8 Things Experienced Travelers No Longer Pack (and you shouldn't either)

[@PortableProfessional]

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[@bearlycountry2406]

I agreed with everything except the travel scale. We check our luggage and I like to buy souvenirs, the travel scale gives me peace of mind. I pack it on the trip and we shuffle things around our suitcases depending on what the travel scale says.

[@jendotcohen]

100% agree! 👍

[@nyc1164]

I agree. You're not going to find scales in your hotel.

[@R0swell5104]

Agree with you. I find the travel scale far easier and more convenient to use than the bathroom ones and far less time consuming.

[@user-vp5fm3yc2l]

Certainly necessary when travelling with Ryanair etc

[@mattlawrence7130]

I find a travel scale to be very useful. Many overseas flights limit the weight of my carry on bag. For that matter, just keeping my checked bag below the limit can be challenging. I often travel for a month at a time.

[@DennisMatheson]

The trick with a travel pillow is that you don't put it around the back of your neck. You put it around the *front*, with the opening in back. That way, when you doze off, your chin doesn't sink down into your chest. Between it and the headrest on the seat, it keeps your head more upright.

[@kathyscholten5369]

It also doesn’t count against allowed carryon. I remove the foam and put my puff jacket inside so that I don’t have to pack my jacket and the case is flat in my suitcase white at my destination. I also put my tray pocket holder inside of the case with my jacket for easy access once I sit down and buckle up.

[@sonyavs455]

While I agree that a bag can be weighed on a bathroom scale at home, a luggage scale is good to have for the RETURN flight, when you will not have access to said bathroom scale. The return home is also where those plastic compression bags, (at least one), can come in handy for compressing DIRTY clothes, where creasing won’t be an issue - and perhaps making room for bringing back some vacation purchases. (For which that luggage scale will come in handy to make sure your bag isn’t too heavy.) 😉

[@shodanki3736]

for me also it is for the return flight if you can bring 30 kilo back but you have only 18 you know ;)

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Actually knowing the weight of your luggage is not that important. If you are using RyanAir then just hitting the counter with an over-weight bag will make you CONSIDERABLY lighter! 😱🙄

[@shodanki3736]

@@theoztreecrasher2647 yep but if you make a flight form home back were you live and want to bring as much as possible and legal spices and herbs you can not get were you flying you want to pack you luggage with no space left ;)

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@shodanki3736 Not dead certain there me old mate. But I think that you have both missed the joke and (from the poor grammar/spelling etc in your post) I suspect that you have been also partaking too freely of the "exotic herbs and spices"! 🙄

[@zareien2290]

You can ALWAYS find a luggage scale or bathroom scale at whatever hotel you stay at

[@OneKillQuota]

I use a passport cover all the time. It's fantastic as a travel wallet specifically for travel centric documents. Sure, you have to remove the passport, but from an organizational standpoint, it works great. Can keep passport, Vaxx cards, luggage tags, car park tags, tickets and ticket stubs...and any other number of travel documents handy and well kept/organized while traveling.

[@CABNoLimit]

Agree. I put my travel documents in my passport holder including my Nexus card. Keeps me organized.

[@joannemcclelland5271]

I really like my passport cover because it’s bright yellow. It is super easy for me to spot. I don’t mind take it out prior to presenting it to an agent. I have it ready when I get to the counter.

[@kitkat5339]

Agree. I use mine to organize all my travel docs. And anyone who takes as long to remove their passport as Portable Professional indicates likely shouldn’t be traveling. It’s no harder than removing money or credit cards from a wallet.

[@ULTRAV1OLE7]

I chose to get a passport cover for my first time travelling because it's going to provide me ONE PLACE to put my documentation. I'm a very anxious person by nature, and this is my first time travelling both alone and internationally. If I have one place to put every piece of documentation (passports, IDs, student visas, boarding passes) I am far less likely to lose anything in my anxiety ridden state. I'm gonna be terrified anyway so I'm probably gonna get searched, what's the harm in having a little piece of leather for organization's sake 🤣

[@danielmattern3465]

100% agree. I keep additional documents inside the cover AND the cover keeps my passport clean and tidy. It is true that airlines and security don't like them - but I always remove the passport before interacting with these folks. They may not appreciate this fact but handing them a passport that isn't beat up, smeared, and smudged seems like a courtesy. After these interactions, I return my passport to its cover for safekeeping in between flights etc. Covers don't weigh much and are not really a burden.

[@lauranieto1895]

I agree about the vacuum sealed bags causing wrinkles; however, I pack an empty vacuum seal bag to use for my dirty clothes on the way back. It saves space if I buy stuff on my trip.

[@PortableProfessional]

What a great idea, Laura!

[@kristenliebsch5598]

Brilliant! New hack!

[@rickthibodeau9172]

Great idea! Also, if you had one last dip in the pool and are packing damp items, the vacuum seal backs can contain the moisture

[@wabisabi6248]

agree with this to some extent. hotel eco laundry bags are more often preferable for dirty laundry.

[@grantw7]

Thanks Laura. Now I have a use for those bags that I too quickly found to be useless.

[@wynettehutson5467]

I use my quick dry towel a lot. It can be my blanket if I’m cold, my pillow when folded if I’m sleepy and dry me if I’m wet. Multi use item! Love your channel.

[@janefreeman995]

I bring a super lightweight sheer cotton sarang... its a quick dry towel, beachwear cover-up, bottom sheet, privacy screen ....

[@timgillman]

There's a frood who really knows where her towel is. -Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

[@ruthhurley800]

A Turkish towel is great. I use it as a blanket on the plane and on the beach. It washes easily and dries fast.

[@calliopemuse6724]

​@@ruthhurley800 I second the cotton Turkish towel. Lightweight & some come with little pockets for your stuff if you go to the beach or pool. Those microfiber 'travel' towels are awful tho. Going to a store to buy a towel doesn't always fit into the travel plans.

