WHere?! Nomad Local Blog

Looking for flights, I found cheap deals, like 16 euros or so (i.e., from Vienna to Bucharest), and I thought it was “my day.“ Nevertheless, I was leaving with a 10 and five kg backpack (because of the camera and recording equipment), so when I discovered I had to pay way more for the big one, it wasn’t worth it—almost 50 euros more.

So it looks like a scam, but that’s the business of some airlines to make you travel super light; otherwise, you’ll pay the same as others.

So the objective was to fit everything in one single bag. So this is what I’ve understood: you just need survival things and some spices. Yes, some food as well!

So in this article, I will list the most important things you must pack during a global cultural trip (to avoid any kind of problem) and how to fit everything in a small backpack to actually be able to get those affordable deals like in Wizz Air.

Elemental things in a backpack for a Cultural Travel

What are vital things you need? First, the ones you will use everyday:

Traveler Clothes

If you think in advance, you can bring only five t-shirts or blouses and undies (in other words, five changes). It might sound fun, but actually, when you take a shower, you can wash your clothes every single time and put them dry, indoors or outdoors. And you have clean clothes everyday.

If you stay longer periods, like for one month volunteering in a hostal or a house, you can avoid running off clothes because it allows you to get four days of waiting to get them dried. Even so, you’re in London, where it rains a lot and the sun appears miraculously.

Sometimes you have access to a washing machine, so you can wash your clothes every three days and you’ll be fine, but not every place have one. And you have to be sure it works properly, because if it doesn’t, you can have a problem if you find out at the last minute.

“The business of some airlines is to make you travel light; otherwise, you will have to pay the same as others with”

And also a sweater, in case you need it. On winter, you’ll have to take with you a coat or a jacket, but you will have to wear it all the time when you travel to save space (as well as scarves, gloves, etc.)

Pants and swimsuits are also for nomadic travelers

You only need three things: two pants, one pair of training pants, and a swimsuit.

Pijamas are not necessary because, generally, they’re for sleeping comfortably. Although you can bring a sort of sport pant to use it for exercising (if you have the opportunity) and sleeping. The only problem is that you have to wash them constantly, so be sure to buy a good-quality brand.

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The other two pants, just combine them with your t-shirts, and you’ll have enough outfits for two weeks before washing them again.

Get a swimsuit with you in case you end up in host house with a pool or near the beach. You’ll be amazed how often this has happened to me (now I write you in a rustic Macedonian house in front of the river.) And do not forget a small gym towel, for saving space (it dries you as much as the big one.)

Digital Nomad Technology

If you are a digital nomad or want to get some work done during your travel, you just need some technology.

For instance, cellphone chargers (be sure to have adapters for the country you  are going to visit, because even if you are in close countries, the plug is different, i.e. England and France.) Only get one or two in case, and wire them to use less space.

Laptop and mouse if you want to work online. Always put the chargers in the button so everything you put inside pushes them down.

“Be sure to have adapters for the country you are going, they can be different even if they’re close from each other”

Likewise, if you work or have to make calls, bring earphones. Get the smallest ones and go wireless. Normally, you can recharge them with your mobile charger.

And if you need to work with a camera, as I do, you can hang it in your neck. The air company does not have any concern with these extra things over you. I recommend bringing only these things because they take up a lot of space.

Extra stuffs

These are optional, but you can consider bringing them whether you have left space. For example: medicine (like antiflu or everyday pills if you need them), a bottle of water (that you have to keep empty on flights), also sandals that you can hang out of the backpack, and a folder for personal documents.

As well as spices, which are pretty necessary if you want to save money cooking. I talk about how to eat like in a restaurant with basic ingredients in this article. And these ingredients can fit in a small space.

And finally, take candies or souvenirs you can give to people you meet on the way. They are important but not  crucial. In this article you can see why it’s important to bring candies.

With these things, you’re going to fit a 10-kg backpack, and remember that if you overweight it, you can always wear some thing before the check-in control. In my experience, it always helps me with one or two kg.

If you think this article might be useful for someone you know, share it. Remember: the less you bring to your travel, the easier becomes.