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After reading a discussion on TFG’s Facebook page yesterday and dealing with my own travel woes, I realized that many people have a major misconception about traveling with carry on luggage.
Why You Should Always Travel with Carry On Luggage
It’s more than just baggage fees
Many travelers think traveling carry-on only is just about saving money on baggage fees.
This is hardly the case.
In fact, you can still check in your bag even if it’s carryon size – I do. The last thing I want after a long trip is to trump around 5 airport connections to get to the other side of the world dragging a bag behind me through endless airport terminals.
Better travel experience
You see, traveling with carry on luggage isn’t just about saving money; it’s about having a more positive travel experience.
This is why.
The bigger the heavier
The heavier and larger your bag, the more uncomfortable your experience. Every ounce of weight in your bag feels like tons after you’ve been on the road for a while.
Once you’ve picked up, unpacked, and repacked your backpack through a few towns and cities, you’ll start wishing you had packed absolutely nothing. Those unattractive Scottvest contraptions would probably even start looking appealing.
What if I’m not carrying my bag?
This goes for all travelers not just backpackers.
For travelers with wheels, using oversized luggage can pose an even larger issue than backpackers – picking up a suitcase is more awkward and difficult than a backpack especially if it’s an oversized bag.
Imagine carrying your suitcase by its tiny upper handle up three flights of stairs or lifting it up every time you find a gaping hole in the middle of the sidewalk.
Even if you’re on a coach tour around nicely paved first world Europe, you still have to lug your bag out of the coach and into you hotel room each and every night. Let’s face it, if you’re on a tour you’re probably moving even faster than backpackers with the hopes of seeing as many locations in as little time as possible making a giant suitcase an utter drag – literally.
Obviously, if your trip has you staying in places with bell hops and porters that do the lifting for you; these points may not apply to you.
One of the most important reasons to travel carryon is to limit the size of your bag and consequently the weight allowing you to have a more pleasure travel experience so you’re not constantly struggling with your backpack or suitcase.
And for every single trick in my packing book, read my full course “Stop Overpacking“. I created the STOP OVERPACKING program to teach you my exact packing process. Every secret, every detail, nothing is spared.
Learn more about Stop Overpacking here!
What you have to realize about traveling with carry on luggage is that this is one occasion where size isn’t the only thing that matters – its weight too. Create a capsule wardrobe and downsize your bag!
Why do you prefer to travel with carry-on luggage?
For more packing tips, please read:
- 10 Step Guide to Packing for any Trip
- One Bag Travel: Example and Packing List
- 8 Step Strategy to Travel Carry-on Only
I travel carry on because I want to have my luggage with me, not in another city or country. I’ve been down the path of ending up in Hawaii on my honeymoon (MANY years ago) without any of my carefully packed suitcases~ It was not funny at the time!
Packing carry on only limits the amount of stuff I’ll bring, which is good. It saves time when you arrive if you can avoid the luggage carousel. Even if you’re traveling for business, which we frequently are, taking taxis or shuttles to a hotel, it allows you to manage your own luggage during transports.
I generally use a small rolling bag, plus 1 personal item with a band to go over the suitcase handle. This works great in the U.S., not so well in Europe, as it turns out. I’m still trying to figure that one out! We do sometimes check our main bags on the flight home, just to have a break from dealing with it.
Hi Diane! I think we’re pretty much on the exact same page about carry-on travel. I also like the fact that it limits the amount of space so you can’t overpack even if you want to 😉 I also check my bag sometimes just for convenience but the sizing is for practicality. Thanks for sharing!
Please. Include the most important reason why travel light only: less weight, less carbon footprint! Think #eco friendly, #responsible, #green travel.
I’ll be sure to add it in Part 2 of this post!
Not only is it convenient, but with the inept baggage handling these days, I would only carry on my luggage. I just spent 12 days in France with NO luggage. In fact, it was on my doorstep when I returned home. It arrived the same day we did. If not for my tote with a change of clothes, make-up, and a flat iron (not to mention a patient husband), my trip would have been a disaster. I will only check bags on non-stop/direct flights from now on.
That’s horrible! Who did you fly with?