10 Things Experienced Travelers Know NOT To Pack (Never Take #9!)

[@ProjectUntethered]

What other commonly packed items do you think should be left at home? Share your thoughts in the comments 👇 And don't forget to grab 5% off Holafly eSIMs here: bit.ly/3vJwGXy (coupon code PROJECTUNTETHERED)

[@akirathedog777]

Bro why does every travel blogger dress like a 7year old Is it because you don't carry clothes when you travel? You look terrible bro

[@YosefElgart]

Hello will you do new video for esims with big / unlimited data there is alot new companies. Holafly still not support data sharing?

[@dotted8-]

Yes to carryon only. Over past 5 months I’ve switched to no checked bags. Made numerous week-long trips refining my packing and invested in lightweight travel/merino wool clothing. Selling everything to begin my full-time, slow intl. travel in 2 months with carryon only. Love the thought of having everything I own in a small roller bag and my knack pack.

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

I check luggage even under 5kg because stupid rules prevent me to carry a swiss army knife on board.

[@sobaksobak4185]

Last year I did 14 days in South Korea with my daughter. There were things I didn’t pack thinking I would just buy them there but I found it takes away from the vacation to have to spend time buying stuff you need, especially if you’re at all particular about brand or type. This year I’m just packing everything I need.

[@vshanks04021]

Tell me, I just wanted to tell you that of all the KZbinrs that are male that have offered plain and simple suggestions for travel. I found your channel to be the best. I’m so glad I found your channel!!! Please keep up the good work Vic.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Thank you for the kind words - you made my day! :)

[@Cosmotravels20]

Doing our 1st Carry-On only for an 11 day trip to Ireland. Also, 1st time going there. I watched your videos & Portables, so I feel more confident about doing this. Thank You!!!

[@ProjectUntethered]

Hope you have a blast!

[@paulharrison25]

Some interesting ideas thanks, I looked at the esim, and to be honest it's way way too expensive, actually more than twice as much, when compared to getting a physical sim when I get to my destination. One tip that you no doubt now know, is never ever give your passport to someone when hiring a motorbike, car, jetski, etc, give them a photocopy, if they insist on the passport, go elsewhere.

[@ebermtheburn]

I use a 38L carry on backpack for the overhead bin and a 20L personal item handbag for under the seat. It has always worked perfectly.

[@ProjectUntethered]

That sounds like a good setup!

[@MikaTyni]

I always print a physical copy of my boarding pass. Relaying only on your phone is just stupid.

[@markushilbmann4258]

I often bought the SIM cards offered upon arrival and often there was a special offer for arriving travelers. Enough data volume for the first few days ...

[@ProjectUntethered]

Yeah that definitely works sometimes - but not always!

[@grantw7]

Excellent advice! We are 73 & 76 and although we have travelled the world with only carry-on rolling suitcases, this year we are switching to carry-on backpacks and carefully weighing all our items as we will be using trains to get around the country. We will definitely not be taking any "just in case" items that we always seem to add and never use.

[@ProjectUntethered]

That sounds like it'll be an epic adventure!

[@sarafstop32]

Carry on for past 9 years. I'm thinking of going to personal under seat only due to further restrictions for carry ons.

[@robertashagam1599]

I figured out how to use the trtl. As you said, you just have to move it around till it feels ok. Comfortable or not- it supports your neck and head. Tu for this. Now, let’s get the e -sim:)

[@ProjectUntethered]

Niiiice! I'm glad to hear it!!

[@WikidWard]

Have a look into rolling square and their charger cables. They can be used for all devices and they have several lengths.

[@aliciatangotweety4815]

Thanx! I've been traveling for decades with just a carry-on but you never know what tips you'll pick up. SOLID sunscreen will be quite convenient for one month hopping around Indonesia and Malaysia this September.

[@talhamorol]

both checked bags and carry on are good for flights!

[@scrapjoy]

In a window seat, a packing cube doubles as a clean pillow.

[@loretab4158]

Thank you I travel with my towel for a long time but never use it.

[@buzzbladz7142]

Physical Boarding Pass and copy on the phone for Me, redundancy in case of theft or phone dying. Great advise, got My sub

[@cltinturkey]

CARRY ON ONLY!!!

