Packing Carry-on Only for 5 Months Around the World
People often think I’m crazy for refusing to check luggage. It’s not even about the luggage fees for me, I just don’t like the hassle of checking bags. Airlines often lose luggage, it takes longer to check in for a flight, and you have to wait a lot longer at the end of the flight before you can finally leave the airport. Plus limiting myself to the amount allowed as carry-on means I shouldn’t have more than I can reasonably carry by myself.
So when I started planning my five month round the world trip, I stuck firm with my practice of carry-on only. I purchased a 40L backpack from REI before I moved to Germany, and while in Germany I decided a smaller 20L backpack would make a better second bag than the messenger bag I originally planned on taking. Apparently I’m the girl who constantly buys luggage instead of purses.
Packing for five months on the road can be a little daunting. This isn’t like a two or three week vacation, this is my life for the next five months, and everything had to fit in those two backpacks. I knew I’d need enough clothing to not have to do laundry too often, but I also couldn’t pack a multitude of outfits. Most of my time will be spent in warm weather areas, but then I will be cooler New Zealand for a few weeks and back in the US during winter.
Then I had to consider all the other non-clothing items I needed to bring. I have ulcerative colitis so I have to take a lot of pills every day. I only packed enough to get me to the end of the year since Andy will be meeting me for Christmas and New Year’s in New Zealand, so he can bring me another two more months worth. I also needed toiletries, electronics, and a bunch of other random things. So here’s what I ended up with:
Clothing
The clothing was actually not so hard. It’s impossible to pack enough clothes for five months (does anyone even own that much clothing?) so obviously I will have to do laundry no matter what. I packed 4 tank tops, plus a shirt to sleep in, 3 T-shirts, 1 camisole for layering, 1 long sleeve shirt, 3 pairs of shorts (1 are beachy/gym type shorts), 1 pair of gym pants, 1 pair of travel khaki pants (yes the kind that convert into shorts – I wanted them for the anti-mosquito stuff in them), a dozen pairs of underwear including 7 pairs of quick-dry Exofficio underwear, 7 pairs of socks, 1 pair of jeans, 1 bathing suite, 1 fleece pullover, 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of flip-flops, and 1 pair of Tevas sandals.
A lot of travelers think jeans are a bad idea because they take up so much room, and if you don’t have access to a dryer, they take a long time to air dry. But I will be spending enough time in colder climates (after Southeast Asia) that I felt they were worth bringing. I’m also keeping them secured on the outside of my bag instead of taking up precious room inside. I’ve also learned after many trips that one of the keys to traveling with such little clothing is the willingness to wear the same shirt or pair of shorts multiple times before washing it.
Electronics
In the electronics category, I brought my laptop to make it easier to keep up with my blog and keep in touch with Andy through Skype. It weighs less than 4 pounds, so it’s pretty light. I also brought the webcam for Skype, my external hard drive, Kindle, iPod, camera, an old camera as a back up, plus whatever plug adapters, batteries, and charging cords I need. I do still have my iPhone, although I can only use it when I have WiFi, and I have an old school cell phone with a pre-paid sim card from Germany in case of emergencies. I bought a headlamp which has already come in handy a few times, and I also have a little pen light.
Toiletries, liquids and miscellaneous
Another challenge of carry-on only is the liquids restriction. In my one allowed Ziplock bag I packed tiny bottles of shampoo and conditioner, lotion, 5 travel-sized bottles of contact solution, a tiny tube of wound cream (kind of like Neosporin), 3 travel-sized tubes of toothpaste, and a small bottle of sunscreen. Luckily prescription medicines that are liquids do not count towards the total amount allowed, so I was able to put my nasal spray in another bag. I also had to pack my colitis medication, which unfortunately came in a big box instead of a convenient bottle. I also packed iron pills and vitamins that I take daily, along with a small amount of ibuprofen, Immodium, and paracetamol.
Other random items include pens, a small journal-type notebook, a padlock, sanitizing hand wipes, a travel towel, a rain jacket that folds up into itself, a hat (thanks to my ex-coworker Vicki for the jacket and hat), a stash of business cards, deodorant, razor, as many packs of tissues as I could shove into my bag, a brush and hair ties, my glasses and 6 months worth of contacts, toothbrush, travel laundry detergent sheets (thanks to my friend Andrea), a small purse and a small bag that works well for beach days, passport, wallet, a bunch of memory cards for my camera, extra Ziplock bags, and a Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring guidebook.
