What do you NOT bring on your trips?

Same for me, the 3 items you mentioned. We also do not bring OTC meds except for a very small roll of tums in case they are needed. My toiletry bag doesn’t need to get any larger.

Same as SJ. I leave my hair appliances at home. The hotel hair dryer will do. I also leave most of my cosmetics at home. I just bring moisturizer, sunscreen and the bare minimum of face paint for any special nights out.

DH still comes along, since he has more pockets than I do on any given day. Historically he has been a much heavier packer than me.

I never take a big water bottle when one can take a collapsible water bottle in its stead.

I never take a big suitcase. My upright two wheel Pullman is a carry-on size fitting easily in the overhead compartment.

I never pack more than one pair of shoes. Those are the über-comfortable waterproof walking shoes.

I never pack a hairdryer.

I never pack liquids greater than 100 mL.

I never pack valuables; the jewelry I wear is the only jewelry I will have on a trip.

My troubles... or I try not to, anyway!

What one person absolutely leaves at home may be a necessity to someone else.

And vice versa.

I don’t bring snacks or coffee making equipment from home. There are a lot of stores, markets and cafes and part of the fun of travel is getting to try new things.

My laptop.

However, I'm considering bringing it on my next trip because it's so much easier to access all my planning information than on my phone or ipad. But it heavy! Dither, dither.

I don't bring along my CA 'to do' list, either it gets done before I leave, or it can wait. And wait.

Overly bulky or heavy articles of clothing.

Jewelry....I'm not a jewelry wearer at home but somehow for a number of years I would pack a couple of silver bracelets and earrings. No matter how much I want to be a different, stylish person when I travel I've come to the conclusion that I am not, hahahaha!!

All of the things mentioned so far — I don’t bring any of them. The only exceptions are sometimes I bring a small water bottle and sometimes I bring a lightweight pair of sandals in addition to the shoes I wear. I also never bring nice clothes; just casual athleisure wear. If someplace requires you to dress up, we don’t go there.

All of the things mentioned so far — I don’t bring any of them.

Me too. I also don't ... pack up all my cares and woes....
What helps me to not do that is to not watch the national news.
And I don't pack any Discover cards, AMEX, or traveler's checks.

An umbrella. It's a PNW thing, but I don't use one at home, either.

Umbrella, rain coat, rain pants and my life problems.

Kate, I just scrolled up, you beat me to it.

I’ve whittled down my list over the years. I’m currently on an art class in Ireland, and this one tested my packing skills even more. I was able to get all of my clothes, raincoat & TSA toiletries in a personal size backpack. Just my extra pair of shoes & dry lightweight toiletry bag went into the 2-wheel carry on along with the heavy, bulky pastel plein art supplies.

So, none of the items listed so far are essential for me except I do bring three pairs of earrings, a few coffee sticks & a few individual bags of almonds. The last two are preventatives to avoid migraines.

I used to piggyback personal travels on to the more interesting of my business trip destinations. So I always had to take my work laptop.

No more!!

Aside from the minimum basics (a few clothes, rain jacket, toiletries, meds, and a tablet/phone setup), everything else stays behind. I travel with a softsided carry-on and a hardshell carry-on sized bag that starts completely empty and gets checked. I have a cane and if I can't move my stuff easily on my own without getting bogged down, it's not coming.

Two luxuries that make the cut are a small Bluetooth speaker and now a PRESSE by Bobble coffee press that I've just bought and will travel with for the first time this autumn. Dang it, I want actual brewed coffee on the road; I refuse to do instant anymore! At only 13oz, 6in tall, and 3in wide, it will slide right into the side pocket of my Osprey Daylite Plus or into my carry-on bag for travel days, and then it just stays in my aparthotel room until it's time to move on. Otherwise, if it’s not on that core list, it stays home.

Long pants

I never bring my laptop, over the ear headphones, water bottle or travel pillows. I also bring minimal toiletries on the theory that I can buy inexpensive shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen etc. at my destination.

