Have you seen people at the airports or taking a bus, dragging around several huge pieces of luggage, all stressed out, yelling and annoyed?
I find that a lot of people are a bit lost when it comes to choosing their luggage. I’ve seen that in my family, actually. Have you?
When you’re on vacation for a short period of time, say up to a month, you can manage with very little stuff and focus more on the experience.
Here’s how I like to pursue my cultural travel!
What’s my travel luggage?
First, here’s my video where I tell you all about it. Please bear with me, as this is my first video ever, please forgive my nervousness and any quality issues.
I always use one carry-on bag and one backpack, that’s it. Just the carry-on if I can manage. Why? Because I always avoid checking luggage on the plane.
That way I travel lighter and smarter by not having to wait at the carrousel for my bag to come. I just get off the plane, go through immigration and off I go to pursue my adventures.
Also, many times checked bags get opened by customs or breached, their contents get lost, stolen or damaged.
By having just my carry on, I am able to keep my eye on my luggage all the time.
Tips for choosing your bags
I’ve used my current carry-on for seven years so it’s a bit battered but it has a great sturdy material, flexible and in a dark color.
It also has an extra detachable strap that you can use to hold a jacket or another small bag.
There are some carry-ons with four wheels which run a lot smoother.
There are limitations to the size of the carry-on bag you’re allowed to use. Mine is 19 by 14 by 10 for a total of 43 inches (or 109 cm) and I’ve found it to be allowed in every one of my travels.
Check your airline’s website to confirm the allowed size for carry-on luggage.
What do I pack in each bag?
As a rule, I pack everything that could be lost without much pain in my carry-on bag, that is clothes, shoes, bathroom supplies and everything least expensive. This bag is marked with my contact information.
My other piece of travel luggage is a medium size backpack, which I use for carrying all my expensive stuff like the camera, iPod, laptop, chargers, money, passport, ID, credit cards, etc., in other words, all my valuables.
My backpack has many different pockets that allow me to be organized and find my stuff easily.
There are other types of travel luggage like carry-ons that have straps or just large backpacks which can be used as well.
For instance, in Europe you’re going to be carrying your luggage around a lot on cobblestone streets and up and down stairs, in such cases a bag with straps may be the best solution.
Safety issues
Another neat thing I use are little nylon cable ties. I find padlocks really cumbersome and they make things harder instead of easier.
I use the plastic ties to seal my bag once it has been checked by the authorities.
Since I don’t check bags, my travel luggage is always with me. I also research in advance the kind of plane I’m traveling on to see which seat numbers will be asked to board first.
By boarding first, I make sure I’ll have a place for my luggage on the plane compartments.
Once I’ve arrived to my destination I break the plastic ties open with a pen. They’re really cheap and you can buy a lot for something like two dollars.
In any case, my recommendation is always to take as little as possible with you, in your hand luggage.
However, if you must check your bag, there are a couple of alternatives to minimize criminal breaching into your bags:
Though not entirely a solution, it can at least persuade criminals not to violate the zippers of your bag.
Shopping
Whenever I’m going on a trip that may include some shopping, I take one of these big plastic bags, like tote bags. I fold it and pack it inside my carry-on.
On my way back, I use this big tote bag to bring my dirty clothes, my shoes and everything I can afford to lose and I check this bag.
My purchases and valuables go with me in my carry-on and backpack combo.
So, really, this is my entire travel luggage, I’ve found it practical, it makes things easier with customs, allows me to move quickly and easily.
Traveling lighter just grants you more freedom to move around and to concentrate on the important parts of your trip, the sightseeing and the experience of the culture.
Do you have some travel luggage tips of your own?
Have you had bad experiences with your luggage while on travel?
Come and share it in the comments field!
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Video music:
I actually travel and pack the same way you do. Very light as I do not want to waste precious time in an airport. The ties are a great idea!
Thanks so much for the comment! Do you have any additional tips? See ya!
Wonderful post Carolina, very useful tips.
Here is one I find also very useful when you go in one of those trips where you have to walk quite a bit. If it is one of those nice summer days when is raining, and even if you have an umbrella or a raincoat, most of the times your backapack gets wet, why not trying one of those packpack waterproof covers that you can put over your backpack? I guarantee you would be grateful of having one just for a few bucks. There are some backpacks that already come with it, in a hidden pocket at the bottom of the backpack.
Thanks for the comment, Isadora! I’ll be sure to check those out!