As I write this, I’m just under two weeks into my trip. The bags aren’t terribly heavy, but I’m already wishing I could unload some stuff. Amanda has thrown out some old clothes she brought, but I need my few items to last awhile. I’m glad Andy will be able to bring me the rest of my medicine when he meets me in New Zealand because that definitely helps save space. I’ve also added a sarong and some more shampoo, sunscreen, and toothpaste. But so far I can’t quite part with anything in my bags. Hopefully that’s just a sign that I’ve done well with my minimalist carry-on only approach.
Did I leave anything out that you think I should’ve brought? Did I pack anything you think was unnecessary?
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October 16, 2011 @ 3:44 AM
Good job, if you wanted to go smaller, There are powder based shampoo’s and that go very far, and take up much less space since the water is “not added”. There are lotions that can be used as conditioners or vice versa. I like those zipper pants at REI that convert into shorts. There are some convertible shoes out there, that convert from like a high top into a sandal. The guide book would be better in a digital version. Have a great time, look forward to your future posts.
October 18, 2011 @ 5:05 PM
I did find a bar “soap” shampoo in my bathroom and brought that along, but I haven’t tried it out yet. I’ve never seen shoes like that, sounds interesting. Thanks Erik!
October 16, 2011 @ 6:50 AM
I haven’t unpacked anything unnecessary yet but we’re stoked to get rid of two Lonely Planets. One when we go to Panama and the other when we head to Colombia. We’ve ditched clothes but because they were falling apart. Good luck girlie!
October 18, 2011 @ 5:07 PM
I can’t wait to actually be able to throw something out. It makes me happy to know my bag gets even a tiny bit lighter each time I take a vitamin!
October 16, 2011 @ 2:38 PM
You’re doing exactly what I SHOULD have done, and what I recommend everyone does 🙂
October 18, 2011 @ 5:07 PM
Thanks Ian, great to hear!
October 17, 2011 @ 12:49 AM
I think you packed perfectly. You know me I pack light for 1 reason and 1 reason only… I am too lazy to be carrying around too much…lol!!!
October 18, 2011 @ 5:08 PM
I know what you mean! The thought of an even heavier bag makes me cringe.
October 17, 2011 @ 10:28 AM
Wow, well done for being such a minimalist! Not sure I could do it (probably to the detriment of my shoulders and back next year) but I applaud you.
October 18, 2011 @ 5:09 PM
Thanks! You have lots of time to plan, do what you can to take as little as possible. I really wish I had even less because it sucks to carry it around. You can do it!
October 18, 2011 @ 8:09 AM
Give it a few more weeks of travel, and after that if there is anything in your bag you haven’t used, it has to go. No matter what it is 😉 How much do your bags weight in total?
October 18, 2011 @ 5:11 PM
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking, there has to be something significant in my bag I can get rid of. I honestly have no idea how much my bags weigh, but they’re light enough Air Asia didn’t make me check anything. I just didn’t think to look at the scale when they weighed my bigger backpack.
October 18, 2011 @ 3:12 PM
Nicely done! Can’t think of anything you should have taken that you didn’t. Only suggestion is to upgrade to a laptop w/a built-in web cam when you can
October 18, 2011 @ 5:13 PM
Thanks! The laptop I have actually does have a built-in webcam, it just really sucks. Luckily my external webcam is really small. But I’ll definitely get a laptop with a better webcam whenever it’s time to replace this one!
October 18, 2011 @ 7:39 PM
go with an ipad instead, will cut down on the weight, and they have much better battery life, an no hefty power brick attached.
October 19, 2011 @ 10:16 AM
I don’t think the iPad has USB or a slot for a camera memorycard though, does it? In any case, unemployment might not be the best time for such an expensive purchase 🙂 maybe someday…
October 20, 2011 @ 8:31 PM
Wow! I am impressed that you are able to do such a long trip with just carry-ons. Lucky your trip is not through Europe though 🙂 All the low-cost carriers only allow one piece of carry-on, so that would make it much more difficult. Either way, hats off to you!