[@twdeer1978]

Any time that I have flown I always do carry on. I planed my whole trip via the web. I didn’t find much on KZbin about my destination so I had to plan via travel sights.

[@ProjectUntethered]

What was your destination?

[@twdeer1978]

@@ProjectUntethered it was Nürnberg Germany

[@dave.in.oregon]

I'm 💯 here for Carry-On Only. All about that 1 Bag Travel livestyle. Have traveled a lot for work and on vacations with my wife & kids am converting them all to this way to go. No "baggage claim". No lost luggage. Easy backpack style only makes it easier to get to our destinations. 👍

[@ProjectUntethered]

I agree! Although I technically do 2 bags - a personal item and a carry on, so I can keep my valuables by me in case I ever get separated from my carry-on.

[@dave.in.oregon]

@@ProjectUntethered Depending on the travel I'll often have a sling bag as an added "personal item" too. So the term "1 bag travel" is loosely defined. If I'm traveling for work I will sometimes put a smaller carry bag in my larger travel bag to go to customer meetings with just my laptop and tech kit. So it all depends on what I'm doing and where I'm going.

[@coppperburr]

Missed one detail re ATMs. Decline any conversion rate offered. Its 5-12% or so in the bank's favor, which will usually dwarf any fee you're charged.

[@ronbeaubien]

eSIMs are convenient for short trips, but they are quite expensive compared to getting a regular SIM card in many countries.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Yeah if you're going to be somewhere long-term, it definitely may be worth looking into local options

[@RetroDiver]

In my experience, Canadian carriers outside of Canada make you get a printed boarding pass at check-in, my guess is to have a look at your carry-on and try to "persuade" you to check it.

[@billanderson3346]

I have found I can get by with my work backpack and rolling carryon. Just purchased a 40L Corsurf backpack. Will be using it on a trip to Iceland in September. I am going to try to get everything in the 40L bag. I will wear my hiking boots and bulky items on the flight. Hopefully I can get everything in the backpack. I am using pants from Western Rise, and base layers and t shirts from Paka, which you can wear multiple days so fingers crossed this will work. I end up with terrible head bob when trying to sleep with an airline pillow so I will be using my Sleeper hold travel pillow which I can clip to the outside of my backpack. I have sleep apnea so I do have to travel with my CPAP which adds a little bulk.

[@ProjectUntethered]

I'm a fan of those pants :)

[@billanderson3346]

@@ProjectUntethered they are comfy and tend to work. The new pants from Nomatic are also nice. I like the Western Rise shorts as well.