[@HawaiiDave]

I find the suitcase scale to be very useful. It’s so small and very accurate. We buy a ton of stuff when we travel and we take it right up to the 50 pound limit. We’ve also flown on Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines where they actually weighed carry on bags. So unless you’re flying without checked baggage or in Business Class with a 70 pound limit, I think the strap type luggage scale is essential.

[@cazgreene3055]

My travel scale has been a lifesaver and my memory foam Cabeau neck pillow does not push your head forward at all, and rolls up into a small pouch. As a person who suffers migraines and painful neck/shoulders this has been an absolute blessing, especially on the long flights we Aussies have to make to go anywhere! I also disagree with not taking a Lonely Planet guidebook (in paper form) - they are worth their weight in gold and have everything you need to know in one up to date book without needing to use your data or battery power constantly to look up things online.

[@ellecievee4428]

I'm a frequent flyer and I fill the small plastic containers from larger containers to take along moisturiser, toner, etc on my flights so that everything is there in my liquid and gel bag. Sometimes, my brands are not available at my destination or the travel size purchases cost an arm and a leg. Just ensure that the plastic containers and jars are sturdy and not soft & breakable. To prevent leaks, I cover the openings of containers with a double layer (tear a strip & fold over) of cling film, before twisting the cap over. To prevent contamination, leave the cling film in the lid or cap. Bin it when you're home. Doing it for more than 3 decades and never had a leak ever, even with cabin pressure.

[@conniekershaw4412]

I dothe same with cling wrap. No leaks.

[@MKristen702]

Well, I travel with most of these things and many of them are a “must have” for me. I like a brightly colored passport case so I can easily find it in my crossbody bag. I’m always obsessively checking to make sure I have my passport and a quick glance at the cover gives me peace of mind.

[@PortableProfessional]

That's great! I love the bright colored passport cover idea!

[@claytonberg721]

I have a belroy passport photo wallet. It's not cheap, but it's a buy it for life type of item.

[@SLOBeachboy]

I’ve personally never understood the utility of a passport cover/holder, as they would seem to cause more problems than they solve. Its kind of like how the drivers license pocket on your wallet is completely useless because anytime you show your ID they are going to want you to take it out anyway, despite the fact that it can be read through the clear plastic. A passport/travel document wallet on the other hand is something I have always found to be very useful in my travels and I have been using one for more than 30 years now. These are typically about twice the length of a passport, which allows them to hold a typical bording pass without having to fold it. They also have many other pockets for various travel documents. I like to be very organized when I travel and as such I like to keep all my important documents in one place where I can get to them very quickly. I even keep my hotel reservation documents in it. Of course its less of a necessity these days as most of that stuff is kept on our phones but I still like to keep paper copies just in case.

[@CraigActons]

I got a plastic passport cover for mine after the British Immigration interrogate me over "what have you done to her majesty's property?" (It was a bit dog-earred etc)

[@justjan1]

I never got a passport holder.. wish I did because I travel frequently and the whole of the front is now faded

[@keithjohnson2863]

I use a neck pouch to carry my passport and travel documents. It's easy to take the passport out and put it back as needed and its great for holding my boarding pass for the walk between the gate and the plane. I'm never physically separated from my passport. When I'm on the plane my pouch is under my zipped up hoodie. It's lightweight and comfortable, I can wear it for the duration of a 20 hour (door to door) overseas trip.

[@lisaphares2286]

I wear one too! Bf who travels a lot said you look like a tourist to which I responded I am! It’s rfid so it protects my cc info and at destination i tuck the strap in and it serves as my wallet and has some local money and health cards along with my passport.

[@brunochambre]

I have used a neck pouch for 40 years on my many travels world wide. Easy to get my passport and Global access in and out.

[@ulvesparker]

Yes! I figure out of sight, out of mind as far as thieves. I put it in one place, no where else, and I can physically feel it on my person. Reassuring . I also photograph my picture page, as well as every other travel document, ID, and prescription (including eyeglasses) as a back-up since it costs nothing.

[@giantskunk]

I travel with kids and a modest sized travel towel is a must have for the inevitable spills, messy food and other clean ups. Plus, always know where your towel is!

[@lisaphares2286]

I guess not too many people understand that reference….

[@jb03hf]

Only a froopy dude gets this reference.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Great tips as always, but as one who nearly always checks a bag, especially when I’m going from Italy to America and back again, bringing souvenirs and gifts to the states and then buying things like extra pairs of jeans for $35-$40 instead of over $100 in Italy, the luggage scale is a lifesaver. My checked bag is always exactly 50 pounds or 23 kg. In fact, on my last trip from California back to Italy, I almost bought a second suitcase and would’ve paid $100 additional, but with the scale I loaded my large carry-on with the lightest and bulkiest items, bringing it up to 50 pounds, and then managed to cram another 50 pounds in my backpack, which was a “personal item” and was never checked, and the rest in my carry-on. But some European airlines will check carry-on items for weight. I even had them check my carry-on items on a flight on KLM from San Francisco to Amsterdam and they wanted $100 because it was overweight. Even when I protested that this was not a small airplane and my carry-on met their size limits, they wouldn’t budge. Although they did offer me business class for $400 which included the weight, a much better seat, better food, and then I went in to their included airport lounge and ate at least $50 worth of shrimp cocktails. 😊

[@PortableProfessional]

You certainly make a valid point for having that scale! Love the way you made the best of your overweight carry on situation though! Happy travels, Nathan!

[@litasanford7595]

FYI tip. A guy I know was a overweight on his suitcase. He opened it and started putting on extra clothes. He had 3 shirts on, swimming trunks over his jeans, 2 hats, and 2 jackets. It worked!

[@daylightdaylight6612]

KLM does this always with the carry on on their flights. That is a reason for not flying with KLM

[@cathiek8028]

There are certain guidebooks that I still find very useful, including those written by Rick Steves. You can also cut out only the pages you need for a particular trip, thus reducing any extra weight or space. Also, phones don't work everywhere and can stop working for all kinds of reasons. Books don't break . . ever (and don't need to be charged). And it's not a big deal if you lose your guidebook. Happy travels. :)

[@deniseballard4593]

Agreed!

