 🙂 , what do you do about your delicate electronics? You can do several things…
I organize mine in a padded packing cube (and yes, I label everything with notes so I can keep track of which cord goes with which camera, video recorder or spare phone). My cube is several years old and I actually can’t find anything equivalent that’s available today. (Hint – if you do ever see something on the market like the one above, snap it up because I don’t think companies are making them anymore.) As an alternative, you can certainly use a soft-sided cube (available from a number of companies through Amazon) but it may not keep your items quite as safe as something with padding.
Another option is this GRID-IT organizer from Cocoon. I haven’t used one of these myself, but it does look like a good option to keep all of your electronics in place and safe. You can reconfigure the straps to suit your needs so you’re not stuck with pockets that may or may not fit your camera, phone or chargers.
The best tip that I can likely provide to you ladies about packing has less to do about HOW to pack than WHAT to pack. Never travel with more than 2 pairs of shoes. Any more than that and you are just way over-packing.
I wear my heaviest shoes on the flight and pack up my lighter shoes (such as sandals) in my bag – but not before stuffing them with things I can squeeze into them such as underwear, a bandana, protein bars, business cards or any other small-ish items. I then place each shoe into a plastic bag, wrap it nice and tight and then slip it down into the side of the carry-on bag.
I layer any other items on top of the compression sac including guide book(s), non-liquid toiletries and gifts for my guides or hosts, and snacks that I’ll eat during the trip.
Though this photo was taken before I owned my Briggs & Riley, it’s a good example of a carry-on bag filled with everything I need for a month (or more).
Keep in mind that you don’t need more than a few changes of clothes – even for an extended trip. Get it out of your head that you need an outfit for every day. You really just need a few accessories (like a scarf, hat or costume jewelry) to give you (and perhaps anyone you’re traveling with) the appearance that you’re wearing something different. The locals will never know because you likely won’t be staying in one place for more than a few days.
Once you’ve got your carry-on bag all packed up, you can then work on your day bag (the one that will slip underneath the seat in front of you on the plane). In this, you’ll have your laptop (or iPad, netbook, etc.), a book, digital camera (for those out-of-the-plane-window photos), liquid toiletries and anything else you think you’ll need during the flight, including snacks.
I know I’ll be (over) charged for food on domestic flights and the food on international flights isn’t particularly healthy – it’s usually high in fat and calories (even the vegetarian meals, which I order). So, I always carry my own snacks including fruit, nuts and a sandwich bag filled with quick oats, walnuts and raisins. For the oats, I just ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water, add my oats and I’ve got an instant hot (and healthy) meal in minutes.
*****
Finally, I should add that when carrying nicer camera gear, like my Panasonic Lumix, I either make sure I have enough room for it in my day bag or that it’s packed in my 22″ carry-on in such a way that IF I have to check my bag at the last minute (some airlines do have weight or size restrictions that force me to do this) then I can just grab it from the bag, lock up the 22″ with a small TSA-regulation lock and not have to worry about it.
Voila! You are now ready to travel with just a carry-on bag and never deal with a checked bag airline fee again 🙂
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
When Travel Plans Don’t Go as Planned
Fear-based Travel (and Life)
The Thing About Travel…
Great post, and a goal I strive to achieve someday! Just remember when packing snacks that some countries will have quarantine restrictions on fresh fruit (and sometimes dried fruit and nuts). If heading to one of those, only pack what you will consume on the plane. You can always buy more once you get to your destination.
Good point, Lisa. Australia is particularly harsh when it comes to bringing in fresh food and Hawaii checks upon departure to make sure you’re not leaving with anything fresh that hasn’t been professionally packaged/sealed (like those 2-packs of pineapples at the airport).
re: Electronics,
I used to pack like that but since things are starting to have standardized chargers there is less of a need for that quantity. With some planning (this includes thinking ahead on new purchases) you can make due with less that are more multi-taskers.
We keep a travel e-bag that stays packed so that I’m not trying to hunt everything down. (Dollar type stores often have items that work really well for this sort of thing and you don’t mind them getting bashed up.) Before leaving on a particular trip, I go through and remove what won’t be necessacary. Upon return & it goes right back in. We also back everything up so that if something happens to an item we don’t lose the data as well.
