Tricks for Packing Light
Share your creative tricks to fit your world into a small bag for a European trip.
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
- Rick's Travel Tips: Packing Smart and Traveling Light
Scrubba wash bag
I just ordered a Scrubba bag, after having read the previous post. The inventor, Ash Newland, emailed me and said he would send me a prototype, as they are still awaiting enough orders to start mass production. I must say, it looks like a wonderful product for those of us who refuse to send clothing out through the hotel, or to sit in a laundromat for hours.
Carol
VA USA 02/02/2012
Reducing clothes when traveling
Last year traveling in Europe I met a guy who invented the Scrubba wash bag. Its essentially a lightweight waterproof bag with a flexible washboard inside. I just saw a video of it in use and thought I would share it here (http://youtu.be/H7lLzVltvmc). I reckon it could easily cut down on the amount of clothes you need to pack and get around having to pay for laundry which I found to be very expensive even in hostels in Europe.
Alex
Sydney, NSW Australia 01/30/2012
Packing Light
If you want to pack light, start with the luggage. My wife and I traveled through France for 15 days during the summer. We each brought one carry-on size bag. Don't pack at the last minute, plan ahead. If you pack clothes that coordinate, and are made of light weight, fast drying material, you will be amazed at the amount of clothes you can pack. I packed 5 days worth of clothes and had to hand wash each outfit twice. You may have to wash a few items here and there, but it beats carying around multiple bags through streets, airports and rail stations. Just about every B&B we stayed at had a hot towel bar, it works great for drying clothes fast.
Philip
The Woodlands, TX USA 01/16/2012
Lightweight purse/bag
I don't like the bulk and weight of a regular handbag, so I sew Velcro strips on the openings of the Eco-bags
meant for groceries. The bags weigh next to nothing, hold up to 40 pounds, are colorful, and don't look like a purse to potential thieves. Just stick your arm through the handle holes and grab the bag when you are in a crowd. For shopping, keep a second bag rolled up inside this bag.
Sally J.
Burlington, NC USA 01/14/2012
Packing Light
I wear one pair of black Mary-Jane style Merrell shoes all week long. Since I don't like to wear socks, I take 2-3 extra pair of insoles and change those like socks! Super comfortable, really.
I also "modified" a lightweight jacket for travel. It's a black car-length with a belt, so dressy enough for Paris, but no "safe" pockets. I sewed a velcro pocket inside for my valuables, tacked the belt down in the back so it wouldn't get lost, and even strategically sewed a button on the shoulder to hook my purse over. Obviously, I still have to hold it but you would be surprised how much it helps not to have to hitch my shoulder all day to hold my bag. When I need cash, it's easy enough to reach inside the velcro pocket. In the spring, it never got too hot to wear, even inside!
We take lots of photos so I bought scarves to wear and for souvenirs. They helped to give me variety. I'm taking the same plan to Seattle soon too!
Maggie
Indianapolis, Indian USA 01/08/2012
Free Cubes & Wrinkle Free
I save all zippered, durable plastic packaging that bed linens & drapes are sold in. They're clear, it's easy to see which items are in which cubes, and they're free. If I know that certain outfit pieces will get paired with others, those get zipped up together. No need to disturb the rest of the suitcase digging for one item. If you carefully roll the clothes and put them into the ones that 'just fit', they won't come out wrinkled.
One more tip. You've seen the travel spray bottles of Downy Wrinkle Free to release wrinkles in your unpacked clothes? You can make the same formula by diluting fabric softener - about 6 parts water to one part softener. Put it in a small spray bottle, and you'll be wrinkle free. Be sure right after you've sprayed your shirt or dress to run your hand down the front & back to help release any stubborn wrinkles.
Sarah
Austin, TX USA 01/06/2012
3floz
A wonderful website I've discovered:
3floz.com
It sells a variety of carry-on friendly goodies that aren't available in stores.
Briann
Nashville, TN USA 01/05/2012
Tricks for packing light
Many of the earlier posts have had some great tips: bring 2 or 3 pairs of travel underwear and socks that you can wash out. This is a great alternative to throwing things away, especially if you travel a lot (and most of these items can be used for everyday wear too). For men, Ex Officio and Magellans make good underwear, and I've found that most women's underwear is normally pretty thin and fast drying. My favorite socks are the Tilley travel socks, which are very light weight and dry overnight. They are a little expensive, but they are guaranteed for 3 years, and I love them for everyday wear. Previous suggestions of bringing soap leaves, using shampoo for washing clothing, or bringing a small amount of Camp Suds or other travel wash in a small container, also work well. The advantage of bringing these items is that your luggage is lighter and more compact from the very beginning of your trip.
Jan
MT USA 01/04/2012
New Year's Resolution
Here's a great tip!
Now that the New Year is here I plan to start saving up my old but still wearable (although my wife might argue with that!)underwear for my trip thru the back door this summer.
I plan to discard used underwear at each stop along my trek thus freeing up valuable space in my luggage for more souvenirs. Don't worry I'll be considerate and dispose of each garment in a baggie.
Here's to safe and happy travels in 2012!
Shiny Bob
San Diego, CA USA 01/01/2012
Traveling Light
Two words: Packing cubes. Seriously, the best bang for the buck to save space and stay organized. One carry on bag is all you need for two weeks anywhere in the world. Yes, my wife did it and never thought she could. Best thing ever!
John
Portland, OR USA 12/29/2011
Packing light, and the glories thereof
Our last trip to Europe (3 weeks, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, London, Llanidloes Wales) in May of 2011, we went carry-on only, and I will never travel any other way if I can possibly help it. We kept the luggage under 10 kilos the whole time (backpack for me, rolling case for my husband), and when we landed in an airport we could just walk out the door. It was wonderful! I wore everything I took, and didn't feel a lack of anything. We did laundry every 5 days or so, and used that time for writing postcards.
A note about luggage choices: if you're traveling someplace likely to have cobbled streets, I recommend a backpack style bag. Pulling a rolling case on cobblestones is like being followed by a very noisy cement mixer.
The packing tips here were extremely helpful, and all the merciless paring-down before the trip was incredibly worthwhile. I gave away my big suitcase when we got home!
Kalia Kliban
Sebastopol, CA USA 12/13/2011
Packing Light
I just returned from a 28 day trip to Europe. This included a 10 day cruise to Greece, Turkey and Egypt plus 18 days in Italy. I packed according to Rick's list and went to one of Rick's packing classes. I washed out underwear and socks every night. Washed shirts and pants twice in a month.When I left Seattle my luggage was 25lbs. I NEVER felt like I should have packed more. Loved the packing cubes. They made packing and unpacking breeze. Everyone on my Christmas list is getting some!
Michelle
Lakewood, Wa USA 12/11/2011
Sternum straps for RS packs
Outdoor Research makes sternum straps that will fit on RS packs
Minky
Harrisburg, PA USA 11/29/2011
Update on My Lightest Bag
I just returned from a 3 Week trip in Central America using Rick's Appenzell Day Pack. The bag was great for my needs. Laundry needed to be done every 3-4 days but that was no problem. I weighted in at 15 pounds. The lightness and size made it very easy to carry through airports, store under the seat and for bus connections. My only wish for the bag is that the zipper went all the way down and opened like a regular bag. I will be using this bag for 99% of my traveling.
John
Brooklyn, NY USA 11/26/2011
Traveling in style
I wanted a bag that had a good warranty and build . I went with the Victorinox 22" Werks Traveler Suitcase with a built in suiter for dress clothes.
The quality of the ballistic nylon and ergonomic handle where you can wheel your suitcase in a palm up fashion makes it easy to drag along the streets of Europe, through busy rail stations etc. This bag can hold a 15.4 inch laptop(hint remove the battery if its a bit too big and pack it in your carryon or suitcase.
Furthermore I bought a Tumi Icon Usher Messenger Bag with many pockets. I can put an IPod, Rick Steves Books and other nick nacks for the plane trip and for traveling in Europe. The shoulder strap is better than a backpack so its easier to pull if someone tries to steal it.
Furthermore both Victorinox and Tumi allow you to register the bag if its lost or stolen. And the Carry Free Guarantee of Victorinox will replace or repair the bag if its been damaged by the airline etc. for the life of the bag. Tumi comes with a 10 year warranty .
I used my United Miles which is hard to use for flights these days. You can open a credit card get 40,000-50,000( depending on the offer-be sure to get a secondary card to get bonus miles). Then you make a first purchase and get your miles. The first year annual fee is waived and after six months of having the card you can close it or keep it open.
Hope this helps when trying to find good luggage.
Daniel
Saratoga, CA USA 11/16/2011
Packing vitamins and little trinkets
I found this thing called the Travel Tabbi on Amazon and used it for my last trip overseas to pack my supplements and my earrings. It was a life saver. Normally all that stuff ends up disorganized all over my suit case with pills spilled everywhere by the end of the trip. This organizer has pockets that attach to it by velcro and you can take the individual pouches with you when you are out during the day (I have to take pills with my meal so it's handy).
Amber
Arvada, CO USA 11/14/2011
Re: My Lightest Bag
I've been using the Appenzell day bag as my go-to travel bag for a while. I use packing cubes to organize my belongings. Happy travels!
Jaye
Orange, NJ USA 11/11/2011
My Lightest Bag
I have a fetish for luggage. I have gone through many different incarnations of bags. Always trying to get lighter and more efficient. I am taking a 3 week trip through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador on the trail of Mayan Ruins.
I am traveling with Rick's Appenzell Day Pack as my only bag. This is the lightest and smallest bag I have ever used. I will be blogging the trip but when I get back I will post a review of the bag on here as well.
John
Brooklyn, NY USA 11/03/2011
Packing light
this tip is mostly for guys. Since I am a guy I will not give too many tips for women but plently of women here are helpful already. Assuming you'll be wearing pants, collered shirt on the plane. Pack one pair of linen shorts for hot days and heavy walking days. one pair of comfortable shorts to sleep in or go swimming in. one belt (reversable). two pairs of underwear and socks. Get rick's smallest red toiletries kit. I have the next size up but I'm going smaller this time, its half the weight. Get a cheap digital watch at walmart for about $8 and use that for your alarm as well. make photo copies of the guidbook sections you need ( or just rip them out). one t- shirt( for sleeping) 2 collered shirts,( micro fiber or linen if possible. I dont bring an mp3 or cell phone, thats just me. When I'm away I dont want to be bothered. your bag fully packed will be about 10 lbs. good luck!!!
Bill
Aiken, SC USA 10/30/2011
Lady's perfume
Instead of bringing bottled perfume, I save those scent strips from magazines. I cut them to just the essential piece, about 1" by 11" then onto 2" lengths. I put a bunch in my bag and I can lightly scent myself up with one or two strips. I then put a couple of the used ones in my bag between clothes to scent them a bit. I can discard them as I go.
Lisa
San Francisco, Ca USA 10/29/2011
Smaller Carry-on Bag
I found a rolling tote bag 17"x13"x8" by DELSEY and took it on a test run in the US. It is meant to be an expandable briefcase, but I was able to get enough clothing, notebook, Kindle, and misc travel stuff in it for a long weekend. The size makes it good for carry-on with the smaller airlines. I'll take it on my next European trip.
Swan
Napa, CA USA 10/13/2011
Re: Underwear
I'm an Ex Officio underwear fan too. So much so that the brand has become every day wear around our house. We often sink wash it at home and save on washer/dryer time and expense. Comparatively expensive, yes, but it more than pays for itself in the long run. There's usually a 25% off sale annually and that's when my husband, son and I stock up. We have also given it as gifts to travelling friends who are now on the bandwagon too.
