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, and allowed on airplanes.)
- 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)
- Toiletries
- 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. Stuff underwear and socks into shoes to
save space and to 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.
- Due to airline security issues, you should use solids rather
than liquids. Shampoo is available in solid soap-block form. Better
yet, purchase toiletries at your destination to avoid security
issues. They may be cheaper too depending on the currency.
- 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
- Even 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 in case your
checked luggage is delayed or lost.
- Most youth hostels have laundry rooms and mos
