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Think minimalist travel is impossible? Find out how I traveled carry-on only for four weeks with just a laptop backpack plus purse!
Minimalist Travel
I traveled from Cartagena, Colombia to Lisbon, Portugal on a two-week transatlantic cruise for four total weeks and I packed carry-on only. I’m giving you an inside look at exactly what’s inside my bag with videos directly from the Porto Airport in Portugal.
These aren’t sample videos of what you should pack to achieve minimalist travel. It’s a genuine, unstaged inside look at what’s inside my bag so you can see how it’s possible to accommodate your own items in small luggage.
The secret to packing light is to create a capsule travel wardrobe which can easily fit into a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing!
Read the full details below and watch my two minimalist travel packing videos showing you the contents of my carryon and personal item!
Luggage
Travelon Heritage Backpack | Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack
As my main bag, my carry-on suitcase, I used the Travelon Heritage Backpack. It’s an anti- theft bag but I’m using it not just for security purposes but more so because I think it’s a nice- looking bag.
As my personal item and day purse, I used the Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack. It’s a super stylish, yet ultra-functional purse, which I’ll be telling you more about in this post.
First, let’s have a look at what’s inside my bag:
CARRY ON ITEM: TRAVELON HERITAGE BACKPACK
The Travelon bag is a laptop backpack so it isn’t a traditional option for minimalist travel. However, I like the design and thought I’d give it a try. So far so good. Fully packed, it weighed 6kg.
It has a total of five compartments. The front two are small and I just use them to place some odds and ends such as a few individual allergy pill packs, receipts, business cards, and tissue packets. (I experienced so many unexpected allergies in Portugal!)
There is a third, adjustable compartment on the side of the backpack meant to be used for water bottles of various sizes. However, since my flat iron is always the last thing I use before I leave my hotel room, I threw it on the outside (water bottle compartment) last minute to let it cool off.
In a fourth, larger compartment I’ve included my electric toothbrush and charger, a clutch with two belts inside, and my toiletries. For this trip, I used one of the detachable containers from this cute and practical Hudson + Bleecker Toiletry Kit.
I didn’t use any of the zippered sections although they’re a great place to store your passport or other important documents without them being easily accessible to pickpockets. In fact, the Travelon bag is anti-theft so each compartment (except the water bottle space) has a latch that protects the zipper from being easily opened by an opportunist thief.
Sunblock | Lotion | Moisturizer | Container | Wipes | Menstrual Cup | Travel Bottles
Even though my goal was minimalist travel, I didn’t need to sacrifice any of my regular toiletries. This is everything I took for my four-week trip:
- 10 Innisfree olive oil makeup remover wipes
- 5 SPF Cetaphil face moisturizer
- Cetaphil body moisturizer in a 100ml container
- Hair conditioner in a 100ml container
- Eye cream in a 20 gram container
- Face wash in a 20 gram container
- Face scrub in a contact lens container
- 3 oz Neutrogena 70 SPF sunblock
- Nivea ravel size liquid deodorant
- Earbuds
- Menstrual cup
- Loofah
- Razor
- Toothpaste
One of the best ways I found to save space in my carry-on luggage while also having enough toiletries to last me the entirety of the cruise was to buy 1-2 full size items upon arrival in Cartagena.
I bought a 200ml shampoo and my travel partner bought a full size deodorant when we arrived at our first destination, Cartagena. The shampoo lasted me the four weeks. I finished it in Porto just in time for my flight back.
Read these tips on how to use small travel containers to maximize your toiletries! I guarantee they’ll help you with your goals for minimalist travel!
Case | Bag | Sandal | Flip Flops | Heels | Towel | Ziploc | Packing Cubes
The fifth, main compartment is where I’ve stored the majority of my belongings.
Including:
- Goody Hair brush (usually in my personal item)
- Makeup bag, a detachable small pouch from the Hudson + Bleecker Toiletry Kit. Even with minimal travel efforts, I still managed to pack all my girly makeup. Inside the makeup bag is a 10 gram container with MAC Prolongwear Foundation, Mac concealer, Benefit Highlighter, Eyebrow pencil/brush, Eyebrow gel, Maybelline mascara, MAC Espresso eye liner, MAC Harmony blush, Benefit mini shadow palette, MAC travel size blush brush, two double-sided eye shadow brushes.