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

1. Airline pillows are worthless. 2. On a 14-hour flight, you will definitely want something to hold your chin up off your chest, so travel pillows are important. 3. There are inflatable pillows that work great and pack small. 4. A rain jacket is just about worthless, but a travel umbrella is great and takes up less room. 5. Your wife's pillow idea is genius. 6. You shouldn't pack a towel, but you should definitely bring a decent washcloth. 7. If you really need to use your own number while you're away, Holafly won't do you any good. I pay Verizon $10 per day for international service. I consider it a worthwhile expense so I can continue doing business overseas. 8. Books can't come close to doing what guides do. I had to book guided activities in order to get foreign countries to grant visas to my African wife, and the guides really enhanced our trips. We learned what locals are going through in Hong Kong because of the filthy communist government, for example. Also, if you take a food tour, a guide who has to watch you eat the food is more likely to take you to good places, and they'll help you eat the way locals do. KZbin jerks have sent me and my wife to places with disgusting food, and everything recommended by Anthony Bourdain is garbage. 9. Phones are amazing these days, but there is no substitute for a good camera if you want to do a really good job of preserving memories. Remote mikes with dead cats are essential, even if you're only taking a phone. Bring a tiny rechargeable light for places like dark restaurants. If you're really serious, buy a gimbal. 10. The carry-on cult is right when it comes to very short trips, but if you're gone more than a week, you will get tired of washing your dirty underwear in the sink frequently and wearing the same 4 shirts. Life is much easier with a big bag, unless you're pulling it all the time. When I travel, I have to move my bag a little bit when I'm going to and from airports. Other than that, it sits in my room or in racks or cargo holds. You can fill checked bags with clothes you're not afraid to lose, and aside from that, the loss rate is very, very low. When you come home, you'll have a place to put stuff you bought. Also, you'll never be surprised by a stewardess who forces you to check your tiny bag after boarding. Stuff I've learned: 1. Bring your own OTC medicine. Don't assume you can get anything OTC abroad. Don't expect to waltz into a beautiful American-style drugstore and choose from thousands of items in relative anonymity. In Ireland, you have to beg a pharmacist to let you have things, and you get to enjoy telling a stranger you have jock itch or hemorrhoids. 2. Take a small laptop that folds into a tablet. You may want to use it at your hotel for various things, like picking new destinations and flights, and a hotel PC is no substitute. If it doubles as a tablet, you don't have to squint at a tiny phone while watching movies or reading on a plane. 3. Bring a backpack made for holding a laptop, glasses, a cold drink, and whatever electronics you need. Swiss Gear makes fantastic small backpacks. A backpack will allow you to keep your medications with you, as well as things like antiseptic wipes, and you won't have to leave valuables in a hotel room "safe" that can be opened with a butter knife. 4. Start walking and exercising a month before you travel, so you can handle walking a lot. Walking is the best way to see new places, and it helps kill travel fat. If you show up in a hilly place or a place where you have to walk a lot on flat ground, without getting in shape, expect to be miserable. Like my wife was in Hong Kong and Egypt. 5. Find room for a good white noise machine, unless you enjoy listening to drunks at 3 a.m. 6. Bring a good sleep mask and silicone ear plugs. 7. Bring a clothesline. And if you're in Singapore, get yourself a big bottle of Guardian purple body wash for about $3. You can use it on your hair, body, and clothes. 8. Always, ALWAYS keep Imodium in your backpack, on your person. Single most important travel medicine. Bring stool softener, too. If you overdo the Imodium, you will be glad you brought stool softener. 9. Your American health insurance won't work in other countries, so buy a short policy. Don't buy it from Heymondo, because they are crooks who do not pay claims. 10. Get Global Entry. It's worth it.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Wow, lots of great tips here - thanks for sharing them! I have different opinions on some of the points, but I don't think there is really any absolute right answer for some of these things, just personal preferences 😇

[@cornellcornell1]

I travel frequently and disagree with many of your opinions 😂 interesting to read though.

[@blackmamba6938]

An umbrella isn't going to keep you dry if it's windy. Real cameras are obviously better, but I don't think the tradeoff is worth it. It's maybe only 30% better than a smartphone camera. In good lighting, that numbers becomes even less. Plus it becomes a target for thieves. Checked-in luggage is fine if you settle on 1 hotel and stay there. If you're switching locations every 2-3 days, then that'll become a hassle. That's only the stuff I disagree with. Most of the other stuff I agree with.

[@HR-wd6cw]

For the sim card see if your phone carrier offers an international plan first. Usually this just requires a phone call or visit to their site to activate/deactivate and in many cases (like with Verizon) you have options to use the same plan you already have for like $10 per day (so if you have unlimited data, you may get unlimited data or close to it, although the speeds may vary depending on where you are). This is also a good way to control your bill so if you know you will be charged $10 per day and you're gone for a wek, you know that at worst, your bill will likely only be $70 or $100 with fees perhaps but it likely won't be several hundred dollars due to roaming. About the boarding passes.. . I would still try to get one printed if you can, but if you can't at least take a screen shot of it so if you lose data signal while in the airport, the screen shot of your ticket and barcode can help (I've actually used the screenshot before many times for United and Southwest flights where I may not have had a good connection or whatever and it works fine, but you have to take a normal screen shot - not zoomed in/out, just what you see on the screen when you bring up the ticket). About cables... bring spares. At least one spare cable and one spare charging block in case yours goes bad. In most countries you can probably buy a USB-c cable so it may not be an issue but if you're going to say Africa or some of the lesser developed countries (or you're just in the middle of nowhere in say Norway) you may find it hard to find a spare cable or charger if yours goes bad, so I'd say pack a spare cable and charger, and worst case is you can charge more than one item at a time if you do. As for carry-on vs checked... it depends on the trip, where I'm going, and for how long... if it's a shorter trip (like 1 week or less) I can usually get away with a backpack and carry-on. If it's a longer trip or I need to bring extra stuff because I'm maybe camping, or hiking or can't do laundry and it's a longer trip, then I will probably check a bag (also if something like hiking poles requires a checked bag then I will be more inclined to bring a checked bag, but if I do, then I don't usually have a carry-on, just a backpack and then the checked bag, so it's one or the other for me, not both types of bags). On the carry-on only trips I do try to bring or buy a small packet of detergent so I could do laundry in the hotel room if needed and this means I can usually pack less clothes, maybe enough for 3-4 days and do laundry every 3 days.

