We packed for two people, for two countries, for two weeks, in one carry on bag. This is how we did it.
Budget airlines and economy seats have made it feel attainable to go just about anywhere. With domestic flights commonly under $100, and international trips as low as the $300 range, it’s easy to pull the trigger! Except, once you are ready to check out, you get hit with a $30+ bag fee each way– for a small carry on! A checked back could set you back $50 or more depending on the airline. So what’s the secret to getting more for your money?
While you could wear the same pair of socks for 14 days in a row and somehow manage to fit an extra pair of underpants in your still free personal item, we tried a slightly less extreme (and less gross) route and shared just one carry on. We still had to pay to take it onto the airplane, but we each had a free personal item, and we were happy to save the $60 it would have cost to take a second carry on.
When we bought our tickets to Iceland and Norway, I wasn’t aware how big of a challenge this would be! I have to think it would be easier if you were headed to a warm beach, but when your trip is more mountain hiking than margarita sipping, you’ll have to pack a little more strategically! How did we do it?
First of all, I have to confess. This is not something I have always been good at. My usual method of packing is ‘throw absolutely everything I could ever want into a huge bag and call it good.’ When road-tripping to see family, I really perfected an ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ style of travel. If I was going on a weekend trip, I would take 6 or 7 pairs of underwear, at least 5 shirts, two options for pajamas, multiple pairs of shoes, and a different pair of jeans for every day. I even drove to my mom’s once with a trunk full of pumpkins.
But, when we booked our first international flight with only one shared bag, I knew that habit had to change, and I’m happy to report that I am now a reformed over-packer! So if I could do it, I know you can too!!
Here are our best tips to get you out the door – without any extra bag fees!
1) Research
We researched our destination thoroughly to know what kind of weather we could expect. Going to Iceland and Norway, we learned it could be chilly, but since we were going at the end of summer, we would also have some warmer days. It might take a few minutes of googling, but check out the average temperature of your destination for the time of year you are going, along with other conditions to expect, such as wind, rain, snow or sun. When you are within a couple weeks of your departure, check the long range forecast for the area to really get a good idea of what you’ll be dressing for.
2) Consider your plans
It pays to consider what your plans include. You won’t need a dress and heels if you are only going to be camping, and likewise probably won’t need ski pants if you trip is mostly based around cities, culture and nightlife! Be realistic about what you will actually be doing, and consider where pieces could do double duty. If you’re mostly going to be hiking and outdoors, but also have your heart set on a fancy restaurant, can you pack a simple skirt, scarf or piece of jewelry that will dress up a shirt you’re already bringing?
3) Layers and Capsulizing
If you are going somewhere with large temperature ranges, you’ll want to pack a flexible wardrobe, and the key to flexibility is layering! I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but it’s timeless advice that never fails. On the same line of thought, try and make a tiny capsule, or basically, make sure everything matches everything! I kept mine to grey, black and tan mostly, with a bit of a wine color in both my flannel and my jeans. I was easily able to wear any top with any of my pants for endless possibilities.
4) Washing
Can you do laundry? This is a huge lifesaver! Look at the amenities for your accommodations to see if they include a washer and dryer. Almost every Airbnb we’ve stayed in has had a washer, most hotels have a laundromat, and even hostels usually allow access to a washer. If that’s not the case where you’re going, can you find a laundromat nearby? Even if a wash costs a couple of bucks, it’s worth it to save on that baggage cost! Or just wash your most important (or smelliest) items in the bathroom sink and hang them over the shower curtain to dry! Also, consider wearing some items more than once before thinking they need a wash. Might sound gross to some, but let’s be real, we’ve all worn the same pair of jeans for a week or more without washing them! Right? Please say that’s not just me.
5) Plan for souvenirs
My favorite souvenir is any kind of pom-pom beanie hat. Living in Minnesota, I know I will always be wearing them, so now, instead of packing and taking a hat, if I’m going somewhere my head will get cold, I just buy a hat when I get there! You could do the same with anything wearable, such as scarves, t-shirts, or hats. If you want to get a particular souvenir, take one less of that item with you!