[@clarkcalabrese292]

You are correct. Even Rick Steves said to cut out the pages you need to that you will need.

[@LiseShehan]

If you are not touring with a paid guide you better have a guidebook or you will be burning data on your phone which can be extremely expensive. I never travel without these books and refuse to be away from home dependent on technology to keep me from being lost.

[@janined5784]

Travel pillows are definitely a no-no. They are bulky to carry around. What I do is take a pillow case which I can stuff with my polar fleect jacket and pummel it into the shape I want as a sleep pillow with neck support. It also means I don't have to rest my head on the seat's headrest that a million other people have used before me. Eeeuuu. A pillow case is easy to store in my suitcase when not needed. It is easy to wash. I can use it in my hotel room too. On the return trip I can use it to store dirty clothes in, separate from clean one. A most versatile invention - the humble, but handy pillow case!

[@trekkie-cat]

I don't care. My travel pillow comes with me!

[@roxyragamuffin]

The vacuum bag can be super helpful if you are traveling to different climates and you want to collapse a puffy coat or jacket. I traveled to London, Zurich, Athens, Crete, and Berlin on one trip last year (bouncing from city to city over three weeks) and was so thankful I had the vacuum bag to collapse down my coat that I needed to go up into the snowy Alps. When you are packing warm clothes for cold weather and bikinis for beach weather all one one trip, those bags can really help save the day to help minimize the fluffy, bulky stuff!

[@timgillman]

I emptied my travel neck pillow and stuff my down jacket in that. Yes, it gets wrinkled, but I don't care.

[@jacquiet6040]

Thx for the great tips.

[@franc9111]

I disagree about guidebooks. I use them all the time. Quite often they are pocket-sized and their design and layout have become extremely practical. They have been compiled by experts and can save you a lot of time. You can decide which one suits you at your leisure before you go away on holiday. They're also good as a reminder of what you have done. Flashing a smartphone around trying to where you are or attempting to look through endless lists of tourist sites or restaurants means that you're not paying any attention to what's going on around you. That probably means you're spending more time looking at your smartphone than at the place and the people you're travelled such a long way to see, worse it also signals visually that you're an easy target for thieves.

[@dkmm5037]

Agree totally. That’s a very personal choice. I’ve found them to b very reliable and don’t always want to use online. I make notes in it to refer back to when I’m compiling my photo book or writing in my journal. Much nicer that referring back and forth on my phone. AND they don’t use up the battery. Some guide books are better than others...

[@brunochambre]

I find guide books often more helpful than the paid advertising orientated internet.

[@zareien2290]

A guidebook makes you a prime target for pickpocketing and scams

[@clarkcalabrese292]

Even Rick Steves said to cut out pages that you will did (sites you most likely to visit). No need to carry the whole guidebook for they are heavier and add unnecessary weight to your travels.

[@casaraku1]

and out of date at publishing...

[@patrickdeady410]

Just a note: I love your channel and the info you provide is awesome! However, not all travelers have phone plans that can be used overseas. Therefore, they can not access apps or the internet when traveling outside the US!! Thanks for being a trusted source of info!

[@PortableProfessional]

Hi Patrick! So great to know you enjoy the channel and I really appreciate this comment. I do not have a phone plan that can be used overseas either and totally understand the struggle! I will always buy a local sim or an esim to access internet while outside of Canada. I know these options are not always possible depending on budget and phone type. Do what works for you- even if that’s a guidebook! Good luck and safe travels. Great to have you on the channel 😇

[@lesliedawson7364]

Before I travel I call my carrier and ask. Last year when I went to Ireland they offered a $10 a day plan (only charged if used) that worked perfectly for me. My 10 day trip was $50 since I used wifi as much as I could

[@TKDDLJ09]

@@lesliedawson7364 Wow that is expensive. You could have gotten a sim card in Ireland with free data for €20 or so.

[@lesliedawson7364]

@@TKDDLJ09 true but this way I don’t have to worry about needing multiple cards for multiple places and having to worry about will the card I have work for the entire area I’m visiting

[@TKDDLJ09]

@@lesliedawson7364 is your phone new enough for an e-sim. They seem to be really great if the reviews are to be believed. 😂 I wish I had a phone that could do e-sim, but it can't. It can only do 2 sim cards. So it's pretty easy for me to just buy one when I get there and poo in with mine 😂

[@zedzott6301]

I travel with a wash cloth size travel towel which comes in handy in countries that don’t provide them in hotels, hot climates where I get a bit sweaty and various forms of transportation where people have spilled their beverages on me (so many airline spills). I keep it in my day bag/carry-on.

[@ronmexico9631]

I like my passport case. Fits in nicely, protects it and mine has a little pen so I always have that when I need to fill out paperwork.

[@melhenline8438]

Happy to hear that. I just bought one for an upcoming trip and I was getting worried that I'd wasted my money!

[@janewelsh6062]

Also, Americans could maybe benefit by being more discreet about their passport / nationality when travelling in sensitive places

[@ronmexico9631]

@@janewelsh6062 Back in the day, everyone used to sew a Canada flag badge to their backpack throughout Europe.

[@philosophynerdlady]

I love mine, too! I use it on every trip and lately have been using it as a wallet. It's pretty easy to just take your passport out before you get to the agent.

[@gloxton]

I love my extra large lightweight travel towel. It's perfect for the beach or pool and takes up so little room. You need to pat yourself dry rather than rub but it works perfectly. Wouldn't be without it now.

[@dennisspackman7147]

I like to take a guide book as I tend to travel for months at a time within a given country or region. I find them full of lots of useful information especially for first visits. Sure some of the prices and specific information can change between time of research and publication but I find the general information helpful and convenient for trip planning and provides a lot of information that you can’t find or are not even aware of online.

[@Gurkha9]

I agree with all except the luggage scale. The airlines I fly to Asia or within Asia often have a 7kg carry on limit and I don't always have a bathroom scale available whenever travelling. A portable hand held scale has saved me $ and has been fairly accurate!

[@PortableProfessional]

I can see how it would be useful for you. Thanks for watching!