For the cords themselves, I do not use elastic bands. Why? They break and are a pain to do and undo. I use velcro straps that stay with each device and are used at home to keep things tidy. http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Reusable-Self-Gripping-Inches-91140/dp/B001E1Y5O6)
As a couple we have an e-book, two phones, a play book, a camera, an iPod and a laptop. Now I agree that we don’t need all of that on every trip but there has been occasions where we have. The e-book, two phones and the a play book all use the same mini USB. We keep a wall adaptor (think wall plug to USB) and a car adaptor (car lighter/electronic jack to USB) then its a matter of plugging in to a car/wall/or computer with the mini USB cable(s). Camera has its own proprietary charger and batteries. I bought a retractable iPod USB cable (but the adaptor works just as well) and the laptop has its own power cord.
I always carry an audio splitter so that two people can listen to something at a time. Two sets of gel ear buds and a USB data key.
For my clothes, I have been carrying a Heys xcase. Its cute and functional. Had mine in heavy travel since 2004 and it only recently died. http://shop.heys.ca/SearchResults.asp?Search.x=0&Search.y=0&Search=xcase I’ve done 2 weeks worth of stuff (depending on the climate) in one of these then did laundry.
Excellent detailed tips, Beth! I also travel with just a carry-on bag and a small daypack, whether I’m spending a week in New York City or two months traveling across China. Although these days, it often feels like I’m carrying a giant pile of electronics and a teeny stack of clothes…
Love the tips but wondering how you pack liquids. I take shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, leave in oil, toothpaste, contact solution, lotion, foundation. What do you do?
I like using the compression sacks and have also used one of those folding garment thingies too. How do you get several weeks of liquid products on the plane (e.g. lotions, shampoo, etc.)? Several 3 oz. bottles or?
Of course now that I’m a Mama, just going carry-on increasingly seems like an impossibility.
Great info, Jody! Thank you for sharing those wonderful tips.
You’re right about being able to pare down on many of the cords these days since so many electronics share the same types of adaptors. My larger ones, such as for my video camera (no, I don’t use the one on my iPhone), however, requires a large two-piece adaptor which takes up a lot of space – though I realize not everyone is going to want to schlep around a separate video camera these days with so many built into still cameras.
I’m a huge fan of rubber bands because they can be used and stretched for so many things beyond power cords, but I do like the idea of having the velcro straps.
Naomi and Beth S. – the only “liquid” I usually begin to run out of on a trip that’s longer than a week is body lotion and that is often supplied at hotels. When it’s not, I just buy some at my destination.
If you use your shampoo and conditioner sparingly, you should be able to go for weeks with a 3 oz bottle of each.
Great tips! Like others, I’m unsure of liquids. Yes, if you’re sparing with shampoo and conditioner, you could get away with a 3 oz bottle. But there are some things (sunscreen, bug spray, etc) that don’t come in sizes small enough to take on a plane. I know I could buy them at my destination, but, on tours I’ve been on, such as in Vietnam, I got there late one evening, and the tour started the next morning…I would need sunscreen and things that morning, and wouldn’t have time to search for a store and buy them. And, to tell the truth, I never once managed to find bug spray in Vietnam! I was so glad I’d checked a bag, and brought my own. True, I hate checking bags. I wish I didn’t have to. But, to arrive in another country, after 2 straight days of flights and layovers, and be totally sleep-deprived, and have no idea where to find a store, and no ability to read to labels in the store, well, I kind of wonder if checking a bag is worth it, after all.
I also can’t figure out how you got both a day-pack AND a carry-on onto planes. Every time I fly, they allow 1 bag – a carry on. How did you get the daypack on? Doesn’t that count as a 2nd carry-on? And aren’t you only allowed 1 carry-on??