Jaye
Orange, NJ USA 09/23/2011
ExOfficio Shirts
You can sign up for email notifications of their sales. I also like their knit shirts for travel; I have different styles and colors, all of which I got on sale. They are quick dry, comfortable, and nice looking.
Arlene
Altoona, PA USA 09/23/2011
Underwear
I second the ExOfficio underwear. I travel with 2 pair--one on and one in my suitcase. Wash out every night and always dry by morning. You could have another shirt in the space multiple pairs of underpants take in your luggage.
Arlene
Altoona, PA USA 09/19/2011
Underclothing
Beverly and I just returned from the Prague/Budapest trip and had a wonderful time. Honza was a terrific guide. One suggestion I did not see in your travel guide. Ex Officio has some underclothing which is terrific. I take two pair when I travel but you could get by with one if you don't plan to change during the day. Here is a link to their site. http://www.exofficio.com/products/mens/underwear
I have used it for several years of travel and skiing. It really does everything they say and is as easy to use as they say. The link is for men but I think they make it for ladies too.
Jim Askren
Atlanta, GA USA 09/16/2011
packing tips
I made a binder for all my travel/packing checklists. They start with what I need/can do weeks out, then week of travel, 24 hours before take off divided by sections. I always bring an over the door hook so I can always hang my toiletry bag. A flask is good for carrying any left over wine without the weight of a bottle. A pillow to sit on for long flights as some seats have virtually no padding and you go numb!
Deborah Nestle
Austin, TX USA 09/15/2011
Plus Size Clothing
For those plus size gals out there I have found a cardi wrap that can wrap almost 50 different ways and a convertible dress also. These are made from great material that is easy to wash in sink and hang to dry. I got mine from SWAK Designs for cheap. Just look for interchangeable fashions. For the smaller girl I believe cardi-wrap is a good choice as well as the infinity dress. I have struggled to find something versitile and fashionable and I do believe I fit the jackpot!
Amy
Maryville, TN USA 09/12/2011
Don't Bring it!
Don't bring it because you don't need it!
I guarantee at least 30 % of the items on you packing list you don't need. Unless you are leaving for a month think twice about it Most vacations are only 10 days!!!!
Harry
USA 09/12/2011
Tossing/Washing clothing
I pack and toss my oldest socks/undies and toss them. Toss means putting in the trash, not assuming anyone wants them. Then I wash a few socks and undies. I give them two days to dry hanging on the shower curtain pole. Because I wear casual clothing jeans, polos and sneakers I can spend long days touring in spite of my disabled feet. Why would I care what Europeans or Americans think of my dress? I also blend in and no one had scammed me in 33 years of travel.
Grizzly Bear Mom
Annapolis, MD USA 09/11/2011
One bag / Rick Steves Rome 2011 was our bible
It IS possible to do it with on bag. One of them was from this site http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139 and it worked perfectly. Saw another one with an older one in the Ottawa airport.
John McKay
Kingston, On USA 09/04/2011
Tricks for Packing Light
I have used the one bag for years. I pack 3 fast drying underware from Magellans. com or Champion from Target, 2 blue and 2 tan fast drying socks from Megellans, 7 tees, 6 long skeved shirts with a blen of polyester/cotton, 1 pair of navy and 1 pair of khaki no iron paints, `1 pair of jeans, one pair of shoes, 1 pair of flip flops, toiletries, and other minor items as needed. The shirts and paints are light and do not take much room. In addition, they look nice and are not too hot for the summer and good with a jacket for the winter. I don't bring bright colored shirts or ones with writing and/or pictures on them. I will go to a laundry once a week. This works for me. I always travel in May, September, or October. In the summer you may want to go with short sleve shirts of the same material or golf shirts where you will not neet tees.
Paul Grabert
Houston, TX USA 08/31/2011
Packing light for Paris
I just returned from a week in Paris in August, 2011, with my wife and uploaded a couple of videos on YouTube, one is 10 minutes and the other is 14 minutes on tip for Paris, packing, using the Metro,Europe in general, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoQoeO_0bZ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=617ea31cW6Y
Onurbmot
Urbana, IL USA 08/29/2011
skorts
For the last 5 years I have been going to tropical destinations, including cruises and went to Spain for 3 weeks. The five things I have found to be the most useful in packing light are:
1. skorts - a skirt that is a pair of shorts underneath. These are great for day and evening. 2. Lane Bryant tank tops. They do not fade and dry quickly if you have to wash them and are great for layering. 3. Travel packettes of woollite. 4. Hanes Mircrofiber underwear (available in lots of styles) - they are thin, no too expensive and dry quickly; 5. pearl post earrings - I do not want to take expensive jewelry, but I get pearl earrings cheap and wear them on trips as they are nice and good to wear during the day or evening and go with anything. additionally, to get mielage out of these clothes for trips, I only use them on trips and keep them separate from all of my regular everyday clothes. I still take all of my toiletries, but use really small round containers that I get when I ask for samples from Mac, Lancome or The Body Shop and just reuse them. It all fits in my toiletries bag for security.
tj
pacific grove, ca USA 08/28/2011
Traveling Light and Right
Here's a few tips on packing that have helped me over time.
First: Try to keep everything in a color scheme. I.e. One pair of black ankle pants will go a long, long way--you can dress them up in the evening and go casual.
Take more underwear than clothing. You can mix and match your clothes and wear your clothing on multiple days. However, you cannot do that with underwear.
Forget that Space Bag stuff-you can make your own by using a large zipper-type plastic bag that is normally used for food. Fold your clothing, place them in the bag and press down on the bag to let all the air out. Your bag will be totally flat--I also use this method to co-ordinate outfits as well. This way I'm not mulling over what to wear.
For the ladies: Go easy on the jewelry. I never bring good jewelry with me when I travel. I will go to a store and purchase cheap hoop earrings. They suffice fine and look good for both casual and dress opportunities. Makeup--don't bring a ton. In Europe women don't wear as much makeup as we do here in the states. I forgo foundation. Just bring the basics--like eyeliner, mascara and neutral shadows. One blush. One lipcolor or chapstick. Skin and hair--Samples, Samples, Samples. Go to your regular makeup S.A and ask for samples--or go to the drugstore and get travel sizes.
Shoes--Summer and spring: Flats for walking around and one pair of heels for dressy-occassions. To tell you the truth--get a pair of Tory Burch Reva flats in black and the shoe will do well for both. Nice pair of flat sandals for the beach or the heat of the summer. In winter..a great pair of boots that you can wear en route to your destination.
Catherine
Chesterbrook, PA USA 08/24/2011
Rick's Packing Cubes!
Rick's packing cubes are the only way I travel! I never over pack and it keep every thing in order. Worth every penny and beats thos ziplock bags!
michelle
Anaheim, CA USA 08/24/2011
Packing light
I also make room in luggage by throwing away old clothes! For ten weeks in Italy, I came back with a carryon and a daypack containing nothing but books and gifts I had bought. The customs agent at DTW was surprised that I had no checked luggage after ten weeks, and I couldn't resist saying, as I pointed to my carryon, "And there's no clothes in there!" He asked why not and I told him I left everything behind to make room for the items on the Customs form he was holding. He actually scratched his head.
I have to admit, after 10 weeks, most of the week's worth of clothing I started with was ready to be discarded. I pack the same number of pieces of clothing for one week as I do for three months. I hate checking baggage and waiting for it.
Zoe
Toledo, OH USA 08/18/2011
In Rick I trust.
I currently pack lighter than Rick and his checklist. I use a bag similar to his so everything fits with more than enough space so when I bring home that huge Oktoberfest bier stein, it will fit.
It comes down to clothes and toiletries. Always do without and get there if needed. 2 weeks worth of clothes = 1 weeks worth of packing clothes and a wash in-between.
I've taken Rick's trips and spun them my own way, traveling even lighter.
Brinkman
USA 08/17/2011
traveling light
As my underwear (boxers and tees) gets frayed and shabby, I replace them (of course) but I save the old ones for overseas trips. As they are used I throw them away thus making room for gifts on my return.
I can't stand to not wear an undershirt and they take up a lot of room on a long trip, so leaving them behind does make a difference.
Am I the only one who does this?
Jake
Saint Louis, MO USA 08/17/2011
Packing
Firstly, you are a tourist. Secondly you need to have fun, that is why we travel.
Underware and socks weigh nothing and will fit into extra shoes and any holes in your packing. Bring a pair for every day.
Why anyone would have a problem with zip off pants is beyond me. Fashion sense be damned. Take whatever is easiest and most comfortable. Who are you tring to empress? Everyone around you is also a tourist.
Be comfortable, and play safe.
Rod
Baltimore, Ont Canada 08/15/2011
Re: Dresses!
I, too, have concluded that dresses suit me much better for warm weather travel. Or, I'll pack a couple of my Macacbi skirts and some lightweight tshirts; both roll up very small. Not only does non-bifurcated apparel help beat the heat, it also facilitates using "the facilities".
Jaye
Orange, NJ USA 08/11/2011
Dresses!
My suggestion for women traveling in not-too-cold weather: dresses. A knee length jersey knit or cotton dress (sundress, t-shirt dress, shirt dress, something casual) takes up MUCH less space than a pair of pants and a top, and makes getting dressed easier. Also looks more fashionable and less touristy.
I brought 7 such dresses, all fit in ONE Rick Steves packing cube. Add one to two cardigans or light sweaters that will match all the dresses, and some tights for cooler weather, and you're good to go. As for shoes, I had a pair of Clark's flats that looked nice and were great for walking.
Obviously not ideal for serious hiking, but is very comfortable for general touring of cities and towns, which is what I do on my trips.
Miranda
Columbus, OH USA 08/03/2011
Girls gone thrifty!
When my friend and I went To England, I stressed to her the importance of walking to get fit and packing light. It was her first time to travel and she brought the craziest things- 50 sample lipsticks(from her job), sweaters she thought would look cute (heavy) and more outfits than days we were there. Being a heavy girl, these things added to her baggage. Still, we walked alot and had an awesome time, and of course, I added some of her baggage to mine, that's what friends are for. Despite the overload, we still needed, just for two days, some winter coats. This was June, but it was also England. We went to a charity shop in Dorchester and found some coats for 5 pounds. While I would normally suggest dumping them later, we both still have them as a fond remembrance.
Lorretta
Houston, Texas USA 07/29/2011
Packing light
I am with the previous comment about zip off pants..and vest too!please NOOOOOOooooo, Want to stick out like a tourist wear that! Europe is known for its great fashions. I am here in Rome right know with my two boys. We packed three changes of clothes and washed in the sink or laundro mat when available. Its summer so everything dried outside. We each rolled our clothes into gallon sized ziplocks it helped keep them organised and we had them to use if needed.
Z
Los Angeles, CA USA 07/26/2011
Toms
Melanie,
I wear my Toms shoes everyday and to Europe and have not had a issue with arch support. They have more arch support then they look like they have. They are really great shoes and not very expensive.
Erin
:), FL USA 07/25/2011
traveling light
I travel with a small buxton travel purse that fits my travel docs, maps, make-up and has credit card slots built in. It can sling across my chest. It fits easily into a large tote bag that I then use as my personal item. I can then travel with a carry on and I have the rest of the space in the tote for souvenirs. I have not found underwear to be an issue. I also find laying everything flat to take up less room. Most hotels have a clothes line in the shower making drying simple. I looked into the Tom shoes, as I find shoes to be the bigger issue for space. However, I think these shoes are unattractive and they do not have any arch support. This would be a problem after days of sight seeing.
