Tips in Traveling with One Bag

In this age of airline fare wars, globalization, and the Euro, traveling across multiple borders is increasingly common. Combined with the horror stories of lost luggage that never made it to the baggage claim, the option of traveling with just one bag is becoming more and more attractive. Unless your trip is highly specialized or requires carrying certain items, it is possible to travel and even live indefinitely out of one bag. Here’s how.

1. Carefully consider each item and how important it is, or how frequently you will use it. Can it be rented, borrowed or bought at your destination? Bring things which will be utilized in your destination alone and do not bring things which are not anymore useful, since it will just add useless baggage within your bag.

2. Get a bag with shoulder or back straps and plenty of pockets. The bag need not be huge, since you will not carry much. Consider whether it will fit onto the plane’s overhead storage, under a seat or on a train or subway. Bring a bag which is not too small and not so large. Make sure that the things which are necessary are being included in your bag.

3. Gather the following:

* Three changes of clothing (at most)
* Laundry detergent for washing by hand (powdered is much easier to handle than liquid, and allowed on airplanes.)
*
A universal sink stopper and portable clothesline.
A universal sink stopper and portable clothesline.
A universal sink stopper (available at any hardware store). A rubber ball is a good alternative.

* A portable clothesline (available at any camping or travel goods store).
* Toiletries
* Empty water bottle.

These things are pretty useful during your travel since they can be your personal necessities.

4. Pack using the “bundle” method: wrap clothes around large objects (such as bags of toiletries or pairs of shoes), rather than folding or rolling clothes. Stuff underwear and socks into shoes to save space and to prevent crushing shoes. The bundle method saves the most space and also prevents wrinkling.

Even if you are checking one main bag, be sure to take one change of clothing and all your important items (documents, prescriptions, etc.) with you in a carry-on bag in case your checked luggage is delayed or lost.