12 Things Experienced Travelers No Longer Pack (Minimalist Packing Tips)
Summary
TLDRIn this insightful video, experienced traveler Nick shares 12 items he avoids packing to streamline his journey. Highlighting inefficiencies like bulky neck pillows and unnecessary full-sized toiletries, Nick advocates for smarter, space-saving alternatives such as digital guidebooks and multifunctional clothing. From opting out of expensive international phone plans to choosing quality over quantity in clothing, Nick's tips are designed to enhance travel experiences by minimizing baggage without sacrificing comfort or necessity. By focusing on what truly matters and utilizing modern solutions, travelers can enjoy their adventures with less weight to carry, both physically and metaphorically.
Takeaways
- π Neck pillows are not recommended for packing due to their bulk and limited use; consider a rolled-up scarf or inflatable neck pillow instead.
- π± Guide books are bulky; use digital guides or apps on your phone for up-to-date travel information.
- π¨ Avoid packing a hairdryer as most accommodations provide them, saving space and weight in your luggage.
- π΅ Carrying excessive cash is risky; opt for bank withdrawals in the destination's currency and use credit cards with no international fees.
- π² Skip expensive international phone plans; use eSIMs like Olaf for affordable data and roaming in over 180 destinations.
- π Towels are often provided by accommodations, making it unnecessary to pack your own unless for specific purposes like beach visits.
- π¦ Luggage scales are largely unnecessary; weigh your luggage at home to avoid overweight fees.
- π Choose versatile clothing over specialized, technical gear unless specific outdoor activities are planned.
- π« Full-sized toiletries take up unnecessary space; opt for travel-sized or solid alternatives to meet liquid restrictions.
- π’ Invest in quality, moisture-wicking socks like those made from merino wool for comfort and odor resistance during travel.
- π Limit the number of clothes by packing a versatile, mix-and-match wardrobe to simplify travel and save space.
- π Avoid packing 'what ifs' to minimize luggage size and weight, focusing instead on essentials and knowing you can purchase most things at your destination if needed.
Q & A
Why does Nick suggest not packing a neck pillow for travel?
-Nick suggests not packing a neck pillow because they take up too much space in luggage, are only used during flights or train rides, and remain unused for the majority of the trip. He recommends opting for a more versatile item like a rolled-up scarf or jacket instead.
How does Nick recommend accessing travel guides without carrying physical books?
-Nick recommends downloading the Kindle version of travel guides and using the Kindle app on your phone, allowing you to carry guides digitally without adding physical bulk or weight to your luggage.
What is Nick's advice on packing a hairdryer?
-Nick advises considering not packing a hairdryer due to their bulkiness and weight, noting that most accommodations provide them. For travelers concerned about space, relying on provided hairdryers can save significant luggage space.
Why does Nick recommend against carrying a lot of cash while traveling?
-Nick recommends against carrying a lot of cash due to the risk of pickpockets. He suggests withdrawing a few hundred from a bank upon arrival at the destination and using credit cards without international fees for additional security and convenience.
What are the benefits of using eSIMs according to Nick?
-Nick praises eSIMs for allowing travelers to use their devices in over 180 destinations with unlimited data and no roaming fees, eliminating the need for expensive international phone plans and avoiding the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
Why does Nick say you usually don't need to pack a towel?
-Nick mentions that most accommodations provide towels, making it unnecessary for travelers to pack their own. He notes that packable microfiber towels could be useful for specific situations like beach trips or visits to thermal baths, but for most travel, they're not needed.
What is Nick's stance on packing full-sized toiletries?
-Nick advises against packing full-sized toiletries due to their significant size and weight. He recommends travel-sized toiletries to save space and comply with airport security liquid restrictions, or using sealable silicone containers for items not available in travel sizes.
What types of socks does Nick recommend for travel and why?
-Nick recommends investing in good quality, merino wool socks because they're odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating, which makes them comfortable for long days of walking and suitable for a range of climates.
Why does Nick advise against packing too many clothes?
-Nick advises against packing too many clothes to minimize luggage size and weight. He recommends a capsule wardrobe of versatile items that mix and match well, allowing for a more compact and manageable collection of clothing.
What is Nick's perspective on 'packing your fears'?
-Nick suggests that overpacking is often done out of fear and advises against packing 'what if' items that go unused. He encourages packing only essentials and reminds travelers that most forgotten items can be easily acquired at the destination.