Melanie
stoney creek, ontario Canada 07/24/2011
packing light
I pack enough for half the trip - then do a load of laundry. Also, if I can't easily lift my bag over my head, it is too heavy. I try to keep to lightweight clothes and layer with a jacket if needed.
AB
Nashville, TN USA 07/17/2011
carry on restrictions
Hi,
There's a carry on weight restriction twist now that Thomas Cook has taken over Air Transat. The old 10kg limit has now changed, as we found out leaving London Gatwick on Thomas Cook. The carry on limit is now 5kg. Lots of scenes of passengers shuffling belongings to meet 5kg limit .....
Rod Link
Terrace, BC Canada 07/15/2011
Safari vest
The best vest - - and the best price -- I've seen for the safari vest is at Great Outdoors Depot. Here's the website http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/apparel-vest-safari-khaki.html
Steve
Durham, NC USA 07/13/2011
One pair of shoes
I travel to Italy and France a few times and only bring one pair of shoes and those are TOMS. Toms are very comfortable and environmentally friendly and some pairs vegan. I alway bring my solid colors (like navy) that match almost anything so they are easy to pair clothes with as well. When you get your Toms, I would suggest wearing them the weeks prior to break them in because it helps with the daily walking. I do a good amount of walking while I am in Europe and these are the perfect shoes. Toms are also small, lightweight, and in addition to being very fashionable for any age (I am in my twenties, my cousin in her thirties, and mother in her fifties wear them) they are doing something good. When you buy a pair of Toms one pair also goes to a child in need somewhere that is without shoes. Great shoes for so many reasons! You can get them at www.toms.com
Erin
:), FL USA 07/12/2011
Packing the packs
We just returned from Eastern Europe on a 19 day trip. We packed everything into big ziploc bags, which we just tossed into a suitcase. Makes packing up a snap.
Paul Thompson
Sioux Falls, SD USA 07/04/2011
Tricks for Packing Light
I second Carol from TX who recommended Chico's cargo convertible pants. I have them in brown, grey and just bought black. They are lightweight, dry fast, look good anywhere and travel like a dream. Am taking the grey and black ones to Europe in 2 weeks.
Fran
Hendersonville, NC USA 07/03/2011
Travel Vest Safety
Someone expressed concern about the safety of a travel vest if it gets hot and you take it off. It could get swiped. One simple solution is to tuck an extra carabiner attached to an enforced cord. You can leash your vest to your belt loop.
Chara
Houston, TX USA 06/23/2011
Solid cosmetics and backpacks
I took solid shampoo, solid conditioner, solid face/body soap, a 2 in 1 lotion/sunscreen which worked as a facial moisturizer, all from Lush. The lotion/sunscreen kept my very light skin burn-free through 5 sunny weeks in Spain. Also, after 4 trips to Europe, I would never trade my convertible backpack/suitcase with a rolling suitcase. I feel like laughing out loud at the poor souls who are wrestling with their rolling suitcases up and down the inevitable stairs that one encounters in train and Metro stations throughout Europe.
Jill
Surrey, BC Canada 06/21/2011
Travel vests
Magellan's has some great travel vests as well as jackets that convert into vests. There is a Rick Steves podcast from March 12, 2011 featuring Rolf Potts talking about traveling with just a vest, no luggage.
Jeri
Salt Lake, UT USA 06/20/2011
Solids and shaving oil
I'm sure this has already been mentioned, but still...
I use solid shampoo and conditioner (from lush.com or basin.com). You can call the stores directly and they will ship it at very little cost. If you order from the Lush online site, it comes from Canada, which can take longer. I also use a small vial of shave oil when shaving my legs. It takes up very little room and I actually prefer it to shaving cream.
Miss Gaia
NC USA 06/15/2011
Travel vest
I love the idea (for women, not so much the look) of the multi pocket vests, but if it gets hot and you take it off, drape it over a chair and it gets swiped, how is this any different from losing your bag? You are still minus all the valuables and handy goodies tucked away in all those "secure " pockets. At the very least, don't use the "passport" pocket for your passport!
Ann
Victoria, BC Canada 06/14/2011
Too many clothes!
Even though I am a devotee of one bag, carry-on travel, on my May trip to Italy, I still included too much. Two pair of long pants and 3-4 wash & wear shirts along with a sweater for cool days was all I wore. Returning with unworn clean clothes added weight. I learned my lesson. Take heed, travelers.
Sarah Bates
Fallbrook, CA USA 06/07/2011
Travel Vest
I would like to know where the travel vest so skillfully described by Steve...
Bekka
D/FW, TX USA 05/28/2011
Travel Light -- and Compact
I use a safari vest when traveling. It's like wearing another bag: Heavy Duty 2-way Front Zipper, Breathable Mesh Lining, Huge Inside Pocket; Double Snap Closure' Ring for Keys; Adjustable Side Tabs; Pockets sized for:
Film canisters, Extra gear, Wallet, Pens & Pencils, Flashlights, Notepads, Passport, ticket; General Purpose Large inside zip pocket is perfect for maps & important documents; Side Entry Hand Pocket; D rings, etc. It's perfect. You'd be amazed at what it will carry -- and it doesn't count as a casrry-on. I even attach caribiners and hang things on it.
Steve
Durham, NC USA 05/26/2011
Perfect Pants for Travel
Check out the Cool Cargo Roll Snap Pant from Chico's. They can be worn as a capri or pant. I took 3 pairs (white, black, and khaki) to Italy in April. They were perfect - light in your bag, dried fast, very comfortable, and looked nice with a variety of tops.
Carol
TX USA 05/25/2011
No Zip Off Pants
Dear Fashionable Packing,
I definitely would never wear zip off pants in Europe. I'm from Seattle, as is Rick Steves, and I adore his tours and books, but his fashion sense comes from going to Mt Rainier.
However, if you wear zip off pants (or shorts) in Paris, I will move you to the back of the line.
When I was 23, I wore jeans in Paris. Now that I'm 58, I wear travel dresses. At the moment, my favorite dress travel dress is the Travel Smith Women's Voyager Knit. It's super lightweight and I have a black lacey Nic + Zoe mesh tie-front cardigan to throw over it. If I were forty, I wouldn't want to cover my arms, but I'm old-ish.
I was in Paris at the end of March and I wore that outfit (and one other) with a flocked reversible Mycra Pac short Donatella raincoat. This kept me warm when the wind came off the Seine.
I am going to Paris for a few days in June with my daughter and I will be taking a blue version of the Travel Smith Voyager dress and two Luna Luz dresses in dark colors. My daughters will be wearing jeans and short dresses.
If you are a Baby Boomer (or any adult woman) and you're going to a major city in Europe, you can read my ideas at suite101.com...however, I've just told you my best clothing tips for Paris, London, or any Northern European city.
PS I'm a fan of Naturalizer and Mephisto shoes. I also like high-heel boots whenever it's not hot. You might be able to pull off zip off pants in Munich or Berlin because Germany is the Santa Cruz of Europe. However, unless you are naturally beautiful, tall, thin woman...forget weird stuff like zip off pants. Uggghhh.
Christina Gregoire
Seattle, Washington USA 05/24/2011
Left Behind
One thing I do take along to "leave behind" are the books I bring to read. A lot of the places we stay have a small library, so I will donate the book to the hotel staff after reading it. It frees up space right before I go home. I don't feel like I'm leaving my trash in Europe because the books are in good condition, and it's clear that fellow travelers do read them. In fact, I've traded books with staff permission at such hotels/hostels and have been told by staff that many other travelers do as well.
The other trick for packing light: keep a written list when you pack for your trip. When you return home, as you unpack, check your list. If you packed something you did not use, consider whether you ever need to bring it on a trip again.
Deb
Sioux Falls, SD USA 05/23/2011
Packing Light
I am going to Italy in Sept and will spend most of my time in cities looking at art. I really want to look great and feel comfortable. Although I am in my early 60's, I really appreciated Canada Kate's comments from April of this year. I doubt I'll wear jeggings, but I certainly won't go for zip-off pants either. TY especially for the tips about your color palette and the cool sneakers... the right shoes are always an issue for me. Your posting really helped. Meg
Meggie
Santa Fe, NM USA 05/19/2011
"LEFT BEHIND" doesn't read this board
Pack light, take just what you need, take nice clothing that you wear here at home. If your clothing is so bad that you feel you have to "donate" it to the maid in a hotel in Europe. Take in to Goodwill in our country NOW.
from Canada
USA 05/15/2011
No to "leave behind"
A few weeks ago I led a group of high school students (all girls), plus two more chaperones, to England and Scotland. I only allowed everyone to have a carry-on sized suitcase and another bag to go under the seat. It was much easier for us to handle our luggage, especially since a couple of the hotels had either no elevators or very small elevators. The other groups we were paired with had giant suitcases which they struggled to carry. My group didn't regret having light luggage! I also encouraged them to stick with two pairs of shoes, which they did. I usually have two pairs in the spring/fall/winter: one to wear and an extra because it's good to rotate them. In the summer I carry three: a pair of gym shoes for the plane because it's gross to have bare feet on the floor of the airport/plane, plus two pairs of nice-looking but comfortable sandals (one black, one neutral). I generally use Dansko and Privo.
I also agree that the "left behind" concept is a bad one, especially for socks and underwear. I bring three pairs of underwear with me, all of the Ex Officio brand, because they dry extremely quickly. I also only bring only three to four pairs of socks (in seasons other than summer), and wash them using a small bottle of Dr. Bronner's soap. Who wants to wear ratty underwear and socks (which could give you blisters, anyway) on a trip? Same goes for clothing. Why would you want to wear clothes that are old and don't look nice? Just because you're on a trip and will be walking a lot, especially in the summer, doesn't mean that you should dress like you're cleaning your house, especially in France and Italy, where people tend to dress a bit nicer. I try to blend in with the locals as much as possible, and it's impossible to do that if you're wearing old clothes or ones with stains on them. How sloppy! Bring fewer, nicer items that dry quickly (Rick's clothesline is great for this) and you'll not only look great but will be carrying a lighter load as well.
Stephanie
Chicago, IL USA 05/15/2011
Who says women can't pack light?
We just got back from a week in the Low Countries, where the weather was in the 60's most days, and usually sunny. I had the lightest suitcase of the 4 of us. It's a rolling backpack, 19"X14"X7" and has 4 small outside pockets. I packed 2 long-sleeved shirts (wore another on the plane), 2 T-shirts, and one 3/4-sleeve shirt, figured that covered all the bases. Then I packed undies and socks/hose, 2 pair travel slacks, the laundry kit (bungee cord, clothespins, travel soap, stain stick, Shout wipes), the picnic kit (snap together bowls, plastic cutlery), another pair of shoes, all my pills and non-liquid toiletries, hairbrush, and an umbrella. I had a small tote holding a shawl for an extra plane blanket, my liquid toiletries, travel journal, Kindle, inflatable pillow, passport, credit cards, jewelry, etc. I looked at my suitcase and there was still a lot of space, so I packed my favorite bed pillow! Many hotels have one pillow and either it's down, which means my allergies will kill me, or it's so thin that I end up putting the bath towels under it. I wore a travel skirt, the long-sleeved shirt, pair of shoes, underwear, and support knee-highs. I had a washable suede jacket which I wore on the plane and then stored in the overhead compartment. It turned out that I never wore the second pair of shoes because they suddenly began to rub me painfully. Next time I'll just bring gel insoles for the ONE pair of shoes.
