Introduction: Packing light and in a backpack is probably the best money saving holiday tip I could give anyone, it just takes a little planning but will save you hundreds. Here we will show you how we do it.
I really should have made this blog first, it's by far the best way to travel. No extra fees, no checking-in line, straight through to security, no noisy wheels being dragged around, just walk into the airport and get on your plane.
Firstly I understand that sometimes it's challenging to travel this way, especially if you have children so I'm aiming this blog post at couples, solos and friends.
We just came back from 16 days in the US, we travelled as far as Iceland to Miami with just our backpacks and we took 8 flights in total. I can't imagine how much extra that would have cost us if we have to pay any kind of baggage fee for each of these flights. I actually don't need to imagine as it would have been £320 more.
" Remember the days a carry on was free, not anymore!"
I've made some points to look at while packing and at the bottom will be an example of my backpack and also of what Delphine takes too.
Where are you going? If you don't know this then I can't help with that.. :-) Choosing your clothes beforehand is something we all do no matter how light you are travelling, and travelling light just takes a few minutes more.
Always wear your heaviest/largest clothing to travel.. i.e. if you are going to a sunny place but worry that the evenings will be cold then wear those clothes on the plane. (jacket, coat, jeans, boots).
If you are travelling to a cold place then wear as much as you can to travel. Just imagine Joey from friends
2. The rest of your clothing should be small mix and match clothing like shorts and t-shirts, dresses, tops and your underwear (you dont need to take 14 pairs of smalls or socks) and anything that will fit in the backpack leaving room for toiletries.
The way we pack things like t-shirts is the roll and tuck method, an informative video can be seen here on youtube. Although don't be too army cadet about it, most places will have an iron when you get there.
3. Toiletries can be kept to a minimum. We use a see-thru zip bag, instead of the plastic bags they give you at airports, they are very versatile and can be removed from your bag in seconds. Keep this at the top of your backpack for easy removal. The things that we pack are not limited to the following but a good guide.
a. Toothbrush and travel toothpaste
b. Aftershave/perfumes can be dispensed into a small travel spray bottle
c. Shower gels/shampoos must be less than 100ml or do what we do and get solid bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner.. I was a little skeptical at first but the conditioner is great plus it is not considered liquid so just pop in the front pouch of your backpack and you're good to go.
d. Sunscreen should be travel size and can be found in supermarkets and Boots; although this is a nice little product we have used which includes a progressive sunscreen and aftersun in a small see thru bag.
4. The reason we don't need to bring 1 million pairs of pants and knickers is because we are going to book a place with a washing machine or laundry service. Most hotels nowadays will have a laundry service. Usually you can put your dirty clothes in a bag and the staff will pick it up, wash it and return it to you the same day. If you have an Airbnb, then just mark washing machine on the filters and choose your place, and if not, the world is filled with launderettes where you can just ask for a service wash and dry, and they'll iron it for you. It may cost you some money but it will be far cheaper than paying luggage fees.
If the place you have booked doesn't have a washing machine, it's sunny and you have a balcony, you can just wash in the sink and hang your washing on the balcony. If you don't have detergent and you dont have any other options you can literally used some diluted dish soap or even some of the hotels free shampoo nb, I'm not responsible for the results of these products but it has worked for us in the past.
5. Choose versatile footwear that you can wear in any situation you may find yourself in. For example some slip on canvas shoes like Vans work if you are walking about in the day or going out in the night. For colder places I like to wear a nice pair of boots with me then maybe put a pair of canvas shoes in the backpack.. Shoes will take a lot of room so when sunny pack flipflops, wear canvas, when cold pack canvas and wear boots to travel.
6. Medication can be kept in a small diabetes bag, remember to take a prescription with you (we have never been stopped by security for meds but just incase) pills can be kept in pillboxes or if they are still in the plastic or foil sleeves then put them in your toiletries bag.
7. Electronics like phones, kindles, chargers etc can be kept in your backpack or on your person, just remove them for security (anything with a lithium battery {kindle etc})
Buy yourselves a multi usb adaptor with multi country fittings and then just take enough cables to charge your stuff.
"We love this one as the pins are retractable, so it doesn't poke through your backpack."
8. Which backpack to go for? So there is no single answer to this, new backpacks are coming out all the time especially made for travel. Most of them are 20 litres capacity. The ones we use are the Jansport range. They are pretty cheap, durable but with lots of give in them, but we like them as they are 29 litres capacity. They have one large pouch and one small front pouch for some smaller items (passport, sunglasses etc) You can find them on Amazon and I'll link them.
9. Replacing your handbag with a bum-bag is another top-tip. Most airlines will let you take a personal item on the plane for free. This for us is the backpack, it must fit under the seat. Some airlines may not let you take a handbag with you too. If you replace this with a bumbag then in our experience you should be able to take both without question. Bumbags are safer as you carry them in front and more practical in terms of carrying it around with you all day.
"It took a few trials and errors before Delphine found a bumbag that was not only practical, comfortable, big enough but also stylish.. "
Here it is:
Examples of what we pack.
Here I will explain what we pack and in the order we place it in the backpack. Just a note, we aren't backpack packing scientists, there may be a much better way to pack your clothes we're just going by some years of travelling this way and what seems to work for us.
This is an example of a 14 night sunny holiday.
Mike's Stuff
Main Backpack Pouch
Pair of Jeans/Trousers
7/8 t-shirts (can be mixed with shirts or 4/5 t-shirts and another trouser)
3/4 dress shorts
1 lounge shorts/pj's
1 swimming trunks/shorts
9/10 pairs of underwear
5 pairs of ankle sports socks
3 pairs of dress socks
flipflops
Travel Plug
Kindle
Toiletries
Small Backpack Pouch
Shaver
Plastic bag (for dirty clothing)
USB cable
What I wear to go
T-Shirt
Zip Jacket
Light coat/denim jacket etc (Sometimes Zip jacket is enough)
Hat
Jeans/Underwear/Socks
Canvas shoes/trainers
Passport (Jeans)
Sunglasses (Head)
Delphine's Stuff
Main Backpack Pouch
2/3 dresses
1 Pair of jean shorts & short skirt
3/4 t-shirts (can be mixed with the jeans/skirt for variation)
1 Light Pyjamas
5 pairs of ankle sports socks
2/3 pairs of tights (for colder evenings)
Travel Plug
Make-up and jewelry bag
Kindle
Liquid toiletry bag
Small Backpack Pouch
9/10 pairs of underwear
1 swimming costume
Plastic bag (for dirty clothing)
USB cable
Battery Pack
What I wear to go
T-Shirt
Jumper
Light coat/denim jacket etc
Jeans/Underwear/Socks
Canvas shoes/trainers
Extras
1. Bum bag with:
2. Passport
3. Sunglasses in case
4. lippy, perfume
5. Wallet, keys
Conclusion:
As mentioned, luggage costs can really impact the cost of your holiday. Using just a backpack is doable and you can skip the bag drop line. Following our method is tried and tested and you'll realise soon enough that you don't even wear all the clothes you pack in your backpack. If you have any comments or questions feel free to let us know on the blog or send us an email on info@cheesydragonfly.com and as always where better to test this method than on one of our weekly deals. Head over to www.cheesydragonfly.com and put that bumbag to good use!!
How to pack all you need in a backpack (with links to buy)
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