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The Case for Carry-on & Ultra Light Packing.

2/4/2013

 

I believe anyone can travel with nothing but carry-on luggage. Really! Find out why I love it so much.

traveling with carry on luggage: suitcase with green packing cube Picture
One carry on bag, endless trips.
There's a fun television ad in Canada. It shows a woman shopping at Ikea and, when she looks at her receipt after paying for everything, she thinks that something is wrong. The prices are too low. They must have made a mistake. So she starts rapidly walking away while trying not to call attention to herself. And when she gets outside, she yells "START THE CAR" to her partner. Of course, it's all a clever shtick for Ikea. The message is that their prices are so low that it feels like you're getting away with something. But what does this have to do with traveling with carry-on luggage? Absolutely nothing - except that traveling with carry-on luggage is so awesome you feel like you're getting away with something. I kind of feel like that woman every time I scurry past the baggage claim carousel and hightail it to the shuttle buses ahead of everyone else. START THE BUS! ​

6 reasons to always travel with carry-on luggage. 

Waiting for luggage to be unloaded from an airplane
Waiting, waiting,waiting for the luggage to be unloaded.

I’m completely devoted to carry-on only luggage – you've probably already figured that out by now! I think that only using carry-on adds tremendous value to your travel. Just think...
  1. You save valuable time at the start and end of your trip. Traveling with carry on luggage means no queuing to check your bags and no waiting at the carousel to collect them. Whether you call it cabin baggage or hand luggage, there's no denying that time equals money.
  2. You're less likely to have adelayed flight. Connections are a breeze when you don't have to wait around waiting for your luggage to show up between flights. There have been so many times when having our carry on baggage with us meant we narrowly made a flight we otherwise would have missed. 
  3. And no waiting at the lost luggage office! Never worry again! Traveling with small, lightweight luggage means there's one part of the airport you don't have to visit. 
  4. It goes without saying that you also save your valuable money as well. Checking a bag can cost anywhere from $25 to $45. That adds up to a lot of coffee, wine, and museum visits in your destination! But you’re not just saving on checked baggage fees...
  5. You will also likely save money on transportation. After all, you’ll be taking the bus or walking instead of relying on taxis. Wee cabin luggage bags don't weigh you down and have you begging for a cab.
  6. Traveling with small carry on luggage also means you don't need the services of bellhop and hotel luggage valets - and that means saving on tips. And if you're really on a budget, it means keeping your quarters and dollars out of airport trolleys too!

(For those inquiring, our usual carry-on backpack is the Osprey Porter 46. You can read our reviews with tons of pros and cons here and you can buy it online for under $150).

With all the advantages of carry-on luggage, why then do people still insist on packing huge suitcases? Here are some of the best excuses I've heard!

Potential problems, pitfalls, and concerns with carry on lugguage.

PictureYou'll remember the sunset, not the shirt!
“I don’t want to look the same every day.” 

But you DO look the same every day! You look tired from lugging your huge suitcase everywhere! And like everyone else, you’ll wear the same things again and again no matter how much you pack. Everyone has favourites that make them feel good –you’ll naturally wear reach for the same few things. So you might as well just pack those things and that’s it! (Plus, if you truly crave variety, check out my post on "throw away packing". It's a game changer!)

“I don’t know what we’ll be doing”. 

Fair enough, not everyone is a crazy planner like me! But unless you highly suspect you’ll be participating in an extreme sport or going to a costume ball, you are much better off packing for climate and weather, not theoretical activities.  If you feel you really do need a wide variety of clothing for a wide variety of activities, focus on packing lightweight, made-for-travel clothing (we're big fans of Tilley). 

“I’ll need something for the different occasions”. 

I do appreciate this sentiment, as travel is about trying new things and having special memories. While you may be addicted to book club or duck hunting at home, when you travel you’ll be branching out and trying new things. Like a day on safari and a night of wine tasting. Or an archaeological tour in the morning, an afternoon at a gallery, and an evening at the theatre. There are easy ways to deal with this. Stick with a little black dress and switch up your look with silk scarves and bold jewelry. Using those same scarves and dressing up your safari T-shirt and archaeology tour jeans to be ready for the gallery. Stick with high quality, climate appropriate fabrics, and one main color palate.

PictureWhat does one wear to a volcanic steam vent?
“I want the photos to look good”. 