- Jewelry bag, a detachable small pouch from the Hudson + Bleecker Jewelry Bag. Inside the jewelry pouch is one statement necklace, one boho-style earrings, one round silver stud earrings, and one boho-style ring (I was wearing stud earrings and a y-drop necklace with my plane outfit).
- Two packable hats: one sunhat and one fedora (should’ve just brought the sunhat.)
- My second layer, the Diane Kroe Wanderlust Wrap (back in stock!) easily accessible so I can wear on the flight if needed or upon arrival to colder England.
- I almost left behind my Olive color military-style vest so it was loosely in the compartment but should’ve been inside one of the packing cubes (good extra-layer if needed).
- Three pairs of shoes in plastic bags for easy identification. Include Naot walking sandals for Colombia and Portugal, Ipanema flip flops for Colombia and cruise, and Loeffler Randall olive color block heels (very packable!) for cruise and birthday in Lisbon. I was wearing black Nike trainers on the flight so these weren’t packed but they fit inside the bag if they needed to be.
- Sea to Summit pocket travel towel, for scuba diving and for Cartagena accommodation. It’s a pretty bright blue color and can also be worn as a scarf or cover-up!
- Packing cubes including seven clothing items out of the ten-piece capsule I brought (I was wearing jeans and a tee on the flight and one item was the Olive vest mentioned above). The packing cubes also held a light cotton slip to sleep (or wear as a cover-up/top), ten underwear, one pair of socks, one underwire bikini set, one non-underwire bikini set, one light workout/sleep/layer leggings, one light workout/scuba diving top, and one underwire sport bra. My dirty laundry is inside a plastic bag within one of the packing cubes.
- One notebook, for business workshops I attended throughout the trip
Normally, my laptop would’ve been stored in this main compartment, too. However, I always pack it in my “personal item” when flying so it’s easily accessible.
Packing cubes are the key to minimalist travel! Learn more about how to use them to travel carryon only!
PERSONAL ITEM: REBECCA MINKOFF JULIAN BACKPACK
Usually I always pack a variation of the following items in my “personal-item” for all my trips. For this particular trip I’m using my everyday purse as my in-flight personal item: the Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack.
I love this bag and I’ve mentioned it several times on this site and on my Youtube videos. Remember, minimalist travel doesn’t mean you have to use traditional travel gear. Even a designer purse can work if it’s the right one!
It has four compartments. One of my favorite things about the bag is the small compartment in the back side, which is the perfect fit for my passport or cards/money.
I feel these items are very safe because of the way the compartment lays directly on my back, keeping these valuables away from pickpockets. I always travel with my passport (and Rebecca Minkoff passport cover) in that backpack compartment.
Learn more about how to keep your passport safe while traveling!
There are two smaller compartments on either side of the main compartment in the front. On the right hand side I always carry my eyeglasses and on the left hand side I store my sunglasses.
In the main compartment I have all the items that I need to easily access during a flight or at the airport. One of the other awesome features of this bag is that the design allows you to cover the main zippered compartment with a latch, a convenient preventative measure keeping thieves from easily getting into your belongings.
Bag | Adapter | Pillow | Organizer | Laptop | Case | Wipes
Within the main compartment I have:
- My light Zara jacket (sold out) that I plan to wear on the flight, this can also be layered with my Diane Kroe Wanderlust Wrap for extra warmth.
- Cabeau Air Evolution inflatable travel pillow
- Mesh organizer bag that stores laptop and cell phone cords
- International travel adapter (with my name on it)
- EZpacking clear organizer bag which holds small essentials such as my chapstick, mints, tissue packets, emergency tampons, portable phone chargers, headphones lip gloss, mini-floss, medication, and gum.
- Toilet paper roll (surprisingly necessary on this trip!)
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- 11.6” Macbook Air within leopard print laptop cover
Clothing: 10-Piece Essential Capsule Wardrobe
Clothing is the most important aspect to succeed in minimalist travel. I used my Essentials customizable Packing List to create my ten-piece capsule wardrobe.