Elizabeth – I simply reuse bottles that I’ve picked up at hotels and squeeze my sunscreen or bug lotion in there. BUT most manufacturers are now making products in smaller containers for just this purpose. Check your local pharmacy or Target store and they will likely have a travel-size section of toiletries. You could also check out this website:
http://www.minimus.biz/
I’ve never been questioned about my daybag but just remember that in addition to a carry-on, you are allowed one personal item and that can be a purse or laptop bag (no one has ever asked to see my laptop to prove it’s a laptop bag). ALSO, if you are a photographer, you are allowed a separate bag for your camera gear and that does not need to fit in either your carry-on bag or your personal bag.
These are wonderful tips, thank you! I love compression sacs; they have saved me so many times.
Any idea where I can find literature for photographers? I have been forced several times, once at a security checkpoint, to cram my camera equipment into my carry-on and/or purse. Many of my cameras are plastic and have film in them. I carry them in a fairly small bag and my carry-on is far less than 22″. I would like to have the paperwork that states I am allowed a separate bag for my gear on hand when I travel.
TSA made quite the scene once; can’t remember which airport. While I was repacking everything, I saw a plethora of business men with very large carry-on bags, in addition to their laptop bags (which were about the size of my carry-on), cruise on through security.
Rachel – here’s a link to the TSA’s info on camera bags. I suggest you print it out and carry it with you next time you go through security:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm
What weight is your carry-on .. flights in New Zealand and many airlines its only 7kg (About 15lb I think)
we other passengers value people keeping to the limit .. I dont want to be hit on the head by a heavy bag ,, it can and does happen. 🙁
Good point, Heather. I never bring more than I can lift over my head but I’m likely stronger than most – I do 100 pushups a day for just this reason!!! 🙂
I have been forced to check my bag when it’s over a certain weight which is why I make sure that my camera gear and other valuables are packed in such a way that I can grab them quickly from the bag before checking it.
Thanks for the confirming emails. Although, I’ve been using carry-ons since the early ’90s and have forced to check a few times. I’m traveling with a man who overpacks. Attempts to coach him and help him pack have failed, his bags continue to be over the weight limit or too thick to fit in the overhead bin. I’ve shared your article, and others.
Any tips for me? I really hate waiting at baggage claim and loosing bags, waiting for days for them to arrive.
Thanks in advance!
Assuming he’s a keeper, it’s hard to get someone else to change their ways until they’ve learned the lesson directly, such as by loosing a bag. For now, it sounds like his stuff takes precedence over the wait.
Perhaps you could go treat yourself to a tea or coffee while he’s waiting for his overweight bag?
Thanks Beth, I will try to practice patience!
GREAT tips!! we always check bags, since we have to carry medical equipment on. sigh.
Don’t forget airline carry-on limits are for saftey reasons (&if flying internationaly or using different airlines, check their webpage and take the one that allows the least .. or check all your bags and pay for extra weight.. I really hope someone will sue an airline and the passenger for taking an over-weight bag onboard .. the overhead lockers can spring open in turbulence, shift, and can hurt other passengers when they fall out.
Once that sueing happens travel will be better for all of us – no more heavy, or extra bags being bought on board – we will all be able to put our bags in the locker directly above us.
So, please be considerate when flying … as I always say .. I hope you sit beside someone as considerate as you :)!
Is saving 10 mins by not having to collect your bag worth being a pain in the butt to other passengers?
Heather – this sounds like something you are very passionate about. You might try contacting the Consumer Travel Alliance and petitioning them to enforce this as airline policy across the board.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to carry-on 🙂
Thanks Heather,sorry, but you sound more angry than passionate.
I fly to work most weeks and am amazed how many passengers ignore the flight crew instructions regarding where to put their bags. First, under the seat in front, do not to put coats in the bins and put their carry on bags wheels first. Are people that selfish or just oblivious?
You can’t generalize about people who carry on, I pack light. I’m respectful of others and always put a bag under my seat. I don’t check because they always loose my bag, 3 of 3 so far. Instead I pack only what I need, and agree with Beth’s recommendations. If only my partner could leave some things at home, plus he never uses most of it!
Well said, Diane.
To be clear, I would never recommend someone pack more than they can lift in order to place their bag in the overhead bin – though I see considerate passengers all the time helping those who aren’t able to do this.