Carol
VA USA 05/10/2011
Leaving things
I think the whole "leaving things" debate is just so old - don't the people who post it ever read back at all? This has been debated on forums for years! I still think it is a bad idea but more than that it is a boring topic.
bored
Canada 05/03/2011
Yes! to leaving things
I am a 64-year-old retired French teacher who has traveled extensively throughout Europe and who has been leaving "things" for over 40 years. I have never ONCE had anyone take offense. In fact, I've been thanked many times. The clothing items I leave are not rags. They are quite good, but for one picky reason or another, I no longer care for them (i.e. the color doesn't suit me anymore, there's a tiny stain, it doesn't fit quite right), So far as the people in Western Europe throwing our leftovers in the trash, that it simply ridiculous. Most of the maids who clean the rooms are from deprived countries. In Barcelona, our 2 maids were from the Dominican Republic; in Italy, from Romania; in France, Tunisia. And I do not look like a slob when I travel. For one thing, I'm not overweight, which is one reason Europeans find us so slovenly. The notion that those of us who leave things behind only leave rags is absurd. I've heard that in America we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. As I leave things during my trips, I have plenty of room for my souvenirs. And believe me, the people who receive my hand-me-downs are grateful. We forget how much we have in this country and how little others around the world have. I also leave toiletries and anything else I can do without at the end of my trip. I frankly don't care whether people leave things or not; I just don't want the naysayers to influence those who've never done it into thinking it's a bad idea. It's a great idea and I will continue to do it for the next 40 years!
Trudy
San Antonio, TX USA 05/01/2011
Packing Light
This whole thread about throwing away old underwear is interesting. Why underwear? Does it take up so much room in the bag that if it doesn't get thrown away it will keep you from bringing home all of those gifts for loved ones? I found that packing the 2 pairs of shoes that I brought to be a bigger issue. Seriously, underwear? We were gone for 4 weeks in Europe last summer and I had only a carry on. I packed 7 pairs of undies along with my clothes that needed to get us from Scotland to Italy. They took up so little room that I don't understand the problem. (And they were just regular undies...nothing microscopic!) Just stick them in the nooks and crannies of your bag if you are running out of room. As far as room for souvenirs we did a couple of things (1) besides not really buying that much stuff, the small amount of stuff we did get had to be light and flat - coasters, lace in Venice, an old map, etc (2) I had purchased a small tote bag as a souvenir and for the flight home I stuck my purse in it along with any extras I had accumulated. It became my personal carry on along with my luggage carry on.
Wendy
FL USA 04/20/2011
Fashionable Packing
While Rick has amazing packing tips for the 35+ age group, I find myself (as a 23 year old) somewhat cringing at some of the items. Zip off pants? Most non-backpacker young people wouldn't be caught dead in them. My mother on the other hand found the list extremely useful and was comfortable travelling with the listed clothing. I, however, as a fashion conscious twenty-something, was made all too aware that my European cohorts are the ones setting the trends for North American young people. I'd like to share my two cents on what I found useful as well as fashionable when I was overseas:
-A pair of thick leggings or "jeggings" (young people will know what these are?)
-One pair of lightweight denims or casual pants, something dark wash and in style, usually wide leg or skinny leg cut.
-Three button down cardigans and a tunic style cardigan. This dresses up any tank or tee.
-Three tanks/cami's, three lightweight tee's (layer as desired).
-Three long sleeve or 3/4 length tops.
-A simple dress than can be worn during the day and dressed up with a shawl at night.
-Black flats.
-Two shawls or scarves.
-A fashionable raincoat or windbreaker. I have a pink Columbia windbreaker which has been great for my previous two trips.
-A cross chest strap small purse or clutch. Handy and stylish while avoiding bulk.
-Faux leather coat. Not bringing my real leather as I don't want it nicked.
-Hip pair of sneakers. No, not running shoes, but you will see young Europeans with a variety of casual walking sneakers, looking very crisp and comfortable. Retro-style is very popular in North America and abroad.
All of these can be combined for at least 10 or more outfits. Colors I chose were mainly blues, grays, some black, and a punch of color with a bright cardigan a few colorful tops. I have packed for my two week trip which is in two weeks and everything fits perfectly into my carry on. I also plan on wearing a few of these items on the plane, reducing the bulk.
Kate
Canada 04/16/2011
Underwear
The pantyliner tip below made me giggle. Euw!! I buy a pack of 7 mesh panties from Walmart. The mesh is so light you can crumple up all 7 pairs and hold them in one hand. You have an unworn pair each day for a week that can easily be washed in the sink afterward and dry in a snap.
Kat
Boston, MA USA 04/06/2011
disposable flashlights
I like to bring a disposable flashlight - after it wears out I throw it out - in their landfill!
shiny bob
san diego, ca USA 04/04/2011
quick-dry everything
We just got back from a week in Wales (lots of time on trains, hiking/exploring on foot, and one fancy hotel dinner). I highly recommend ExOfficio and Techwick shirts and underwear -- you can wash them in the hotel sink and they're dry by morning! I wore an ExOfficio shirt, travel pants and a hoodie on the flight over, and only packed one change of clothes (quick-dry travel shirt, pants, socks, undies) and a nice sweater for the hotel dinner. It got me through the entire week. (And, honestly, I probably could have gotten away without the sweater.) I'm never packing more than two of anything again.
tracy
MA USA 04/04/2011
Packing light for the Beach
Last summer we travelled to Italy for three weeks and were going to spend 5 days at the beach. We each brought a Turkish Towel which had multiple uses. A Turkish Towel is like a giant dish towel, thin, lightweight, and packs up really small. They were big like beach towels, dried fast, and could be worn as a sarong at the beach and at restaurants. Later when we got to Florence, I packed our laundry into the towels, tied up the corners, and used them to carry the laundry to and from
the laundromat. And even later in our trip we used them at the pool where we stayed in Tuscany. I even brought 3 towels as gifts for our Swedish friends who we met up with at the beach. The towels were so pretty that my friend wanted only to wear them as a shawl!
Beth Forencich
Portland, Oregon USA 03/06/2011
Lotion bars instead of lotion
I recently discovered lotion BARS and now I never travel without them! No need to worry about fitting lotion in the baggie that the TSC allows. Plus, if you buy nice ones, it's a little extravagance that takes up no space! The nicest ones I've found are from Lusa Organics (and no, I don't work there).
Christie
Logan, UT USA 02/24/2011
Clothing
Layer your clothing and pack with purpose! Every trip I make to Europe (usually three or four times a year), I pack essentially the same things. I have found there is really no point in bringing shorts (you look like a tourist from the US and rarely have occasion to wear them). Every trip fits inside my 40L pack: 6 polos, 2 pair lightweight linen/cotton pants, 5 pair socks, 5 pair boxers, good walking shoes, lightweight cotton pullover, and in the winter, I add a pair of long johns, a scarf, and gloves. Don't forget to roll your shirts and pants - saves a LOT of space in the pack. That's it! Last summer I did 8 weeks in Central Europe with those items and did wonderfully. Some traveling companions packed two suitcases and had a horrible time lugging them around (and missed some trains that I caught just fine).
Joe
Miami, FL USA 02/21/2011
Throwing out old clothes
What folks are both sides of the debate seem to be ignoring is that whether this is a good or bad idea is wholly dependent on where you are traveling to.
Old clothes left in a hotel room in Western Europe (or Japan or Singapore) will most certainly be viewed the same as it will be if left in a hotel room in New York City or Seattle[INVALID] trash.
Old clothes left behind in most of Africa and much of Asia & Latin America will be well received put to good use.
If this is a good or bad thing depends on where you are traveling to. As most of the people visiting this site are planning trips to Western Europe and not the third world for most it should be considered a bad idea for the reasons listed by others.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't have a role as a packing tip for some destinations.
Ed
albany, ny USA 02/14/2011
men's carry on visual pack list
Here's my visual pack list. It was designed for British Isles in September.
http://www.polyvore.com/mens_travel_pack_list/set?id=1440268
brad
Gainesville, va USA 02/10/2011
Discarding clothes en route
I somewhat agree with Concerned Traveler and Andy Perry - I think some people here have gone overboard on the "take old stuff you can throw away" bandwagon. Sure, bring those old pairs of underwear and socks that you were only going to get a few more uses out of before throwing them away anyway, but going to Goodwill to buy clothes to leave over there is wasteful. Please remember that when you are in Europe, you are an ambassador for America. Your actions there can either dispell or reinforce negative stereotypes about us, based on your choices. Two stereotypes about Americans are that we are slovenly in appearance when in Europe on vacation, and that we are wasteful. Wearing old threadbare clothes that we plan to discard will reinforce the former, and leaving those clothes in every hotel room we check out of will reinforce the latter. Better just to pack light with durable, nice looking, and easy to care for clothes, and then reuse and sink wash when needed.
Mark
Houston, TX USA 02/08/2011
Shipping stuff back to lighten the load
My comment involves a warning: be very careful when mailing/shipping items back from Italy. We decided to mail several packages back to the US in order to lighten our load. Not only was it expensive (about $75 for two small packages), both packages had been opened and items removed.
Ken
Sacramento, CA USA 02/07/2011
My travel light suggestions
I have the packing light suggestion of taking flesh colored nylon fabric underdrawers. I can pack fewer pairs, and have no worries if they show thru lighter colored pants or dresses. They match my skin. Clever, huh! I also take body wash for bathsoap and laundry soap. Also, works great to take the stinky feet aroma out of my shoes from walking all day. Just put some on a tissue and place in shoes.
Linda
Buffalo, NY USA 01/30/2011
Limit underwear
My tip for women: skip taking extra pairs of underwear. Use pantiliners (such as Kotex Lightdays) to keep your one pair of panties clean for days on end. As you travel, your stash of pantiliners will dwindle, giving you more room in your suitcase.
Suzanne
Fairfield, CA USA 01/26/2011
Leaving Clothes On Trip
I must concur with Concerned Traveler. To go to Goodwill, a charitable organization selling used clothes for people who cannot afford to purchase at normal clothing outlets, and purchase clothes to just dispose of in Europe is appalling. This is why America has a bad name, the consume and dispose of culture, the environment be damned. If you think people in Europe want your old clothing, think again. It's just a typical example of our elitism: they need our used, worn-out clothing. The first time I went to Europe, 2005, I spent 6 weeks and used one carry-on. If you don't know how to pack, don't know how to treat people with respect, please, stay home and enjoy you McDonald's.
Andy Perry
Louisville, KY USA 01/10/2011
Re: Leave good stuff at home
I am sorry, but I do not understand why people think they have to pack items that they leave behind when traveling.
I pack 2 pairs of pants, 3-4 tops, a jacket, 3-4 pairs of underwear, 1-2 pairs of socks (if needed) and I'm set to go. Why would I go to Goodwill and buy additional stuff, just to leave it behind? I'm not adding to someone's wardrobe, I'm leaving trash in someone's country. How do you know that the cleaning staff just doesn't put that stuff in the trash? Do you think it's their size, and they are so grateful to you for leaving your 2x worn clothing for "them" to use?
Pack LIGHT, take what you own, and bring it home. If you have to wash in a sink, do that.
Anyone can travel for 2-4 weeks with 2-4 sets of outfits. To truly be a global traveler, you don't bring items you intend to discard!
Concerned traveler
USA 01/09/2011
Leave good stuff at home
I travel with only carry-on. I purchase clothes from Goodwill and take my old socks and underwear. These can easily be left in hotel room or in the case of clothes, I donate them. Leaving me with an empty suitcase to bring home treasures from my travels.