This included:
- Print scuba bodycon dress for dressy nights, could also be layered with tops to act as a skirt
- Versatile, black dress that could be worn casually during the day to sightsee anywhere, lounge on the cruise, or be dressed up with a belt and accessories for dressier nights. Could also be layered with tops to act as a skirt.
- Faded black/grey tee to wear anytime, anywhere, even to sleep. When worn with jeans and heels could have a dressier appearance.
- Black reversible top to be worn with all bottoms and over both dresses (it’s not technically “reversible” I just flipped it around because the back design was nice enough to be worn in the front)
- Coral reversible top to be worn with all bottoms and over both dresses (it’s not technically “reversible” I just flipped it around because the back design was nice enough to be worn in the front)
- Olive color military style vest to be worn with all bottoms alone as top (using a clothespin) or layered over tops/dresses to create interest
- Blue long sleeve top to be worn with all bottoms or layered over tops/dresses for warmth or to create interest. Could also be used as a bikini cover-up.
- Chambray shorts as a lighter choice to my usual denim shorts for Cartagena and cruise.
- Ivory dressy shorts to be dressed up or worn casually in any location. (I don’t like skirts so I dress up shorts with nice flats or heels.)
- Grey denim jeans for flights, cruise nights (and days when closer to Europe), and Portugal.
The above items made up my ten-piece capsule wardrobe but I made two changes to the above image. I replaced the black dress for ivory dress shorts and the cover-up for a black versatile dress. Because the cruise was extremely casual, these options all worked especially when paired with my lovely block heels!
In addition, I also took two light layers to be worn together or separately: a Zara lightweight faux leather jacket (sold out) and Diane Kroe Wanderlust Wrap. The nice thing about the wrap is that I could also wear it as a top, not just a sweater.
See? I told you minimalist travel doesn’t have equate to dull and boring travel clothing!
There you have it – everything I took on a four-week trip from Colombia to Portugal including a two-week (informal) transatlantic cruise!
While you may need to pack different things, I wanted to give you a general idea about how minimalist travel is possible.
For this trip, I had the advantage that I was traveling in June with mostly sunny weather and only a few cold, rainy days. However, my backpack was about 30 liters, which is 10 liters less than is allowed on most international flights…
…so if you do need to pack a few more things than I did or you are traveling in cold weather, you could easily travel with a larger-size carry-on backpack or suitcase and still have enough space for all of your belongings.
No more excuses. You can travel carry-on, too!
If you need help to stop overpacking, read this – it’s the step by step solution walking you through my entire packing process.
Here are a few pics from my trip!
What are your tips on minimalist travel? Comment your tips below!
For more tips on how to pack light, please read the following:
- 75 Packing Tips that Will make Your Travels So Much Easier
- How to Fit Everything in a Carryon (Video Tutorial)
- Ten Step Packing Guide to Travel Anywhere in One Bag
- How to Choose the Best Travel Shoes
Hello !
Which flat iron do you use ?
Hi Giannis, thank you for reaching out! I use the BaBylissPRO Mini Straightening Iron: https://amzn.to/2OBu9XW
We also feature a range of other options on this post: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/dual-voltage-flat-iron/
Hope this helps! ?
When I travel long term I always carry 6 bottoms and 6 tops that can be used together. (two pants – one is jeans, 2 leggings on their own or layered in colder weather, shorts – which can be used for normal wear, sports or sleeping, and a skirt – which transforms in a dress when paired with the correct top). For tops I carry 2 tank tops, 1 sleeveless shirt, 2 t-shirt, and a flannel buttow down shirt.
Outwear involves 1 jacket and 1 fleece (merino). For fashionable layering I sometimes include a travel wrap that doubles as a cardigan and scarf and blanket and… you get the gist.
I also always include three shoes in my bag (aside from the one I am wearing). All my shoes include nice ballet flats (I hate wearing heels), sneakers, good walking sandals and trail shoes (which can be worn on hikes or for sports and fold down flat). If I know I am going somewhere cold I sometimes add in an extra pair of chelsea ankle boots that also fold down flat without losing quality and shape.
Plus a toiletry bag (just the basics, I don’t wear make up), it all fits in my 28l carry on backpack.
