2024 travel lessons

I've traveled a lot and honed my strategies for packing and planning over the years. Here are some noteworthy lessons learned and improvements I've made.

Fee-free cash

When I first started traveling on my own as a college student, I got travelers checks that I would exchange for local currency. This was fine but a bit of a hassle. I also didn't have my own credit card as the primary cardholder (I was an authorized user under my parents'), so I tried to avoid using that as much as possible.

When I graduated and started living on my own, I got my own credit cards. I knew early on in my adult life to get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, especially since I was often traveling before to places where I could largely rely on credit cards. But as years went by, I expanded my travel to places where cash was more necessary, and still, it felt right to always have at least some cash on hand, just in case.

I knew not to depend on currency exchange booths since the exchange rates would be all over the place; and ATMs tended to have good rates. My debit card also reimbursed me for fees incurred when using an ATM out of network, so I thought I was fine just withdrawing local cash from an ATM. However, I realized over time that I was getting charged pretty hefty foreign transaction fees that wouldn't get reimbursed. I was upset!

I found out that Charles Schwab and Capital One have debit cards with no foreign transaction fees, so I got one of those recently. HSCB and others offer similar benefits but you have to stay in-network, and those banks aren't common where I live or everywhere else I travel.

One bagging can be exhausting

There is a big "One Bag" movement that encourages people to only travel with a single bag – typically the largest backpack you're able to bring as a carry-on. Personal items seem to be informally allowed if they also fit in your main one bag, or are a sling...

I tried One Bagging a few times, but honestly even for my still decently youthful and fit body, it was tiring and painful. I did invest in a good big bag with extra back support, but then it was a little smaller in capacity and ended up being annoying trying to stuff everything I wanted to be decently comfortable on my trip.

My current bag setup

I've since favored having a combo carry-on roller bag and personal item backpack. I carefully picked a roller bag that seemed to universally fit most major airline carry-on restrictions and also be lightweight and cute. I picked a backpack that fit most personal item restrictions, has excellent back support, and can slip onto a roller bag handle. (Previously I used another lightweight backpack that did not have a roller bag handle bar slip, and that proved very cumbersome and exhausting on certain trips.)

For the few times I also want a checked bag, I found a lightweight, durable, and huge-capacity duffel bag that has dedicated backpack straps. This combination allows me to navigate stations and airports largely on my own to efficiently use my energy and save my back from pain. I have my duffel on my back and then my backpack secured on top of my roller bag. Ideally I won't often walk around with my duffel, and when I do, it should be somewhat light – putting as many heavy things as I can in my roller bag.

My travel bags of choice:

• Personal item: Tom Bihn Synik 22
• Carry-on: Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller (44L)
• Checked Bag: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

I used to travel with a much smaller 23L, 16in. roller bag (and backpack) as a carry-on, which worked well for a few years. But now that I've added slippers and a pillow to my essentials list, and I like to have room for souvenirs (!), it's getting more difficult to reach for that smaller bag – as much as my past (more) minimalist self would pridefully want.

Minimum viable comfort, not minimalism

With the OneBag Movement comes some bias towards minimalism and bringing the fewest necessary things you need to travel and be presentable in the world. This sounds really cool and all, and I continue to try to incorporate minimalist values in my life (though often failing).

But over the years, I've come to learn more about myself and what's important for me to operate healthily and happily. One of those things is a really good pillow! so that I can get a good sleep. Not every accommodation I've stayed at has had a good pillow, let alone bed, and it really negatively affected my sleep. I've also tried sleeping on airplanes with no travel pillow, just using the seat wings behind my head (and my partner's shoulder when he's with me). While I do usually get some shuteye, the quality is rather poor. So on this note I must bring at minimum my good NapX neck travel pillow when flying more than three hours straight. When my partner is with me, he very kindly also brings my Sleepybo bed pillow, and wow does it make such a difference. It feels so indulgent to bring a full bed pillow, but he is happy to use half his big backpack (he still OneBags, very naturally, without trying...) for this for me. When he is not with me, I've brought my Yogibo Compact Sleepybo, but I'm starting to wonder if I could actually be just as comfortable only with the NapX.

While you can buy toiletries anywhere if you forget something, sometimes when I do, the things I can find are rather subpar compared to what I'm used to in the States. Depending on where I'm traveling, some examples have included sunscreen, toothpaste, and lotion. So, I indulge on bringing these sorts of toiletries.

Recently, I injured my ankle while overtraining for a running race and wearing the wrong footwear. I saw a physical therapist who recommended I get better quality (expensive) orthotic insoles and wear slippers in the house with arch support. Since then, I have gotten both the insoles and slippers, and I make the space in my bag to carry these thick-lined house slippers. Also seems indulgent, but I've come to thank myself when I have these available while traveling.

However, don't bring "what-if" items, beyond a minimal first-aid kit. Only bring what you need, but don't sacrifice comfort (to an extent).

Less stress > less money

When I was younger and had less money (and wisdom), I would look for every single way to save money. I guess I still do! but before I wouldn't value my stress or comfort.

Location and quality over a bargain

I would book the cheapest (decent) hotels even if they were 20+ minutes away walking, sometimes driving, distance away from main attractions or city centers. I figured, hey, we're used to living a little bit away from places and commuting to them, so this would be the same while saving some money.

I learned after a few trips that money savings was not worth the time expense and stress. When traveling, we typically have limited time to enjoy a place, and we're also more stressed navigating it since we don't know it very well. We get tired from moving around more often than usual and being out of our comfort zone. The farther away we are from our accommodation, also the less likely we'd be able to stop by midday to rest. We end up very exhausted, with very early morning outings and late night arrivals back to our room. Going out for a quick bite to eat or trip to the drugstore becomes a major pain if we are in the middle of nowhere.

Now, when I look for accommodations, I first look for a central location that is safe and well connected to public transportation. Then I look for at least 3-star accommodations with at least 4-star-user-ratings. Then I compare on price.

Direct flights over connecting ones

Direct flights are sometimes more expensive than ones with layovers, especially the farther away the destination. But they're so much less hassle: they are faster, there are fewer points of failure, I'm less likely to lose my checked bag (if I have one), and if I'm traveling internationally, I don't have to deal with customs and immigration midway through my commutes.

Now that I have more means and live somewhere with many options for direct flights, I prioritize getting these, even if they come at a premium price compared to flights with layovers. The one time I may prefer a layover is if I want to explore the layover location itself, and then I'd try to extend the layover time as much as I can.