Do you have to begin a journey, but the idea of always carrying luggage and/or your equipment doesn’t excite you? Don’t worry, traveling without luggage is possible!
In the following paragraphs, we’ll explain why it’s possible to travel without luggage, what methods you can use, and when it’s convenient to ship luggage rather than bring it along.
But first, let’s start with an overview of “traveling” in today’s world.
Traveling today
In recent years, the way we travel, especially regarding luggage, has changed significantly.
You’ve probably noticed that many airlines have implemented restrictions on the size and weight of luggage, forcing passengers to either purchase even a simple carry-on bag or find alternative solutions. If you also need to transport heavier luggage or specific equipment, the situation becomes even more complicated.
This change has further burdened the financial aspect of travel, yet it’s not the only concern before departure.
According to the annual Baggage IT Insights 2022 report by SITA, a specialized air transport technology provider, in 2022, compared to 2021, there was a global increase of 24% in the rate of baggage loss, mishandling, and anomalies in baggage handling per 1000 passengers.
Hardly an incentive to embark on a journey.
This is where our article can address the need for many travelers to find alternative solutions to the common journey with a suitcase.
Is it possible to travel without luggage?
Yes, traveling without luggage is possible, and there are several ways to do it.
You could decide to travel with just a backpack, carrying only the essentials, or you could choose to ship your luggage to your destination to avoid worrying about losing or forgetting it. Alternatively, you could also send a package to your destination, making it easier to handle.
The advantages of traveling without baggage
Traveling without luggage offers multiple advantages:
- Saves time: by traveling without luggage, you’ll avoid long queues at check-ins and the hassle of waiting to retrieve your luggage upon arrival at the airport.
- Freedom of movement: you’ll avoid having to carry bulky and cumbersome luggage or equipment, making your movements and gate escapes easier.
- Increased security: you’ll avoid thefts and loss of valuable items you might have checked into the hold.
- Worry-free travel: by eliminating the fear of losing your luggage or the anxiety of having to keep it under constant surveillance to prevent theft, you’ll be able to travel more calmly and carefree.
- Lower costs: shipping luggage or equipment directly to your destination, although it may seem more expensive, is sometimes much cheaper than carrying them with you. We’ll delve into this point in the following paragraphs.
In summary, traveling without luggage will make you freer, safer, and give you greater flexibility, all while saving you time and money.
How to travel without luggage
Now that you understand the advantages of traveling without luggage, you may be wondering how to do it. Let’s explore the methods in detail:
1 – Ship luggage with a courier
One method that allows you to travel light without giving up your luggage or equipment is to ship your luggage with a courier.
This means you can use your own suitcases as containers for your clothes/personal items. All you have to do is pack your luggage and choose a courier to ship it.
Advantages: the advantage of shipping luggage is that once they arrive at your destination, you can use them for various movements.
Disadvantages: the downside of this solution is that luggage could be handled with little care by shipping personnel and, as they have protruding wheels, they could be damaged during handling.
Tip: if you choose this solution, we recommend using “battle-tested” and inexpensive luggage, so you won’t suffer a great loss if they get damaged during shipping.
2 – Ship a package
Another solution to travel light is to ship a package containing all the items you might need.
All you have to do is get a box large enough to contain the items and clothes, and ship it with the courier you’ve selected.
Advantages: since the box isn’t a personal item but only an aid for shipping, even if it were damaged, you wouldn’t suffer any loss.
Disadvantages: handling the box, once it arrives at its destination, could be more complicated. If it’s a heavy box, you’ll need a tool to handle it.
Tip: this can be the optimal solution for trips that involve a long stay at the destination.
When is it convenient to travel without luggage?
The choice to travel without luggage and ship it directly may not be the optimal solution in all situations.
However, there are cases where it’s more convenient, in terms of time and cost, compared to traveling with luggage.
For journeys with multiple layovers:
When facing a journey with multiple layovers, having the assurance that your luggage will be waiting for you at your destination can make your journey more peaceful and less worrying.
During various air stopovers, your luggage could be lost or sent to a different destination. Additionally, it might be necessary to purchase additional luggage for each leg, significantly increasing the cost of the journey.
Shipping your luggage, in this case, can limit these risks, making it almost certain that you’ll find what you need at your destination at the lowest possible cost.
For trips to remote or hard-to-reach destinations:
To reach some travel destinations, it’s often necessary to change several types of transport (e.g., plane, ferry, cable car, train) or tackle challenging routes on foot (e.g., stairs, busy streets, country roads, etc.).
When the trip involves a combination of these factors, we recommend shipping luggage to travel lighter, more comfortably, and without effort.
If you need to travel with specific equipment:
If you need to carry bulky items (such as surfboards, scooters, musical instruments, strollers, wheelchairs, etc.), it may be more convenient to ship the item.
In this case, carrying these items by hand could be challenging, as well as more expensive, making shipping a better solution.
Conclusions
In this article, we’ve learned together that traveling without luggage is possible, and there are several ways to do it.
If you have any doubts about a specific shipment, contact us. We’ll provide support in choosing the best solution.