[@cynthiaduncan9916]

I take a small scale with me for extended trips abroad because I take a checked bag and there's a weight limit. You can't rely on hotels or airbnbs to have a bathroom scale. It has saved me time, anxiety, and money to weigh my suitcase before going to the airport so I sail through check in without having to remove things from the suitcase. I agree that if you're taking only a carry on and going for a short time you probably don't need one, especially if you don't buy anything while you're away.

[@dkmm5037]

I’ve NEVER seen a bath scale in a hotel room!

[@DavidWood2]

@@dkmm5037 I had one in the last hotel room I was in (Grand Hyatt Berlin), though it was under the suitcase stand for some reason. As you say, bathroom scales are not an item you can rely on having, even in a five-star hotel.

[@finkelisb5754]

I carry a cotton sarong (thin giant scarf) with me to use as towel, blanket, scarf, skirt, impromptu bag, sleeves, etc. Also Turkish hamam towels are so thin and lightweight...they dry quickly and can be used for many purposes.

[@victoriadell614]

Thanks Megan - I agree with all of these - mostly. I would add that super heavy thing that keeps people from breaking into your room. 1 - It's too heavy, 2 - What if you are having an emergency and the staff needs to get in? I tried packing my bag this year with cubes - too bulky. I went back to my compression bags. Clearly I don't care if my clothes are creased. Ha ha . . . On the guide books, I'm split. If my phone is stolen, I'm screwed - so I like back up. I work in print. We have these giant cutters. So . . . I cut the back of the book off. Take the cover, just the pages I need, the back, and re-bind them back together into a fraction of the size. If someone else wanted to do this, a Kinkos generally has a large enough cutter. And you could just staple the key pages or use duct tape to rebind the edges. :-)

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks so much for your comments, Victoria! Always love to hear what viewers think and what works for them!

[@jodpigbass5904]

I write everything down plus all my extra notes and put it in a folder and take that with me.. I have been asked several times if i am a travel agent .....

[@jackiedent3923]

​@@jodpigbass5904 I do "The Folder" too, it's a trip saver to have everything in one place and be able to keep my phone secure while I'm distracted looking for info.

[@jodpigbass5904]

@@jackiedent3923 that is so great.. I am surprised more people don't do it..

[@Elizabeth-490]

I can’t read the bathroom scale when I’m standing on it with my suitcase in front of me. Scale is nice. I like to browse guidebooks while I’m on the trip because you don’t have to look at a screen. But I follow Rick Steve’s advice a tear out , staple and bring just the pages I’ll want to refer to. Thanks for great video!

[@Vromiaris778]

Luggage scale is a life saver for me since I always check in a bag when visiting family in Europe. Also - I have had both my carry on and my personal items weighed in the past 5 years by 2 different airlines (Condor & Aegean) - penny pinching airlines will come after every penny of yours they can get their hands on and your luggage weight is a prime target!

[@bangalorebobbel]

Totally agree, all what you said is right. Good to see a video where we are not motivated to purchase but told what better not to purchase ;-) People often seem to take camping gear for travel gear, maybe that is the reason for packing things like travel towels or shampoo and toothpaste and hooks and hangers and what not else into their luggage, ignoring the fact that you don't need such things during the travel itself and get them in every little hotel for free use and if not, you can get them at the next corner store.

[@frenchfry7640]

I packed a blanket and my pillow in a vacuum sealed bag to save on space since I'm very particular with stuff i sleep on. It helped a lot

[@R0swell5104]

How do you pack them again when coming home?

[@MsRotorwings]

@@R0swell5104 There are bags that you zip tight and roll out the air that are just as good as the vacuum sealed bags for travel.

[@julieanncheshire9960]

You are on point here. I do still buy travel guidebooks, because I am old and for me research is half the fun of the trip. When I first lived overseas the internet was not a thing. I will either copy or scan a few key pages and leave the book at home or take it with me at leave it at the destination for future travelers. I realize this is not the most efficient choice, but it works for me. A lot of my travel these days is meeting up with salsa dance friends for events around the world--I am always the person who has the best broad knowledge of a place and I do not miss out on important things. For example, I went to Barcelona last September and knew I needed Sagrada Familia tickets in advance. Most of my friends missed out because they didn't read a guidebook...or the internet!...ahead of time.

[@jodpigbass5904]

I love guide books too - i just don't take them with me....

[@kateM52]

I personally would have told my friends they needed to do this !!

[@2Travelis2Live]

I totally use my luggage scale. I usually check my bags, and weighing myself is traumatic. I agree mostly with these items, especially those neck pillows.

[@PortableProfessional]

The scale is definitely a popular item among viewers!

[@betzy7514]

I only recently bought a luggage scale and have used it MANY times and also lent it to my fellow travelers when packing for the return trip. I also took it with me to the stores when shopping for new luggage, since not all suitcases specify the item’s weight on the tags. I will not be donating my scale.

[@PortableProfessional]

Glad you have found it useful! Great idea to bring it when shopping for luggage!

[@jayhulrs1435]

I love my luggage scale. I can’t see the scale when I’m holding my suitcase. And I hate weighing myself

[@papadougpapadougsadventures]

I do have a passport cover and I use it to keep my Vacination card and my passport together as I recently lost my vaccination card on a trip to the Philippines. Fortunately it was found. In addition I keep my international drivers license in it as well.

[@finkelisb5754]

I have a travel pillow that's filled with the tiny stryo balls. It's super lightweight and plyable. I use it in hotel rooms as an extra pillow while reading / scrolling...or in the small of my back for long bus rides. They can be attached to the outside of your personal bag and do not count as an item. Some people fill theirs with clothing to save on space...but airlines are checking / refusing the obvious ones.

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate your comments!

[@danaschulz8441]

I do have a camera backpack as I have camera and lenses that are well beyond what a phone camera can do. While phone cameras have improved; try blowing a picture up and see what you get. If you only intend to keep the pictures on your phone they are fine…

[@denisescull4227]

I agree %100 with each item you mentioned. Another waste of money were the different "hidden" money holders. I found a small zipper coin purse the size of my credit cards that can also hold cash and a chapstick. I tuck it in my bra directly under the strap and it stays put and is easy to discreetly take out when necessary. My grandmother used a baby sock in the same way😊 Thanks for sharing, you are spot on!

