hoping to travel round thailand - carry on bag

williamd

williamd

williamd

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planning to just take carry on luggage

going for about 3 weeks

think it's possible?

any bag recommendations? not much of a traveller but sort of thinking i won't need too much stuff... who knows.
 
Backpacking or staying in more up-market hotels? If you're doing it on the cheap you'll probably need more than you can fit in a carry on bag. Also remember you'll probably pick up bits and pieces that you'll want to bring back with you and if all you have is a small backpack then you won't be able to.

I'm sure it's possible, but you'd have to be very frugal/selective about what you bring.
 
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williamd said:
planning to just take carry on luggage

going for about 3 weeks

think it's possible?

any bag recommendations? not much of a traveller but sort of thinking i won't need too much stuff... who knows.
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You'll want more stuff, collecting hold luggage realy isn't that much bother.
 
williamd said:
Backpacking.

Big back it is I guess. Was just wondering if there was a deceptively big carry on bag I might be able to use.
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Well you can always look :)

My post was assuming a standard every-day backpack, but if you can find something slightly bigger that'll still fit then it might be worth a shot. I expect you could get by with a 40l bag if you're only there for 3 weeks, though I don't know if that'd be allowed on. Worth looking at least.

In some ways smaller is better when backpacking, since it's much easier not having to worry about carrying a giant rucksack around and squeezing it into luggage racks/rickshaws with you.

One thing that is important when backpacking, though, though is to have a bag that's comfortable and easy to carry and use. There's nothing worse than having to carry an uncomfortable backpack for miles. Have a look here for some useful tips about what to pack.

Just remember that bringing things back will be difficult, and you won't be able to bring anything that's not allowed in cabin luggage, e.g. pen knives, large amounts of fluids, etc.
 
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This doesn't make sense, the airlines you'll have to use to fly to Thailand won't charge extra for putting 20kg in the hold and they most certainly will have stricter limits on hand luggage compared to cheap airlines that charge extra for checked in baggage.
 
bsoltan said:
This doesn't make sense, the airlines you'll have to use to fly to Thailand won't charge extra for putting 20kg in the hold and they most certainly will have stricter limits on hand luggage compared to cheap airlines that charge extra for checked in baggage.
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Ok thanks, all I needed to know.

As I say, not much of of a traveller.
 
I question wether you actually need a backpack, in my experience travelling round that area 90% of 'backpackers' would be better off with a bog standard wheelie suitcase and only take a backpack as a status symbol. If your not planning on trecking round the country ie you will be using public transport and taxi/tuk tuk's then you would find life much easier and you clothes much less crumpled with a suitcase. Only downside is you won't look as down with the gap year kids.
 
a1ex2001 said:
I question wether you actually need a backpack, in my experience travelling round that area 90% of 'backpackers' would be better off with a bog standard wheelie suitcase and only take a backpack as a status symbol. If your not planning on trecking round the country ie you will be using public transport and taxi/tuk tuk's then you would find life much easier and you clothes much less crumpled with a suitcase. Only downside is you won't look as down with the gap year kids.
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Yeah, my sister recently went round south america. She did several pre-arranged tours, and said she could have used a suitcase and didn't really need the back pack at all.

Unless you're travelling on some ultra-budget airline, there's no reason not to take hold-luggage.
 
jimbob27 said:
Yeah, my sister recently went round south america. She did several pre-arranged tours, and said she could have used a suitcase and didn't really need the back pack at all.

Unless you're travelling on some ultra-budget airline, there's no reason not to take hold-luggage.
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and even if you are just taking carry on you will almost certainly get a better fit for the regulations with a wheelie case, your clothes will arrive neatly packed and you can wheel it through the airport to you chosen transport without the back breaking labour of carrying a heavy pack in baking heat.
 
Wheelie suitcases tend to be better suited to places with actual pavements though, surely? You might be alright in the airport and parts of Bangkok, but if you plan on actually travelling about, I dare say it'd become more of a hassle than just having a bag on your back.