Paula McCloskey
Green Valley, AZ USA 12/30/2010
Oldies but goodies
Missing some oldies but goodies here: Mageline makes a fabulous, light-weight travel clothes line, holds clothes without pins; a tube of Travel Wash is great, suds rinse out easily; Dr. Bronner's peppermint wash is great for laundry, shampoo, bathwash, etc.
USA 12/04/2010
packing light
just thought i'd add my 2 cents worth. i get a tiny collapsible umbrella hanger for everynight washing ($2 at a dollar store) ; roll up 2 leggings (short and long black - hides dirt and goes with everything), 2 tops, one dress, (i can't live in the same outfit for 10 days - 3 weeks, and i test them all to make sure they will dry overnight); one silk nightie, undies (including bra top, socks), raincoat, sandals/shoes, sweater with a hood, and since learning the hard way that you can take one carryon plus purse to UK, but only one bag back, i now wear everything in the bag through security, and once through, take most of it off and repack the bag. if i need jeans due to cold, i go to a local thrift shop (tons in the UK) and if necessary, leave them behind. i wear a wrist wallet instead of purse, and leave the moneybelt with passport in the hotel safe. i also learned to always have a cell phone (that fits in my wrist wallet) because on my first trip to london, i ended up inn four hospitals in four days, and no way to contact anyone. the Iphone has GPS, alarm and internet...does one really need anything else? or cheap uk phone is good also. i won't be taking my laptop this time, as small as it is because of the iphone and internet cafes. Don't forget the sink plug, adaptor for phone charger and micro-fibre facecloth. duplicate info essential...thought i'd lost my air tickets on one return and used the duplicates in my bag. Oyster card is on it's third trip. Barclays Bank ate my debit card on two separate trips; once was particularly bad because i didn't find out until after dinner in a restaurant that couldn't take credit cards, and i had no cash left, so i went to Barclays down the street and the ATM ate my card. ! had to sweet talk the restaurant owner into trusting me to pay him the next day, and it was an interesting process trying to get my card back.. Use cirrus ATMS. don't forget to let your card companies know your itinerary, and always have 40 to 60 pounds for the day just in case of emergency. i found the day bag a must for peanut butter sandwich and apple picnic (I usually take something from B&B brekkie to get me through to dinner - i can't eat those huge B and B full breakfasts in one sitting, so i take something small to go - another reason to have a free ziplock), water, map, sunscreen..something that folds up into nothing. You don't have to spend huge dollars...check your local thrift shops. A tiny LED flashlight on keyring that hangs on the wrist has been very useful at night or dark places or when the light goes out or you can't find the switch. Try and be hands free as much as possible if for no other reason than to catch yourself when you trip on the cobblestones, or mind the gap and miss) , i found the notebook useful to journal in when i travelled alone which helped me feel like i had company. i take a silk pillowcase which eliminiates some bad hair moments, and helps me sleep cause my brain thinks i'm at home, a hat for sun and bad hair. I also take laxative tea, sleepy time tea and some immune building throat spray which counteracts the airplane air and digestive time zone adjustments. i take my own water bottle with it's insulator shield (great for keeping water cool on hot days and cheaper than buying bottled water) . it tucks into the side pocket. With the tiniest toiletrie bag attached to tiny hanger that will hang on the back of the bathroom door You can acdtually take a hanger and put it through the other side of a ziplock), and purex sheet strips for luandry and easy in and out of the backpack, plus ziplocking most things, especially the undies, i'm off with the essentials and the weight does not affect my spiinal decompression therapy.
deb
coquitlam, bc canada 11/20/2010
Baby Wash Cloths
European hotels seldom provide washcloths. I brought several baby wash cloths, initially for cleaning my face. Found they were also useful for lining the body-side of our moneybelts. They absorbed perspiration. They were inexpensive, not bulky and dried quickly.
Susan
Santa Clara, CA USA 11/18/2010
Packing Light
I pack light by taking mix-and-match clothes that can also be layered for extra duty. Since I only take a few button shirts, I take a small sewing kit. No buttons, no shirts. Happy travels!
J. Berg
CA USA 11/07/2010
TOM'S shoes
I just bought a pair of TOM'S shoes for my last trip to France. I used them on the plane and in the airport - easy to slip on and off, good cushioning, easy on the feet. NOT for long days touring in cities, but fantastic for swollen feet and ankles on the plane, going through security and easy to pack back in the suitcase- they fit on the side and take up almost no room. I got the canvas ones in Black to match everything. I used them in the hotel as slippers and down to breakfast every morning, or out to dinner at night. The best thing about TOM'S is if you buy a pair, TOM'S gives a pair of shoes to a child in need.
Ellen
Centennial, CO USA 11/02/2010
a few tips/ideas
I second the motion on the throw-away-socks & undies tip; I took old ones and threw them away (actually cheaper than having 'em laundered by hotels, and more convenient than spending time washing them yourself; they're pretty cmpact too; don't really save much space in luggage by packing 1 fewer pair of socks...). If you can deal with the high cost, using the hotel's laundry service for other items (e.g shirts and pants) does at least buy you a good deal of convenience; can pack less, and don't have to spend time doing your own laundry.
A few common items i've found helpful are:
*rubber bands: surprisingly useful for holding stuff together, light, take very little room in luggage. Can be used as emergency shoe sole repair, to hold various documents/items together in a bag and/or to compress folded stuff; can also wrap a rubber band around one's wallet to provide friction with fabric in your pocket (making pickpocketing a bit tougher).
*plastic/ziplock bags: for organizing things in luggage; also useful if you get caught in a downpour; can put your mobile phone, electronic device, passport, etc. in the bag to avoid getting 'em water-damaged
*small pocket-sized notebook and a collapsable pen: can use these to jot down photo descriptions, and/or make impromptu maps or list directions to various places (can also help you communicate if you can spell words in other languages but aren't great with pronunciation). someone mentioned taking photos of street signs, etc. to record descriptions for photos. I found this a good [INVALID]native too; I've also used the digital camera for "mapping" purposes. e.g.-once I got out to an area not covered by my pocket map, so I took photos of various street signs, landmarks, and buildings, and checked the viewing screen as I walked back to see If I was going the right way.
steve
Houston, TX USA 11/01/2010
Laundry
Worried about laundry? Still want to pack light and not worry about taking/buying powders and liquids with you? or trying to find some there? Try 'Purelle' laundry sheets. They're like a fabric softener sheet (i.e. Bounce) but have the dry laundry detergent and anti-static fabric softener sheet all in one sheet. It is light, thin, not messy like a powder or liquid, I just slipped it between my clothes and it did a great job when I did a load at the hostel in Paris. It's cheaper than buying soap there and totally portable.
Scott Greenwood
Toronto, ON Canada 10/26/2010
You can always get laundry done. We were in Budapest and had the laundry sent out by our hotel, they picked it up from our room, and dropped it off the next day. For about $15 US not only was it laundered, everything, including our socks and unmentionables, was ironed !
Wendy
USA 10/26/2010
knives/corkscrew
a caller on a recent radio show asked about carrying a knife in carry on. well, you can't. but here's what we did. we took only carry on luggage to Paris, and then bought an inexpensive, popular french knife/corkscrew combo at a charming kitchenware shop, E. Dehilleren, had an authentic shopping experience, had our authentic souvenir corkscrew (which got lots of usage), bought a few more knives, (Opinel) as gifts - when we returned, yes, we had to check one bag with the knives, but another option might be to ship them home. Bon voyage!
michael konkol
brier, WA USA 10/25/2010
Packing light for Rome in the Fall
We just returned from Rome and thought I'd offer a few tips on what to pack/not pack. We managed to spend a week in Rome, dressed reasonably well, and only used a carry-on sized bag each. First of all, I am a big proponent of the "go and throw" philosphy. I took quite a few t-shirt type tops (in solid colors) which were still wearable but not worth keeping another season and used those as the basis. These were worn under either a black v-necked cardigan or grey cardigan and accented with a few scarves or inexpensive/costume jewelry I brought along. Even without sweaters (during the warmer daytime), the t-shirts looked presentable when dressed up with the accessories. I had two pairs of jeans - one dark blue and a pair of black jeans which were also serviceable but not ones I planned on keeping much longer. I wore black yoga-style slacks on the plane for comfort. These also doubled with the black cardigan to look more dressy at night. I did bring two dressier tops for nighttime use. I wore a pair of good walking shoes and packed another dressier pair of comfortable black shoes which were worn in the evening. Added a pair of slip-on sandals for walking around the room/hotel. I left behind the shirts, old jeans (folded, in plastic bag marked "refuse" an left in room - just in case anyone wanted it or could donate it) and also threw away the older nightie/lingerie I had brought. This left me with lots of room in my bag for the items we had purchased in Rome. This method makes packing much easier, doesn't require bringing a suitcase full of "dirty laundry" home and gives me an opportunity to thin out my drawers/do inventory before buying new items. For toiletries, I brought what liquids would fit in the required quart sized bag limit. For cosmetics, I found a compact-sized product with eye shadows, 2 lip glosses, and blush all in one piece which saves a lot of room. I also have a solid bar of shampoo, which I got at a Lush store. When the small bottle of hair conditioner I brought ran out, I picked up a bottle in the local grocery store for 2 Euros. It was fun trying a new product from another country. As a side note, I would say that no matter what you wear you will look like a tourist! Even though many Italians are wearing casual clothing, they seem to wear it very well. I think it may be because they generally seem to be petite and proportionally built so whatever they wear fits well and looks good. They are also very big on scarves, and they all seem to wear one! As for my SO, he does not ascribe to the "throw" philosphy so he opted to take several golf-type polo shirts which could easily be washed out and quickly dried overnight. As for creative extras, I packed an over-the-shoulder black bag for day use, a couple of those compacted wash cloths you can get at dollar stores, 2 umbrellas and we each wore a lightweight weather-proof jacket on the plane. All in all, it was so much easier and faster to not lug around large pieces of luggage, nor get charged for checking them in. I was amazed at the size of suitcases some people drag around with them. Hope this information is helpful!
2Travelers
Virginia, USA 10/16/2010
Pack super light
I wear the NorthFace pants that roll into Capris and zip off into shorts. For shirts I wear the Techwick T-Shirts from EMS: you can wash them in the sink at night, and they are dry before morning. Two pants, three shirts lasted three weeks!!
Kelley
Buffalo, NY USA 10/12/2010
Useful Items
I find that there are never enough hangers in the closets of hotels and B&B's. What I do is bring along about 8-10 thin wire hangers that I usually get from the dry cleaners. I use a black clip to hold them together and place them as the last thing in my Rick Steve's suitcase. They take up virtually no space. Another essential item is a small, very fine spray bottle (can be found in the travel section at the drug store). I hang the wrinkled item on one of the hangers and lightly give it a spray using water from the tap. Then give the item a few shakes and use your hand to brush out the wrinkles. It takes only a minute and it is ready to wear.
USA 10/11/2010
Photo ids without notebooks
Rather than packing a notebook to keep track of photos I take a photo id picture of where I am. A road sign, a directional sign to the site, and if I can't find any sign, I take a photo of the description in the guidebook. When I get home I can always identify where the photos were taken.
Jane Kistler Halweg
New Bern, NC USA 10/01/2010
Macabi skirts
I'm another fan of the Macabi skirt. I recently took two skirts and a few tops on a weeklong trip. They were much cooler than pants and appropriate in more places than shorts. I buy a new color each year during their annual sale.