[@onebagdash]

Keeping the passport inside a sandwich ziploc bag (without the sandwich) has worked wonders for me!

[@PortableProfessional]

Haha! Great idea!

[@R0swell5104]

Same here, and it protects the passport from accidental spills.

[@stanleymmcgregor196]

Yes I do this and keeps it clean

[@mattlawrence7130]

Note to self - eat the sandwich first...

[@sweetsimpleslowlife2709]

@@mattlawrence7130 😂😂😂

[@charlesoxley7242]

I agree with most of what you said, with the exception of the vacuum bags and camera. I have found that vacuum bags save a ton of space in my suitcase. Wrinkles are not an issue, as I immediately hang up the clothes upon arrival; also, a bottle of wrinkle-release will work wonders. With regard to a camera, as someone who does video semi-professionally, a good travel camera for me is a necessity.

[@scorpiogirl4444]

I can’t live without my neck pillow for travel even shorter flights. It gets small in its stuff sack. I have a bad neck. It keeps me from hurting in my neck as bad. I have a big Turkish towel i use either as a large scarf or shawl on the plane. It acts as a blanket, shawl, drying towel, or something to sit in while outdoors. It has so many uses i take it whenever i travel anywhere

[@joehall7883]

Can you share the name and source of the big Turkish towel?

[@heatherframpton9693]

I agree about a Turkish Towel! It is part of my travel packing or every travel day use! This multi-use item is different from a smaller travel towel.

[@Angela-jf1vy]

Luggage scale is a must have especially nowadays when most airlines charge for even a checked bag!

[@rogerp7030]

Thanks again for more travel advice. I still think the passport holder is useful to protect and organize my passport, pen and other documents. My passport easily slips out when going through customs, inspections, etc. I also get good use out of my travel scale. But everything else you mentioned, I've never brought with me or don't bring anymore.

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks for sharing, Roger!

[@crazy4beatles]

My quick dry towel is a must for me since I mainly stay at hostels. But even if I'm staying at someone's home or couch surfing it's one less thing my hosts have to do for you. It's definitely not going to be a plush experience but it does the job of drying me and my mid back length hair. Drying quick is so helpful when going from one place to the next because a normal towel will get damp smelling, stinking up my other clothes and is just heavy and bulky.

[@PortableProfessional]

They are some good reasons to have that quick dry towel packed! Happy travels!

[@heidi8825]

We use our luggage scale and never travel without it, especially for international or European flights. Too many airlines have both carry-on and checked baggage weight limits.

[@leeannkleine6120]

I received a passport cover, but I had so much trouble getting my passport to fit inside, I dumped it. I bought an RFID sleeve to slide my passport in. I take it out, and hand it to the agent so that I don’t hold up the line. The luggage scale is also very useful, especially if traveling overseas. I sure like being able to avoid fees for overweight bags whenever possible.

[@WiseFamin]

This is the main reason I use a passport cover--RFID protection. Just make sure it's convenient for you to take your passport out quickly when you need to (ie, that it fits your passport)!

[@AnnelisR]

I get why neck pillows would be annoying but I notice that everyone uses it wrong - the button part is supposed to be behind your neck. That way it actually supports you :)

[@laurabutera749]

Yep. The rounded part goes under your chin.

[@jayhulrs1435]

Whoa life changer

[@c4l977]

I didn't know! I'm going to try it on my upcoming trip.

[@tinawhynot8893]

Totally agree with all your picks, except the travel scale - that is useful to have for the return flight!

[@liztomelden9673]

I had a cover made and I love it! It keeps my passport, boarding pass intact. Holding it is not a problem since it keeps nosy people from seeing which country you are from.

[@PortableProfessional]

The passport cover is popular with viewers! Hang onto your special one, Liz!

[@RymVri108]

I'm a professional photographer and videographer. I don't take my camera with me on trips unless it's specifically a trip for filming. I just use my phone and a travel tripod. I also ditched my neck pillow...sort of. I took out the foam pillow, and I stuffed an extra jacket in it instead. That way I can bring more of what I need with me even if it doesn't fit in my suitcase. I'd only use vacuum packs for moving, not traveling. You need fewer things than you think for traveling. I did just buy a travel scale since the airline I'm flying does have carry-on weight limits, but I don't know if they actually check the weight.

[@suewolf3279]

I'm glad you said "most" people don't need a luggage scale. Well, I am one of them that definitely needs the luggage scale. Every foreign airline that I have been on has a weight limit for carry-on and personal item carry on. Additionally, my luggage will always weight different on my return trip, and there are no bathroom scales in the hotels

[@rickr327]

Every plastic bottle I ever bought leaked. However I now buy 100 ml travel mouthwash. Throw out travel mouthwash, clean out the bottle, and use that. Never leaks. Cleaning is changeling as you thoroughly clean the bottle and then set it out open for several weeks to get rid of the minty smell. Also I use a passport Holder as I have my passport, my expired passport with an unexpired visa, my COVID vaccination card, and when in Hong Kong you get an entry document that you must show as you leave. Love your videos Megan.

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@blakebella2273]

Years ago I acquired a thin, very lightweight leather passport case, with not deep inside pockets, which makes it very easy the "task" of removing the passport, and also protects it. I never even considered purchasing any of the other items, as I thought them wasting weight and space. Even with all the purchases made each trip (3 -4 a year) , never had a weight problem. Thank you for sharing your knowledge..it's greatly apreciated .. also, Happy and Safe travels👍😁💖

[@PortableProfessional]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@billl7085]

I have used my travel scale for EVERY trip, either I can transfer items from the heavy suit case to the lighter one or I will be prepared for an extra charge for an over weight case.

[@PortableProfessional]

If you are making use if it then you should keep brining it! Happy travels!