[@kiyoshitakeda452]

Currency carry includes USD, JPN¥, HK$ or CN¥(Renminbi). Why? Usable everywhere and convertible too. Also easily available at banks. Your tips made sense and I do lots of them too.

[@ProjectUntethered]

That's true! The emergency cash doesn't necessasrily have to be USD if it's easier for you to access other widely accepted currencies. USD seems to be the easiest to use in a pinch though. Got any other good packing tips?

[@kiyoshitakeda452]

@@ProjectUntethered No other tips since I am the opposite from you. I travel with 1 check-in bag and a carry-on. Always take my own pillow and blanket. Sorry don't trust airline items not even in business class.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Haha I totally feel you. I think I just accept that I'm gonna get dirty while traveling, and I'll need to do an extra scrub down in the shower when I arrive 😉

[@jenniferclarke3622]

I'm going to Thailand for two months in October. I will be taking my kitchen sink with me.😊

[@thomasm7047]

Carry-on all the way. Although, I had a flight from the Philippines via Korean Air to the US. I had to check my carry-on because it was over their weight limit. I wasn't too happy, but there wasn't anything I could do except to check my carry-on luggage. 🤔

[@ProjectUntethered]

Yeah we've also been lucky that we've only had to check it one time out of like 100 and are pretty much always overweight. But YMMV!

[@ModernMoneyHabits]

Thanks for sharing👍

[@ProjectUntethered]

You're very welcome!

[@ladytrader688]

You swam w sharks?!!! I missed that memo. You and the other gal are my regulars. I’ve downsized into a Toyota Sienna camper van in prep for downsizing for plane trips. Taking notes. Cheers!

[@ProjectUntethered]

They were just nurse sharks...but still super freaky! If you can live in a camper van, you'll already be an expert when it comes to packing light for plane trips! :)

[@hochaos14]

In my world, all of my devices do charge by USB-C, don't buy Apple and you'll be in that perfect world.

[@livelovely4681]

My iPad charges with USB C.

[@pupstxrxl9714]

New iPhones and iPads, such as the iPhone 15 and iPad Pro, are using USB-C. They’re slowly but surely phasing out of the lightning chargers 😊

[@Mr.DJones]

Thank you for your time and posting. Carry on for me. I've been investigating backpacks. I'm not spending $250 for a carry-on. IMO, just a huge waste, especially when 'all' the reviewers always stress none of them are perfect. My Costco $15 High Sierra isn't perfect either. :) So, I have the Mother Lode Jr. from eBags, and I'll use my trusty High Sierra. Thanks again for all your time.

[@NatsuMatto]

eSIMs are easy and convenient, but one thing I've found is that when I buy a physical SIM I can usually still use that data allowance when I get home (Mobile carrier "3" in England, for example, offers data roaming in Europe and the USA). That way, if you buy 10GB you can still use it if you move on to another European country or back in the US. With an eSIM, you are usually not able to use it beyond the borders of the purchased country.

[@ProjectUntethered]

eSIMs actually come in many shapes and sizes! Many companies offer regional plans that work in multiple countries 😇

[@amadapittaluga1487]

Also, sim cards are way cheaper than those e sims plans

[@NatsuMatto]

@@amadapittaluga1487 This is my experience as well. I've only ever used Airalo for eSIMs, though, so maybe I'm not using the right vendor. I also like having a physical SIM because I like to have an actual phone number! Helps if you need to call anywhere to ask questions or make reservations (as well as texting non-Apple or non-WhatsApp users). Sure, I don't use it often, but I like the flexibility.

