The cost of checking bags at most airlines has increased significantly, prompting many travelers to cut back on the number of bags they take along. By packing everything in one carry-on bag you can eliminate those fees.
Many travelers are also worried about lost and delayed luggage and rightfully so. According to SITA’s 2022 Baggage IT Insights report the number of mishandled bags was up 24% from 2020. This includes bags that were lost, stolen and delayed. The United States Department of Transportation reported that nearly 220,000 bags were “mishandled” by U.S. airlines in April 2022.
No one wants to spend time worrying that their luggage will make it to their destination. Packing all your items in one carry-on bag will ensure that you have all of your belongings with you when you arrive.
As a minimalist I can easily fit everything I need into one carry-on bag by being selective about the items I pack and by packing more efficiently.
Choose the Right Bag
Each airline is different regarding the type of carry-on bags that are permitted.
Many airlines allow for a carry-on bag no larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including handles and wheels and it should fit in the overhead bin. But check with the airline before your trip to verify. You don’t want to get to the airport and find out your bag does not meet the requirements.
On most airlines you will also be permitted to carry on personal items and those should fit beneath the seat in front of you. Personal items can include purses, totes, satchels, briefcases, laptop and camera bags, backpacks and diaper bags.
What you are allowed to carry also depends on the type of ticket you purchase and the type of flight you are taking.
Visit the airlines website for travel rules.
Clothing
The clothes you take will depend on your destination, the type of trip (personal or business) the events you will be attending and the activities you have planned. To reduce the amount of clothing you take choose neutral colors so that you can easily mix and match garments. Plan each day’s outfits ahead of time so you know just what to take.
Roll your Clothes
Most experts recommend rolling your clothes. This allows you to fit more items into your carry-on and reduces wrinkling. You can also bundle your clothes. You start with a core piece and then wrap other clothing around that item, creating a bundle.
When placing the rolled and bundled items into your bag put the larger items on the outside and fill the space in between with smaller objects.
Pack a Pillow
Buy a small pillowcase that zips up. Then fill it with clothing. Most airlines don’t consider a small pillow or neck pillow as a carry-on item, so this gives you extra storage space without counting as a carry-on or personal item. Check with the airline to be sure.
Washing Clothes While Away
Pack a bar of laundry soap. Bar soaps are more compact and easier to carry than liquids and since airlines have rules pertaining to the liquids you are allowed to carry a bar of laundry soap will not fall into that category. You can wash clothes in the sink and hang them to dry. Some venues also have laundry facilities or services, check with the place you are staying to see what they offer. You can take fewer clothes if you are able to wash them while you are away. Toss a few dryer sheets into your bag, it keeps clothes smelling fresh. And take along a few empty zipper bags to put dirty clothes in during your trip.
Shoes
Don’t take more than you need as shoes take up a lot of space. When packing shoes stuff them with other items. Put the items in a Ziplock bag. You can put socks and undergarments, jewelry, chargers, medication and other small items inside of your shoes. Put your shoes inside of larger zipper bags since they are dirty.
Toiletries
Take along only what you need. Buy travel sized items at the dollar store before you leave. In an emergency you can always buy something you forgot once you get to your destination. Many hotels provide shampoo and conditioner, soap, hair dryers and other personal care items. Call ahead and find out what they supply.
Pack the toiletry items in the top of your bag. TSA can easily check those items without having to sort through your bag.
Prescription & Over the Counter Medication
Take along any prescription and over the counter medications and leave them in the original container. See recommendations from the US Customs and Border Protection and TSA on the requirements pertaining to prescribed and over the counter medications.
Travel Compression Bags
Most of these work by putting clothing and other items inside and then rolling them up to expel air, which makes the bundle more compact so it takes up less space.
Pack Items Inside of Other Items
Pack smaller objects in hollowed out containers. For example, if you are taking a reusable water bottle put smaller items inside. Wrap anything breakable in clothing.
Wear Heavier and Larger Clothing
You can wear a coat or jacket on the plane, so take a jacket with lots of pockets and places to pack additional items. This will leave room in your carry-on bag and personal item bag for more things. Check Amazon, they sell jackets with lots of storage space specifically designed for travel.
Wear other clothing that takes up the most space in your bag and double up on shirts if you can. The more you can wear on your body the more room you will have in your bag.
Don’t Overpack Tech Items
Do you really need to take your iPad, tablet, laptop and other gear? Most of us can do everything we need to on our smartphone. Take the time to disconnect while on vacation. If it is a business trip take only what you need.
Do take a few phone chargers, it is a good idea to have a spare in case one is lost or left behind when changing hotels. Take a portable power bank.