[@martinabest5801]

I love my packable microfibre towels and find them just as absorbent as a regular towel. I use my XXL one as a beach blanket, a quick makeshift skirt/dress/cover-up, a blanket while flying as I find the ones airlines provide too short. As far as a scale, hotels don't have them. I keep my luggage scale in my luggage.

[@PortableProfessional]

These are some great tips for using a microfiber towel! Thanks for sharing!

[@cherylkavanagh3387]

I agree with all, with the exception of passport covers and travel scales. The passport cover that I have holds additional items (so keeps me organized) and it is very easy to remove the passport from it when necessary. I bought a travel scale when I first traveled to France for two weeks. It was small, accurate and simple to use. I was able to properly pack (both coming and going) and there were no surprises or last minute re-packing because I misjudged the weight. And yes, my carry on bags were weighed.

[@Stormbrise]

My husband had bought a neck pillow, that was filled with styrofoam beans, that deflated and has been worthless since that trip. I buy small pillows from IKEA to take on a plane with me, and if I forget it on the plane (have done this). It’s less than 2 bucks that I forgot. Travel scales are a must for traveling to and from the EU where they weight everything even your freaking carry on, and personal item bags.

[@lindapark8467]

The scale is one of my favorite travel accessories! It was very valuable on a trip to Australia where the Australian airlines had strict weight limits for carryon luggage. As I bought souvenirs, I needed to shuffle items around.

[@Lulaluna603]

Passport covers are good for keeping everything together, obviously don’t hand the whole thing over, just take out the passport when it needs to be scanned. A lot of airlines in Europe and Asia weigh carry on bags so a tiny portable scale is useful in those situations, not all hotels have bathroom scales. I also actually prefer vacuum compression bags for dirty laundry but they are also useful for packing things like sweaters and thick clothing. Almost all hotels have irons so I’m never worried about wrinkled clothes.

[@ulvesparker]

I really max my luggage weight limits, especially when I am coming home from my Christmas vacation. For me, the few ounces of a scale are almost indispensable and have saved me lots of money in overage fees. But, yeah, I can see how for most travellers it is superfluous. I learned from my military years to catch my z's anywhere, anytime, in any position. I only use my self-made neck pillow with a zipper compartment to bring extra stuff as it is not counted by the airline as a bag. That is the same for hip packs and travel vests. My default item inside my neck pillow is my large silk square which is like a 12-in-1 travel tool. But it is good for holding any quick access in-flight items which are soft or compressible i.e. down vest, packets of nuts, squishy ear plugs, microfiber or viscose towel, gel eye mask, even rolled paperwork. I had this nice Polartec fleece vest with a stand-up collar which was getting worn out. So I just cut off the collar part because it had a fastex clasp and a zipper pocket (for a hood) which accessed the hollow interior. I do not know what other passengers consider priorities, but I often see the passengers with the huge noise canceling headphones (which is ok) that occupy half their hand baggage space with even larger semi-rigid protective cases for those headphones. Maybe their headphones are expensive, delicate prized possessions, but sacrificing so much space seems a waste to me. Hair dryers. Especially full-size ones. And travel irons. At most good hotels these are standard amenities. And I know I am risking drawing flak for this current fad, but those huge metal drinking cups or thermos bottles for carrying water (Stanley, Yeti). I know hydration is important, it saves money, it saves the planet, it makes you look trendy, but is it really worth it to have one of your two available hands occupied holding this chunk of metal? I re-use a clear plastic bottle and it sits, hands free, in my water bottle pocket on my daypack. And I don't worry about losing a $50+ container.

[@Cindymeetsworld]

This neck pillow idea is brilliant!!! I’m always looking for stuff like this. I have a cloth neck pillow that I never use so I’m going to take the foam out and fill it with a jacket or travel towel. This is just so cool. Thanks and happy trails!

[@tanzanite8908]

I have a passport holder. It stays in my lock box when I am not travelling as I keep passports, nexus cards, and any other travel docs in it . When I am ready to travel I just have to pull out what I need to drop into my purse. At least this way when I get ready for a trip I’m not digging through piles of docs, I just grab the holder and take what I need as everything is in one spot, including an envelope of us coins for toll roads…

[@fionavirginia]

Guilty as charged here. I’ve been gifted (and bought myself) useless passport covers, neck pillows and guide books, however, I do use and bring luggage scale in my trips too. Can’t rely on bathroom scales and not every hotel has one. I find it very useful to have one.

[@AafkeArt]

I have a trtle neck pillow which is really a brace in a scarf and it is awesome. I use it on long car trips too and I use it sitting on my couch. It fits easily in a small corner of your bag. Some budget lines consider a pillow a "personal item" now. In Europe all your luggage is weighed and a luggage scale will give you great peace of mind and save you tons of money.

[@zoepetra]

i suggest bringing a pillow full of clothes because you don’t have to pay!😂

[@PortableProfessional]

Very clever ,Zoe!

[@Sypherz]

I disagree about the neck pillowl. I flew from Vancouver to Australia. I got a neck pillow as a gift and decided to bring it. What a life saver! I forgot about it at first, then woke up with a really stiff painful neck and remembered I had brought it with. No issues after that! And I even convinced my travel companion to get one after they tried mine. They loved theirs too. Just remember, move the pillow around to best support your neck - the bulky part behind your neck is not usually the best way to use it! I also somewhat disagree about the towel. I use a sari instead. They are very versatile, dry really quickly, and take up very little room in your bag. Even when I'm at a hotel that supplies towels, I have used it for the beach, as a head covering against the sun, as a make-shfit top or bottom. to cover my face to sleep if there is light, as a pillow, as a scarf, and as a light blanket if it's hot. The rest - I agree!

[@stanislas4990]

Passport covers are very useful as your passport will stay in good condition with a cover. Otherwise it will not. Just remove your passport from its cover when you need to show it for check-in or to the customs. Travel guides are not perfect, but nonetheless if you want to have a good idea of the must sees in a city they are still essential. Just choose the ones who are not heavy.

[@Xilikon]

I prefer a passport wallet instead because when needed, I can pull the passport and show the agent. It still protects it. The passport wallet has other advantages like storing currencies, cards, documents etc. I traveled a lot and that wallet is still good as new, the passport too.

