RedWine
07-26-2006, 11:02 AM
In this age of airline fare wars, globalization, and the euro, traveling across multiple borders is increasingly common. Combined with the horror stories of lost luggage that never made it to the baggage claim, the option of traveling with just one bag is becoming more and more attractive. Unless your trip is highly specialized or requires carrying certain items, it is possible to travel and even live indefinitely out of one bag. Here's how...
Steps
Get a bag with shoulder or back straps and plenty of pockets. The bag need not be huge, since one will not carry much.
Gather the following:
Three changes of clothing (at most)
Laundry detergent for washing by hand (powdered is much easier to handle than liquid)
A universal sink stopper (available at any hardware store). A rubber ball is a good alternative.
A portable clothesline (available at any camping or travel goods store)
Pack using the "bundle" method: wrap clothes around large objects (such as bags of toiletries or pairs of shoes), rather than folding or rolling clothes.
Pack underwear and socks into shoes to save space and prevent crushing shoes. The bundle method saves the most space and also prevents wrinkling.
Buy toiletries in miniature or transfer liquid contents like shampoo into smaller travel bottles. Save hotel/airplane toiletries so you can pack them the next time you travel.
Put toiletries that could leak (shampoo, gel, etc.) in plastic bags to avoid the hassle of having your clothes covered in liquid soap. Bags are also useful if clothing doesn't completely dry overnight.
Minimize the number of items that require electricity, as converters can be costly and space-consuming. Portable electronics often run on batteries, and shaving, of course, can be done by hand.
Mail home or give away items not necessary for traveling, such as finished books or souvenirs. Trading books is a great free way to keep one's travel library fresh. Also check out www.bookcrossing.com - here you can leave books for others to pick up and find books wherever you might be in the world that others have left behind (bookcrossers leave notes about the books, you can read where the book's been, reviews, etc.). You should be able to fit a sheet of labels in your bag to stick on the books...or better yet print them out from a public computer in an internet cafe...
Tips
If you are checking one main bag, be sure to take one change of clothing and all your important items (documents, prescriptions, etc.) with you in a carry-on bag. If your checked bag is delayed or lost, you will still have the most important items with you. Obviously, it is even better to not have to check anything -- if you can fit everything into one carry-on bag.
Most youth hostels have laundry rooms and most hotels have laundry services.
If you must carry more clothing, try to pack stuff you are about to discard, then dump it after wearing. This can apply to underwear, t-shirts, jeans, etc.
Another way to bring more clothing is to wear the layered look. For example, you could wear a sweater with a shirt underneath. This is a good idea anyway, since it helps you cope with unexpected weather changes.
If the trip is longer than a few days, you may consider doing what certain travel writers do. That is, taking only the essentials with you on board the plane and then shipping other things to where you're staying (if possible).
Buy insurance to cover any damage your stuff may incur when it is shipped.
If you are bringing a purse, try to fit it in your larger bag. That way, you'll have less stuff to lug around.
Wear clothing with pockets whenever possible so that your essentials (ID, passport, credit card, money, hotel key) are on your person at all times.
Make 2 photo copies of the front and back of your credit cards, travelers checks and ID. Leave one at home with someone you can call and keep one in a secure place at your destination. That way if anything gets stolen you will have the information when reporting it. If you have access to a scanner, you can scan everything and email it to yourself or store it securely online.
Keep money in several different places (your pants pocket, your jacket, two different places in your purse and/or main bag), so that even if you are robbed, you don't lose all your money.
If you don't own clothing with pockets, you don't need a new wardrobe. Get a money belt or pouch. These items can be hidden underneath your clothes. Under the sole of your shoe is a good place to keep larger bills.
Consider fast wicking (drying) expedition clothing that are designed for frequent washing, high durability and come in different “zones" rated for climate.
An empty compactable duffel bag can be attached to your main bag and can be used if you find yourself in need of more than one bag.
To prevent shampoo bottles from leaking, take a good size piece of plastic (like a piece of trash bag or sandwich bag) unscrew the lid off of the shampoo, cover the hole and then screw the lid back on. Make sure the plastic is sticking out around all sides of the lid.
With clothes that you aren't concerned with wrinkling (T-Shirts, Jeans, Underwear, etc.) you can minimize the space in the bag by rolling them up rather than folding them.
Using a PDA to read books will save space and weight even when taking the charger into account - and you can download new books at any internet cafe (or wifi hotspot with the right hardware). Be sure to pick one with good battery life and screen.
If you are going for a longer trip or holiday, consider buying a local wardrobe once you have arrived at your destination - not only will you travel much lighter, you'll end up not looking like a tourist!
Warnings
Buy locks for zippers on your bag. Tourist attractions and public places often attract pickpockets. However, recognize that a locked-up zipper can cause problems at airport security (unless you have a TSA-approved lock) and potentially attract the attention of thieves. Consider this option wisely:
A 'locked' bag may dissuade opportunistic theft, but if someone is determined to get into your bag, they will just cut it open with a knife (e.g., backpacks).
You will then have the additional problem of having to replace your bag in a foreign country.
Avoid fanny packs. Not only are they unfashionable, they draw unnecessary attention and make you look like a tourist (read: prime mugging target).
