We’ve talked before about how to travel light, meaning with just your carry-on. But what if you could go even lighter? What if you completely ditch the luggage? 

Instead, we’ll try and fit everything we need in a tote bag or backpack. Is it possible, especially for longer trips? Is it even worth it? 

Benefits of Traveling Without Luggage 

• It’s so hassle-free. Getting into cabs is easier, check-in is easier and public transport is also much easier if you only have a single backpack. 
• You don't have to worry about baggage fees. Airlines are charging more for baggage, and carry-ons could soon be charged. The sooner you learn the art of luggage-free travel, the better.  
• With no baggage, you also don't have to wait around for baggage claim and there’s no risk of losing your stuff. 
• With just a single bag, it’s easy to change hotels, travel to another town and move about. 

A Guide to Luggage-free Traveling 

To be clear, by luggage-free we mean no checked baggage or a carry-on. Just a backpack, a day bag, a tote bag or any other small bag. If you want, you can get more extreme and try pocket-only travel where you don't have any bag at all. But we’ll leave that for another post. 

Traveling without luggage requires a ruthless packing strategy that’s tough for a lot of us. You may have to leave a lot of your comforts and luxuries behind and make do with inconveniences. 

So the first step is to decide whether it’s possible and worth the effort. 

Decide Whether Luggage-free Traveling is for You

We mostly recommend ultralight traveling for: 

• Solo travelers or if you are traveling in a group but carrying your own stuff. 
• Short trips of 1-3 days. You can certainly do zero luggage for longer trips, but it’s tougher.  
• Those planning outdoor adventures like camping or backpacking. The same backpack you’ll use outdoors is the only one you should board your flight with (that said, depending on the items in your backpack, you may have to check it. Some things like knives are not allowed in carry-ons).   

You also have to decide whether it’s worthwhile. If you like having plenty of different clothes to wear, you like traveling with lots of toiletries for convenience, and don’t mind dealing with a carry-on or checked baggage, then don’t try to go luggage-free. 

Luggage-for traveling is also not suitable for families, long trips (3+ days) and extended international trips.

Start With a Packing Checklist 

A checklist is even more crucial when going luggage-free to ensure you only bring the things you absolutely need and don't forget anything crucial. 

Start with a list of all the stuff you want to pack, then go through it twice or thrice to narrow it down further. 

Be Efficient When It Comes to Clothes

Clothes take up the most space, so you have to be extra smart with how you pack them. You may even need specialized clothing to suit your ultralight travel such as convertible pants that can turn into shorts. 

Tops don't take up a lot of space, so you can pack 2-3. We recommend getting the Hercleon self-cleaning Hercshirt. It requires minimal laundry (it doesn't stink), so you can make do with one or two of them during an entire trip.

You can also afford to pack 2-3 pairs of underwear or socks. If you run out, you can always launder them in the sink. 

Pants are bulkier so we recommend carrying only one pair in addition to the ones you’ll wear while traveling. Get dark colored pants that don't show dirt or stains. Alternatively, pack quick-drying pants that you can wash in the evening and they’ll dry overnight. 

If you are carrying anything bulky like boots or a jacket, wear it while traveling instead of packing it in your backpack. 

It’s not just about what you pack, it’s also about how you pack. The bundling or army roll packing method can save tons of space in your bag.  

Bring Minimal Toiletries

You’ll only have space for the basics — toothpaste, toothbrush, sunscreen, lotion and maybe lip balm. Leave most of your makeup and other products at home or buy them at your destination. 

Additional Tips

• For longer trips, plan to do laundry. You can wash clothes in the sink, in a stream (if you are outdoors) or at a laundromat nearby. 
• Consider traveling with a buddy or in a group. You can share some items like toiletries. 
• Avoid traveling to destinations that are very cold as that typically requires more and bulky gear like a coat that may not fit in a backpack. 
• Finally, learn from your experiences. With each luggage-free trip, you’ll become a better packer and figure out the stuff you really need and what you can do without.