6) Wear the worst of it
Spencer wears a shoe size 11. That’s not a small hiking boot, and it’s gonna take up some serious real estate in your suitcase. If at all possible, try to wear the bulkiest of your items on the airplane. For us, it was hiking boots, sweatshirts, and coats. I peel them off and then use all the extra layers as a pillow or cushion once I’m settled onto the plane. If you do need to pack something bulky like shoes, don’t let the space inside them go to waste – pack them full of all your socks, undies, or even dirty laundry, if you’re headed home!
7) Use Packing Cubes and fold like Marie Kondo
My favorite tip! Use packing cubes! I didn’t understand why they were such a big deal until we used them. Life changing, ya’ll. 1000% worth it, especially when it came to sharing one suitcase. We were able to easily organize, unpack, find what we needed, and then quickly repack when it was time to go. We have a set with three different sizes, Spencer had the largest and I used the two smaller ones. He was able to fit all his shirts, socks, underwear and swim shorts in his. I used the medium for all my shirts, pajamas, a pair of pants, and a skirt, and the small one kept all my undies, socks, swimsuit and other small miscellaneous things tidy. As far as folding, google and learn how Marie Kondo folds, if you’re not familiar with her ways already. Most people will tell you to roll your clothes to avoid wrinkles and fit the most in, but we’ve found Marie’s method of folding things into tight rectangles works amazingly.
8) If in doubt, don’t bring it!
If there is anything you are questioning or wondering if you’ll actually need, I’ll tell ya’ll right now, you probably don’t! I promise, you’ll be happier with a lighter suitcase, and you really won’t miss that second pair of jeans. While you’re at it, try and find one or two things you can ditch anyway, just for good measure!
Those are our best and most practical tips for packing light, and the principles we stick to every time we start packing for an adventure! I used to spend days or even weeks packing, but now I could whip out a fully packed bag in less than an hour if I had a last minute trip!
So, down to the nitty gritty. Would you like to know exactly what we packed for our two week trip to Iceland and Norway? Here’s the inside scoop – our actual packing lists! Also, full transparency, I’m writing this more than a year after our trip, so we just spent our Saturday afternoon packing, unpacking, repacking, photographing, and recording to make this list as accurate and truthful as we can remember!
What I wore on the plane:
Jeans
T-shirt
Flannel button up
Wool socks
Bra & undies
Hiking boots
Down coat (to be real, it was more like I carried it under my arm and then used it as a pillow on the plane, but it saved the space in the suitcase!)
What Spencer wore on the plane:
Jeans
Long sleeve t-shirts
Fleece lined hoodie
Boxers
Wool socks
Hiking boots
Belt
In the suitcase:
For Spencer:
Packable rain coat
Sweatpants
Zip up fleece sweater
4 pairs boxers
3 long sleeve t-shirs
4 pairs of socks
Tie
Dress pants
Dress shirt
2 pairs hiking pants
Swim trunks
Thermal underwear
In the suitcase for me:
Packable rain coat
3 pairs wool socks
1 pair cotton socks
5 pairs of undies
Swimsuit
Face washcloth containing silver – like Norwex Body Cloth
Pullover sweater shirt
Hiking pants
Skirt
Leggings – double as jammies
3 t-shirts
Camisole – double as jammies
In my backpack:
Reusable water bottle
Ipad, apple pencil, airpods, phone and charger
Wallet containing passport & drivers license, cash, credit cards, sketchbook, pen, pencil, sharpener and eraser
Small purse for days I don’t want to carry around a backpack
Liquids bag containing shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, foundation and toothbrush
Makeup bag containing mascara, lipstick, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, tweezers, razor and two makeup brushes
GoPro camera, selfie stick, batteries and charger
Tennis shoes – stuffed with soap and travel power converters
First aid kit
Turkish towel
In Spencer’s backpack:
Wallet
Tennis shoes stuffed with gloves and hat
iPad, phone, AirPods & charger
Neck pillow
Toiletries case including toothpaste, toothbrush, shave cream, razor, soap, sunscreen
Reusable water bottle
I’m sure he had more stuff but he’s just not telling me about it all right now!