I'm also fairly sure the majority of people backpacking over there aren't entirely fussed about how creased their shirts are :p
 
a1ex2001 said:
I question wether you actually need a backpack, in my experience travelling round that area 90% of 'backpackers' would be better off with a bog standard wheelie suitcase and only take a backpack as a status symbol. If your not planning on trecking round the country ie you will be using public transport and taxi/tuk tuk's then you would find life much easier and you clothes much less crumpled with a suitcase. Only downside is you won't look as down with the gap year kids.
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Well that's fine if you're planning on sticking to cities and not moving about much or doing any exploring, but it'll soon become a real problem if you want to go anywhere slightly off the beaten track. Also, who cares about crumpled clothes? :confused:

Both times I've been to Asia I would've found a suitcase very prohibitive and probably it would've stopped me from doing some of the things that I did.
 
It's very doable to do it with just carryon backpack. There are numerous travel blogs that cater for this sort of thing. Numerous advantages include, being able just to get up and go at any minute, not being worried about your suitcase being lost/stolen, the ability to travel around a heck of a lot easier.
However, if you're not a big traveller then you may struggle with the idea of it. It's all about buying appropriate things, and packing appropriately. You can take a surprisingly large amount of hand luggage on board planes as it's very rarely weight checked.
I find travellers either go very light, with minimal things or go to the other extreme and take a 100litre bag and brim it which is a nightmare when trekking or even just walking through a hot city.
If I were you, I'd look at a 55litre rucksack. I use Osprey, and have always found their products to be great. Argon (big) and Atmos (medium) are both great.
It really depends what you're doing in Thailand though, if you're trekking through the jungles and stuff then you want a small bag. If you're staying in hotels, and will be using non-public transport a lot then it makes sense to take a big bag and more stuff. If you're using a lot of public transport, and not doing much trekking then a medium bag would be best.
 
williamd said:
Having a look at their site now. Could you possibly link to one that would pass as carry on?
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These are fine:
Talon 44, Atmos 35.
Slightly over BA allowance but not by anything significant so you'd be fine I reckon:
Porter 65, Farpoint 55, Hornet 46.
But remember, it's not the size of the bag - it's what is in it.

Though, when I replied I was speaking generally and not saying that it is always possible and it's often less advisable as lightweight travelling really is a skill.
You're a new traveller, and travelling light weight brings issues which carry a lot doesn't. Namely, you've got to find places to clean your clothes, not able to bring anything back. But there are many pluses also.
If I were you, I'd take a medium size (perhaps the Aether 60) in the hold, as that way you have the safety net that is probably advisable for a new traveller.
I just don't want you to get over there, and realize that your bag is far to small for your needs because I said that it's possible.
Work out where you're going/what you want to do and then you can work out what you'll need. If you're only going to be in cities then you aren't going to have to pack hiking boots, roll mats, appropriate hiking trousers and such. If you're going to spend most of your time in the countryside then you won't need smart shoes, suit trousers, and things like that. If you're going to be at beaches a lot, then you'll need even less. Once you've got that sussed you'd be in a better place to determine what you'll need to take. Bear in mind though, that you can buy a lot over there and it'll be cheaper than getting it over here.
Travelling light is far better, I'll never understand travellers who walk about with a 120l rucksack on their backs and a daysack on their front struggling to keep up and sweating madly, but it is a skill and not for everyone I guess.
 
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Thanks a lot for the advice.

To give a bit of an idea, I'm planning on a few cities and lots of beaches. Staying in cheap hotels / hostels throughout. No hiking through jungles. A few overnight sleeper trains...

I think Scubascorpion actually has the right idea. If I can take a couple of pairs of trousers and lots of t shirts, I should be fine - and that hopefully means I'll get away with carry on.
 
I managed to do over 3 weeks travelling all over South Africa for the World Cup in the summer with only carry-on luggage. You just need to take advantage of doing laundry where you can get it. Try and get towels from the place you're staying at the time if you're going to the beach.

I just took enough socks/underwear for a week, one pair of jeans, one pair of shorts a few t-shirts, a shirt, swimming shorts and a hoody + wash things (nothing over 100ml though for carry-on). Also a book to read and all my documents and charger for phone/adapter.

No sweat really.

The bag I took was a sort of expanded messenger bag from Fat Face (this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Face-Perth-Canvas-Messenger/dp/B002LVU8PI).

Edit: also, make sure you travel in the bulkier items (hoody/jeans for me) to free up bag room.
 
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