Outlines
𧳠Essential Travel Packing Insights
Nick, a seasoned traveler, shares insights on packing essentials and non-essentials for travel. He discusses 12 items he and his wife, Ally, have eliminated from their packing list to optimize their travel experience. Key items to skip include neck pillows, due to their bulky nature and limited use, and heavy guidebooks, which can be replaced with digital versions on smartphones. Nick advises against packing hairdryers, as they're often provided by accommodations, and suggests minimizing cash carry, recommending the use of credit cards with no international fees instead. He highlights the importance of travel insurance and criticizes expensive international phone plans, recommending eSIMs as a cost-effective alternative. Lastly, Nick touches on avoiding towels, luggage scales, overly specialized clothing and shoes, full-sized toiletries, cheap socks, excessive clothing, and the habit of packing 'what-if' items.
π± Maximizing Travel Tech & Essentials
In the continuation of travel packing insights, Nick elaborates on the benefits of eSIMs for international travel, specifically praising the Olaf eSIM for its convenience and cost-efficiency. He advises against packing towels, as most accommodations provide them, and questions the necessity of luggage scales and specialized clothing for non-hiking trips. Nick recommends travel-sized toiletries to comply with flight regulations and champions quality socks, especially Merino wool, for their durability and comfort. He also emphasizes the importance of packing a versatile wardrobe to reduce luggage size and weight, and critiques the common mistake of packing too many clothes or 'just-in-case' items that seldom get used.
π Smart Packing for Efficient Travel
Nick discusses the concept of a capsule wardrobe for travel, advocating for a selection of versatile, mix-and-match clothing that can serve multiple purposes during a trip. This approach not only saves space but also simplifies decision-making. He advises against overpacking and suggests considering the availability of items at the destination to avoid unnecessary luggage. Nick shares personal experiences to illustrate how overthinking packing can lead to unnecessary stress and how adapting to unexpected situations, like the cold in Iceland, can become a memorable part of the travel experience. He concludes by encouraging viewers to focus on essentials and to be adaptable, ensuring a more enjoyable and hassle-free journey.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Packing
π‘Neck Pillows
π‘Guide Books
π‘Hair Dryer
π‘Cash
π‘International Phone Plans
π‘Towels
π‘Luggage Scales
π‘Capsule Wardrobe
π‘Overpacking
Highlights
Nick shares 12 things he doesn't pack as an experienced traveler to enhance journey efficiency.
Neck pillows are discouraged due to their bulkiness and limited use during travels.
Guidebooks are replaced by digital apps and Kindle versions for convenience and less bulk.
Hairdryers are considered unnecessary to pack since most accommodations provide them.
Carrying a lot of cash is seen as risky; using bank ATMs at destinations is recommended.
Credit cards with no international fees and consumer protections are preferred for travel.
Expensive international phone plans are avoided in favor of eSIM options for data access.
Towels are deemed unnecessary to pack as most accommodations offer them to guests.
Luggage scales are viewed as non-essential for most travelers, with alternatives suggested.
Technical, rugged shoes and clothing are considered overkill for city travels.
Full-sized toiletries are avoided in favor of travel-sized or solid options.
Good quality socks, especially Merino wool, are recommended for comfort and durability.
Packing too many clothes is discouraged; a mix-and-match approach is suggested.
Capsule wardrobe strategy is advocated for reducing luggage size and weight.
Avoiding 'what ifs' in packing can help minimize luggage size and travel stress.
Transcripts
when it comes to packing for travel the
travel gear you bring with you can
really enhance your journey but there
are also plenty of travel items you're
packing that you might not actually need
in fact there are several things several
great travel items that experience
Travelers just don't travel with in this
video I'm going to break down 12 things
I don't pack as an experienced traveler
and my thoughts on
why hey guys Nick here from away Way
together after years of domestic and
international travel my wife Ally and I
really have whittel down our packing
lists and there's a bunch of things 12
specifically that we don't travel with
now I'm not saying that these are
mistakes to travel with 100% all the
time do what works for you okay but
these are things that we don't carry
with us and we know many many
experienced Travelers who don't carry
them either when it comes to packing for
travel neck pillows are often at the top
of the list of comfort items but these
are at the top of my no pack list neck
pillows take up way too much space in
your luggage realistically neck pillows
are only used during your flight or your
train ride and then for the majority of
your trip they remain unused and you're
just lugging them around just not
efficient to be carrying around I would
skip the neck pillow and opt for a more
versatile item like a rolled up scarf or
a jacket which will save space and keep
you from having to carry something
you're not using around with you
everywhere now if you really do want a
neck pillow I'd look into an inflatable
one that packs down flat when you're not
using it I'm a huge proponent of guide
books for travel like the ones by R
Steves or Lonely Planet but they can be
bulky and heavy I've got a Shelf full of
guides at home and I use them heavily
when researching for my trips but I
don't pack them anymore in the digital
age your phone can be your guide with
