12 Things Experienced Travelers Never Pack Anymore (Minimalist Packing Tips)

[@carlajones6616]

I went from a very large suitcase down to a carry-on. I documented everything I took with me, if I used it, I crossed it off the list, what ever was not crossed off didn't go with me the next trip.

[@susanwestfall2051]

Great idea! I travel carryon only, but there’s always room for improvement when it comes to packing.

[@brianmccarthy1322]

As a young man I would go for long hikes on The Ling Trail, The Appalachian trail etc. I kept a note book and pen in my backpack. Anything that was carried and never used was never carried again. The 10 essentials were NEVER eliminated, that would have been stupid. I apply the same rules to trips and cruises. Did two separate 14 day cruises recently with just a carry on.

[@claudiamiller7730]

Hair dryer - no. Heating pad? - Yes!! As a senior traveler encountering many different accommodations in my travels - nothing is worse, to me, than getting up in the A.M. with my back aching because of a wacky mattress. We all choose our travel battles based on our own needs. P.S. - I love traveling solo and my sweet hubby somewhat grudgingly puts up with it!!

[@brynblue93]

As a non-senior traveler with chronic pain (was just finally diagnosed with arthritis at 30 after years of pain), I agree! My heating pad went with me on my most recent road trip.

[@tbacon2784]

I saw a video once that siggested.taking a sari or two, they are thin, lightweight, and can be used in many ways. Use one as a towel, as a wrap on a slightly cool evening, as a swimsuit cover up, I even watched videos on folding and tying them into a purse, and a vest! I have used the purse, vest and even as a kind of dress... So a sari is very versatile!

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

That's a pretty handy hack! Thank you for sharing 😃

[@tbacon2784]

@@TravelTipsnHacks and I forgot to mention that it can also be used as a light bla6nket if you aren't too tall...

[@GalaxyFluke]

My neck pillow is hollow and I stuff/pack it with my clothes for 3 days 😊

[@divinias.a.1215]

Where dod you buy this at?

[@lynda.grace.14]

I've had my inflatable neck pillow for 26 years and it takes up no more space in my allowed personal item than a single sock. I also carry a Magic Bag which I can heat or freeze to soothe aches and pains on my journey in the personal item bag as no one weighs that. Once through security I put it into my carry-on suitcase. The key is to pack fewer clothes and less bulky ones. Going hardcore I take one bottom in addition to the one I wear. At most two if a skirt is necessary. Then eight tops, four of which I wear during the flight (a coat & down vest both with lots of pockets, cotton sweater, and tank top) . Layers are easily removed. Those pockets hold medications, eyeglasses, eye masks, ear plugs, passport & boarding pass along with my phone). That clears space for the rest of the four tops, two bottoms, plus yoga tights which can double as pajamas, more layers or exercise wear, in addition to socks, underwear and a second pair of shoes. I wear my heaviest shoes. This clothing can be styled any way I like depending on the season and activities of my trip: business, casual, sporty or elegant. The key is to choose items that will pair with every other item and are easy to launder. The 2 +8 system I learned online decades ago can take me weeks, even months. Tech and all the chargers takes up most of the weight and space allowed. I pack as much of that in the personal item rather than the suitcase in case I'm forced to check the carry-on. Even though I rarely use them, I never compromise on over the counter medications I might need when the language of my destination is not English. I made that mistake once, and I don't want to be dragging around looking for a drug store and trying to make my needs known when I feel unwell.

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

That's a very comprehensive and helpful advice. Thanks for sharing! 😃

[@elizabethwarick3042]

Pack for the weather at your destination. Many of my packing mistakes have arisen from not really understanding the climate where I was going. I thought May in Italy would be like spring in Canada. It was sweltering. I thought Vegas in November would be warm because it's in the south. They had snow for the first time in years when we toured the Grand Canyon. So check it out well in advance, and in the few days before you leave. Also a lot of places we've been do not have hair dryers so that's something to think about.