[@wildeescape]

Carry on all the way!

[@kevlarcardhouse252]

If I'm going on a trip where I know I will have access to a car the entire time, I'll consider a checked suitcase. Otherwise, I'll only do carry-on only. It's always a better option. My partner spent one trip lugging her roller up two flights of stairs at a train station because the elevator was broken and then again up a cobblestone street at an incline in order to have 2 extra days of laundry and has since also switched to carry-on only. (This was on a solo trip, that's why I did not help her. 😂) I agree with others - as long as there isn't a huge lineup, I get a paper boarding pass, especially if there are connections, because someone is going to ask to see it or scan it every 5 minutes in your walk between gates. Maybe it's because I've never done a long haul with a really budget carrier, but I've always been able to put my seat back enough where my neck drooping forward isn't ever an issue, so all those fancy travel pillows seem to do is feel restrictive and unnatural and prevent me from wearing my noise cancelling headphones at the same time.

[@samewalt6486]

Cash is king!!! Always have a fair amount hidden on your person, not in your bag at the hotel. I hide mine in a belt with a zipper on the back, completely invisible. You never know. One bag only. Travel towel, bandaids, needle and thread. Coil heater for coffee. Paper boarding passes.

[@Dakotaden4]

May not always be necessary to have paper copies...but I would still recommend doing so. Also, you confused me a little at one point...bring money, or don't bring money. From my experience traveling abroad...it is still a good idea to have cash on hand. There are many many places actually (even spots in high-tech Singapore) where you cannot use your plastic. The Schwab card is an excellent idea though. I have that myself. Highly recommend it :)

[@ProjectUntethered]

By cash, I was mostly referring to the old school practice of literally traveling with wads of cash from your home country to exchange to local currency (maybe should have explained that more clearly). It really depends on the country, but to cover all the bases I usually carry ~$300 emergency USD stash, Charles Schwab debit card to withdraw local currency, and a couple credit cards with no foreign transactions fees (I never keep them in the same place/bag in case one gets lost stolen) 🤓

[@markushilbmann4258]

@@ProjectUntethered I do that too. I have several credit cards that are available for free (for emergencies) and I hide them in different places.

[@uhack2417]

What microphone do you use? It sounds awesome and looks cool!

[@ProjectUntethered]

Thanks! It's the DJI mic - I love it because it's super easy to use :)

[@victoriatrinh8380]

CARRY ON! 🎒

[@casksj356]

Is your T-shirt from 32degrees? I’m just curious! I love them so much. :D Thanks for the video!

[@ProjectUntethered]

Yes! I love them too! :)

[@gregbennett357]

What T-shirts do you travel in? Looking for lightweight.

[@Vince-ur7oc]

What is the tripod you are using for your phone

[@prasanthputhiyillam8269]

E sim will give only a data connection and not a calling number right?

[@FeistyFelineYT]

Carry on only, no matter how long my trip is.

[@ProjectUntethered]

I feel the same - once you travel long-term with a carry-on, you realize how little you actually need (and if you need more, you can just buy it in your destination). What's your biggest reason to only do carry on only?

[@FeistyFelineYT]

@@ProjectUntethered I dislike going to baggage claim.

[@bguzman3527]

We do carry on only!!!

[@Thejazzerc]

Everyone always talks about esims, but what if you need to call hotels, your airbnbs, your bank back home for issues, etc.? They don't always have whatsapp or messenger. What app do you recommend?

[@ProjectUntethered]

Over the past couple years, I can count the number of times I've had to do this one two hands. Although this may be different for people with different travel style. That said, when I do need to make a local call, I have a some Skype credit loaded in case of emergency. Another thing is that some eSIM are starting to include local numbers as well. For example, I believe Holafly gives you a number with Europe eSIMs (although I haven't been to Europe recently to test it yet).