Jaye
Orange, NJ USA 09/21/2010
Macabi skirts
Arlene- I have worn & enjoyed Macabi skirts for several years now- traveled extensively with them all over the world. I have swam in waterfalls in my Macabi; hiked; gone to dinner- you name it. They are pricey but so worth it!
Beverly Winchester
McKinney, TX USA 09/20/2010
packing light
1) it helps if you only have to pack for one type of season 2) I buy chef's pants and wear them everywhere. They're tough, they wash well, and are comfortable. There are many styles available (I don't get the white ones obviously). 3) zip lock bags 4) ship stuff home 5) don't carry books (I use Steves' guides and cut/staple as he suggests) 6) I go for "radically light" packing: One carry on backpack for a 2 months trip to Europe..yes it is possible. It's even easier here in Thailand.
Gene
Bangkok, Thailand 09/17/2010
packing light
We just returned from 15 days in Central Europe, and after literally running in 2 different train stations to make transfers we were really glad we packed extremely light! My husband and I each had 2 of those plastic "space saver" bags that you squeeze the air out of, those were great to use for our tops/pants. Everything else went into ziplock bags (socks in one, panties in one, toiletries in one) which made repacking so much easier when we changed cities, as well as making airport security a cinch! Especially when my suitcase was searched at London/Heathrow - they took EVERYTHING out of it...made it so much easier to put 5 bags back in versus individual items!
Heidi
Riverside, CA USA 09/17/2010
Adhesive Wall Hooks
The 3M Command Wall Hooks are specially made to come off without damaging the surface they are attached to.
bettyk
Missouri City, Tx USA 09/15/2010
Travel pants
Just wanted to rave about Eddie Bauer Travex pants. My husband and I each had 2 pairs in different colors and these were awesome... lightweight, wrinkle-free, water-resistent in the rain and plenty of pockets (security zippers too)! I brought a pair of yoga pants for the airplane, but didn't even use them. I ended up wearing only the the travex pants because they were so convenient. With the pockets, we were able to carry our items conveniently since we only had the one carry-on (and no extra bags allowed for European discount airlines). Highly recommend! And I got them on sale last year, only paid $20/pair.
Sherri
Tucson, AZ USA 09/13/2010
Adhesive wall hooks
Patricia- Are you sure the hotel appreciated you putting the adhesive hooks on the wall & then pulling them back off?- those are damaging to wall surfaces!
Beverly Winchester
McKinney, TX USA 09/11/2010
Travel Skirt
I've never seen mention here of my favorite travel skirt[INVALID]a Macabi skirt (macabiskirt.com). They are designed for trekking and outdoor pursuits, supplex nylon, full, capacious pockets (and a zip security pocket), dry overnight, transform into sort of blowsy pants, snap up to be shorter. I am an older lady and don't wear shorts so a longish skirt is cool and culturally correct everywhere. For a trip to warm places I take 2 skirts and 1 pants and to a cool place I do 2 pants and 1 skirt.
Arlene
Altoona, PA USA 09/11/2010
Rick's Clothes lines
Good idea. I also use the S hooks and carry 2 of Rick's clothes lines.
JB
CA USA 09/09/2010
Travel Clothes Line
Rick's clothes line is more adaptable if you take two 1 inch C-Clamps along. This allows hooking the clothes line to window sill edges, hinges on doors, and any other protrusion that does not allow use of the velcro circular snaps. C-Clamp the protrusion; then thread the velcro snap through the C-Clamp.
Charles Thompson
Fairhope, AL USA 09/08/2010
Favorite travel item
We took several Command(TM) adhesive hooks [INVALID] the kind that come off when you pull a tab. Used for hanging toilet kits, extra towel hooks, in the kitchen, etc. We brought extra adhesive tabs and just pulled the hooks off the wall as we left.
Patricia
San Antonio, TX USA 09/01/2010
Travel Longjohns
I have made a wonderful discovery of silk longjohns. Easy to wash out, and quick dry over night. I only need to pack one pair. Cotton longjohns are high maintenance for traveling. I have to pack many pairs.
Joe Bagley
MT, USA 08/23/2010
Teva Sandals
I can walk 10 miles a day in Europe and on cobblestones and I never got blisters or sore places on my feet. Don't know why, but they are the most comfortable shoe for my daughter and myself.
We've had ours for 6 years now and they still look new.
JB
Brentwood, CA USA 08/15/2010
Chaco Sandals
Chaco sandals aren't for everyone. I took 2 pairs for a month stay in Paris this summer. I wore them at home for 6 wks prior. After one week in Paris walking 5-10 mi/day, my feet were destroyed. I had blisters everywhere - I had no other shoes and it took me a week to find a pair of Tevas. The Teva's were a godsend. I would not describe Chacos as elegant, and they are very heavy as well (for light packers this is an issue). I now swear by Tevas.
Susan
Sausalito, Ca USA 08/14/2010
Packing light
We just returned from 2 weeks in Paris, Amsterdam and Bruges - my tip: Packed only two pair of quick-dry travel briefs. Washed one each night - if not dry by morning I wore the other pair. My wife's tip: Footware = 1 pair of Chacos sandals. Sturdy enough for hiking, comfortable enough for walking, elegant enough for evening.
Tom
Whitefish Bay, WI USA 08/08/2010
Cooking on trains.
You are not allowed to cook on trains in the US for sure. And I don't believe you can even cook on the Siberian train across Russia.
JB
Brentwood, CA USA 07/26/2010
Packing light tips
Just got back from 5 weeks of touring Hungary, Romania, Austria and Germany on the train with my 13 year old son. Gotta give a big shout out for Rick Steve's travel clothesline (braided latex - no clothespins, and velcro end closures to go around any pole)...I just can't give up socks and underwear altogether, so 5 weeks on the road was a special challenge! Took 2 pairs of travel fast drying underwear for each and multiple pairs of high-tech running socks for both -- did a quick sink wash each night in the hotel and the clothesline worked in almost every situation- especially when we needed a second shower at night (we had heat waves!!!) when sweating and walking all day- the clothesline just opened with the velcro release and kept all contents on the line until shower was over and popped it back up to dry overnight. Won't travel without it again!
Amy M.
Boulder, CO USA 07/07/2010
Cooking on Trains--- A BIG NO-NO
Yes you can eat on the trains- but don't plan on cooking on them!!! They often have a "trolley" with refreshements or a dinning car. You can also purchase food before your journey and bring it aboard.
Toni
Charlotte, NC USA 06/28/2010
beach wrap and rolling
When I travel to a beach locale, I skip the towel and take one of those colorful wraps. You can wear it as a cover-up and spread it out on the sand as a towel. They are very light and wash out in the sink if you are doing an extended trip.
Also- a tip on packing- I'm a roller. But even if you are a folder, don't forget to use up the corners of your suitcase and the insides of your shoes. Fill them up with small things like socks and underwear. It's amazing how much more you can fit in.
carol
Redwood City, ca USA 06/25/2010
Travel as if you were hiking
We head to REI before we travel, but much of what we find probably can be found online or at most trail shops:
- Campsuds, concentrated liquid soap. Need only a few drops to wash clothes in sink. 2-ounce travel bottle is plenty for several weeks of travel.
- Pack towel. Available in various sizes, very lightweight and compact. Handy for those super rainy days or the Szechenyi Baths.
- ExOfficio underwear. Lightweight, compact, anti-microbial and quick-drying. Dry out overnight even in humid weather.
- Stow Duffel. It comes folded inside itself in its own tiny pouch. We inevitably buy lots of stuff while we travel, so we fill the duffel for carry on and bag-check the packs coming home.
James
Durham, NC USA 06/22/2010
Very light travel
My trick for packing light is just to buy most necessities at my destination. It is part of the fun! Especially when there are Poundshops or something similar (like dollar stores) because you can get shampoo, laundry soap, towel, etc for very cheap and can give the leftovers to fellow hoteliers when you check out. I cannot comprehend paying $5 for a pack of soap leaves when I can pay 29p for a bar of soap, or pay $5 each for a tiny 3 oz silicon travel container for Shampoo when I can get a full sized bottle of shampoo for 79p.
Tami
Boulder, CO USA 06/22/2010
Ultra light backpacking
My daughter & I are headed to Europe late Aug for 5 weeks. We are utra light backpackers and can't wait to fianlly leave the bear canistors and sleeping bags at home. Not planning on carrying packs -- thinking camera, toothbrush, map & our trusty GPS in my pant pockets. My daughter will be carrying the train tickets and a jump drive of necessary docs. If we need a extra shirt we will buy and toss the oldies. We both did away with underwear and socks long ago after some very long backpacking trips in the Sierras. There just a hassle to keep clean & you sweat! We might bring our pop can stove to cook on if it is true you can eat on the trains. We are looking for an adventure and not just a vacation!
Darryl
Seattle, WA USA 06/18/2010
Reducing Guidebook size
If you want just a section or two from Rick's guide, just tear the book on the binding and remove those pages. Trim edge with a paper cutter. Take the pages to Staples and have them put on a spiral binding. Now you have less to carry and book stays open to any page.
Thom Dodd
NEW PORTLAND, Maine USA 06/15/2010
Traveling light
For easy, convenient leg & underarm shaving, Venus now makes a disposable shaver with built-in strips of shave gel on each side. I also love "Envirosax" - they're lightweight shopping bags that roll up really small with their own snap closure - plus they hold up to 30 lbs. You can just stick one or two in a pocket or purse. Also - my husband has size 13 feet, so if we each want to bring an extra pair of shoes, mine fit inside of his :)
emmi
NY USA 06/08/2010
Travel vest.
ScotE-vest was great! No need for a purse as the pockets hold everything. No worries about pickpockets. The weight is evenly distributed and you can buy the lightweight jacket with zip-off sleeves. Well worth the price. Used it on a week's tour in Istanbul and very comfortable!
Jean
Staunton, VA USA 06/06/2010
Greek Laundry
Just got home today from an 18 day trip to Europe using ONE of Rick's rolling suitcases.Although we have a Rick clothesline and have washed our own clothes on several other EU trips, this time we used a laundry.Clothes washed,dried,and folded for 9E.It may be a luxury,but it sure was nice!
Judy
Rockford, TN USA 06/03/2010
light quick dry pant
i agree with taking and wearing light slacks...i recently found moisture wicking type pants that are light and airy and comfortable even if it is really hot out...north face and columbia are examples of some brands but they can be a bit pricey...champion makes a decent pair for half the price...
matthew
cincinnati, oh USA 05/17/2010
Lightweight wool clothing
Just returned from a trip to China with only a carry-on and had a black cashmere v-neck sweater that was great for the cooler weather we had and never smelt bad no matter how many days I wore it. Layered well over other things and did not take up much space! I also bought an IceBreaker merino wool short sleeved hot pink v-neck shirt with a flattering curved hem from ? Backcountry Outfitters before I left. Wonderful! Washed and dried quickly. This company is in New Zealnd I believe and actually identify which sheep your shirt was made from on a tag inside your shirt!! Great quality.
Cindy
Traverse City, MI USA 05/12/2010
One pair of shoes
I only travel with one pair of shoes. Typically, I get very decent walking shoes: leather tops, added support and rubber bottoms. I buy them in black so I can use them in a nicer restaurant etc. and they still look okay. Right now I have some New Balance shoes. You can walk all day, they remain comfortable and still look good at night.