October 21, 2011 @ 1:45 PM
Thanks Sabrina! Air Asia gave me a hard time today about the weight of my bigger bag, but I made it work. I’m already wishing I had less stuff, so I’m glad I didn’t bring a bigger bag!
October 21, 2011 @ 8:38 AM
Wow! I envy you but I dont know if its just my long hair but I always seem to need to bring more shampoo than is allowed on a flight.So do you just keep buying the small bottles of toiletries?
October 21, 2011 @ 2:06 PM
I think any liquids I need (shampoo, contact solution, etc) I’ll just buy whatever I can find when I know I don’t have to get on a plane for a week or so and refill my small bottles. I might have to throw some out here and there, but I’d rather do that than check luggage. No way I could’ve brought the full sized bottles even if I was checking luggage, too much to pack for 5 months.
October 23, 2011 @ 5:12 AM
I just did a month RTW with only a tiny backpack. It’s really a great feeling to breeze through the airport procedures. Liquid really is a challenge, but there are ways around it with proper planning and a bit of creativity. Long live the art of lightweight travel!
October 23, 2011 @ 10:58 AM
Thanks Jodi! Everytime I see people struggling with their huge bags, I’m so happy I made the carry-on only decision!
October 23, 2011 @ 5:21 PM
My bags keep getting lighter and lighter, and I have never regretted leaving anything at home–except for the electronics and your Rx, you can always buy something if you find you really need it. Happy traveling!
October 24, 2011 @ 11:30 AM
Thanks! Always good to hear!
October 24, 2011 @ 1:35 PM
2nd attempt at posting…must remember to answer security question before submitting!
When I first started traveling, I would take a human-sized suitcase just for a few day trip. Now, I can do 1 1/2 weeks in a carry-on. So jealous that you managed 5 months worth!!! Definitely something to aspire to.
Have a great trip! Wish I could do something like this. How awesome to see the world.
October 24, 2011 @ 4:59 PM
Thanks Deb! I basically just decided if I have to do laundry anyway, I should just make it all fit in carry-on luggage, less to deal with. And you can totally do something like this, it just takes some planning and patience to make it happen. I’ve wanted it for years and finally decided about a year and a half ago to make it happen. If you want it, figure out how to do it in a way that works for you, and if you need more inspiration and practical advice, email me and I’ll point you to some great websites (other than mine of course!).
November 18, 2012 @ 9:16 PM
i have ulcerative colitis too and i’m also planning a 5 month trip around the world! hearing that you did it despite the disease is so comforting. thank you for sharing that with us.
November 18, 2012 @ 9:56 PM
Glad to help! It’s important to talk to your doctor before you go to make sure everything’s ok, but if your condition isn’t too severe (I can easily go a few years without any major problems) you should be fine. Try to get enough of your meds to last you a little longer than your trip, just in case. And get have your doctor write you a letter stating what you take and why. I was never questioned about my medicine, but certain countries might. Also a good idea to have the generic name and amount of the meds you take in case you need to get more on the road for some reason. I don’t recommend too many “just in case” things, but when it comes to this stuff, a little extra effort can go a long way. Let me know if you have any questions while planning your trip, and have fun!
January 26, 2013 @ 11:21 AM
Same medical issue here. What other advice do you have with regards to this especially in SE Asia? I do tend to use the bathroom more than most. Wondering how sharing a room is if your not feeling too hot? Great site & helpful info.
January 26, 2013 @ 4:33 PM
The good thing about SE Asia is that rooms are so incredibly cheap that I almost always had a room to myself. No matter what, be aware of what kinds of food cause you problems and try to keep your stress level low. Towards the end of my time in SE Asia, I wasn’t feeling too great, although nothing major. I ended up eating mostly boring food because I was afraid anything spicy would not agree with me. If you’re sharing a room with someone and you don’t want to explain your condition, you could always just blame the food and say you ate something bad! You should probably check with your doctor before you go to make sure you’re ok to travel (I have no idea how severe your condition is and I obviously can’t give you medical advice) and make sure you have enough medicine to last the length of your trip. But hopefully none of this will be a big deal for you. Let me know if you have any other questions, and thanks for checking out my site!