[@Thejazzerc]

@ProjectUntethered thank you. I was traveling for a couple months in Asia since Jan (Japan, Taiwan, and Philippines). I was using an esim, and I had issues with my credit cards and debit cards getting closed even though I had called all them prior to leaving. I had the hardest time getting a hold of the banks bc there was a local number if I was traveling. I also had to call the hotels for pick up at the airports in the Philippines, and it was just so hard to do with esims. There has to be an app that allows calls using data to make esims more friendlier to use. I just ended up using my regular service from my isp back home and paying for the international daily fees and calling long distance.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Skype can be very helpful in these situations! (there are other apps as well, but I just use Skype). Also, pro tip: if you turn on wifi calling on your home plan before leaving home (and turn off roaming), you should still be able to make/receive calls and SMS in your home country 🤓

[@kevlarcardhouse252]

I used to panic about this, but it's a scenario that in reality almost never happens. Most cellphone companies offer a roaming service that charges on a daily basis, so I just sign up for that and still go with the Esim. If it comes up that I need to make a call, I just activate my home Sim again.

[@vbowker]

Check check check check check. I want to have my shit with me. I'm not trying to win a "who can pack the least" contest. Also, don't want to be one of those annoying people on the plane trying to fit a carryon in a space that's too small.

[@briannabenson4173]

Checked bags

[@melarch.5424]

eSims don't work on older phones (like my i phone 8)

[@MichelleDiana]

Carry on only, even a with a 4 year old it just works😅🥳🥰

[@ProjectUntethered]

Wow that's impressive!!

[@HarryOsirian]

Printed boarding passes and tickets should always be present in your luggage. Why? what if your device get's stolen/lost? Are you going to spend precious time getting another device?

[@eleanorlaurent2303]

I love that you plugged the Portable Professional. The two of you are my favorite travel creators because you both provide actual real tips and tricks that I don't already know about 🩷

[@ProjectUntethered]

She's the bomb dot com! 💣

[@Gadfly2025]

Bring less stuff , bring more money 💴 I bring the clothes I no longer want and dump the stuff as I go . Ez wash dry what I keep . Melatonin to sleep 😴 Amino acid complex to stay awake , both at vitamin counter

[@ProjectUntethered]

Interesting! Tell me more about these amino acids!

[@Gadfly2025]

@@ProjectUntethered it’s concentrated protein. Will not make you jittery like caffeine . Many weight lifting and fitness people use them . Available everywhere they sell vitamins. Keeps u awake jet lag

[@morrisyarnell6083]

I don't travel as much anymore but I have been using one bag travel for years. Whether I am going for a week or a month, one bag. Wash on the go. There are stores in every country and if I need something I can buy it there. I often buy a complete wardrobe at a thrift store and discard items along the trip if they get dirty or damaged. I m a tourist so the idea of 'fitting in' at my destination is pretty much a joke and virtually no one is seeing me for more than a day at a time. Who cares? Learn a bit of the language of the country and I believe acceptance is a no brainer, show respect. Solid toiletries are the way to go. Hotels have almost anything one could want if forgotten. Pharmacies are everywhere. Enjoy without worries.

[@oliverzhao1005]

GOOD

[@DaneReidVoiceOver]

I’m team No Checked Bags.

[@jimfromburbankca5253]

Respectful disagreements here: 1. Cash will ALWAY be a good idea. Plastic works well in Europe and the USA/Canada, but try whipping out your Amex in the rest of the world. Further, every time you use the plastic, the LOCALS LOSE 3% to the USA Credit Card companies. 2. Downloading the boarding pass from the airline prior to arriving at the airport will save you a little time at CHECK-IN only. Later, when you arrive at the gate, they then call your name, and you have to go up to the counter and VERIFY your ID with your boarding pass. Either way, you will still need to stand in line and wait. I like to download the boarding pass online, and then grab a paper BACKUP when I check my bag. Also, some airlines (TAP) will not honor their own electronic boarding pass for international flights to the USA. You MUST have a physical pass from the airline staff after they check your passport. Its an FAA demand. (If you listened to Megans videos CAREFULLY, you would have heard her recommendation to always have BACKUP paper copies). 3. E-sims are wasteful and add another layer to your travel demands (these E-sim companies are just MIDDLE MEN). If the e-sim fails, then you are on the phone for hours getting the stupid thing to work. With a chip, you pop it in, and it works. If it does not, then you dont leave the store until they get it working. Also, with a chip, you can use the device, remove it, and then give it to the hotel staff as a GIFT with the remaining time and data. I did this in Lisbon, the the lady at the hotel let her daughter use the chip for about 2 extra months after I departed (she sent me an email). You cant do this with an E-sim. Just go to a phone store at the airport, get a nice data plan, and then gift the remaining time to the locals on departure. I will admit, however, that E-sims are a good solution if you are crossing numerous borders during one trip. Keep up the good work. Love your videos. Bon Voyage.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Thanks for those respectful disagreements! I love hearing other points of view 😇