I also bring very few (if any) "just in case" items. I don't bring an umbrella "just in case it rains." I'll buy one there for 5 euros IF it rains, and I have indeed done that. I don't need to lug one around for several weeks "just in case." Ditto rain gear (unless it is truly the rainy season at a rainy destination) and sweaters or jackets "just in case" it gets cool on a summer trip.

As for the devices, I DO bring my iPad with external keyboard which does everything I'd need a laptop for but is much smaller and less expensive to replace if it's lost or stolen. And I swear by my Air Pods Pro which have excellent noise cancellation and take no room at all.

I don’t take guide books (sorry Rick). I spend a lot of time planning my trips, write an itinerary and pre-booking which tickets I need. I took guide books or just pages on four tours, never once looked at them so easy weight to cut.
Laptop stays home; everything I need is on my phone.
I do take snack bars because of some food allergies. And tea bags that I like. I seldom drink coffee while traveling because I want soy milk for it and soy is not always available.

No matter how hard I try I always pack more than my goal. Oh well, as long as I can lift the carry-on suitcase into the overhead. I’m trying a backpack as a personal item this trip instead of a tote. I leave tomorrow so will let you know yea or neigh.

I no longer take a camera with multiple lenses. Now, I just wear my Meta Glasses.

Kate, I just scrolled up, you beat me to it.

More the merrier. Nice to be in good company. :O)

I don't take the big noise-cancelling headphones, nor a neck pillow. Sometimes I wish I had each of them, though !

I do take a whole heck of a lot of stuff though. I like my creature comforts.

When I think what I used to bring…..like a good size art reference book plus 2 travel guides(!!), it’s wonderful how streamlined we can get thanks to the phone 99% of us rely on. I travel in winter frequently but still never take a puffy anything, vest, jacket or coat or umbrella. I bring a waterproof all weather coat with a zip out liner and a hood. Never haul a water bottle insulated or otherwise. Do bring a bag of good tea, Taylor’s Yorkshire Red, and a heater coil because I’ve gotta have a decent cuppa!

I’m trying to be like Pam but I find myself still throwing in 2 or 3 jewelry pieces, hey, they’re light, right?, and most of the time, never wear them. Sigh; my next life I’ll be a classy dame.

I don't take the big noise-cancelling headphones, nor a neck pillow.
Sometimes I wish I had each of them, though

Have you tried Air Pods Pro2 for the noise cancelling feature? They work great - you might be surprised. I wear them at home sometimes to drown out family noise (husband's TV shows, son's music) and they get frustrated because when they want to talk to me I CANNOT hear them! So if you want noise cancelling on a flight, give them at try.

As for neck pillows, I have been known to bring an old one along on a flight and then ditch it at the airport when I arrive because I don't want to carry it around with me for the next three weeks of my trip. Inflatable ones are a good alternative, too, because at least once deflated they don't take up much space.

"Sigh; my next life I’ll be a classy dame."

Oh gosh, that made me snort into my coffee. Double siiiigh....here's hoping for me too, lol!!

I totally forgot about guidebooks! Oh yes, when I first started back to international travel in 2013, I hauled Rick's Italy guide book along. Then I started ripping out pages. Then when the forum convinced me I needed an iPad Mini instead of another Kindle the guidebooks were SO MUCH better on them that I download an e-version and have not looked back.

Another thing I've made myself leave at home is exercise equipment. For a couple of trips I took a microfiber yoga mat and/or exercise bands. Who am I kidding???? No, this is not happening. Who has the energy to workout when you are walking 10,000 steps plus a day on most vacations?

And by the way....you should have seen Jean's packing job with her pastel box and easel in her carry on suitcase. It was miraculous, seriously!

Sadly, I bring less hair now so I don't bother with hair gel, but I have had to add hats.

Allan! : 🤣

No curling iron and no spinning reel (but my fly rod and reel, yes).

