11 Things Experienced Travelers No Longer Pack (Effective Packing Tips)

Here are 11 things that experienced travelers no longer pack and why you might also not want to pack them! Have you ever been on a trip and packed something that turned out to be completely useless? I think we have all been there before so in this video, we will show you some things you no longer need on your travels!

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Contents of this video:

00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Cash
02:30 - Cases/Organizeres
04:07 - Waste of Money
06:19 - Toiletries
07:39 - Books
08:45 - Easy Fix
10:13 - Flashy Clothes
12:00 - Leave it at Home
13:29 - Blanket
14:02 - This might be surprising
15:09 - "The Just In Case Item"

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[thetravelcoaches]

Have you ever packed something that turned out to be completely useless? Let me know!

[AdamNlifeform]

"No cash" is the worst advice on YouTube

[johnnielson]

I am a very experienced traveler. 5 continents, about 50 countries, roughly 4, 000, 000 air miles
0:50 I *ALWAYS* carry cash. Tips, taxis, etc. I always carry enough cash for a taxi and a meal in case it's not easy to find an ATM quickly.
2:30 I use the little cases like that for small computer items (usb cables, etc.), medications, etc.
4:10 I *ALWAYS* use cheap luggage because after half a dozen flights it's going to get damaged. Toiletry bags? Use the cases from #2
6:20 If you're going to London you don't need toiletries. If you're going to Papua Niugini you do. No one rule for all.
8:50 In many countries (like Thailand) you are required to have your passport with you at all times. No cover, it gets damaged, you're screwed.
14:00 If you're travelling internationally in Coach a travel pillow will save your neck.

[elektras]

So this doesn’t happen often to me but here goes…

It’s a waste of time to pack blankets and neck pillows- I fully agree!

In NYC my daughter purchased something from the M&Ms store! They sold a blanket for $7 with every purchase so I reluctantly ( hard to pack) bought the blanket also since it was cute and such a great promotion, figured I’d find space to pack it for my trip home!!

Couldn’t fit the thing in checked luggage but managed to fit it in my daughters backpack together with her stuffed animals purchased on the trip!

American Airlines strung us along at the gate and after midnight told us they aren’t providing us hotel, we can’t get our bags as it’s already on the plane and the flight won’t leave until 8am ( it should’ve left 7pm but was delayed 13hrs)

Well that said blanket really saved us because all stores were closed and it was freezing at the gate! She used her plushies as pillows!

[dessireshallenberger]

I’ll only argue with the not bringing books… my last trip to Europe was awesome, I just put a medium paperback book in my coat pocket. Was so glad I had, made the waiting for our flight, on flight, long bus trips, etc. just fine! When I finished, I just “donated”the book and then bought another. Also because of making a specific goal to not be on my phone so much, and sometimes it sparks a fun conversation with like minded people!

[inktrospections]

Cash is still king, esp if you're travelling in developing countries. You can never generalize this despite the development in fintech/e-payments. It varies per country and areas within 1 country. You'll get away with cards and e-payments if only traveling in urban and big metros. If you're the off grid type of traveler - bring cash! You don't need a TON, just more than enough. And smaller local bills too. Smaller bills are necessary.

[tvnursechick]

As someone who has between 2-4 flights per week for years now, I approve of this message. I still carry cash ($5s & $10s) because I need to tip the valet and hotel staff. A friend of mine gives $5 Starbucks cards, but just because he and I love Starbucks doesn't mean the valet will. I can't figure a way around carrying cash.

[elizabethchatfield]

Thanks for all your tips. I found a useful way around the travel pillow. I bring a zippered, child size pillow case and put my Puff coat in it. It works great! 😊

[kpdftco]

For the neck pillow thing: If you want one, get an inflatable one! Much easier to carry with you and store when not in use!

[hazelmeldrum]

Regarding toiletries, I recommend filling your containers at least 1 week before and putting them in your bathroom, At the end of the week you can see what you used ad may realise that you need less.

[lyndakling]

I always take books…and leave them . My books don’t run out of charge. And I buy books when I arrive. Non readers don’t understand. I can read an entire book on a flight to Europe…

[sbl]

I use to travel with a white noise machine. It was bulky and TSA was forever questioning me over it. Then a TSA worker suggested I put a white noise app on my Kindle. That works and TSA isn't pulling me out of line anymore.

[andrewdiamond]

11:00 Neutrals for the win. I spent 3 weeks in Japan with one carry on. Every item I had (convertible pants, shirts, sweater, rain jacket) was black, grey, tan or olive. All boxers, socks and undershirts were black. Every single item could be worn in combination with every other item. I could go anywhere and just blend in.

BTW, my just in case item is swim trunks. Got to have them.

[marleneprescott]

I still think cash is necessary. Using random ATMs can put more you at risk unless they're actually located in a bank.
As for a book, I may carry a small novel that I can read on the plane as a break from the electronics and I can just pass it on when done. As for those blankets? Ugh!😊

[TinaLee]

A thief doesn’t know your jewelry is fake. You’re just as likely to be robbed if you have flashy fakes as flashy real jewelry. Yes, you’ll be out less cash and memories, but NO flash makes you less likely to be a target to start with.

