5 Items Not To Pack When You Travel
Published by Johnny on July 08, 2011
Packing for your travels is a stressful activity, and the default answer is to pack too much. Not a good idea when you’ll be lugging your backpack around bus stations and hostels for months on end. I’ve covered what you should pack when you travel before, but let’s have a look at the common mistakes people make when they bring things they really shouldn’t!
Here’s a list of 5 things you shouldn’t bother wedging in that already-full backpack of yours…
1. Travelers cheques: The ultra cautious amongst us may get tempted by the safety of the traveler cheque – it’s safe because it’s not any bloody use! You’ll struggle to change these when you’re off the beaten track, and even when you do manage to change it you’ll get a horrible rate. Stick to a few $100 bills (USD) hidden in your bag, some local currency and a credit card. That will have you covered.
2. Expensive partying clothes: This is a habit I fall into a lot. I love to party when I visit new countries and it’s so tempting to throw in a few nice shirts, jeans maybe even shoes?! Don’t do it!!! Bring one pair of semi-nice jeans for day time use and night-time use. One shirt is fine for your whole trip too, the people who see you wearing it in a Beijing night club aren’t the same people who’ll see you in Bali rocking out in exactly the same outfit! (ladies, you’re on your own here – I don’t have the first clue about what you need/don’t need in this respect, but the hair straighteners certainly don’t make the cut 
)
3. Suitcase: You’d be surprised by the amount of times i see people lugging suitcases around the world on 3 month, 6 month and year long trips – unbelievable. I didn’t want to have to mention it but for anyone who is considering this instead of a backpack – just don’t!
4. A Hoody: Generally speaking the majority of people’s trips will be spent in warm countries, so lay off the warm clothes. They’re heavy, they take up so much room in your backpack and they’re unnecessary. I know you love your university hoody/favourite sweatshirt etc but it’s bulky and cumbersome. If you’re cold on the road you can pick one up for around $10, save the space and leave it at home.
5. Books to last your trip: Bring one book, and one book only. There are endless book shops and book swaps in hostels around the world so don’t bring 3 or 4 books, there’s no need. Also, in the day of the Kindle, maybe no book is a better option. But if you need to bring one, bring only one!
Ok guys, I hope that should lighten your load when you get packing – you have to make some tough decisions so it’s important you make the right ones! Happy Travels!
Another top tip would be to avoid this mad packing rush by booking into an airport hotel. Whether it’s a room in one of the Stansted airport hotels, Birmingham airport hotels, one of the Gatwick hotels or a hotel Heathrow package, checking into a room the night before gets rid of the mad rush of packing and getting to the airport on time. You can spend an evening relaxing and making the most of the airport facilities the night before your departure, and then saunter to the airport the next morning, as most hotels are only ten minutes away.
Related posts:
- 10 Things to Pack When You Travel
- Should You Bring a Laptop When You Travel?
- Travel Rant: Number 2 – Laundry When You Travel
- 5 Books to Read When you Travel
- Is Long-Term Travel Selfish?
Tags: packing
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‘The people who see you wearing it in a Beijing night club aren’t the same people who’ll see you in Bali rocking out in exactly the same outfit!’
This may be true Johnny, but all your friends will see you wearing the same ’1′ shirt in all your pictures – I would probably take 2 shirts
Dave, i’m more worried about space in my backpack than a keen facebook stalker noticing the same shirt on my fb pics!!
This is often tricky for the ladies, specially when it comes to those ‘party clothes’… But I certainly don’t bring my hair straighteners.. The effect of this only last until you aren’t sweating. Take it from the girl who’s hair is long and wavy and has experienced the effect of sweat on straightened hair after some hours or dancing.
LOL You will almost always sweat anyway, specially in hot countries, South East Asia, for example. 
Clothes… women love fashion and it’s really a dilemma of whether to bring those cute dresses in case someone asks you out. But then again, aside from this making ur backpack bulky, there’s a big possibility you won’t use all of it. Just bring one, that cute little black dress or any, but just bring 1! There are heaps of clothes for women out there, cheap, pretty and sexy too!!! On tropical destinations, you will find heaps of sarongs and you won’t imagine how many ways this can be worn!!
or if you’re on a country which is a bit cold, layer! layering is also sexy, well if done the right way! lol.. oohhh so many options for the ladies, just try to be creative! 
I know one girl who brought a lot of cute outfits (and even accessories) but didn’t end up using any! Hahahah oh, i think that’s me..
p.s. a flower on ur wind-blown hair makes u look exotic..
Also… It’s not always on what you wear!! It’s how you Party!!!
Number 2 always gets me. I always think that I might end up at some ultra party somewhere and I’ll need nice jeans, shoes and a shirt. Nine times out of ten then, I wind up partying with fellow backpackers, wearing the t-shirts, beaten up trainers and jeans or shorts that we’ve been wearing and having a great time. I agree with number two. If you do find yourself getting invited to a nice meal or club, just go to a market and buy some imitation nice clothes and shoes, lol.
I recently discovered that a lot of hostels are only letting people stay there if they have backpacks. So a word to the wise if you are traveling with a suitcase yet plan to live like a backpacker.
Right on Fidel, me too mate – always the same mistake!!! Also, cheers for the heads up on the suitcase & hostels thing – never come across that, smart tip – thanks
These are some great tips. I especially agree with you about the Travelers Cheques. They’re really obsolete in my opinion. Although I had no problems cashing them on a 2008 trip around SE Asia I found it nearly impossible while traveling in South America. If I did find a place often the rate was so abysmal it was hardly worth it. Now I just carry plastic wherever I go with a few US billfolds & a bit of local currency.
yeah mate, travelers cheques day has been and gone – i can’t believe people still use them, we need to spread the word!