Every wonder how crazy people like me are able to take off and go for a trip with just a small backpack? This post is for you! Traveling with just a backpack or personal item as airlines like to call it (one piece of small luggage that fits under the seat ahead of you) has many benefits. It's taken me a while to be able to pack this lightly and see the benefits but I promise you, they are there!
Why should you travel with just a backpack?
In my opinion, there are many reasons to travel with just a backpack. First, you will be so much lighter! You will only have one piece of luggage to worry about. If you arrive to your destination earlier than your check-in time, you can still explore the area without having to worry about any extra bags to have to lug around or drop off. Second, it will save you a lot of money! Paying for a checked baggage is almost always an additional fee while flying. In fact, depending on the airline, paying for a carry-on bag can also be an additional fee!
When should you travel with just a backpack?
Although there are many benefits to traveling with a small backpack, there are times when it is not ideal. For example, I like to travel with just a backpack for trips anywhere from a couple of days to one week. If you will be longer than one week, you might want to consider bringing more. In the case of this blog post, I will discussing how to pack your backpack for a trip shorter in length (1-7 days).
How should I pack with just a backpack?
1. Determine what is a necessity vs. what you 'may' need.
I learned this from a YouTube video recently and it has stuck with me since. When packing, it can be tempting you add items that you "might need". For example, an extra phone charger in case you lose yours or it breaks. If you are trying to travel with just a backpack, this kind of thinking will not get you very far. Start with packing the items you definitely need such as clothes, toiletries, and electronics. Although it's nice to have a first aid kit on hand, it can take up some space and it's something you 'may' need.
2. Invest in a travel backpack.
Consider purchasing a backpack designed to be a personal item for traveling. My personal favorite is from Amazon and only $36.99. I bought this a couple of months ago and have been so happy with it since. It has many compartments designed for traveling. There's a main compartment that opens fully like luggage, there's a shoe storage space, a pocket for wet items, and even a charging cable. Although normal everyday backpacks work just fine for traveling, I highly recommend investing in a travel backpack!
3. Wear your biggest/thickest items on travel day.
This one is pretty self-explanatory but in order to save room in your backpack, wear your biggest clothing items on your travel day. If you are packing a big sweater or a pair of jeans, you might want to consider wearing them to save room. This will also help if you are like me and tend to get cold on airplanes or while traveling in general.
4. Pack neutral color clothing and mix and match your outfits!
In order to make the most of the clothing you pack, I suggest packing clothes that can be worn with different outfits. Bring neutral color shirts and pants like gray, black, white, and brown. Also, reusing is totally fine! If you have a favorite pair of pants that you want to wear more than once, do it! It will save you space in your bag.
5. Use a packing list!
When I pack, I tend to pack a lot lighter if I write down what I need to pack beforehand. If not, I tend to pack extra things I don't need. Take a few minutes to create a list before you start packing. If you travel often, it could be helpful to have the same base list on the notes app on your phone so you can refer back to it often.
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