[LKtravels]

This mostly applies to international travel from the US to Europe... For context, I've been travelling internationally since 1979 and I lived outside the US for several years, mostly in Europe. These days I don't usually take short trips over (less than 3 weeks), preferring instead to go for 1-2 months at a time once a year.

00:49 - Cash - Not a "ton" but you really do need some. In fact, I recommend when travelling internationally you order a limited amount of your destination currency from your bank in advance so you have some in your pocket when you get off the plane. Then make a small purchase as you transit the airport so you have coin (the bank won't include any in your exchange order). If you're a repeat traveller, remember to just keep some coin from one trip to the next.
02:30 - Cases/Organizers - Big, stiff cases with lots of dead space, I agree. However, I am a proponent for some level of organization, even if it's just a DOPP kit (soft side) and something to contain your clothes in your bag. Of course, for those of us who have to travel with diabetic testing kits, CPAPs, etc., that stuff must be contained and protected. Always carry empty ziploc bags--it's amazing how useful they are and they take up virtually no space.
04:07 - Waste of Money (cheap travel gear) - I get what you're saying...research what you buy so it works and lasts. Also consider how much abuse an item is going to take (e.g., wheels on a check bag) as you read reviews.
06:19 - Toiletries - Take some but not large quantities and not the kitchen sink. As a no-makeup gal, I am amazed by the amount of crap some women travel with. If you're very particular or sensitive, bring enough of your preferred stuff to get you through unless you've already verified that the local shops (Boots or whatever) carry your brand. For all the rest, by having some you get to pick the time to get more rather than being forced to do so right away. If you evaluate your rate of use at home, you'll have a better idea of how long things will last you.
07:39 - Books - load the Kindle or Nook app on your phone and download more than you think you'll need for your trip. In a pinch, pick up a paperback and leave it where ever you are staying when you finish it. Lots of hotels and B&Bs have small libraries of such left-behinds so you can snag or exchange one.
08:45 - Easy Fix (passport case) - Have *something* to put your passport in rather than loose in your pocket/bag when it doesn't have to be in hand for immigration and ID checks. I actually have a zippered flat pouch that attaches to my belt or loop and tucks inside my waistband so that I have it with me all the time without getting it damaged or lost.
10:13 - Flashy Clothes - Agreed, conservative dress is best. When you're dressed in travel-specific chic, the careful observer will still pick you out as a tourist, but at least it won't scream to everyone within line of sight. Also, I find limiting my wardrobe when traveling helps to guard against overpacking. I have a travel "uniform" in dark colors: everything can be washed together and nothing that takes a long time to dry.
12:00 - Leave it at Home (expensive jewelry) - Or just keep it to a basic set and carry a jewelry insurance policy. I use Jewelers Mutual and still keep the bling limited.
13:29 - Blanket - That's why I carry a jacket of one sort or another regardless of season.
14:02 - This might be surprising (pillow) - Unless you have a specific issue that necessitates it, you can always improvise a pillow. For those who want to use an airline pillow but are grossed out by it: bring a small pillow case, especially a hypoallergenic zip-up one.
15:09 - "The Just In Case Item" - I used to be bad about this, but I've learned from lugging lots of crap around. I have to remind myself from time to time that worst-case I can buy that thing when I need it at my destination. There are exceptions: raincoat and/or umbrella, patent medicines (pepto, nyquil, benadryl, etc.)--some of these aren't even available in many countries, extra doses of daily meds (in case of delays in transit), enough changes of base layers (socks, underwear, bra, T-shirt) that I can go up to a week without having to find a laundry, a washcloth (not provided in most of Europe), small notebook and pen, a mini first-aid pack (at least a few band-aids and safety pins).

[thelettermegan]

My packing hack is to pack immediately after doing the laundry. Everything I normally wear is clean and ready to go!

[davebonello]

(Melanie here) Definitely DO take a small umbrella and lightweight raincoat. I skipped that on our trip to Italy in October and so regretted it. It poured on us in Pompei and I ended up buying a cheap umbrella there that fell apart. And the coat I had just soaked through. The next overseas trip (to England) I had an umbrella and a raincoat that actually kept the rain out! Both items took very little space.

[juanitafurtado]

just in case item you SHOULD bring, especially if traveling internationally or on a cruise ship: small diy first aid items in a ziplock bag: painkiller, bandaids, Ae bandage, decongestant and throat lozenges. Having dislocated finger and also bad cold on transoceaniic voyage, these items were not readily available. I wished i had them. now i take a quart bag with the meds & bandages. I have used them all.

[kayesena]

I find not packing the "just in case" stuff the hardest! Also, as I age (now 61), I find there are things my body really wants! We live in Australia, so travelling internationally costs a lot and takes a long time! Hence, we tend to only travel every few years, then go for 5 weeks. Even more reason for my fussy, ageing body to want some specific comforts (and meds)!
Biggest packing mistake was overpacking warm clothes, with bulky items we never needed (but packed, just in case)!