Make sure you don't forget the essentials.
As an alternative to locks, consider using small cable ties. Although not a complete deterent, a helpful tool to add an element of protection while letting customs/security cut through if need be without destroying a nice lock.
Steps
Get a bag with shoulder or back straps and plenty of pockets. The bag need not be huge, since one will not carry much.
Gather the following:
Three changes of clothing (at most)
Laundry detergent for washing by hand (powdered is much easier to handle than liquid)
A universal sink stopper (available at any hardware store). A rubber ball is a good alternative.
A portable clothesline (available at any camping or travel goods store)
Pack using the "bundle" method: wrap clothes around large objects (such as bags of toiletries or pairs of shoes), rather than folding or rolling clothes.
Pack underwear and socks into shoes to save space and prevent crushing shoes. The bundle method saves the most space and also prevents wrinkling.
Buy toiletries in miniature or transfer liquid contents like shampoo into smaller travel bottles. Save hotel/airplane toiletries so you can pack them the next time you travel.
Put toiletries that could leak (shampoo, gel, etc.) in plastic bags to avoid the hassle of having your clothes covered in liquid soap. Bags are also useful if clothing doesn't completely dry overnight.
Minimize the number of items that require electricity, as converters can be costly and space-consuming. Portable electronics often run on batteries, and shaving, of course, can be done by hand.
Mail home or give away items not necessary for traveling, such as finished books or souvenirs. Trading books is a great free way to keep one's travel library fresh. Also check out www.bookcrossing.com - here you can leave books for others to pick up and find books wherever you might be in the world that others have left behind (bookcrossers leave notes about the books, you can read where the book's been, reviews, etc.). You should be able to fit a sheet of labels in your bag to stick on the books...or better yet print them out from a public computer in an internet cafe...
Tips
If you are checking one main bag, be sure to take one change of clothing and all your important items (documents, prescriptions, etc.) with you in a carry-on bag. If your checked bag is delayed or lost, you will still have the most important items with you. Obviously, it is even better to not have to check anything -- if you can fit everything into one carry-on bag.
Most youth hostels have laundry rooms and most hotels have laundry services.
If you must carry more clothing, try to pack stuff you are about to discard, then dump it after wearing. This can apply to underwear, t-shirts, jeans, etc.
Another way to bring more clothing is to wear the layered look. For example, you could wear a sweater with a shirt underneath. This is a good idea anyway, since it helps you cope with unexpected weather changes.
If the trip is longer than a few days, you may consider doing what certain travel writers do. That is, taking only the essentials with you on board the plane and then shipping other things to where you're staying (if possible).
Buy insurance to cover any damage your stuff may incur when it is shipped.
If you are bringing a purse, try to fit it in your larger bag. That way, you'll have less stuff to lug around.
Wear clothing with pockets whenever possible so that your essentials (ID, passport, credit card, money, hotel key) are on your person at all times.
Make 2 photo copies of the front and back of your credit cards, travelers checks and ID. Leave one at home with someone you can call and keep one in a secure place at your destination. That way if anything gets stolen you will have the information when reporting it. If you have access to a scanner, you can scan everything and email it to yourself or store it securely online.
Keep money in several different places (your pants pocket, your jacket, two different places in your purse and/or main bag), so that even if you are robbed, you don't lose all your money.
If you don't own clothing with pockets, you don't need a new wardrobe. Get a money belt or pouch. These items can be hidden underneath your clothes. Under the sole of your shoe is a good place to keep larger bills.
Consider fast wicking (drying) expedition clothing that are designed for frequent washing, high durability and come in different “zones" rated for climate.
An empty compactable duffel bag can be attached to your main bag and can be used if you find yourself in need of more than one bag.
To prevent shampoo bottles from leaking, take a good size piece of plastic (like a piece of trash bag or sandwich bag) unscrew the lid off of the shampoo, cover the hole and then screw the lid back on. Make sure the plastic is sticking out around all sides of the lid.
With clothes that you aren't concerned with wrinkling (T-Shirts, Jeans, Underwear, etc.) you can minimize the space in the bag by rolling them up rather than folding them.
Using a PDA to read books will save space and weight even when taking the charger into account - and you can download new books at any internet cafe (or wifi hotspot with the right hardware). Be sure to pick one with good battery life and screen.
If you are going for a longer trip or holiday, consider buying a local wardrobe once you have arrived at your destination - not only will you travel much lighter, you'll end up not looking like a tourist!
Warnings
Buy locks for zippers on your bag. Tourist attractions and public places often attract pickpockets. However, recognize that a locked-up zipper can cause problems at airport security (unless you have a TSA-approved lock) and potentially attract the attention of thieves. Consider this option wisely:
A 'locked' bag may dissuade opportunistic theft, but if someone is determined to get into your bag, they will just cut it open with a knife (e.g., backpacks).
You will then have the additional problem of having to replace your bag in a foreign country.
Avoid fanny packs. Not only are they unfashionable, they draw unnecessary attention and make you look like a tourist (read: prime mugging target).
Make sure you don't forget the essentials.
As an alternative to locks, consider using small cable ties. Although not a complete deterent, a helpful tool to add an element of protection while letting customs/security cut through if need be without destroying a nice lock.