The panic that one has packed too little, we probably all know. The result: a huge 20 kilo suitcase and a high flight bill. But there is another way. Traveling with less leaves more room for a relaxed vacation. Traveling with hand luggage is becoming a trend.
There are many advantages to traveling minimalist. My favorite? The luggage can't get lost. No matter how reliable an airport is, it can always happen that the suitcase never arrives. That is then really annoying and can be quite a loss depending on the contents.
But it is still not easy to do without seemingly "essential" things. That has to be learned. Traveling with hand luggage only requires good organization and a talent for packing.
The permitted carry-on baggage sizes and weight vary from airline to airline. Therefore, it is essential to read the regulations carefully before each trip.
Also, don't forget the additional "personal item" that is allowed on many airlines. This can be a handbag or a camera.
Travel with hand luggage: The advantages
Travel with only the most necessary? This brings extremely many advantages. The biggest ones are listed here and the others you will discover yourself :)
No more long check in
With a suitcase, you often have to stand in line. Depending on the size of the airport and the time of day, this can take quite a long time. If you are only traveling with hand luggage, you can check in online and save yourself the stress.
More money saved through smart packing
Most airlines, especially the budget airlines, charge a lot for each extra piece of luggage. This is not necessary if you travel minimalist. And with the money you've saved, you're sure to find something to do at your vacation destination.
More time, less stress
By always having your stuff with you, you also don't have to stand forever waiting for the suitcase to show up at the treadmill. (Although I must admit that I actually find that quite funny).
You also save time when unpacking. After all, it makes a difference whether you unpack a giant suitcase or a light backpack.
Traveling with hand luggage gives more security
As already mentioned above. It's just safer to have your stuff around all the time.
Minimalist travelers have less ballast
Realistically speaking, you will certainly carry less. But you also feel very liberated otherwise, if you are on the road with little. Less stuff = less worries. You feel freer. Travel has become simpler.
Tips to travel as easily as possible with hand luggage only
To make sure you actually have a more relaxed vacation, here are the tips.
1: Choose the right companion
Opinions differ on the dimensions of the carry-on bag. It is best to check directly with the flight provider, as these regulations can change quite quickly.
Most air travelers who travel with hand luggage have a trolley with them. The small suitcases are certainly practical for short city trips but they give away a lot of space. Especially with hard shell suitcases, you can't pack as efficiently as you'd like. The wheels and the frame of the suitcase take up a lot of space that could be used in other ways. And if the surface of the vacation destination is not asphalt, you have to drag the suitcase even more.
The secret tip is a backpack or a sturdy sports bag (duffel bag). Due to the soft exterior, you can stuff them a bit into the airline's frame in case of emergency, if the dimensions don't fit after all. Besides, you can pack bags made of soft materials much more efficiently.
In terms of weight, bags are also quite a bit ahead of the trolley. They have much less dead weight and do not look so heavy, which reduces possible complications with the flight crew.
2: Know your resort
Check before packing what the weather will be like, or what is possible in the country you are visiting. Also think about what you are going to do. If you're not really a fan of hiking and you're not planning a hike, you can leave your hiking boots at home, for example.
3: Learn to pack like a pro
Traveling with carry-on luggage also means you'll probably have to revamp your packing method. How exactly, you decide. There is, for example, the method in which you roll your clothes to save space and avoid creases. If you change accommodation often, packing cubes are useful. Packing cubes are packing bags with which you can keep a perfect order. And order is the be-all and end-all when traveling.
If you really need to carry a lot of garments, compression bags pay off. This allows you to shrink the volume of your clothes. However, this is not recommended for hikers, rather for city tourists.
4: Attention when packing cosmetics
Don't forget that you are not allowed to take a lot of liquids on the plane for security reasons. You can take all liquids, creams and gels only in small quantities of max. 100 ml.
All individual containers must then be packed in a transparent plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. This must be sealed and shown separately at the security check. So it is best to pack it at the top to get through the checkpoint as quickly as possible. This will save you and everyone else a lot of time and nerves.
Shampoo and conditioner, as well as shower gel can also simply be used in Soap mold* with you. This means they are extremely economical and do not cause any problems at security checks. Another advantage is that the soap comes without plastic packaging.
5: Think solution oriented if you want to travel with hand luggage
Do you like to read while traveling? Then an e-reader would be a useful purchase. You'll have all your books on one small device. That saves a lot of space and weight.
Are you a tech fan and have a lot of chargers to take with you? Use a multi-USB adapter and short charging cables to save space.
You'll be hiking a lot on vacation? Put on the heavy hiking boots on the flight so that the lighter flip flops and sneakers can fit in your hand luggage.
6: Prepare yourself mentally
If you're brave and embarking on a long trip with little luggage, you'll probably feel uncomfortable at first. Do I have everything I need? Have I really forgotten anything? What if the weather doesn't cooperate? But you can relax. If you do forget something, you can certainly buy it on the spot.
Once you get over this phase, you can really enjoy your vacation. You don't have to lug heavy, you need to worry less about your luggage. In short, the vacation becomes the relaxation you need.
Packing list for traveling with hand luggage
Off to your dream vacation without a lot of luggage! So that works, we have a list for you. So you take only what you really need.
To browse further:
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