Do you really think bringing 10 different T-shirts makes great travel photos? If you want to have beautiful photos, invest in a great camera and a photography class. Consider taking a make-up lesson and getting a great haircut before your trip. Use the internet and learn how to tie and wrap scarves. Bring clothing you can layer and accessories you can swap around. And remember: Travel photos are not about an homage to you – they are about capturing the memory of a place and experience.

“I have so much special stuff”. 

While it's always nice to have a book or hand for some downtime, chances are you won’t have much time for your hobbies when you travel. Limit how many items you bring. Some needlepoint while relaxing in a hotel room is fine. The quilting and crochet materials can stay home. Many specialty items – from golf clubs to camera tripods – can be rented on the ground for less than the cost of checking your bags. And more than ever hotels can provide you with short term, free loans of everything from fitness clothing and yoga mats to curling irons and make up mirrors. 

Technology has made it possible that we don’t have to carry magazines, books, guidebooks, CDs, even notepads, maps, or documents. The space that I save by eliminating outdated technology and gear means more room in my pack. I’m able to pack light enough that my special stuff –like my prescription snorkel gear – can squeeze into my bag. I know another friend who was able to take along a pair of rubber boots in her carry-on bag (for a garden tour). 

Traveling with just two backpacks
This is all our gear - two backpacks, one travel purse. That's it!
​“I have kids!” 

Granted, I am no expert in this field, but I know plenty of people who travel with ease, balancing both kids and carry on. (Case in point: Check out this awesome blog post by More Than Main Street!) Traveling parents and their carry-on only crew make an effort to plan in advance and have detailed packing lists. They also have high quality, well designed bags to maximize space and packing cubes to keep everything organized. Days are well planned so outfits and clothing are optimized.  

​I know one couple who budgets time in their schedule to 
do laundry every two days. At first they thought it would be a waste of time. In the end, the parents would fight to see who would get the “treat” of a peaceful reading session in the Laundromat! (And we're converts now too!) You can call ahead to have local pharmacies deliver (for free!) items like diapers and formula to the hotel.

Once you travel with carry on luggage, you won't be going back. 

Picture
Going into the airport, packs ready to go.
If you’re making the switch to carry-on only for the first time – good for you! Start small, and try to go carry-on for a short getaway that doesn't include any special or unusual events. Make notes after each trip to see what you used, what was dead weight  what was invaluable. Before long, you’ll be a packing champion – with no excuses to use anything but carry-on only!

I want you to weigh in! What's your biggest packing challenge?

If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
The Three Favourite Things in My Pack
Rucksack Roundup: All About Notebooks
Rucksack Roundup: Tilley Endurables' Waterproof Jacket
Travel Gear Review: GoToobs
Why I'll Always Travel With A Headlamp
Do You Need To Pack A Travel Towel?
​
Testing the World's Lightest Backpacking Stove
Anita Mac link
4/4/2013 08:19:57 am

I am with you on the carry on mantra! I was not impressed when I could not determine if I could carry on my tripod for my camera - $25 each way for the suitcase! I will admit to having a shoe problem though! Normally, if I go over the carry on limit, shoes are to blame! Pashminas and scarves can make the same shirt look so different and add a fab punch of colour to the photos - no one will notice the shirt underneath is the same on different days!

Vanessa
6/4/2013 09:48:52 am

I wish there was a service that did a special delivery of designer shoes to the hotels and you could "rent" them for one night only. It's so hard when you want to get all gussied up for a night out not to wear pretty heels, but then it sucks to have them weighing down your luggage for the whole trip.

Jo link
6/4/2013 06:53:57 pm

Once you can get past the fact that the only person who cares that you are wearing the same things is you, then packing light is a breeze. Same with shoes. Pack separates in colours that all go together, and dress them up and down with jewellery and you need far less stuff. I also like to take a thermal top to wear under shirts etc, so I don't need so many big jumpers and jackets.

You can easily do one carry on bag with kids - my daughter MissG has done two trips to Europe, a 10day resort trip to Bali and multiple domestic holidays with just one carry on bag. She is also proud to invariably have the smallest bag when she goes on camp, and loves to tell everyone that her Mum taught her how to do it! It also makes it easier to travel with children if they can wheel their own bags.

Vanessa
8/4/2013 07:59:41 am

I love, love, love the idea of getting past the fact that hte only person who are about what you are wearing is you! Exactly!! Packing is def a skill that you can always improve upon.

Jessica link
8/4/2013 05:32:10 am

I so wish I could fit all of my things into a carry on! Going to Hawaii this summer for a few weeks, and even though I'll most likely be in a bikini everyday, my bags will still be packed with endless amounts of clothing haha. Maybe I'll take your advice and really try and squeeze everything I NEED into a carry on! My husband would be happy about that as well!