Another post reminded me of something I no longer bring:
A large power bank.
It eventually occurred to me that the only time I needed it was to top up my phone if I was out and about for a long day. I now bring a very small one that's easy to carry in my day bag.

Stella, that is a great recommendation, but alas. If there is one thing I am absolutely not bringing, that is AirPods ! I swear that on practically every transatlantic flight I take (and that is a LOT of flights), I see at least one person who is desperately looking for the airpod that has fallen out of their ear. No thanks. I am happy withy Beats Flex Earbuds that stay around my neck should they fall out.

I think the one item I stressed most about leaving at home in the past couple of years was my laptop. I'd brought it with me on vacation for 20+ years because I'd work for an hour or two in the morning a few days a week. I'm now into day 4 of year 3 of retirement and haven't brought it since, but still wonder if it will come in handy. I've survived so far but if we start taking 1-2 month trips I may bring it again because it is handier for some things than my phone or tablet.

Katiecem and Allan, I was just thinking about my laptop. I never leave it behind. Yes, it's a bit heavy, but that's why I bought a 13" MacBook Air. I would be lost without my laptop, and I don't see why I should leave it behind just because it's a little bit heavier. I figure I make up for it by packing light. 😊

Things I leave behind:
Neck wallet. I never use them. Give me my crossbody bag any time.
Umbrella. I used to bring one but it sat in my bag the entire time. If I really need one, I'll buy it.
Water bottle. If I want water, I'll get some in a restaurant or pour a glass from the tap. That said, I DO bring a small Yeti coffee tumbler. I love being able to go downstairs, get some coffee from the breakfast room (or make it in my AeroPress), and have it stay hot for a while.
Guidebooks (physical). I do bring e-guidebooks, though.

If there is one thing I am absolutely not bringing, that is AirPods !
I swear that on practically every transatlantic flight I take (and
that is a LOT of flights), I see at least one person who is
desperately looking for the airpod that has fallen out of their ear.
No thanks. I am happy withy Beats Flex Earbuds that stay around my
neck should they fall out.

Actually they make a connector strap for Air Pods so you don't lose them if they fall out. I'm surprised on all those flights you never saw anybody using them!

Another thing I've made myself leave at home is exercise equipment. For a couple of trips I took a microfiber yoga mat and/or exercise bands. Who am I kidding???? No, this is not happening. Who has the energy to workout when you are walking 10,000 steps plus a day on most vacations?

Haha, Pam, that made me laugh! I'm impressed you made the effort, though. I haven't even done that 😂

Do not bring recreational drugs but do bring prescriptions and antiacids.
Do not bring Euros from the US just get them after you arrive from a bank ATM.
Do not bring more than one piece of luggage but a personal item is ok.
Do not bring expensive jewelry and only buy from reputable shops.
I do bring a neck pillow which I can also sit on if my seat has lost its padding.

Do not bring Euros from the US just get them after you arrive from a
bank ATM.

Nope, not me! I had my card eaten by a bank ATM in France, and couldn't get it back. I'll NEVER do that again. I buy my euros at home where my bank doesn't charge me any fees.

I have a long list:)

We do not own an umbrella here at home so would not bring one or buy one on a trip.

I don't bring my laptop or iPad, just my phone.

I hate earbuds and actually gave mine to my husband as they just annoyed me.

I don't take noise cancellation headphones, but my husband can't live without his.

I rarely bring a second pair of shoes.

I only bring the jewelry I wear daily, with is my wedding ring, another ring and a necklace. I do bring my Apple Watch since I can use it to pay for things.

I don't bring my water bottle unless it is a hiking trip.

I don't bring snacks. Yes, I prefer to spend an insane amount for them at the airport if I decide I want them;)

I don't bring any books to read or guidebooks.

I do bring a compact travel pillow as that is what I use in hotels, but it compacts down to a very small size.