RJT
Portland, OR USA 05/12/2010
Laundry soap
I agree the travel packets of laundry soap are convenient and secure. Even if your bag gets squished on the plane, train, etc., the packets won't burst. To avoid using space in my freedom baggie, I take travel packets of powdered laundry soap. I like Forever New, which doesn't break down the elastic in undergarments. You can get the packets at goinginstyle.com. I need all the space in my ziplock bag for toiletries. I use some of my boyfriend's ziplock bag space for my toiletries, too. So that's another travel tip! ;-)
Callie
San Jose, CA USA 05/10/2010
Good Lightweight Slacks
The best slacks for traveling light may be offered by restaurant clothing supplier Chefwear (www.chefwear.com). The company was started by a woman chef when she needed something professional, nonbinding and cool to work in. Now she offers products to men as well.
For travel I like the almost shirt-weight cotton slacks with the wide, two-inch quality elastic waist, zipper fly and both a button closure and a drawstring. Two pairs of these pack in one of the envelopes Rick sells, leaving lots of room for two or three long-sleeve oxford shirts.
These days of security checks make it nice not to travel with a belt and the wide waistband is much more comfortable after a big meal. Washing is easy and the fabric weave defies creases and limits wrinkles. The slacks dry about as well as an oxford shirt and not quite as quickly as a Coolmax blend. Colors and patterns range from sedate to wild so express yourself! These are for Spring to early autumn wear when travelers can truly pack light.
Jim Ellsworth
Caldwell, TX USA 05/10/2010
Good option for quick washes
Another good option for washing in hotel rooms is wool wash meant for sweaters and other delicate items (Soak and Eucalan are two popular brands). They don't require rinsing and come in inexpensive (maybe 25-65 cents) sample packets that are good for one small wash that will fit in a 3-1-1 bag easily. Because they don't need to be rinsed out, you use less water and save time (you can just give clothes a good swish in the water, towel out excess, and hang to dry).
Brooke
Bay Area, CA USA 05/07/2010
Woman's lightweight down sweater - VERSATILE!
The best light weight jacket I've found for cooler temps is the ISIS Whisper down sweater. It compresses into a small stuff sack, easy to pack. Perfect for travels to Europe in early spring, or late fall, or for those chilly nights anywhere anytime. They offer some really pretty colors too, and the stuff sack comes with it. I love my Whisper jacket and wear it all the time, it's with me on my travels. I've even used it as a pillow on the plane and train, or spread it over my legs to keep me warm. Check their web page www.isisforwomen.com for dealers in your area, and you can buy on line from the company as well - if you don't mind paying shipping charges
Ellie
here, but wishing I was traveling anywhere, USA 05/02/2010
Best sweatshirt, ever!
We are taking a late spring trip to France and Italy. Should be relatively warm, but there's nothing worse than being chilly. I found a lightweight, fleece sweatshirt made by the snowboard company, Burton, that will take up no room in the suitcase but has kept me warm in 40 degree temps here. No bulky jackets or sweatshirts!
Cara
Liberty Lake, WA USA 04/23/2010
Best travel bag (n)ever!
The Osprey Porter 46 bag might fit carryon size, but at 3#2oz, it is almost 2# more than my carryon bag
Lee
CO USA 04/23/2010
Best travel bag ever!
I've found the BEST travel bag ever. It is the Osprey Porter 46. It is only $99. It is SUPER durable and SUPER spacious. And, it still qualifies as a 'carry-on' bag. I've been to Europe with it twice (17-day & 8-day trips), and could not imagine wanting anything other than this particular bag. By the way, I use the Osprey 'Day-lite' back pack as a day bag. It 'piggy-backs' onto the larger travel bag.
Jeremy
Princeton, TX USA 04/17/2010
Re Inexpensive and Fast Drying Tees
Those Lands Ends tees are on sale right now. Plus they have a promo going till 4/19 - 25% off everything and free shipping.
Jaye
Orange, NJ USA 04/16/2010
hygeine help
If you travel way off the beaten track, try bringing the little device that allows a woman to "pee" standing up. Travel and camping stores sell 'em in both a plastic or pack of disposable form. Bill Maher made a joke about these a few weeks ago on his show.. I was thinking "if you'd been a woman in some of the bathrooms I've been in, you wouldn't think these were so funny." They take a little practice; try yours out before you leave home.
kathy
san antonio, TX USA 04/15/2010
Inexpensive and Fast Drying Tees
Lands' End makes a women's performance tee which makes a great travel shirt. It's a synthetic wicking fabric which is good for keeping you comfortable in hot or cold and which dries super fast. It's very thin and packs small, comes in a wide variety of sizes and colors, and costs a fraction of specialized travel brands.
Sharon
SFO, CA USA 04/14/2010
Experienced but still learning
As an experienced traveller now preparing for a UK trip, I still picked up some great tips from Rick's Graffiti Wall - thanks to Jordan, Rose
and others. Totally agree with tossing clothes as you go - I save up
underpants which have stretched or gone greyish - a 3-week supply of 21 makes room for purchases. Likewise, after weight loss two trousers in size 16 (you now wear 14's) can be worn a few times and left behind,placed neatly next to the hotel's trash can. More space! Wearing Black and White is a great idea (& aqua scarf, red cardigan) Take ziplocs, travel sizes and cosmetics running low,then toss.
This way I can bring home my coveted Brit paperback books and avoid a second bag. Liked the idea of secure inside pockets. Refuse to wash clothes, they never feel good after.
Loved Ed of Albany's contribution!
Joan
Chattanooga, TN USA 04/12/2010
Wearing black-not the best tip!
I have to laugh when people suggest wearing black in Europe, beacuse of its neutrality. I went last April, and first of all it was HOT!(So black was clearly NOT the best choice.) We visited Amsterdam, London and Paris. Walking around the gardens of the Louvre and in the catacombs, you will collect a lot of dust-there is a fine WHITE gravel everywhere. I agree with wearing gray as the alternative neutral. One thing I noticed was that European women all dress nicely-dresses, heels(yes, on cobblestone streets-I don't know how they do it), so I'm glad I packed some dressier, more tailored clothing for the trip. Also-when it comes to toiletries-you can always buy them there-it would have been nice to do that and try out some of their brands.
mary
OH USA 04/09/2010
Make a good money belt Great!
Wearing a Rick Steves money belt saves packing a wallet. To make a good money belt into a great money belt I have reinforced the included plastic pouch with a heavier polymer material from a notebook cover. I cut this to fit inside the pouch and for good measure, use a good glue to hold the backing in place. This prevents the rather flexible original pouch from wadding up over the course of a tour, changing the belt's tailored shape but, more importantly, the crumpled pouch lets moisture through to my passport and spare currency. This "fix" is neat and functional too!
Jim Ellsworth
Caldwell, TX USA 04/03/2010
Shaving on travels
Since razors are at risk of being confiscated at inspection, I've figured out to take a small electric shaver in my carry-on. It doesn't have to be in my baggie of stuff. I don't want to be hairy like a gorella on my travels! Happy trails.
Linda
Los Angeles, CA USA 03/23/2010
Grey and Navy as alternatives to black
As a very light skinned person, I look terrible in black. I have found that grey and navy are suitable neutral alternatives. They work very well in a monochrome combination, just like black. The nice part about grey and navy is that they work all year round, and in warmer climes as well as colder ones. I personally like to use various shades of grey (from charcoal to silver) in my "base" clothing (jacket, pants, sweater, skirt) with a second set of pants/skirt/dress in navy. Add your colors in the tops. All of this fits easily into one bag, as you'll be wearing one outfit on the plane.
Cindy
San Jose, CA USA 03/20/2010
packing light
For those of us who can't wear synthetics, Cashmere over cotton is a great idea! All my clothes are linen or cotton so packing light is a challenge. I just have to get used to using the laundromat. Even cashmere washes in the washing machine! And I'm learning to wear scarves for color & a change.
Hope in the future, more natural fiber clothes will exist to help me pack light!
Sharon Hanson
THOUSAND OAKS, CA USA 03/13/2010
body butter
I have found that the body butters from Bath and Body Works are thick or dense enough that I haven't had to limit myself to 3 oz in a baggy business. I just put them in my carry-on toiletries bag with the rest of my non-baggie stuff. They are wonderfully moisturizing and there are MANY nice fragrances.
SA
Plano, TX USA 03/11/2010
one bag travel
I travel for vacation to europe several times a year. I think I have my packing down to a minimum but can still travel comfortably with one bag only, a shoulder purse type bag(so no having to check a backpack anywhere, since it looks like a purse-a keen oswego bag). Here is what I take: One pair of convertible pants (wear on plane), one pair underwear (ex officio), one travel bra, one tank top, Northface long sleeve travel shirt (zip pocket)worn over tank and acts like a light jacket. I also take a golite rain jacket (packs to size of candybar),silk boxer type shorts as extra underwear and to sleep in, as well as a pair of yoga type leggings. I wear a pair of new balance countrywalkers and take an extra pair of socks. In winter, I add a microfleece pullover and a heavier rain jacket. If I get tired of my wardrobe I will buy a tshirt or sweatshirt. I wash clothes every night, socks and underwear,etc and it is dry by morning. I use chairs, etc near a window, or radiator depending on weather, and use dental floss if nothing to hang them on. As a little extra's, I also pack 4 safety pins (use as clothes pins, keep drapes closed,etc). I also take a kindle reader, shopping tote, spork and emergency space type blanket bivy sack (like a sleeping bag), which came in very handy when my train to Edinburogh was derailed at night. As for toiletries, Take only the minimum. With the many markets all over europe, do as the europeans do and buy there. Saves the whole 3-1-1 deal. I buy pre wrapped toothbrushes with toothpast already added (try rite aid or cvs) and take 2-3 for the plane and then use the brush with the paste I buy there.
With just one bag and one change of clothes, I can go anywhere, change my plans at the drop of a hat, not stand in line to get into harrods, or any museum and not spend my whole trip looking for a place to dump my stuff.
T
LV, NV USA 03/08/2010
Inflatable Hangers
I been reading all the tips on doing your laundry while traveling. No one ever mentioned using inflatable hangers. They are wonderful for drying blouses or shirts in a hotel bathroom. They blow up with little effort. Your clothes have space in between to dry. Hang them over a shower rod. They lay flat in your suitcase, so they take up no room. I have mine hanging in my laundry room at home and use them regularly. Also can serve as closet hangers if necessary. I buy mine locally. They would be a great asset to Rick's Website store. I'm sure they can be found on the internet. Just Google it.
Instead of buying all those expensive travel detergents, just put a handful of powder detergent in a ziplock sandwich bag. A little goes a long way in a bathroom sink.
Nancy
Springfiled, Il USA 03/06/2010
Dry/solid laundry/toiletry products
Purex makes a (relatively new I think) combo detergent/softner sheet that can be cut up for hand washing....works great, packs small and doesn't have to go in your 3-1-1 carryon plastic bag. Oh, and the solid little sheets of toiletries like soap, shampoo etc. are great too....except according to my daughter who went to Africa and had no hot water.....the shampoo doesn't dissolve but becomes gummy in cold water. Try before you go if you are traveling third world countries.
J Roeber
Carbondale, CO USA 03/04/2010
The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-On Traveler
Best clothing idea for women I can think of comes from my packing light(er) book of inspiration, Judith Gilford's "The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-On Traveler." Until I read this book and began to do what she suggests, I always packed too much. The one fundamental truth about packing too much is assuming you're going to wear what you take. I know I never did wear that "one" extra outfit. There were always 3 items I wore to death, and could not use the rest of the month's supply I brought with me. Once I learned her simple principles, which include only bringing a maximum of 12 pieces (which ALL COORDINATE--crucial) I began to pack light. It was amazing.