up-to-date apps and digital guides that
don't weigh anything I really recommend
getting the Kindle version of any guide
books you want and then just downloading
the Kindle app on your phone so that you
can carry those guides with you
everywhere without having to actually
pack anything okay I consulted my wife
Ally about this next tip if you're
looking to save space in your luggage an
item that you don't have to pack is a
hairdryer hair dryers are bulky and they
can add a lot of weight to your luggage
now there are some great travel
hairdryer options out there Ali even has
one but when we were traveling full-time
she brought that with us we stayed in
almost 50 different places
internationally and the amount of times
that there wasn't a hairdryer provided
was few and far between there were times
she needed the one she packed but what I
would say is if you're pressed for space
consider whether or not you need your
haird dryer or you could bum off where
you're staying most hotels nowadays
offer hair dryers in the rooms and you
can even filter your Airbnb search
results by whether or not a hair dryer
is provided all right let's talk about
money something I would not travel with
is a lot of cash carrying excess cash
can be risky especially in the case of
pickpockets now there are some places
that you may be visiting where cash is
warranted and useful this happens to us
all the time and in those instances
where you need cash don't go to a
currency exchange don't use one of those
scammy tourist ATMs in the tourist
hotspots go to a bank in your
destination after you've landed and take
out the equivalent of a few hundred if
you're presented the option to use
Dynamic currency conversion or to have
the transaction happen in your home
currency don't just take it out in the
currency of your destination I would
also recommend carrying a couple of
credit cards look for ones with no
international fees and ones that come
with some consumer protections now the
reason I say to carry a couple is it's
good to have a backup for example many
establishments still don't accept MX me
I like travel rewards credit cards
because of the opportunity to earn
airline miles and hotel points along
with the ability to earn bonus points
when you spend on travel related things
when you're out and about for the day
only carry what you need if you carry a
wallet I recommend a front pocket wallet
which isn't foolproof but it's more
likely to keep pickpockets at Bay hey
real quick if you're getting value out
of this video I would love it if you
would hit that like button so that
YouTube will know to suggest it to other
Travelers like you thank you experienced
Travelers don't travel with expensive
international phone plans one thing I
used to travel with all the time was an
international phone plan from my home
provider I would pay an extra like $10 a
day to be able to use my phone
internationally but 10 bucks a day
really adds up and the amount of data
that we had to use was next to nothing
now there's a number of reasonable
alternatives to this but my favorite way
and the method Ally and I personally use
is Olaf eims Olaf eim give you a way to
use your device in over 180 destinations
worldwide in many cases with unlimited
data and no roaming fees it's kind of
like getting a SIM card in your local
country but you don't have to go
physically hunt one down you purchase
online before your trip and then you
activate the eim on your phone with a
simple QR scan one of my favorite things
about Olaf is there are absolutely no
hidden costs unlike other providers that
don't offer unlimited data with Olaf
what you see is what you get and there's
no need for additional data topups which
get very expensive olly also has a new
and improved mobile app that makes it
easy to purchase an eim and get 24/7
customer service in just a few clicks if
you're ready to stop paying for
expensive international data plans hit
the link below and use the code away
together for an additional 5% off your
eim purchase something you usually never
need to pack is a towel most
accommodations from hotels to airbnbs
provide guests with towels and this WID
spread availability makes it unnecessary
to bring your own and you might be
thinking Nick duh if you have a specific
reason to pack a towel a packable
microfiber towel could be a good option
note I said specific reason for example
these towels would have come in handy
for us when we Road tripped around puket
Thailand to visit a bunch of different
beaches I wish we'd had these towels
with us when we went to the thermal
baths in Budapest because we ended up
paying like $10 a piece for these crappy
little towels that were falling apart
but similar to some other items on this
list even the clever microfiber towel
will go largely unused you maybe won't
even use it at all I put these on a list
a category called clever travel products
that you probably don't need they're
handy if you have a specific need or
you're doing longer term travel cuz you
never know what you could get into but
for the average traveler on a specific
trip you probably do not need this
unless you know you have a reason
speaking of Handy travel products you
probably don't need let's talk about
luggage scales I understand the need to
weigh your luggage Airlines have weight
limits for check bags most of these days
have weight limits for carryon bags but
it's very easy to weigh your bag at home
before you leave you simply step onto
your home scale holding the bag note the
weight and then weigh just yourself
without the bag now when could a luggage
scale be good well if you're trying to
get a very precise weight like within an
ounce okay I get it or if you plan to
buy a lot of souvenirs while you're gone
and you're afraid that you're going to
exceed the weight limit coming back home
I get it if neither of those apply to
you you probably don't need one while on
the topic of heavy things the next thing
