This post is the first in an occasional series of Travel Tip Tuesday Posts. It will be a quick and easy read and include links to (hopefully) useful sites.
I have been on the road enough times that I have some travel hacks sorted out. I know it’s easier to take the ipad and not worry about a computer because you don’t have to put it in a separate tray when you go through the security check. I know you need a different adapter for the UK compared to the US. I take my own extension lead and power board that way I only need one adapter but can plug in all my Aussie devices at once. I know it makes sense to use packing cubes to make organising your suitcase easier. I even have those roll up vacuum bags that you can squeeze the air out of. I know about putting things inside your shoes. I know about making sure you are well dressed when you go to the airport to increase your chance of an upgrade. I know about having my carry-on bathroom stuff in a see-through bag. I know about wearing your heavy clothes on the plane.
This stuff I know!
It’s not the mechanics of packing I have a problem with. What I am not good at is taking the right amount of the right stuff. I always, always always overpack and end up bringing things home clean and pristine, albeit a little wrinkled. I end up wearing the same few things and lamenting my poor choices of what I thought I would wear. I pick up a particular jumper and think to myself “when did I think I was EVER going to wear that. Why didn’t I bring XYZ jumper instead!”
I have learned I don’t need something different to wear everyday but I still take too much. Viz a viz
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The nice outfit in case I get an invitation to a fancy dinner (hasn’t happened yet!).
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The fancy shoes to match the nice dress for the yet to materialize dinner invitation.
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The extra pair of pj’s in case you can’t wash…I have always been able to find some way to wash my clothes, it’s not like I am going to the moon!
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The 6 changes of shorts/pants/skirts – 4 would probably be plenty
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The 10 T-shirt’s/shirts/tops – 6 would definitely be enough
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The jacket and the wet weather jacket – I could get a wet weather jacket that looked ok to wear anytime
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The hiking boots and runners – I don’t think I can cut down on these. I can’t run in hiking boots and my runners are not sturdy enough to hike in.
It’s not just the ‘wasted” outfits that are a problem. As a solo traveller I have to be able to manage all that stuff on my own and still be able to fit it and me into a toilet cubicle!
(Just an aside I think that is one of the main hassles of travelling alone – going to the bathroom and having no-one to watch your stuff!)
I need to be able to hoike that suitcase into the back of the car, onto the train, up the stairs by myself.
For my next trip (to Scotland – I’m excited) I have set a challenge to take just one 15kg checked bag and no carry on other than a backpack. (I will have an overnight layover, so need a change of clothes) That will give me 8 kg of wiggle room if I end up buying anything.
I have a few months to get organised and I have decided to base my travel wardrobe on the “capsule” theory of a few outfits you can mix and match. 14 items – 30 outfits. That sort of thing. You’ve seen them no doubt.
That’s what I am going to do! You will be my accountability partners! I will limit myself to 15 items (not including underwear etc) and 4 pairs of shoes. Two of which will be runners and the hiking boots.
Let’s see how I go! I will post again when I am packed.
Here are a few links I will be using to help me out.
https://www.momondo.com.au/discover/article/packing-tips-solo-travel
https://www.skyscanner.net/news/15-best-ever-packing-tips
BTW it’s going to have to be a big backpack!