And having had luggage arrive a day+ later than you do, is no fun at all. Which is the main reason I don’t like to check my bags – not to save the 20 – 30 minutes (not 10 minutes) it takes for it to arrive on the baggage carousel.
Yes I do get angry at people who ignore the airlines regulations … but maybe the USA airlines are different with internal flights … I often use only carry on luggage too so have no issues about that, just people who are self-centred enough to be oblivious to crew instructions.
That being said, I have never had a bag arrive later than me .. or get lost .. so sounds like I’m realy lucky – so a big thumbs up to my main cariers ..AirNZ, Qantas, Singapore, Thai, and Emirates.
In Australia, really be carefully about not declaring organics in one’s suitcase! They are very strict about what goes through. Last year when I was coming through customs and they asked if I had any produce. I declare, “No.” While waiting in line to be checked, a dog came along and sniffed my bag and singled me out by wagging his tail “big time!” They took me aside and emptied everything out of my bag (that I had so carefully packed!. Guess what they found? A banana peel! You cannot imagine what a production they made!!! The riot act was read to me, saying I could be fined $250.00 and even go to jail!!! This dragged on for a long time while they made me squirm, no smiles or kind words. I was sure that I would miss my flight. (I had eaten a banana on the plane, and the flight attendant had already picked up the trash. So I just put it in my bag,forget-ting about it.) After no smile or apology, given a document showing how I could be fined $250.00, I was let go! I made my flight!!! Whew!
Be aware …. the above experience could and would happen in New Zealand too.
We are an island and very protective about keeping unwanted pests out.
I have the Grid It in two different sizes and I really recommend it for organizing the little things in your bag. I use it for all the cords and chargers. Everything stays secure and easy to find
Thanks for the tip, Pam! I have to try this out.
Vacuum packing clothes is a great idea specially for bulky coats and winterwear.
The GRID-IT Organizer is fantastic. I will be ordering one right away. might even be handy in a smaller version for my handbag. Thanks for sharing.
Carolyn – if you’d have been caught in NZ (and you would have been) – you’d have faced an instant fine of around NZ$400 – both Australia and NZ have agricultural industries that are at risk by silly tourists doing what you did.
Heather is totally possible to pack what was listed in this post – in the under 7kg/10kg limit that airlines impose – with a camera and netbook in a second “purse” – I do it frequently
This is kinda an old blog post, but it was just linked by yesterday’s post. So I’ll go ahead and ask a question or two. I’m curious about a couple of things that are problematic because of TSA rules, not size or weight.
I’ll admit up front that I haven’t thought these things through as much as I might have. That’s because, up until now, all of big / long trips that I’ve taken under post-9/11 rules have included at least a chunk of time whitewater kayaking. The personal gear for that has always removed any question about whether a checked bag was needed.
Anyway, my question points:
1) I’m a person who pretty much always has a Swiss army knife in my pocket when I’m at home. And the more that I’m in the back country, or the longer I’m away from all of my tools / stuff at home, the more that want to have a multi-tool with me. Have you found a good multi-tool that will be allowed in a carry-on? Or do you carry a small collection of scissors, screwdrivers, nail clippers, etc.? Or do you assume that when you need something while traveling, you’ll be able to find something that will do the job?
2) If I’ll be gone for more than two weeks, the one quart ziplock limit for liquids starts to come into play (depending on the destination and how much sunblock & insect repellant I need). What do you take and what do you plan on buying after arrival? Maybe part of my problem here is from being more specific about what I want. Not all “waterproof” sunblocks are close to being equally waterproof, and my kayaking has made me care about that. The other thing is that I’ve used Sensodyne for years because of cold sensitivity in my front teeth. You can always get toothpaste, but I’ve found it’s less certain that I can find toothpaste “for sensitive teeth” in some places.
Mark – no, I don’t have a suggestion for a good multi-tool you can bring in your carry-on. It’s likely that with the new restrictions there isn’t one. I haven’t had a problem purchasing items at my destination if I need anything.