Hi Emily, brilliant job with your packing, so impressive!!! ? Thank you for sharing your packing list with us. Happy travels! ✈️
Ok, I just have to ask this question. On a warm weather vacation, don’t these clothes start to really stink after wearing them repeatedly? I can easily see wearing the jeans for 2 to 3 days….but sleeping in the tee, then wearing it in the day AND dressing it up at night repeatedly?
Hi Jennifer, thank you for reaching out. You might find this article helpful for tips for how to do laundry when traveling: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-do-laundry-while-traveling-3-options/ Happy travels! ?
I plan a 14 day escorted trip to Northern Spain and Portugal in June. Would love to pack light but other than lingerie that can be hand washed, how do you have clean items to wear through out the entire trip such as jeans, dress, blouse or tee shirt?
Joan
Hi Joan, thank you for your comment! Have a look at this article for tips on how to do laundry whilst traveling: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-do-laundry-while-traveling-3-options/ You may also find this post helpful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/step-by-step-tutorial-how-to-hand-wash-clothing-when-travelling/ Hope this answers your question! Have an amazing trip next year! 🙂
Hey Alex, how do you manage to carry two backpacks as carry ons or in transit? Seems like you’d have to wear one on your front, right? Curious because I’ve considered it but always talked myself out of it in favor of a small roller bag and small backpack for a personal item, especially if I know I’ll have long lines or treks. And, second question, do you put your laptop in your overhead bin luggage and get it out in-flight? I’ve always felt the need to have it closer to me but considering new options to optimize legroom and smaller bags!
Hi Shelby, I carried the Travelon backpack on both shoulders like a normal backpack, and then I carried the Rebecca Minkoff backpack over just one shoulder, sort of like a cross body purse. See the photo above of me and the cruise ship to see how I’m carrying them both. For my laptop, I always pack it in my “personal item” when flying so it’s easily accessible.
To help you with choosing the best personal item for you, this article might be of interested to you: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/carry-on-personal-item/
Happy travels!!!
I am going on a 8-Day Adriatic/Med Cruise from Venice-Rome and a 14-Day Transatlantic from Rome-Miami. This isn’t my first cruise; I am a seasoned cruiser but I tend to overpack. Please give me a few new tips on how to pack less and do more coordination of my warerobe. Thanks Sandra Johnson
Hi Sandra, thank you for reaching out! Have a look at our ultimate guide for packing for a cruise vacation for tips on what clothes to pack: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-a-cruise-vacation/ You may also find this post helpful for tips for what to pack for Italy:https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guides/10-step-packing-guide-italy/ Hope you find this helpful. Your itinerary sounds awesome, have a wonderful time!! 🙂
Love all your tips! Just got back from a week in Costa Rica with a 5 year old and my husband and we flew with only our carry on bags! It was so liberating! So grateful for your website. So many of your pointers came in handy. Many thanks!
That’s amazing Jen! Happy to help 🙂
I don’t travel a whole lot, but I’ve been taking more trips in the last few years and have really been working on paring down what I bring so I can go carry-on only whenever possible. I’ve enjoyed reading all of your tips!
I use a flat iron too, and because it was always one of the last things I used before leaving (no matter how hard I tried to plan my getting-ready time differently), I ended up doing some pretty ridiculous things when I couldn’t pack the hot flat iron… including, almost every time I was leaving my apartment for a trip, sticking the flat iron in the freezer for five minutes to cool it off. (Probably not very good for it. ;)) But someone told me about this case, and it made my life SO much easier! It’s by Lug – and I haven’t travelled without it since I bought it a couple of years ago. Not sure if you would find it useful, but just wanted to pass that on!
Great tip Joanna! I SO NEED THAT. I always end up sticking my flat iron on the outside of my backpack (in the water bottle) compartment. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
I just recently purchased the Travelon Heritage Backpack for my trip to Russia and I absolutely love it!
Thanks Julie! I’m glad you’re enjoying it as much as I do 🙂
Wow this was a great post! Only those 2 small bags for 4 weeks, you must be a magician. I’m trying to transition to a more minimal life and this post has definitely given me some tips for my next trip. Thank you.