[@stanislas4990]

@@Xilikon I don't know the difference between a passport cover and a passport wallet. May be it's the same?

[@Xilikon]

@@stanislas4990 No, a cover is just for the passport itself and it’s annoying to remove it. A wallet is like a big wallet with a pocket for passport, pockets for cards and pockets for money or documents.

[@wncjan]

​@@Xilikon Can it go in the front åocket of your trousers?

[@Xilikon]

@@wncjan No, it is the size of a letter envelope

[@nicoledburns82]

Love this...I talked to a number of people who travel alot and they agreed with everything you said lol. Saved me a lot of money and Hassle so thank you!

[@PortableProfessional]

That is awesome! Happy travels, Nicole!

[@pepprdgefarm]

Actually having a travel book helped me organize a trip to Turkey and Greece. I updated the book by looking things up online, but having it all in one place made traveling a lot easier. I get that things do change rapidly, but having a sense of the history, geography, and other small bits of knowledge helped make things I looked up while on the road make more sense. I have yet to find a travel website/app that can replace what a paper reference book can provide without the need for electricity or a WiFi connection.

[@shaffehaffejee3657]

Sushmita: totally agree with you - pen to paper is a must and works extremely well as a backup ❤

[@dr.d723]

I would agree with all of the above! I am a million miler that has traveled around the world several times. Neck pillows are a huge waste of money, as are the "vacumn bags", toiletry sets and luggage scales. I am a normal 5'4" woman, and if my bag is too heavy for me to reasonably pick up, then it is likely too heavy to check or carry on. I do have an RFID Passport case, but it is easy to slip my passport into and out of when I need it. The flip styles are a waste of money. I do use my phone as a camera, but I do need my very small camera (Nikon Z50) for my work. My big DSLR cameras get to stay home. Forget the travel books! Buy them in digital format if you must! My last tip - do not use a soft sided suitcase. They aren't worth the money and you will overpack. Find a good quality hard sided suitcase (i.e. Rimowa) and don't overpack. It will last you a lifetime!!! Trust me on this!

[@thomaskerr-qn7rg]

I actually like having the travel scale. every flight I have ever taken especially the past few years there has always been a weight limit. The scales are small and can easily fit anywhere in your luggage so it shouldn't be a problem.

[@evandrinks]

I think I agree with basically everything you said. I bought a neck pillow before an overnight flight, but it was a waste of space, and was uncomfortable.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

I agree with some of these. However I think the guidebook is good - especially in out of the way places without 24/7 4G coverage (i.e. most of the places I work). And you ALWAYS need to know where your towel is!

[@CG-kyu]

I love my vacuum sealed bags. My clothes did not crease. Very useful for me when I only use carry-on for my travel.

[@PortableProfessional]

That's great! Happy travels!

[@Alsam]

Love the videos. If you are a tall traveler (I'm 6'6"), I do use an inflatable pillow. For me, my neck is frequently higher than the headrest, so very difficult to get any sleep with no support. The inflateble pillow takes up very little room and does give me support. The key is to underfill slightly.

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks! Great to hear from you and sounds like you should hang onto that pillow!

[@adibmajid9886]

Digital luggage scale is still an essential item because not every hotels/accomodations provide this. And if you're travelling solo, you probably need this. Instead of a passport cover use you can use a trasparent passport plastic cover that at least to protect your passport for damages. Thanks for the tips though 😊

[@WildflowersCreations]

I feel the travel pillow (a good one) is a most have since I have neck issues. I also think the luggage scale is required because traveling back you need to be able to weigh stuff and depending on how many electrons you are traveling with or souvenirs you purchased this can make or break you. You still have to lift that carry-on into the overhead compartment.

[@amandamurdoch3587]

A travel towel is really good for rolling hand washed clothes in to get extra water out.

[@zeitgeist888]

Wow nailed it on almost all of the items. Neck pillow, towel, passport cover, and camera. Tried all of them and never carry them again. I do like my silicone travel bottles for liquids as they have large opening for filling, never leak and are marked. Plus they have squeeze valve for no drips and easy dispensing. I also use the travel scale at home before flying (not carried with me) Once I bought a travel scale it is just easier to check than the bathroom scale so I keep it. I also do trips with groups of new travelers so weighing their bags is a good idea before getting to the airport.

[@kjonny7321]

My family and I travel a lot and we have found that the luggage scale is absolutely essential...its light digital and has saved us on many occasions. Its easy to fill large suitcases over the 23Kg/50Lb weight limit, so we take it with us and use it every time we travel. Passport holder/protectors are 100% useless and went in the trash immediately. Neck pillows identify people who don't travel much. The inconvenience of hauling them around far outweigh their usefulness.

[@karidufur8908]

Thank you for validating my concerns!!! I am not a seasoned traveler but we are going on a 1 month European trip in October & I wondered how useful these things would be. Like another viewer, I think I will bring a scale as we are flying on a small airline within Spain & they do have luggage weight rules much different than the US airlines.

[@tinag7381]

I had bought a couple of passport covers thinking that I needed RFID blocking covers. Nope. At one point I even bought an unsightly around the neck pouch in which I could place my passport and printed boarding pass. I didn't realize until that ONE particular trip that it made me appear as an inexperienced traveler, just the opposite of what I was going for! I did buy a Turkish towel in advance of a Summer trip to Italy in 2022, which I did use and it was quite handy. Not great for absorption but it was perfect to lay out on the beach or use in a lounger by the pool. Also helpful when I needed it to keep warm on the plane. It folded up well but thankfully since I packed extremely light (one carry on for 21 days, it didn't take up too much space. I agree that neck pillows are waste. I bought one years ago but just keep it in my house, never going anywhere! ❤

[@christiansta2771]

I like my inflatable travel pillow. My scale was a fantastic purchase for me, I have used it on my trips with checked bags. Won't travel without the scale when I have checked bags.