As for the quart-size items – I’ve traveled for five weeks with what I’ve been able to bring in my quart-size bag. Not entirely true. I think I may have had to purchase some lotion or shampoo along the way. But for a two-week trip, you should be able to fit what you need in 2 oz containers (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste (Sensodyne makes a travel size tube), lotion, etc.)
If Australia and New Zealand are so concerned about their agriculture that a sleep deprived and disoriented guest (tourist) would be fined up to $400, perhaps the flight attendants on international flights to those countries could stress the importance of proper disposal of the remains of fruit and be sure offer to pick up trash a final- final time or suggest that such items be left in the barf bag. It might be a really really bad thing to bring in outside produce – no argument there, but the poster was trying to clean up her area and save the flight attendant work; not create the Great Potatoe Famine of 2012. n any event, since this is travel advice, I guess my addition would be to bring a 2 gallon zip lock bag (several of them, actually) and use it to stuff in your trash during the flight. That way, you can either leave it on your seat knowing it will not get anything dirty or pass it to the flight attendant if convenient.
I don’t know if anyone reads this site anymore, buy I have read the comment that you can buy anything you need at your destination time too many. As someone wrote earlier, I too have had problems several times finding items I need. This may be because I generally travel with a group and so am subject to group schedules and time restrictions which independent travelers and travel writers don’t experience. A previous writer very accurately described arriving when stores are closed and having to be on tour early the next am. Hotels are often not near a shopping area. Or are in a neighborhood unsafe for walking. It can take longer to find stores if you don’t speak the language or are given only a short time. Being a bit overweight with a narrow foot has made it very hard and time consuming got me to find clothing I might need. And a scheduled block of free time may be days away. Clothing washed in a hotel does not always dry overnight. The “quick dry ” panties were even slower than light nylon. I do use hotel laundries, but they can be expensive, or not available on short stays or at some locations.
So, though it may sound heretical, I always check my luggage in order to pack what I think I may need. The time spent waiting for luggage is not more irritating than wandering around strange cities looking for things I forgot, coughing miserably while looking longingly as the bus passes pharmacies where we don’t have time to stop, or running out of an item at a rustic lodge in a rural area. It’s such a pleasure to open my medium size suitcase and be self sufficient. Tape, bandaids, cough medicine, an extra pair of socks and shirt, (I seem to get food spots on my tops daily) and maybe a bathing suit, slippers, a blouse for a possible nice restaurant or a lightweight raincoat. I don’t pack for any and all circumstances but just try to anticipate my needs, especially for hard to find items such as an unusual contact lens solution. Which BTW comes in a large bottle (less than a two week supply and which I’ve almost never seen abroad), which travels by necessity, along with my small pocket knife, scissors and wine bottle opener, in my checked suitcase. I guess I’m lucky that it’s been over 25 years of frequent traveling since I lost a bag. But I always have in my carryon a lightweight nitie, panties, a clean tee, and of course medications and documents. I splurged and purchased a high quality lightweight spinner suitcase, the lightest I could find, which I can manage by myself easily in most circumstances. So although I have given up the goal of traveling with only a carry on, I have found a style of travel which works for me.
Thanks for your comment, Sunnie.
Packing only a carry-on doesn’t work for everyone. But I have been on trips, both in groups and independently, where someone’s checked luggage didn’t arrive. It can be incredibly stressful waiting for its arrival, trying to get it to catch up with its owner as the trip proceeds or replacing items when the bag goes missing completely.
So the case can be made for both checked luggage and carry-on only. If you have a body type that is particularly difficult to “fit” then perhaps that checked bag is the only way to go.
Thanks again for your comment!
Beth
Having travelled in India 9 times over the past decades, I have found it is good to carry those flavored electrolyte packets (Like Emergen-C’s). These packets are small and travel very easily. I tend to get dehydrated and these are a life saver! Easy to pack and just pour into your water. Great for the flight too, which is very dry and you need to stay hydrated! The packets tend to have vitamins too along with the electrolytes! India can be hot, and I mean really hot (my last trip was in April/May and between 104-111 degrees every day). Bring one packet for each day!