As airlines squeeze us for every last cent, it’s never been more important to travel light. It’s quite possible to pack for a week or more with nothing more than one carry-on-sized bag. Sam from Skyscanner shows you how.
A beach-bum friend of mine used to head off on his travels with nothing more than three pairs of boxers, a toothbrush and his passport stuffed into a Tesco carrier bag. Whilst this is probably taking the ‘travel light’ philosophy a little too far, for many of us, the hand-luggage-only way of travel is perfectly possible and has several advantages.
Why travel light? The pros of taking hand luggage only
Travel Cheaper
Many airlines don’t charge for hand luggage. If you’re travelling with easyJet you can take a free carry-on 56x45x25cm (no weight limit) with you in the cabin. Aer Lingus has a 10 kg weight limit, but allows a 55cmx40cmx24cm carry-on, plus a small personal item like a laptop bag per passenger, with a maximum size 25cmx33cmx20cm. Check carefully before you book!
Travel Faster
If you check-in online, there’s no need to stand in lengthy check-in queues – just head straight through to security. Plus, there’s no need to wait for your bags to be spat out on the carousel at the other end. Just get off the plane and walk straight out of the airport.
Travel Easier
One bag means less luggage to lug around and less chance of your luggage getting lost, damaged or stolen in transit.
Choosing the right hand luggage bag
Many travellers now favour hard-sided, wheeled cases. But Doug Dyment, godfather of travelling light and creator of OneBag.com, recommends you leave the armoured wheelie-trailer behind. Instead opt for a square cornered, soft-sided bag, that is obviously within the carry-on bag size limits.
This is because a soft case is more forgiving when it comes to stuffing it into an overhead locker or under the seat. And is also lighter.
Hand luggage regulations vary from airline to airline. Some airlines are stricter than others; Ryanair are far more likely to scrutinise your hand luggage than BA, so don’t get caught out with a bag that is too big, which you’ll then have to pay to check-in. Appearance is also important. If you struggle up to check-in with a bag that is dislocating your shoulder, you’re far more likely to have your hand-luggage given the once over, than if you stroll up with nothing but your Tesco carrier bag.
The Personal Packing list: if it’s not on, it’s not in
Most travellers pack far more items than they actually need. The extra pair of shoes, the hairdryer and the surplus jacket are all things that bulk up your bag and could probably be left at home. Just think back to your last trip. Did you honestly use every single item you packed? I know I didn’t.
Enter the personal packing list. This is a list of essential items, the sum total of which will all fit into one carry-on bag. The goal here is to create a single packing list that will cover you for a standard trip.
What’s in Sam’s Bag? Travel light with this packing list
If I am going to travel with hand luggage only, here is a list of essential items that I can fit into my carry-on bag. I normally use my Da Kine backpack, which has lots of useful pockets as well as side and top entry. Or, for shorter trips, my super-slim Drop backpack is ideal.
Absolute Essentials
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Health insurance information (important phone numbers to call)
- Plane tickets or print outs of boarding cards
- Bank cards (debit and credit) + some cash
- Details of accommodation, car hire, onward travel etc
Clothing
- Hooded top – hood can be used to block out light and aid sleep
- Dressy jacket – normally worn on plane
- 2-4+ t-shirts
- 2-4 jumpers/long sleeve t-shirts
- 1 pair jeans
- 1 pair lightweight trousers with removable legs – double as shorts
- Swim shorts/swimsuit – for beach or hot tub
- Light-weight Kag-in-a-bag – for when the weather turns nasty
- 3+ pairs socks
- 3+ pairs undergarments
- Sun hat – if visiting sunny climate
- 1 pair walking shoes/boots – normally worn on plane
- Flip-flops or sandals – if visiting hot climate
- 1 pair dressy shoes – if night out on town is likely
- Belt – worn on plane
Accessories
- Water bottle
- Digital camera + charger
- Mobile phone + charger + headphones (doubles as alarm clock and radio)
- Mini Maglite torch
- Nail clippers
- Sunglasses and case
- Earplugs
- Small first aid kit – normally only taken on activity trips
- Pen and small notepad – details of flights and other vital information is recorded here
- Maps, guidebooks, phrase books
- Reading material – normally at least one paperback book
- Universal travel adaptor – if travelling abroad
Toiletries and Medication
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- One razor + small bottle of shaving oil/cream
- Small bottle of shampoo, bar of soap and hair wax
- Moisturizer
- Factor 30 Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Deodorant
- Diarrhea treatment (e.g. Diaoralyte + Imodium)
- Contraceptive and/or prophylactic supplies
- Vitamin C tablets + necessary medication (small bottle of echinacea tincture – medicine of the Gods! Helps prevent colds and flu)
Note: current airport regulations state that any liquids or gels (perfume, shampoo, drinking water etc) must be no more than 100ml per bottle and must be packed in a clear, resealable bag.
The Art of Packing: Folding, Rolling and Bundle Wrapping
Backpackers swear by rolling, business travellers tend to fold, and some people even go as far as inserting tissue paper in between layers. But Doug Dyment of OneBag.com says that bundle wrapping is the most compact method of packing and also the method which most reduces the problems of wrinkling.
The bundle method uses a ‘core object’, such as a folder or organiser, around which other items are wrapped (see diagram of bundle wrapping).
The downsides to this method are that it takes a little longer, and that it’s harder to delve into your bag and grab a single item without unpacking the entire bundle. But it does allow you to maximise your bag space and minimise creases.
Finally, try to wear your bulkier items of clothing on the plane, and use your pockets as additional storage space.
Pack Light for Happier Travels!
So, why not take the one bag challenge for your next trip? Remember that most things can be bought at your destination if forgotten. So, as long as you have your passport, wallet and the clothes on your back, the chances are, everything will be ok.
More packing tips from Skyscanner:
- Banned on board: 10 items not allowed in your hand baggage
- The smart way to pack your carry-on bag for a whole week’s holiday
- 15 of the best ever packing tips for a stress-free packing experience
*Updated August 2019. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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