[@kevlarcardhouse252]

That seems like a bizarre argument against esims. I've used them dozens of times and they always just work. They have also always been cheaper than the physical ones. Plus, if I need to use my home cell number for any reason, I don't have to physically remove and/or add a tiny card, I just change a phone setting.

[@MrWinelover1]

I agree, carry on is the go and most of my travel over the last few years is with only carry on, although with most Australian carriers and some others the maximum weight is 7kg. This is a bit of a challenge as the bag itself can weigh 3kg. I also carry a small camera (a Canon GX7 mk2) I was very fortunate to have this on my last trio as my phone's camera died so I was able to fall back to using the Canon.

[@jackieruprecht3588]

Carry on

[@melarch.5424]

Obviously you are not a photographer and do not carry 2 bodies, 3-4 lenses, a tripod, filters etc. 😀

[@rhett-BA-Lit.]

Minimalism is overrated. Like the old song says, Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. Computer makers need to standardize their connections to usb-c or something. You definitely don't want to pack more than you need, but you don't have to travel like a stowaway. If you're changing hotels every three days, you're going to fast. And I don't want to look like I just finished college, which for me was a long time ago. Nor do I want to look like a poor sailor with one green duffel bag. BTW, military pay is terrible, and they treat the workers (80%) like cr**. None of the training or experience transfers. I don't stay in hostels anymore either. They're not that great, at least those in Western Europe. They're sparsely furnished and you have to vacate the place most of the day for "cleaning." Bunk beds, that's about it. At most of them you can't go back during the day to change clothes or anything else. For any international trip I carry a 24-inch checked spinner, a small stackable carry-on with wheels, and a small backpack, the same small backpack I use everyday. Chances are remote that an airline will lose your checked bag, but it does happen. Take pictures of it and put a tracker in there. Cathay Pacific misplaced my bag for five days two years ago. If you want or need to put pricey electronics in a checked bag, you can buy extra insurance when you check in for your international flight. It's probably not worth going to Asia or even Europe for less than two weeks, which is another reason I have to take more than one backpack. If you ask me, Western Europe is overpriced and not what it's cracked up to be. I took a history course entitled History of Western Europe in college. That was in addition to Western Civ and American History. Last time I went to the UK, blue-collar security people were yelling at tourists like a drill sergeant. I thought they liked Americans before I went. A lot of them don't. I speak conversational French, but France is not much better. Some romantics will disagree. A number of French people under 30 called me queer. I'm not gay, and I don't look like an old queen at all. They also called me old man in French quite a few times. That really didn't apply either. Nevertheless I think Nice and southern France, aka PACA, is the most pleasant region with the least verbal abuse. If you've got to see Paris and the big radio tower, go there and get it out of your system. There are pickpockets around the tower, but otherwise it's not bad. The hotels will set you back. You need to know how to speak and read at least a little French, but suit yourself. Be adventurous. You won't be able to talk to a cab driver or read anything without translations. I didn't have as much trouble when I had a companion with me in France. I would avoid going to Europe alone. In general, people are much more polite and friendly in Asian countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. I don't get involved in politics. It's probably about the same everywhere in East Asia, including China. It's also much cheaper. An Android tablet or iPad is lighter than a laptop. RB

[@HarryOsirian]

Not a Schwab card!