I do bring extra batteries for my headlamp as well as my old SLR camera. Nothing like trying to find a camera battery when you are in a remote area. Granted, these don't go on every trip, but when they come along the extra batteries do as well.

I too leave my husband behind on occasion;)

I don't bring the ATM card for our main checking account. We have separate accounts for travel so that if a card is compromised then it won't affect our banking.

I don't bring heavy coats as layers work best for me, and of course are easier to pack.

What do you NOT bring on your trips?

My ex.

I no longer bring my Kindle. My phone has both the Kindle app as well as Google Play Books, so I have plenty of reading material with me. I have the Netflix app on my phone, so I can download shows to watch later.. I also download YouTube videos before I leave.

Regarding over the ear headphones, my husband bought me a Bose pair for Mother's Day a few years ago. I appreciated the gift, but thought that it would be too bulky and that I wouldn't really use them - wrong!!! I won't fly without them now and especially like them for long layovers. I don't carry them in the bulky hard-sided case that they came in but in a soft sided case that takes up a lot less room.

I no longer bring neck pillows for the plane. I find that for me, they don't work well enough to justify lugging them around after the flights.

And many times, I don't bring my husband either.

I don't bring the ATM card for our main checking account.

I don't either, mikliz. But I do have a separate account at Charles Schwab that has maybe $300 or $500 in it, depending on how much I need, that I use when visiting countries that still need cash. It's nice because Charles Schwab will reimburse me for any ATM fees I have to pay. Plus, it's not my main account, so I don't have to worry about someone having access to it

I no longer bring my Kindle.

Sherry, I still bring mine because I hate reading books on my phone. I usually read in bed at night before I go to sleep, and when I'm forced to read on my phone, it makes it hard to get to sleep. I dull my Kindle screen down so it reads more like a book than an electronic device. And yes, I know you can dim your phone display light as well, but it's not the same. At least for me.

What I do not bring:

-Wheeled luggage of any kind
-Rainwear apart from an emergency poncho
-Any kind of earphones, just some disposible plugs for the plane in case there's a screaming rugrat aboard
-Any reading material, printed or electronic (reading even on a smooth plane makes me nauseous)
-Any cosmetics and OTC meds I know are readily available where I'm heading
-Any clothing which can't be sink-washed and air-dried overnight
-Any more than 5 days worth of the aforementioned clothing
-Pessimism and/or a quick temper

What I bring despite loads of forum proclamations against it:

-Second pair of shoes. Can't speak for others but if my only pair were rendered unwearable I'd not wish to have to go shoe-shopping in my stockinged feet.

-Proper camera kit. Serious shutterbug since age 11, a phone just doesn't cut it for me.

I usually travel off season, usually campervanning rather than hotels. Weather is often quite cool, maybe wet, windy etc.
I don't take a laptop, I don't own one. I don't take an actual camera. My phone does the job for both.
No jewellery, I only wear my wedding band and a 20 dollar watch.
Just basics in the toiletries bag, bodywash, a shampoo/conditioner combo toothpaste/brush, skin cream, lip balm and some laundry liquid. I just buy razors and anything else along the way.

Clothing wise. No socks I rarely wear them. No dress clothes, I don't go anywhere fancy. I take just a single pair of long trousers, lightweight hiking style, quick dry and don't crease if you roll them up. Otherwise just a few pair of lightweight running shorts.
No button up shirts just lightweight easy dry tshirts and singlets. No dress jacket just my trusty old North Face, a woollen jumper, my 25 year old fleecy Netti bike top and my waterproof jacket.

I actually take 3 pairs of shoes. I have been a competitive runner for 55 years and typically hike and run 10 to 15 kms first thing each morning when travelling. I usually knock over 25,000 to 35, 000 steps per day. So I take a pair of road trainers and trail trainers and also a pair of surf shoes. I use them around the campground and at beaches, lakes, rivers and caves.
I usually buy some cheap 2d hand clothing and an extra pair of runners from an opp shop early on during my trip. I donate some clothes and the shoes back before I go home.
No guide books, no tech gadgets no noise cancelling headphones neck pillows, umbrellas etc. No meds, no foodstuffs no books etc. No big waterbottle, I take my hydration vest sans bladder with 2 smaller soft waterbottles. This doubles for a lightweight backpack on hikes.