[@MillaExplores]

I ditched the passport cover after using it for the first time, that was about 10 years ago and I've never looked back. 😂 And yes, I agree with most of these things! One thing I do want to point out is that there are neck pillows that are flat in the back so it's actually comfortable for your neck. I have one (the Cabeau Evolution S3) which also can be compressed and packed into a small pouch which I think is super convenient, especially for long-haul flights. Travel towels such haha - But I always carry a Turkisk hamam towel instead. It's nicer to use and also packs small. 😄

[@Myr25636]

Neck pillow has never given me a stiff neck or headache, works great as a much needed lumbar support for the horrendous Frontier seats, and helped sleep two hrs on the red eye flight.

[@roy.mclean]

Get a good point and shoot camera with an OPTICAL zoom. They will usually fit in any pocket in which your phone will fit. You'll take better photos than you will with your phone. Your phone has a digital zoom so when you zoom you are just using fewer pixels in the image. An optical zoom uses the whole sensor and gives the photos better resolution. Some cameras use optical zoom up to 8 or 10x and then use a digital zoom to go even higher. Nearly all these cameras have wifi or bluetooth to share the photos with your phone for posting. They also have viewfinders that work better in bright sun than the screen on a phone.

[@lexa_power]

A luggage scale is a huge must and doesn’t weigh a lot and doesn’t take up a lot of room. Agree about everything else!

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks for watching! Happy travels, Lexa!

[@lexa_power]

@@PortableProfessional thank you! And thanks for talking me out of buying another silly neck pillow 😂 What i did buy tho for my upcoming overnight flight is a regular vacuum sealed memory foam pillow - I have a big day planned when i get to my destination so i HAVE to get some sleep on the plane! I’m gonna use my teeth or nail clippers (personally never had any trouble bringing them in my carry on) or the edge of the soda can to rip open the memory foam pillow on the flight (it has to stay vaccuum packed so i don’t look like Anna Kendrick from up in the air before George Clooney teaches her how to pack lol) and catch some zzzz’s against my window seat with my memory foam pillow! Got a cheap $13 one so i can toss it guilt free after my flight (return flight is not overnight).

[@natalieryan6026]

This channel has been so helpful for me. Im setting out on my 1st trip alone to Fl to visit a friend and family. Flying for the first time in over 10yrs and then the Hotel too. Its alot but you have really been helpful!

[@aminor7476]

1) Passport case: I use my cover to carry my backup credit cards. 2) I agree with the travel pillow. 3) We do a lot of international travel and in European airports, it is routine for them to weigh and size our carryon luggage; so, we take a travel scale.

[@jerrythomas758]

Scale is a must when you have the larger checked bags. I agree with everything else especially those neck pillows.

[@chrisdemnianyk4357]

I love my travel pillow. Most folks wear it backward. U shape is supposed to be under chin not around the back of the neck. Get a carabiner and attach the pillow to your personal or carryonbag. Simple. I love my passport case. It keeps my passport, Global Entry card and bag receipt in one place. I take my passport out only at check in and at security. I love compression bags insted of vacuum bags. I also like to have a travel scale. I am of the old school that tries to have my suitcase away under 50 pounds and it is a good postal scale.

[@PortableProfessional]

Sounds good, Chris! Hang on to those items that work for you!

[@dennisdelgado7350]

I always bring a travel scale. It’s invaluable for me and my travel companions.

[@R0swell5104]

I agree that camera gear is a pain to take with you as it's bulky, heavy and can't safely be put in checked luggage. However if you are going on say a safari holiday then you will be really limited and frustrated if you just take a smartphone.

[@bradlevantis913]

I agree with most of your points. The most useless thing is a luggage scale. But I use my pack towel all the time. I wonder if it’s the brand? Pack Towel was the OG brand and does seem to work for me.

[@PortableProfessional]

When you find something that works, stick with it! I have a few favorite items I wouldn't trade!

[@lesleymcneill1403]

I am going on a 4x4 bus tour a remote area of NW Australia next week. We have been asked to bring a solar torch (flashlight) and a travel towel. We will be swimming in swimming holes and waterfalls, and some days we will be transmitting from one resort to the next. No going back to return the hotel towel. I think it will be useful for next pillow or maybe blanket on the plane as the weather will be very warm outside.

[@nancydespain7089]

I use a weight/handheld scale! I don’t carry around a bathroom scale in my suitcase to use while on trips. So, I really find the hand-held scale useful on the trip home because I sometimes check my suitcase / bag and there HAVE been weight restrictions for it! This travel handheld scale really comes in handy!,

[@Bonstergirl]

I'm curious whether Ollie ever accompanies you on your trips. What are considerations bringing pets on trips? Thanks for all your videos. I've learned a lot from them.

[@PortableProfessional]

Thank you for being here, Bonnie! No, I have not taken Ollie on any trips with me but have considered it as I really miss him when I am away!

[@NewtracksVideos]

A neck pillow's benefits on the plane itself can be substituted fairly easily with plane pillows, or blankets, or a jacket, or hoodie around your neck, but the neck pillow is a life saver if you have to actually sit in an airport for long layovers, or connections. They make napping in airport chairs much easier, where the hoodie, or jacket neck wraps just do not work.

[@richrichard6520]

The only thing we use the vacuum bags for are our pillows. My wife and I are both very finicky sleepers to begin with, let alone in an unfamiliar hotel room bed and having our own pillows really helps make our vacations so much better. Sucking the air out of them using the pump and vacuum bags really helps make them packable.

[@PortableProfessional]

What a smart idea! Happy travels!

[@jackybraun2705]

I have heard of people being refused entry into a country because their passport was damaged or dirty. I keep mine in a passport case but take it out before going through passport control. It is still in perfect condition.

[@alanbirkner1958]

We're in our 70's. We've learned not to buy souvenirs and never to travel with more than we can carry. We've seen people at airports with huge suitcases who can't take public transportation and can't manage their own stuff. We saw a couple with 4 huge suitcases and 2 small suitcases going on the same 15 day cruise we were on. Tina, Al's wife

[@PortableProfessional]

Enjoy your travels and thanks for watching!