Even I, as someone who’s been on my fair share of road trips, learned quickly…
Naked Traveling
I’ve come across a lot of different trends and challenges in my years of travel, and this latest one is… interesting to say the least! Ever hear of naked traveling? No? Don’t worry, no one is literally traveling naked!
I’ve done a little investigating, and here’s everything I learned.
What the Heck is Naked Traveling?
Naked traveling is the act of flying to a new destination with only the clothes on your back, an ID/passport, a wallet, and your phone. Some people also allow a phone charger and headphones. The idea is that you get whatever you need wherever you land.
It’s different from another minimalist travel trend with a much less appropriate name in that you’re allowed to have electronics and can enjoy in-flight entertainment.
Levels of Naked Traveling
Like with every trend, there are levels, and according to Thrillest, these are the three levels of naked travel:
Totally Bare
Totally Bare Naked Travelers are the purest form of naked travelers. They travel with the most essentials, intending to borrow or buy what they need after landing.
Pocket People
The more feasible group is the Pocket People. They’ll stick to the no luggage rule, but they’ll wear clothes that allow them to fit more into their pockets than normal. Think cargo pants and jackets with multiple pockets stuffed to the brim with extra toiletries and clothes.
Delivery Crew
While Delivery Crew Naked Travelers are technically following the rules of naked traveling, they’re cheating a bit in that they still have luggage. Instead of bringing it with them, though, they ship it to their final destination.
Benefits of Naked Traveling
As someone who has spent twenty years mastering the art of packing and who always has a tote bag full to the brim with necessities (#momlife), I’m both intrigued and appalled by the idea of naked traveling! I had to see how exactly someone could benefit from flying with only the barest of necessities, so here are some pros I found:
No worrying about baggage fees
I still can’t believe we live in a world where airlines charge for checked luggage. Even worse? Some airlines now charge for carry-on luggage, too. And I’m not even going into the charges that come with overweight luggage! The one benefit of naked traveling is that you do not have to worry about paying for your luggage either way, which, I suppose, is a benefit. If you’re considering the Delivery Crew method of naked traveling, it’s worth comparing the cost of having your bags delivered with the baggage fees.
No longer worrying about the everyday stresses at an airport
Another benefit is that you will have almost none of the everyday stresses associated with airports. No more playing Jenga with your clothes and toiletries when packing. No waiting in lines. No stress over the TSA line. No need to worry about overhead space on the plane. No straining your shoulder lugging your bags around the airport. It sounds almost blissful breezing through and getting to your gate.
Truly embracing the beauty of minimalism
I do think doing this as a challenge makes you really realize how many unnecessary things you might sometimes pack for trips. Heck, it even highlights how much we carry around daily that we might not actually need. I can see how doing the challenge can shock an overpacker out of their habits!
Forces you to embrace spontaneity
Another benefit I saw was that it forced the naked traveler to embrace spontaneity and gave them a sense of adventure. In a world that feels smaller by the day and where technology has essentially taken away that old school intrepid spirit, I can see this to some extent. Travel has just gotten easier with new advancements, so this is definitely a way of getting closer to the types of trips adventurers were taking hundreds of years ago.
It forces connection
You know what you need to do if you plan on traveling naked? Ask for help, even if you’re not asking to borrow someone’s toothpaste or for a piece of gum; you’ll likely need to ask where the nearest pharmacy or grocery store is. I know many in younger generations struggle with talking to strangers, so in a way, this can force you out of your comfort zone. And who knows what asking someone for directions can lead to?
Why I Don’t Think I Could Ever Do It
At the end of the day, though, I do not think I could ever participate in naked traveling. While I can appreciate some of the benefits, there are far too many downsides for me.
The Counterproductivity
I don’t know. You can never truly travel naked beyond flying from Point A to Point B. As soon as you arrive, you’re going to have to purchase the necessary toiletries and clothing to last more than a few hours. And it seems pretty wasteful to buy all new items when you could’ve just traveled with things you already own. Not to mention – are you naked traveling back from Point B to Point A? In which case, what are you going to do with all the necessities you had to buy?
Too Many What Ifs
Maybe it’s because I’m a mom and I pack like it, but there are far too many “what ifs” involved with travel, even with all our technological advancements. Medicine, glasses, contacts, toiletries, accidents… I had a mile-long list of “What if” questions as soon as I saw the rules of naked traveling! I mean, have you ever been on a flight that’s lasted more than a few hours? You start to feel grubby, smelly, and sweaty, no matter how cool the air is kept. I can’t imagine getting off the plane without some deodorant to swipe on right away!
All the New Stresses to Travel
While you get to forgo all the normal airport stresses if you naked travel, you do invite a whole slew of new stresses in their stead. I don’t know about you, but when I arrive at a new destination, I like to check in, unwind, and wander around. I don’t want to sit there and have to figure out what I need to buy and where to buy it! And while I’m lucky that I can generally find my size wherever I go, I can’t imagine how stressful it would be to be one of the sizes that’s not usually carried in stores. Just a reminder, Asia and Europe tend to take much smaller sizes than the US!