Thanks Mishele – good luck with going minimalist 🙂 Read this post for my secret: https://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/
Hi! I was wondering if your thoughts about the RM Bag have changed at all… have you had any concerns about pickpockets being able to get into the bag during travel? I imagine you’d likely keep the clasp clipped to the upper portion when in crowded places. I love the bag but am concerned about its practicality in NYC. Love your blog and vids!
Hi Carrie, still love the bag – I only own two purses and that’s one of them 😉 Yes, I do use the top closure not the bottom.
Would love to know what your other purse is! Also do you carry a wallet, any recommendations? I love your style :)))
Hi Diana, thank you so much for your lovely comment. The other purse is the Travelon Heritage anti-theft backpack. 🙂
i am currently on a month visit to Oahu Hawaii. Since I am staying at my daughters I mailed my capsule wardrobe + liquids ahead and had one large handbag with my Kindle, phone, book, pillow, ID + a jacket with me on the plane. We love to visit thrift stores & then I donate whatever I don’t want before I come home. However, this trip there will be more mailed home as it was my birthday and family bought me 7 pieces of clothing. I have back issues so unable to carry a heavy backpack so mailing things is wonderful.
Hey there, I am a seasoned road warrior who can pack for two continents and five countries of business travel without batting an eye. I am stumped how to deal with a upcoming 24 day vacation. Here it is: Three days hiking on Easter Island, three days of museums and sights in Santiago, three days of museums, cathedrals and sightseeing in Buenos Aires, ten days on an Antarctica cruise with two landings on a zodiac everyday and multiple days in flight. Your thoughts on covering all these varied needs?
Thanks for your comment Bluu! Mixing & matching will certainly be your friend as will layers! Find pieces that can be layered for warmth for the Antarctica leg but separate for the warmer Chile part. Use the examples in this post! I don’t know about an Antarctica cruise specifically, so to get you more recommendations I am going to post your question on our Facebook Page so make sure to check there for responses from our readers! Thank you again Bluu and that sounds like an amazing trip!
Thank you for the updated packing list. I started carrying on a few years ago when I stumbled across your site and have never looked back!
Thanks for reading Kristina! So happy that the packing lists have helped you! That’s the goal is to provide simple examples and easy piece ideas so you can go out and find clothing that works for you! Glad you’re finding packing success! Thanks again!
You’re so inspiring! Each time I travel I keep your tips and examples in mind, I’ve already came a long way towards packing lighter but I’m still quite a few steps behind you 😉 Happy travels!
Thank you for reading Nina! Glad to help!
Awesome videos and I love the breakdown of what you have. I will have to try this on my next trip!!!! Thank you so much!
Thank you Kandy! Love that you love them! Enjoy your travels!
Thank you for sharing! I always try to carry a light load, but I think yours is a lot more organized than mine! Hee hee! I’ll have to follow your lead on my next trip. Love all the information you share!
Thanks again!
Thank you for the kind words Kandy! Happy travels!
It’s amazing with how little you can get by with and once you’ve made that mind switch, it makes packing and traveling so much easier. Gone are my days of lugging a heavy bag anywhere, let alone on an extended vacation with multiple transits.
I totally agree 🙂 Anyone can do it!
Wow! that is efficient packing.
I love both those bags particularly how well packed they are. Some day I will become this efficient. One problem for me is I am usually carrying a couple of camera lenses and a body. The backpack that carries those would leave me with only one other bag if I were to travel carry-on only.
Super envious.
Those extras always make a difference but it sounds like you’re doing pretty well anyway 🙂 Nice work!
Wow that is efficient packing to say the least! I am totally envious and love both of those bags.
Thanks Linda 🙂 Anyone can do it!
I enjoyed your videos. It’s quite an accomplishment to be so organized for 4 weeks. I am asking you to please put captions on your photos telling where you are so that I can know exactly where to go to see the things in your photos.
Hi Cathie 🙂 Thank you! That is a great idea for future posts! Thanks!
Thanks, Alex, these are great videos. A real inspiration. I guess you have to unpack all the toiletries (inc your make up and lip gloss!) for the inspection in one ziplock bag through security at the airport ?
Hey Penelope 🙂 The seethrough toiletry bag is always the best way to get it through airport security!