Other Travel Tips
Plan & Start Saving Early
Plan your trip well in advance, research the places you will visit, shop for the best deals on tickets, car rentals and hotels.
Read reviews and compare prices so you are sure that you are getting the best deal. It is frustrating if you overpay for something only to find out later you could have got a much better price or better accommodations for the same amount of money.
Decide how much you can spend and start saving. Never charge a vacation or go into debt, save until you have enough to cover the entire trip.
Make a List
Make a list of the items you want to take and consider each item carefully. Many people tend to over pack when traveling. After you have packed everything remove anything from the list you eliminated and keep the list until you return from your trip. If anything is lost or stolen while you are away you will have the list to refer to if you file an insurance claim.
Travel Documents
There are items you should take with you on every trip. This can include passports, travel visas, driver’s license, credit cards, cash, travel insurance documents, medical insurance cards, boarding pass and tickets, keys, important phone numbers and contact information, travel itinerary, COVID-19 documents and a copy of your children’s birth certificate.
Make copies of all your travel documents and keep the originals and the copies in two separate locations, for example carry the originals in one bag and keep the copies in another. If the originals are lost or stolen, you will have the copies to refer to. Also make a digital copy of each document, one that you can easily access on your smartphone.
Take Pictures of What You Pack
Before leaving for your trip take pictures of everything you are taking along. This will be beneficial if your bags are lost or stolen and you must file an insurance claim.
Apple Air Tags & Samsung Smart Tags
These are great for tracking your belongings. Attach them to your valuable items and put one in each bag.
Beware of Public Wi-Fi
You can find public Wi-Fi networks almost anywhere which is convenient, but public Wi-Fi is very risky. Anything you do while connected to a public Wi-Fi network can potentially fall into the hands of scammers and cybercriminals.
Even if the network is secure, and you need a password to connect you are still at risk. Criminals can connect to the same network.
When a criminal has access to a network, they can infect your computer with malware, perform man-in-the-middle attacks and other malicious activities designed to steal personal information.
And criminals don’t just connect to legitimate networks to do this, they also setup their own networks/hotspots and if you connect to their network, they gain full control.
When you are at a location and want to connect to their public Wi-Fi be sure to ask an employee which network is theirs. They should provide you with a network name and login credentials. If the network is wide open and does not require a password to connect, don’t join. If you see two networks with the same name or a similar name, be suspicious. Hackers can mimic the name of any network tricking you into connecting to their network instead.
When connected to public Wi-Fi it is best not to do anything confidential. Don’t visit any websites that don’t use https.
Credit Card Travel Notice
Contact your credit card company and notify them of your travel plans. Credit card companies monitor cardholders accounts for any suspicious or out of the ordinary activity. If they notice an unusual purchase, they may decline the charge.
Bank Travel Notice
Notify your bank that you will be traveling. Just like the credit card company banks monitor your account for unusual activity.
Take Extra Payment Methods
You should have several forms of payment while away. In case something goes wrong with one payment method you will have another. Take a few credit cards, a bank card and cash.
Leave Travel Plans & Contact Information with Someone at Home
Someone at home should be aware of your plans, the name and location of the places you will be staying, your itinerary, phone numbers where you can be reached and any other trip details. Traveling can be risky, and someone should know your plans in case of an emergency.
Don’t Post on Social Media
Don’t post travel plans or pictures on social media. Criminals scan these sites for this type of information and use it for malicious purposes. Homes are often burglarized when people are away. Posting your plans is an invitation for theft.
Update the Contact List on your Phone
Create a contact for places you are staying including your room number, airlines, rental car companies, insurance companies, pet and house sitters, home alarm company, your neighbors and family members and any other people you may need to contact while you are away.
If Traveling Outside of the Country Contact your Mobile Provider
Contact your mobile provider to find out what changes you need to make to your cell phone plan while traveling. Most offer international plans.
Pause Newspaper & Mail Delivery
If you are going to be gone for more than a few days arrange for someone to pick up your mail and newspaper or call and temporarily suspend those services. Mail theft is very common and allowing newspapers to pile up is a signal to criminals that you are not at home.
Prepare your Home
Make a check list and prepare your home before you leave.
Close the drapes and blinds
Set the thermostat to away mode
Lock all windows and doors
Turn off the main water supply
Throw away perishable groceries and take out the trash
Unplug any appliances and electronic devices that do not need to be left on
Turn on the security system
Park vehicles inside of the garage
Set your water heater to a lower setting
Set timers on lights so that it appears someone is home
Arrange for someone to check in
Arrange for lawn care
Don’t leave spare keys outdoors. Instead leave them with a trusted family member or friend
The Tech Minimalist 