Travel still has plenty of adventure; I don’t need to manufacture it
Even with all our technological advancements in the world, I do still think there’s a ton of adventure involved with travel. I don’t need to manufacture it or make flying harder on myself. Just ask me about my last few trips, and I’m sure I’ve got a handful of stories to tell!
Bottom Line
While I admire some of the reasons someone might challenge themselves to naked traveling, I definitely do not think it’s for me, nor would I necessarily recommend it to any of you. I also think that if you want to improve in one area, it forces you to improve in other areas, such as talking to strangers, learning to live and pack lighter, or seeking adventure. There are plenty of other ways to do it!
What do you think? Would you ever try the naked travel challenge? Sound off below!
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I think if I wanted to travel somewhere to shop for new clothes it might be interesting to try. And in France finding all my toiletries there might be a real treat. Of course that would mean I’m not traveling naked on the way back.
I’m with you! The waste from having to buy everyone you land is not for me. Few countries except America have travel sizes
My other issue is I’m very particular about using toiletries without chemicals & that’s pretty impossible to find (mostly I order from specific countries). And then there’s the few supplements I take.
Probably more for young people who like to live minimally! But at this season of my life not for me.
I used to fantasize about just going to the airport, buying a ticket to Hawaii and hopping on the plane. Now that i actually do go to Hawaii all the time I could absolutely go there “naked”. I would buy clothes, flip flops & sundries at the ABC stores!
As for other destinations it seems like a lot of extra time searching for stuff and then what do you do with the stuff when you go home? It seems like you’d be spending way more than the $30-$40 bag charge.
BTW I’ve always wondered why airlines don’t just hide the bag charge in the price of the ticket? Airfares fluctuate all the time so who would notice if it included the $30?
No way! I am a plus size lady that can’t even buy a T-shirt when traveling. I always pack my swimsuit in my carryon because if my bag gets lost that would mean no swimming for me! Let’s not even go there about panties!
🤪 Sandi
Naked traveling is not for me. However, this concept has challenged me to see if I can go on my next trip with just an underseater. I usually take a check-in suitcase, backpack, and crossbody bag. I need to downsize for sure! For my next trip, a 7-day Bahamas cruise that I can drive to, I am going stuff everything in my backpack including a small crossbody bag. Wish me luck!
I know I could not do it….although it sounds “sort of” appealing I have no desire! I would feel too panicked without having what I need. I would like to start packing lighter though, maybe this will push me to it!
NOPE. Not for me. I need my stuff! I have become a pretty good light packer. I have excellent luggage by Samantha Brown(!) and so don’t feel burdened as I make my way through the airport. I’ve never had trouble talking to strangers in a strange land so there’s really no need for this in my life. Heck, life is complicated and stressful enough without having to worry about where I’m gonna get a toothbrush at 3AM when my delayed flight finally lands!
As always, Samantha is right about this travel idea and I cannot imagine ever doing this. There are way more downsides than positives. Voluntary forced immersion in a new place is just plain stupid and risky. There is enough stress in travel today without having to figure out what is next upon arrival. Travel should be fun, relaxing, entertaining and enjoyable at every point along the way. If not, then I won’t leave home where our views of islands and mountains, and natural beauty, just isn’t worth giving up to face some ridiculous travel challenges…..Mike Gianunzio, Camano Island, Washington
Samantha, as someone who likes to be completely comfortable when traveling, I could never embrace this concept! On my recent trip to Turkey and Greece, in my carryon I packed: the finest socks so I’d get no blisters, a modest swimsuit in my size, a change of clothes, a Kindle, a nightgown, snacks, cash, and favorite over the counter mediations, mild soap—all of which I needed the first two days. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the first 48 hours searching for these things.
Naked traveling sounds a bit elitist to me. It requires knowing that you have the cash or credit to buy whatever you need at the destination and to leave it all behind on the return trip. It conjures images of the Victorian manor picnic where the upstairs folks ride into the countryside to “rough it” on a picnic, but are supported by two wagons of servants bringing tables, chairs, tablecloths, napkins, champaign, baskets of food, and china, and who stand attentively behind each diner. It’s fine for the upstairs folks; not so much for the downstairs folks.
Hi Samantha, It sounds intriguing, but I am 100% in agreement with you. There are too many unknowns and I don’t want to spend money on items I already own, like pj’s, toothpaste, underwear, etc. I’d loved to hear some stories from travelers who have done this.
Thank you a great article!
S Bennett
I like the idea of not having to carry around a lot of “stuff” but what do you do with the new clothes you bought. Giving it away is probably the answer. Doing that creates a new stressor, how much of a clothing budget do you give yourself every year that you give away?
I think Ill still do my carryon packed full to the brim. Ill buy the toiletries at the new place and leave them behind, which saves a reasonable amount of room.
I can see the freedom in this, but being plus size, I already know I’d have a had time finding clothes and under garments.