The KEY is that all pieces must be able to be worn together in some way, and that you do not do what I usually did, which was throw in some entirely unrelated piece and/or color which went with nothing else. I am not one to iron, nor do I like wearing all one color, so I also pack only knits and light-weight clothes that can be layered.
Based on Judith Gilford's suggestions, here is a list of all of the clothes I will need in the Spring in Europe (staying at least 1-2 weeks, probably longer):
almond leather jacket, pink button-down shirt, brown button-down shirt, cream t-shirt, one pair brown velvet pants, one pair jeans, one pair brown knit pants, Nicer tops: cream, sea foam, brown; taupe sweater.
All of these items coordinate with one another, but most importantly, the tops all go with the jacket/pants. That's crucial. The other thing I have to mention is that I absolutely HATE taking clothes I know I will be bored with by the end of the trip. I like to look nice but not worry about ironing, so everything I bring is made up of some kind of natural or knit material. All these tops are hand washable, and unless some disaster occurs, I don't generally worry about washing my pants until I get home. Bonne Chance!
Alison
Seattle, WA USA 03/03/2010
Discardable Underwear
When traveling I only pack my oldest underwear. Each day I place the dirty underwear in a plastic bag which I discard in a public trash can at the end of the trip. No washing, no rinsing, no carting around detergents. No wearing damp undies!
TommyB
NYC, NY USA 03/02/2010
Socks for Travel
I vote to throw away my travel socks, too. I won't have to wash them. Pack old ones...holes won't show if I have my shoes on. Great idea!
Betty
Los Angeles, CA USA 03/02/2010
Why all black?
I don't wear black, and I bet that many other women don't, either. If I wear black close to my face, I look washed-out and tired. Sorta like my passport photo. If you can wear black and look great, I'm happy for you and I'm glad that works for you. But I'd rather not look as if I'm either going to a funeral or about to be the "guest of honor" at a funeral. What works better for me is to choose TWO coordinating colors, one light and one dark, which is more visually interesting and more flattering to me. Too many women are getting persuaded to "just pack black -- it goes with everything," and ending up buying a buncha stuff they probably won't want to wear back at home because it looks bad on them.
Again, if you like black and it makes you look good, then that's wonderful, and I'm jealous. But it's not for me.
USA 02/25/2010
Bibs
Bandanas work well for this too and tend to be a bit larger and thicker than mens' handkerchiefs and probably pack smaller than an apron. Plus they have dozens of other uses.
JC
NJ USA 02/23/2010
Bibs
I agree that your clothes need to be protected from "dribbles"...I use men's cotton handkerchiefs...I fold them in half and tuck them into my neckline...works for me and takes up almost no space!!
Dodi Weeks
DeFuniak Springs, Florid USA 02/22/2010
Protecting your clothes from stains
I'm going to be gone three months and will obviously have to reuse clothes a lot. And I do tend to dribble when eating on planes/trains/streets. So I bought a plain black bib apron (a small one, 24 in long) and plan on protecting my shirts to live another day. Fits easily into a corner of my backpack.
Susan
Seattle, WA USA 02/21/2010
Don't Wait...
...refill your toiletry kit right after a trip - before putting it back in the closet. You may be in a hurry the next time you travel. It would also be a good idea to put a slip of paper inside saying when it was checked and refilled.
Bekka
D/FW, TX USA 02/15/2010
ereaders
Just clarification on the readers. You can download books when you are in Europe on the Kindle. I think there is an extra charge ($2.00 or under), but it works. I like the Kindle because it is self contained (no computer necessary). The Ereaders are great, sure saves room and weight in the luggage. Heard the prices are going up on the best sellers.
Deloris
Portland, Or USA 02/10/2010
ereaders
I love to read while on vacation. I'm tired of dragging books around that I either have to leave in a hotel or carry around, adding extra weight in my luggage. I just purchased the Barnes and Noble Nook. After looking at the Kindle, Sony readers (2 different ones) and the new iPad, the Nook is the one for me.
I already own an iPhone, so all the things the iPad will do I can do on my phone. The battery life on iPad is only 10 hours...the battery life on Nook is 10 days...lots of reading for me. Best feature is that the Nook allows the owner to replace the battery, none of the others have this option.
With all readers, you have to have the books downloaded before you travel overseas.
I can't wait for our next trip to Europe..I'll be loaded with lots of books, never running out again!
no matter which ereader you purchase, I feel it's the best way to pack light for avid readers...
Ellen
Centennial, CO USA 02/02/2010
Packing Tips for Women
Here are my travel tips for women. When traveling overseas, pack as light as you can. I start by trying to stick to one color--especially in the winter. I take all black. For a week I'll pack 5 black turtlenecks, one black v-neck, a pair of black straight leg trousers, a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, one black skirt, one black knit dress. Two print scarfs to add some color. One pair of black flats, one pair of black heels. One pair of black boots that I wear on the plane. Everything can be rolled up. Naturally, the undergarments and makeup and hair products will go in the suitcase as well. Speaking of the makeup and hair products. Don't bring full sized. Go to Walmart and get those little plastic jars and bottles and just incorporate your regular product into these little jars, etc. I bring costume jewelry NOT good stuff just in case anything is lost or I leave something behind.
Summer packing. I stick to neutrals and black. Mostly a few sundresses or knit dresses and a couple of bathing suits. As my life is one enormous hot flash, and for you women who can relate, the trousers in the summer are too hot to wear. Shorts are too sticky and in intense heat, they ride up your lets and it looks vulgar and just not right so the sundresses are a godsend.
One pair of flats, a pair of sandals and a pair of heels to dress up your look are all you need. The nice thing about the summer is also overseas it seems like women do not wear as much gunk on their faces as we have a tendancy to do here so leave the fake eyelashes and the foundation and blush home--lol!
Oh yes--remember to bring a set of adapters for your blow dryers and flat irons! Also if you go to your wireless phone company, they will give you an overseas accessible phone to use--I know ATT does that. And roll, roll, roll those knits up--it takes less space that way. If you do have a pair of trousers or a dress that'll wrinkle--here's a good tip--place a large plastic bag( like a hefty trash bag) on top of the article of clothing to be folded--then proceed to fold the clothing over--it won't wrinkle.
One last thing. I always make a list of what I need to pack and print it out on the computer. Then I place the list in my suitcase and check everything off as I pack. This way I don't forget--yes--besides the hot flashes--the memory goes as well!
Happy Packing!
Cathe
Wayne, PA USA 01/27/2010
Packing tips
My biggest tips for traveling in Europe are 1)you never need to bring as much as you think (think layers), 2) unless you will have a valet and driver giving you door to door service, use a backpack if you can handle it at all (cobblestone streets are a nightmare for wheeled lugguage)and 3) bring only two pairs of shoes at most (one dress pair that you can walk comfortably and your best pair of casual walking shoes) You should plan your outfits around your shoes, not vice versa or your bag can get really heavy!
Earl
Austin, TX USA 01/20/2010
Wrinkles removed
I have used my flat iron for my hair to remove wrinkles from clothes. It works...sorta...
D.B.
MT USA 01/18/2010
weight limits for carry on
Your readers should be aware there is an 8 kg. limit for carry on luggage in the EU. Sometimes it is enforced, sometimes not but if you are asked to weigh your bag and you exceed the 8 kg. you will have to check it. We are airline employees and travel standby so always have our entire wardrobe in one carry on each. We tried the "take pity on a fellow employee" line but it didn't work. Just thought I'd warn you.
Joan
Montreal, QC Canada 01/18/2010
Steaming Clothes using Dental Floss
I have also used the shower-steaming method to get the wrinkles out of clothes. Many hotels use hook-less coat hangers or trouser hangers, and those are not easily hung in the show stall. It's handy to carry a roll of dental floss (the wide ribbon, waxed type) to tie these hookless hangers onto the shower curtain rod. Ribbon floss is the must have, fix-it, travel item, it's really strong... and it's good for the teeth too.
But, be careful, on one occasion in an old hotel in Wellington NZ, after about 30 minutes of steaming, the tile around the shower wall loosened and fell off, making a huge mess, to my chagrin. So, be careful how long you run the shower on "hot". To increase the steam concentration in the bathroom it is also helpful to take a tissue and cover the air vent louver in the bathroom ceiling (and remove it when finished).
Over6T
Belgrade, MT United States 01/17/2010
Packing light
I don't take anything that needs ironing. Lightweight knits are the best. Whle showering I hang the clothes I plan to wear in the bathroom and the steam takes out travel wrinkles. This even works for jeans.
Pat
Bothell, WA USA 01/12/2010
Wearing the Same Thing Day After Day
Your pictures know. About ten plus years ago we really committed to the the one bag. But my wife's chief concern was being seen in the same clothes all the time especially in pictures. About a hundred pictures were mounted in an album (just prior to the digital age). After friends and relatives had viewed the album, I always asked the same question, "Did you notice anything odd or unusual about our pictures?" Of course, the answer was always no. "We are wearing the same clothes in nearly all of the pictures." "I didn't notice." End of discussion and she has never raised the objection of being seen in the same outfit day after day.
Frank
Denver, CO USA 01/11/2010
Traveling with less
I learned to travel with less from my wife. We recently spent two weeks traveling Germany, Austria & Ialy. We each had a med. size carry on suitcase that just fit in overhead compartments. I traveled with one pair of blue jeans and one black jeans used when goign out for a semi formal dinner. I wore a casual blazer most the time. I witnessed many travelers struggling miserably with more than one suitcase. For some reason people think than need a daily outfit. Who is going to know what you wore yesterday? Yes it's hard not over pack but it will make your travel much less hasseled.
I too travel with an extention cord for my small but heavy C-PAP machine. My wife thought I was crazy until we stayed in a motel with one outlet. For those wondering, a C-PAP machine is a small air compressor used by those who have sleep apnia
mike
Fishers, IN USA 01/10/2010
Packing light, senior travel
Just returned from a month in Europe (October). We left home with no reservations or itinerary or timeline and flew the military space-avaialble for retired military.
Took torn out pages of Rick's books and one backpack each. We had been on 2 of Rick's tours before.
I am happy that I took my extension cord for the C-PAP machine. Many B & B's did not have a plug anywhere near the bed.
Judy
Madras, OR USA 01/07/2010
Neat Packing
I travel for four days every 30 to 60 days and then at least once overseas for two or more weeks. Since 9/11, I have been packing my clothes in sets in large (2.5 gal) ziplock bags. My underwear and socks go into one bag which gets squeezed down until no air is in the bag. The other clothes get neatly folded and then squeezed down except for no iron shirts. You can segregate clothes by type or by outfit, one or more per bag. This insures that when TSA inspects your bag, they are not rifling through your clothes, they can inspect each bag without opening it. I use a medium sized LL Bean roll on duffle and never fill it, except on return - I like to purchase European tablecloths.
marty
amherst, MA USA 01/07/2010
overpacking...
Ed from Albany, I hope Rick Steves includes your packing advice in his next publication. It's priceless---and funny, too!
Marilynn
Willits, Calif USA 01/05/2010
Packing light
I was visiting a friend in Thailand who needed to make visa run. We decided on a week in Laos. I did the entire trip with one medium shoulder bag because I left all cosmetics and hair stuff behind. A small bottle of shampoo, a brush, and elastic bands did it. No rollers, blow dryer, conditioner, foundation, eyeliner, etc. So liberating. And no one cared. I was clean, comfortable, and pared down.
Kate
Portland, OR USA 01/03/2010
Packing light
I wash my clothes while I shower, especially my underwear. That means the next time I am ready to shower by underwear and clothes are dry to wear again.
Tamara
Seattle, WA USA 01/02/2010