Vanessa
8/4/2013 08:01:58 am

Oh Jessica- you can totally do it!! I swear! Hawaii is the perfect place to do a trial run. You can buy any essentials you need there, the weather is so predictable, and the atmosphere is always so casual. Maybe make a bet with your husband that if you get it all in one bag, he has to take you on a sunset dinner cruise!

Shiela Acenas link
8/4/2013 06:36:25 am

I did this many times travelling with just a hand carry bag but with at least 5 tops and a few shorts/pants and of course underwear. But it only works for tropical countries. The good thing with hand carry bag, you don't have to check-in and wait for your bag to come out out. It saves time and also easy to carry.

Vanessa
8/4/2013 08:03:49 am

Exactly - waiting to check it and waiting to pick it up can easily take an hour - if not more! I'm hoping to mix tropical/non tropical together in the one bag with our upcoming RTW. I've got my eyes on a pair of black silk/wool/cotton blend leggings that I'm hoping will extend the use of my skirts in cool climates.

Jeff @ Go Travelzing link
5/5/2013 11:47:40 am

It does not matter if I go for 3 days or 3 weeks I always carry on. I am not an ultralight packer but I make sure I have everything I need and it fits in a carry on. Remember you can almost always buy what you need at your destination.

Vanessa
6/5/2013 12:55:39 am

Great point Jeff - you don't have to be an "ultralighter" or pack specialty travel clothing to still make things fit in a carryon. And it's very true that you can buy most anything anywhere in the world. I've learned that when I go somewhere warm/tropical to just take enough sunscreen to get me through the first 24-48 hours and then buy my jumbo bottle at a local pharamacy.

Heather Hapeta link
26/9/2013 05:45:42 pm

You left a comment on my blog (how to pack and carry-on) and i'm wondering how you got on with your RTW trip ,, hope it was fun and your cat didn't hide in your bag!

Vanessa
27/9/2013 04:37:43 am

Hi Heather!

The RTW is slated to begin in Nov - we can't wait! About to do Ireland/England with the same one carry on bag. The cat is still very curious about the packing situation,,,, too bad she can't help!

Donna link
18/11/2014 04:02:01 pm

I just got back from 5 weeks in Europe. For the first time in my life, I only took a carryon, plus a largish tote bag that could hold my handbag, camera, ipad, etc onto the plane. I wasn't sure I could do it. But after I'd been traveling a week, I was saying to myself, "Why on earth did I bring so much STUFF?" I had a pair of boots I wore ONCE, and a couple of pieces of clothing I didn't wear at all. My next trip will also be for five weeks and I'll be taking that same carry-on, but packed even LIGHTER. And with a bit more room left over inside for bringing home souvenirs. I doubt I will ever pack a check-on bag again, unless I'm going mountain trekking in winter or something (very unlikely for me!)

Vanessa
19/11/2014 12:37:35 am

I am so excited to hear about this!! Congratulations on doing 5 weeks with carryon - that is AMAZING!! Happy dance time :-). I completely understand what you are saying about bringing so much stuff. On our last big trip (3.5 weeks in Europe with carryon) I had the same feeling halfway through. I should have brought on less pair of pants and one more shirt. What on earth were we doing with the tripod, which was used exactly once, on day one, for one hour. And now I'm even purging some things I once thought essential. We have a Northface Verto 26 day pack, which is a stuffable day backpack, that I have to admit we no longer use for anything other than a laundry sack. I wanted to believe for so long that it was indefensible. But the truth is that it's just deadweight and space. So long pack!

Darren link
5/12/2014 07:40:37 am

I am so glad that they're people like you who think it is a good idea to travel light. I am planning to do the same and my family and friends think I am mad travelling with just cabin luggage for six months.

Vanessa
5/12/2014 09:25:29 am

I calculated today that we've saved 50 hours in this past year alone by not checking luggage- I think it's awesome that you're going for 6 months with just carry on. Your trip will be so much easier!

Sarah
3/7/2019 10:10:51 am

I try to go carry on only when I can - but what about liquids! The restrictions make it so hard when decent sun cream is so hard to get below 100ml and you want to bring home souvenir drinks or syrups ...

Vanessa
3/9/2019 09:44:57 am

I so feel your pain! I love bringing home edible treats like olive oil or honey and it's a really hard sacrifice. I do sometimes order things from abroad and have them shipped to me.


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