My cousin's "hostel hack" from Vietnam changed how I pack now

So my cousin just got back from 3 months backpacking through Vietnam and Cambodia. He told me he only packed 2 weeks worth of clothes and just did laundry at local spots for like $2 a load. It hit different because I always try to bring enough for the whole trip and end up with a 50lb suitcase paying overweight fees. He spent $180 total on laundry over 3 months compared to my last trip to Europe where I paid $120 just in baggage fees. Now I'm thinking about trying his method for my trip to Mexico next spring. Has anyone else downsized their packing like this and actually saved money on bag fees and luggage?

2 comments

2 Comments

ray_miller4122d ago

Laundry math is the real travel hack nobody talks about. Two weeks worth of clothes and $2 wash loads sounds way better than dragging a giant bag around. Mexico should be even cheaper for that stuff too, especially if you stay in towns with local laundromats. Your back will thank you, trust me.

joseph_torres22d ago

That laundry hack is real though, I read a blog from a guy who did the same thing in Southeast Asia and said it changed his whole travel mindset. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it, like why drag around a full wardrobe when you can just wash a few things every couple days? Bet your cousin saved a ton on back pain too (not having a 50lb suitcase is a serious win).