Mastering The Art Of Minimalist Travel: Pack Light, Save Big, Explore More
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Traveling can be an incredibly stressful experience--especially flying. The pre-travel anxiety can drain the excitement from any trip. Do you have everything you need? Are all your plans in place? You've already put so much money into this trip. What if something ruins it? I know that feeling all too well.
I'm the friend who always finds the absolute cheapest flights, and I've heard too many horror stories to trust an airline with my checked bags, so I've become a pro at traveling with just a "personal item"--not even a bulky carry-on for me!
In fact, I took this minimalist approach to the extreme on my longest journey to date: a 10-day solo trip from Missouri, USA to Berlin, Germany. You wouldn't believe how many people asked me where the rest of my luggage was! But today, I'm here to spill my secrets and show you how it's done. I'll be covering:
How I Discovered Minimalist Budget Travel
Benefits Of Packing Light
Minimalist Packing Tips
Packing Light In Cold Climates
Avoiding Extra Fees At The Gate
Bonus: How I Find Cheap Flights
So if you've always wanted to travel more, or even if you're planning your first trip, but cost has deterred you, then you're in the right place! Together, we're about to revolutionize how you experience travel—forever.
How I Discovered Minimalist Budget Travel On My Way To Berlin
Since I had little experience booking flights, I started checking flight prices almost a year before my first big trip. Part of me didn't even think a trip to Europe was possible. Especially because even budget flights were averaging $1,000 in 2016. But then, a miracle happened about 6 months before I was planning to leave. I got an alert that a flight was available (on slightly different days than planned) for **drum roll** $490!
I've never bought anything so fast in my life. I didn't even have my passport yet!
There was a catch, though. Actually two. The first was that I had 4 layovers between the flight there and back. And every one was about 30 minutes long. As a naïve 22-year-old, I thought this would probably be fine, though–and it mostly was.
Additionally, I didn't know about the hidden baggage fees. I don't remember how much it was to add a carry-on, but I remember it wasn't a price I wanted to pay. So I researched "personal item" restrictions, bought a bag that exactly fit those measurements, and got to planning! I've been hooked on budget travel ever since!
So join me as I unpack everything I learned about packing light and traveling on a budget!
Benefits Of Packing Light
The most obvious benefit is that the less you pack, the less you have to pay for baggage fees! Depending on which airline you go through and when you request the additional baggage, those prices can be between $60-$100 for just one carry-on!
I don't know about you, but for me, that was an unlimited bus pass, breakfast, AND a coffee every morning for a week! That's money much better spent!
The second reason may be less obvious, but the less you pack, the less you have to keep track of! I always use Airbnb when I travel, so sometimes there are dressers. But I always feel weird using a dresser that isn't mine.
Plus, I'm really bad about "out of sight, out of mind," so I usually just live out of my bag. And the less that's in it, the easier that is!
Minimalist Packing Tips
Ok, so packing light is great, but how do we actually do it?
Pack with space in mind before fashion.
Now, that's not to say you can't look good on vacation! But think about the space 3 pairs of shoes take up. Or a sweater for every day of the week versus multiple t-shirts with one or two heavier pieces to wear on top. You want to minimize bulky items as much as possible.
Instead of wearing a totally different outfit each day, think about things you can re-wear--Bonus if most of your tops and bottoms match, so you don't have to worry about wearing this pair of pants with only this top. And to keep it from getting boring, bring some fun accessories to switch things up day to day!
Put the Mini in Minimalist!
Travel and trial sizes are excellent for traveling light! Imagine you have everything you need while taking up a fraction of the space--a set of small refillable bottles for your shower goods, a compact umbrella if there's rain expected, some freebie makeup samples you got with your last Ulta order, and even a mini hairbrush can take up less space!
I also (accidentally) brought a mini aerosol dry shampoo canister on my trip. I'm still not sure how that got through TSA… Whoops.
Be strategic about HOW you pack things.
Roll your clothes tightly instead of folding them. If you're packing extra shoes, stuff things in them and wear whichever pair is bulkiest. If you bring a straightener or other hair tool, wrap that cord up nice and tightly! Or better yet, embrace those vacation beach waves for even less stress!
Packing Light In Cold Climates
That's great for summer vacations but what about the chillier spots?
You can still pack light if you're going somewhere cold!
The great part about bulky items is that you can wear them while boarding, and they don't get counted as separate items or as part of your baggage!
Another perk of wearing your bulky items? The pockets! Is there anything that didn't fit in your bag while still within the size limit? Stuff it in your pockets! No one has to know!
Now, you probably don't want to wear two jackets or coats the whole time you're waiting to board or speedwalking a marathon through the airport. But that's ok because the only time you actually have to wear it is while boarding!
Unless, like me, you didn't have time to take them off between flights and had to sprint up a million stairs two at a time with 2 jackets on and still got to the gate right as they were about to close the door! (I might be crazy, but it was still worth all the money I saved!)
Avoiding Extra Fees At The Gate
Now, I don't know when you're reading this. But as I'm writing it, there have been stories in the news about certain airlines charging for upgraded baggage when said bags seem to fit perfectly in the measuring box.
The main video I saw was from the same airline I usually fly with, and I'm not taking sides in the matter, but I do have a couple suggestions that I think would've avoided the conflict.
First of all, of course, measure your bag fully packed at home before you leave. I mean well before you leave--like a week before. That way, you have time to make adjustments if needed.
You also want to be sure to take proper measurements. No squishing. No leaving out the handles and strings.
Second, along with my above tip, make sure you only have in your bag what you originally measured it with. If you took off your coat and stuffed it in your bag while waiting, take it back out and wear it before you even get in line to board. Your bag must fit in the box the first time you try it.
I've never personally had anyone check my bag measurements, which was actually a little disappointing given the effort I put in to ensure it was EXACTLY the correct measurements. But airlines do reserve that right. So save yourself the $100 penalty with these tips!
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Bonus: How I Find Cheap Flights
So, we've covered how and why to pack lightly, but where are all these highly discounted budget flights coming from anyway? You've checked budget sites before, and they're never THAT low.
Well, let me introduce you to Momondo. I think I had seen another blogger mention it in a post about budget traveling years ago, and it's the only site I have ever booked a flight through.
They have so many features to ensure you get your best deal, and if you have flexibility, they make comparing slightly different days an absolute breeze too. They don't leave any rock unturned. Honestly, nothing has saved me as much money on travel as momondo has!
I hope these tips helped you see the perks of packing light and can save you money on travel so you can go more frequently and further than ever before!
Do you have any tips I missed?
Let me know in the comments below! I absolutely love hearing from you guys!