you might not need to pack is technical
rugged shoes and clothing a mistake I
see a lot especially for firsttime
international Travelers is investing a
lot of money in technical hiking boots
and hiking pants and things like that
for a trip that they don't really plan
to do much hiking on this was me on my
first trip to Europe we planned to do a
lot of walking yes there were several
days that we walked over 20 M no joke
but 100% of this 5we trip was in cities
I had absolutely no business wearing
these massive chunker shoes no business
Not only was it Overkill I looked silly
I recommend choosing simple versatile
clothing and shoes for most General
travel items that can be used in
multiple settings from walking to a nice
dinner are way more beneficial than
these rugged single-use very specific
type of items if you do plan on doing a
lot of actual hiking ignore me be
prepared but if you're not keep it
simple and keep it versatile now the
next item might seem obvious but
full-sized toiletries no full-sized
toiletries take up a significant amount
of luggage space travel siiz toiletries
are much more Compact and they free up
room for other Essentials and help to
minimize overall luggage size for
carry-on luggage travel size toiletries
are a must due to liquid restrictions
we're talking about 3.4 o or less if you
go over that you're going to have
trouble with airport security Now if
what you need doesn't come in a 3.4 ounz
or smaller container you could always
get some sealable silicone containers
like these ones by gravel solid
toiletries like shampoo bars or soap
bars or solid deodorants are not subject
to liquid restrictions which make them
great for carryon luggage and they're
also leak proof which reduce the risk of
things getting spilled and leaked in
your bag all right the next thing to
stop packing is cheap socks for travel
where you plan to do a lot of walking I
highly recommend investing in good
quality socks for years I just wore
basic crappy cotton socks and in times
where I was doing a lot of walking they
would stink and they'd get wet and my
feet would get blisters and for probably
10 years now I've exclusively worn
Marino wool socks in every situation the
reason they're great is because they're
naturally odor resistant and antibac
material which reduces stink they're
also moisture wicking Marino wool
efficiently Wicks moisture away from
your skin which keeps your feet dry when
those cotton socks get wet they stay wet
this is crucial for long days of walking
and can help you prevent blisters Marino
is also temperature regulating and so it
keeps your feet warm in cold conditions
and cool in warm conditions which makes
them nice for a wide range of climates
Marino socks are more of an investment
initially but they last a lot longer and
they maintain their shape and quality
throughout the years next on the no pack
list is too many clothes there's no need
to pack a completely different top to
bottom outfit for every day of your trip
instead I'd recommend creating a
collection of simple versatile items
that look good together and mix and
match well some people call this a
capsule wardrobe and that approach
allows for a more Compact and manageable
amount of clothing in your luggage
planning to dress in layers allows you
to pack less
and safe Space by avoiding bulky items I
recommend clothing that's lightweight
wrinkle resistant and dries pretty quick
having a set of clothes that all work
well together simplifies your daily
outfit decisions and fewer clothes means
a lighter bag I tend to recommend some
key Marino wool pieces for this as well
because they can be worn multiple times
before washing I really like the shirts
from Unbound Marino typically I pack
five or six shirts and a couple pairs of
pants or shorts for a 10-day trip and
then I try to ensure that at least one
of the places we stay as a washing
machine something I often see Travelers
do is pack what ifs I saw this meme the
other day me uses the same three things
at home me packing for vacation I wonder
if I'll need four French horns or five
overpacking is often packing your fears
people overpack a lot of times because
they're afraid a way to avoid this is by
packing only what you know you'll need
this helps keep your luggage size and
weight to a minimum and not not only
does this make traveling easier and more
comfortable but it also helps you avoid
extra baggage fees I used to chronically
do this a day or two before a trip a
thought would creep into my mind hey
what about this and I'd rush out and I'd
buy something or I'd pack something that
I don't need and it goes completely
unused on my trip don't give into that a
realization that was comforting to me is
there are people just like me just like
you that also need toothpaste that also
need shampoo that also have one-year-old
kids that need all this stuff that also
the list goes on and on bring the things
you need and the things that you know
you'll need don't leave your important
prescription at home I'm not telling you
to do that but I would recommend that
you stop stressing about things that you
could easily get at your destination if
you had to allly and I took our
honeymoon to Iceland and we were not
prepared for how cold it would be that's
on us one of my favorite travel memories
though is looking for scarves in an
Icelandic thrift store the fears and the
wh ifs nine times out of 10 they're just
not worth paying attention to right
bring a jacket okay I'm not encouraging
you to be as freezing cold as we were in
Iceland in the middle of the summer but
in the case that you forget something
important it can be a fun adventure to
go find it I hope this video was helpful
to you and if you're interested in one
back travel and how I packed for a
10-day trip to Europe check out this
video thanks so much for watching happy
travels
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