How to Pack for Three Weeks of Travel in a Carry-on
You may be thinking that there's no way this can be done, but I'm here to tell you that it absolutely can, and it will change the way you travel for the better! There's no greater freedom than being able to hop off the plane, suitcase in hand, and head out of the airport right away to embrace all the exciting things your destination has to offer, rather than jostling with other travelers at a conveyer belt, waiting for your baggage to appear.
Since I've started packing this way, I never take more than my carry on and personal item, and I'm able to start enjoying my vacation straight away without worrying about the airline losing my luggage, paying checked baggage fees, or waiting around when I'd rather be going straight to my hotel. Does that sound nice? Here are a few tips to help you get your travel needs into one sweet, easy to carry bag...
TIP 1: PACK WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED, NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED.
This, in my opinion, is the number one cause of overpacking. It's such an easy trap to fall into because when we're traveling to new locales, we don't know what to expect. The truth of the matter is, unless you're backpacking or traveling to a truly isolated location, you can find pretty much anything you need on the road. Try to quell the anxiety of trying to anticipate every situation you might find yourself in, and you'll significantly lighten your load.
TIP 2: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR LAUNDRY OPTIONS.
Being able to do laundry while you're traveling is a HUGE bonus when you're looking to travel light, so consider booking hotels that offer this service. If you prefer to stay at an AirBnb or VRBO, try to book one with a washer and dryer. Many homestays will provide detergent, but if not you can always pick some up from a store near where you'll be staying. And if neither of those are an option, it's easy to find small packages of detergent and portable clothing lines that will allow you to do your laundry in a sink or bathtub. It may seem like a pain, but it's actually quite quick and pales in comparison to lugging around a huge bag wherever you are.
TIP 3: CREATE A TRAVEL CAPSULE WARDROBE.
This tip is a winner to not only lighten your load, but to also look put together at all times. Packing color coordinated outfits will allow you to carry much less, but will offer you numerous outfit possibilities. Items that can also be layered are especially fantastic allowing you, if needed, to adjust your clothing for changes in temperature. It may take you awhile to develop this wardrobe, but once you do, the pieces you acquire will serve you nicely just about anywhere you find yourself.
TIP 4: USE PACKING CUBES OR COMPRESSION BAGS AND ROLL YOUR CLOTHING.
Packing cubes and compression bags are a godsend for minimalist packers, and allow you to compress your clothing into a smaller package. One word of warning though: pay attention to your airline's bag weight limits, particularly if you’re using compression bags. This method save a TON of space, but because you can fit so much in, you can quickly find yourself over the limit. Bonus tip: if you're looking to save money, you can do this same method using big two gallon Ziploc bags.
TIP 5: WEAR YOUR HEAVIEST WEIGHT CLOTHING ON THE PLANE
Planes tend to be chilly anyway, so wearing your heaviest items will not only make more room in your bag, it'll also keep you warmer during the flight. Good candidates? Denim, heavy shoes, jackets, and anything else bulky.
These are just a few ways to save space in your carry-on, giving you the freedom to move quickly through the airport, saving you a ton of time and eliminating the potential to have your bags lost by the airline. I love the ease of traveling this way, and it makes my trip much less stressful overall. Try it and let me know how it works out for you!
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hi there, I’m angi the founder of roam & gather. My mission is to curate joy-centered, small group journeys that are relaxed, intimate, and rooted in culture, community and slowness.
Roam & Gather is a small travel company created to offer soul-nourishing, curated travel experiences that help connect people with global communities, like-minded travelers and themselves.
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