This sounds pretty hardcore, in a “walk the earth like Caine” type of way.

So it’s cool and wet and your feet never get cold?

Certainly not hard core.
I did wear Merino Wool socks and my long hiking trousers beyond 5000m on a winter EBC trek, temps lower than minus 25C.

I'm a bit late to this thread but it is interesting to read through and some of the answers made me laugh out loud!
I laughed at myself as I DO bring almost everything listed in here as what people don't bring. ;-) I bring an umbrella, a laptop, water bottle, snacks, rolling suitcase plus a backpack, paperback books, airpods...my list could go on.
What I do not bring is a bad attitude, cash (except around 20 euros and/or 20 usd as I always get local currency in country from bank ATM when I arrive), waterproof shoes unless I'm doing some serious hiking for hours on end or an actual camera as my phone works just fine for my needs.
Happy travels everyone!

Leave pre-conceived notions behind. I lived in Europe a decade ago and was amazed, awed and surprised from beginning to end.

I always bring Euro from BofA before going over since traveling with both the cc and cash is essential.

I don't bring the credit card charging the Foreign Transaction fee, ie make sure that one is removed from the wallet.

The recent spam posts hawking kittens for sale reminded me that one thing I do NOT bring on my trips is my own cat Furgus. He stays at home to defend his territory and tyrannize the per diem help (my friend and colleague Y.) whom, honestly, he probably loves more than he loves me... Not that I am jealous!

I do, on the other hand, bring my internalized Crazy Cat Person (CCP) mentality on all my trips, which often becomes apparent to savvy locals. For example, when in Rome I always visit the cat sanctuary at Torre Argentina. Usually I just admire the outdoor feline Romans from street level, but on my last visit, the sharp eyed sanctuary staff member spotted my CCP and invited me downstairs to the indoor sanctuary, where the REALLY busted cats hang about--missing limbs, complications from infections and fights, et cetera. My visit concluded with me, misty eyed, contributing several Euros to the shelter staff so that Furgus's Italian cousins could have a bit of comfort.

Which reminds me that another thing I do bring on my trips is some local cash, whether that is for leaving tips for hard working hotel staff or charitable giving.

Mother-in-law!

It's too bad when a person learns how to pack realistically when their likely travel years are dwindling. Like most of you in this thread we have eliminated quite a few things in our 50+ years of travel. Now we pack what our 20" carry-ons and personal items can hold and hope for the best as we've never been away from civilization for more than a few days and it's becoming easier to purchase necessities.

Our phones do the tech work; I no longer take a camera or a Kindle.

I no longer take multiple books, but instead save my own notes and pack a printed guide (I still do not entirely trust the Internet.). Since we have been traveling during cooler-to cold weather we pack the same clothes every trip, using the 5-4-3-2-1 rule; however I will never pack leggings again, as I have aged out of them. We don't pack umbrellas as carrying them guarantees that it will not rain. Instead I take those awful little disposable ponchos for dire emergencies, but usually we duck indoors.

If we pack something that doesn't see the light of day on a trip it doesn't get packed for the next one.

most days I leave the elephant in the room at home. Also her trunk. I have more than enough of my own luggage thank you.

I also tend to leave the Lamborghini at home too. They scrape too much getting onto and off the ferry ramps - and the Eurotunnel isn't much better. They should tell you these things when you buy the car. I'm considering suing the designer, the boat company and the dealer.

The other thing is most of my bathing suits - they add a lot of weight and space needed for other things. And who needs them?

Reading though the thread I am impressed by how different people travel.