Tight Arse Travel went Light Arse Travel

Well we did it; we now have personal proof that you don’t have to travel with checked baggage. Two tight arse travellers spent two weeks in Malaysia with only one carry-on bag each. It was a breeze, in fact it was almost too easy - a no-brainer. There were a few things we took which we did not need or use, but because this was our first one-bag trip we allowed for a few contingencies.

Everything went into the black bag on the right

Although we were only toting one carry-on bag each, we also had a shoulder bag containing sundry items which needed to be close at hand during transit. I also packed a Camelbak which I usually use for Mountain biking, and a musette. I thought the Camelbak would come in handy for day-to-day carrying needs when based for a few days. I never used it. On the other hand, I did use the musette when I needed to carry more than my pockets would accommodate, or comfort dictated. The musette is very light and rolls up small enough to stuff in a pocket when not in use. It was well worth taking.

On the outward leg, both bags were around the 5kg mark, I think we could get that down a little next time. On the way home, that had increased to about 5.8kg and 6.5kg. It pays to keep an eye on what is your bag before you fly; it is amazing what finds its way into it between journey legs: maps, pamphlets, business cards, extra water bottles, rubber bands, napkins…

Even though we were conscious of the 7kg limit imposed by most airlines - and weighed our bags a few times during the journey – we were never asked to weigh them at airports; you could probably get away with going over 7kg. If you are worried that your bag is over-weight and may be checked, carry some heavy items in a shoulder bag. Along with your single 7kg carry-on bag, most airlines allow another smaller personal bag like a handbag. Another benefit to one-bag travel is web check-in; if you don’t have baggage to check in, you can ‘check-in’ online prior to your flights and print your own boarding passes. This circumvents the need to go to the airline check-in counter; if you don’t need to check any bags there is less chance that airline staff will ask to weigh your carry-on bag.

So the plan worked, and except for a few small changes and omissions for our next trip, we will certainly be travelling this way again. It saves money, time, and hassles. It also increases smugness watching other travellers struggle with mountains of baggage, wondering what they could possibly have in there or need for their journey. Next time we won’t bother purchasing a checked bag for the return journey unless we are sure there is going to be a final run-out sale on Tiger Balm.

I had one anxious moment when questioned at the Australian Immigration desk as we were departing. When asked to confirm that I had only one bag and no checked baggage, I sheepishly answered yes to which the woman on the desk turned to her colleague and said “look at this guy with one bag, I take more than that for an overnight stay!” With this imaginary crisis averted, we were on our way.

On a recent overnight domestic trip to the big, bad dirty city we used public transport so did not have the luxury that a personal vehicle affords. We reprised the afore-mentioned overseas trip, but upped the ante by taking only one bag between us. There were no weight restrictions this time so we were well over the 7kg airline limit, but it certainly would not have been more than 14kg. This made the trip simple and easy.

Have you tried travelling without checked baggage? How did it work for you? What bag did you use, and did it perform? If not, would you try it in future?