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

Very helpful advice! Thanks for sharing 😃

[@elnamayberry]

Thanks for the suggestions! E-sim cards sound great, but many phones aren't compatible - I'll have to stick with a physical sim card for now.

[@theea1985]

and it didn't really take space or weight kilos 😂😂😂, me also prefer sim card ❤

[@juanitahardy8583]

N travelling to an English speaking country I dont carry toiletries and cosmetics I buy them in arrival at a drugstore. I agree about wool socks. After 2 weeks I visit a laundromat and carry fewer clothes that way.

[@sonjastarr1364]

I always take my neck pillow. It helps so much on the drive and then i often use it to sleep on as the hotels pillows are almost always too thick.

[@ivoeduardosebendeazevedo8625]

In Brazil, at least two carriers offer phone plans with international use that cost less than a comparable foreign regional e-sim (for a month of use). I have used both Vivo and Claro, and they do work well in the Americas and in Europe.

[@DLWELD]

Some folks get "packable" neck pillows - just fill them with socks or other clothes.

[@jgheart3018]

it's amazing how beneficial this is to pack your "neck pillow" with small clothing items you were going to bring anyway, and the neck pillow is NOT counted as a carry-on piece of luggage. You can either wear it onto the plane/train or attach it to the handle of your carry-on luggage. You can then stuff it with your dirty clothes for the trip home 😁

[@danakolpin1289]

Merino Wool is great for traveling. Unbound Merino is great for travel.

[@nikij.6058]

Except they don’t have extended sizes. :(

[@alicejhanson86]

Allergic to wool..

[@mariettacole4076]

What was the suggested alternate to phone cards ?

[@toddkight7643]

The initial quip about neck pillows fails to factor in people like me who wear the neck pillow in coordination with walking instead of burdening my luggage tight allotments

[@peachtreelady]

Very informative and helpful. Thank you! :)

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

Glad you liked it!

[@paulyule7413]

The part about getting money abroad does not comport with my experience. After over decades trying most everything out, for Oman you use your credit card at the ATM in a bank that you have checked for fees. The three biggest banks in Oman had the same exchanges rates. ATMs in strange places (e.g. in stores) are more expensive. Airport ATMs are expensive. The most expensive solution is to buy Omani currency from my Sparkasse bank in Germany.

[@MsSlb2012]

Not enough people explain that if you can’t unlock your phone, you can’t use an eSIM. If you’re still paying off your phone, your phone company won’t allow you to unlock it. An eSIM sounds great, it I found out that I can’t unlock my phone. 😢

[@uncaboat2399]

Also, there is usually a place at the destination where you can do laundry, so you can bring less underwear. Just bring a little laundry detergent in a sandwich bag, to avoid what will probably be a huge price buying it there.

[@peggywoods4327]

You can buy laundry soap in sheets now. You can get a small package of ten at Dollar Tree. It's the only laundry soap I use now, so I have it at home and just put what I need in a ziplock bag.

[@tamarlindsay8382]

What was the black and gold thing in the thumbnail?

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

looks like a sim card for a mobile phone ( mostly an ad )

[@marycarla6245]

I cannot find the international phone app you mentioned. Olaf? Do you have a link you can post?

[@rich4thestarz]

I have a feeling it's Holafly, but I could be wrong. 🤷‍♂️

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

That is correct! It's Holafly 😀

[@grantw7]

Great video. These are perfect tips. I have always only used carry on, even when going for a whole month.

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jheldal]

Not all advises are good. Pack less to avoid extra fees but instead buy what you miss at your location! So, where are the savings? You save a fee in the airport, but spend more at your destination.

[@TravelTipsnHacks]

Fair point. My suggestion was mostly to do with offloading those items which will cost you lesser to purchase at the destination than the fee you'd pay at the airport.

[@mioangel1227]

And spend time on your vacation! 😂

[@wotan5665]

And then what do you do with the new purchases when it's time to return? Pack them (if you have the space) and pay the fee on the way back? Or throw them away?

[@patricka.crawley6572]

Take....not bring.