Yeah, I am not the only one who travels with her electric toothbrush. Although for short trips (less than one week), I will take a super-soft toothbrush I got from a dentist in Greece – it helps keep my sensitive gums safe.
I am surprised at how much makeup you bring. I am much more conservative: Paula’s Choice brow color, Benefit PoreFection, Paula’s Choice Shine Stopper. I won’t travel anywhere or via any means where I have to be dressy, but I do like to look pulled-together and these three items do the trick for me. Have you ever tried going make-up free for a trip?
I love my electric toothbrush 🙂 I don’t always wear all my makeup but I do love it!
Great post! I love that you keep proving to us how it IS possible to be minimalist.
I love Diana Kroe clothing too and when I go to the Greek islands, take 3 or 4 items of hers that can be used up to 10 different ways!
Thanks Rebecca 🙂 It really is possible! Especially with Diane Kroe clothes! I love them 🙂
I love minimal packing! I have found another way to extend my wardrobe is to try wearing pieces in fun new ways- like wearing cardigans backwards for a sexy button up the back top!
Such a good idea 🙂
Thanks so much for all your tips. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I have already used some of your tips.
Yay 🙂 Thanks Tina!
It’s purely amazing how many things you can put in these tiny bags. True inspiration. Aiming for the same on my next travel. Thanks for keeping up the blog.
Thanks Bea! 🙂
Love the real time/super honest airport videos this is so great. I have a possibly stupid question… i am really curious how you physically carry two backpacks? Does one of the bags have shoulder straps as well? And why did you go for two backpack styles rather than a shoulder bag or duffel + backpack? I always do the backpack/duffel or backpack/tote combo for carry-on only travel and am just curious how you make this work and actually move through the airport. Thanks!!
Hi Lea, glad you like the videos, thanks! I choose to carry two backpacks because I need the even distribution of weight – I can’t use duffles or shoulder bags because I have back issues and having the weight on one side more than the other can cause quite a strain. For my full-time travels I use wheels plus a daypack to carry my stuff but since this trip was “short” then I just took my daypack and my purse.
However, I mostly carry the purse backpack slung on my shoulder if it’s for a short period of time 🙂
That’s really amazing, all the stuff in two small bags. I like the backpacks you choose. They look great, not that boring style the luggage for traveling usually have. Which kind of black versatile dress did you bring? Was it the lovely Chrysalis Cardi?
Hi Chrissy, Glad you like the bags! Ended up just choosing a regular black modal dress for this trip not a convertible one 🙂
Thank you for sharing your packing list Alex! I am glad to know that I am not the only one who travels with and electric toothbrush… 😉
Hehe I am sure there are plenty of people who do 🙂 Why not when they work so well!
Love the Rebecca Minkoff backpack, I will have to keep an eye out for a similar style.
I Love it 🙂 The Nordstrom sale has some great deals http://bit.ly/2a2yyLQ
Thanks so much for this post! I just got back from 15 days in Europe – backpack only. I want to try and get my backpack a little lighter so this is great inspiration. I know you have posted before on the photo of the clothing, but I can’t find it. Who is the coral top by? It’s so cute!
Hi Emily, glad you liked the post 🙂 The coral top is by Nordstrom Brand Chelsea28. The top is now sold out and I looked everywhere for something similar but couldn’t find anything 🙁
Love the bags! They look super cute.
Yay! I absolutely love them too!
Great tips for toiletries. I’ve got the capsule wardrobe down, but I always over pack my toiletries.
Yay 🙂 Glad you found it useful, hopefully this will help you to reduce your load 😉
Howdy, I gorge myself on your website and tips weekly. Was waiting for your recent 4-week trip post – but I don’t see the videos!?
I’m a mixed-media artist and I’ve REALLY pared down my weekend road trip items (from 6 bags down to 3 bags) thanks to you! Now I’m working on my Paris/RTW carryon. I’ve always enjoyed carrying backpacks. I’m searching for a rolling backpack for RTW/Paris trips. Enjoy your site so much, I subscribed ages ago.
Yay! I love this 🙂 Sorry the videos weren’t working, but should be all okay now! Well done on reducing your list!