People often react with disbelief when I say our family of four has travelled the world for years with just one carry-on suitcase each.
It sounds extreme, but it didn’t begin as a minimalist mission. It began with two tired parents, two tiny children and a simple desire to make life easier.
We wanted our hands free, free to scoop up sleepy kids, navigate busy airports, and avoid the stressful juggling act of too many bags. Our suitcases doubled as backpacks, so we could carry a child, wear a case and pull another. That was our beginning.
We went from a four-bedroom farmhouse in the UK to four huge suitcases, then eventually down to one carry-on and one backpack each. Even then, it felt like too much.
Today, one carry-on is more than enough. The hardest thing we let go of wasn’t a possession. It was the fear of needing everything “just in case.”
Packing Light and Living Fully
People imagine minimalism as having nothing, but for us, it means having space to breathe. We travel with a handful of clothes, small toiletries, notebooks, pens, a couple of books and a few small toys like Lego and Rubik’s cubes.
We follow one simple rule: if we haven’t used it in three months, it doesn’t come.
Our biggest surprises were the things we didn’t need. Our kids thrived with fewer toys, becoming more creative and more connected to nature.
My husband used to pack spare electrical wires “just in case” and never used a single one. Meanwhile, notebooks and pens turned out to be essential for all of us.
People always ask why we pack so little. I always smile and say, “They invented washing machines. We use those.”
Read More: How to Pack Light for Any Length Trip Abroad
Travelling the World on a Budget
We don’t travel like tourists; we travel like locals. We shop at fresh markets, get to know stallholders, and avoid expensive “expat” stores with imported goods.
We travel on local buses and trains, and we fly at odd times, Wednesday afternoons, random days, because we aren’t tied to school schedules. That flexibility often brings flights as low as £20 return in Europe.
When we need accommodation, we book Airbnbs by the month, which can lead to huge discounts.
But the biggest change came when we discovered house-sitting. With no rent, no mortgage, and no utility bills, our expenses dropped dramatically. Most months, our only costs were food and the occasional tank of fuel.
Read More: Family Travel on a Budget: How to Save More and Enjoy More
Learning From Life on the Road
Some of our best budget moments happened in Romania. After a long travel day, our hosts took us to a beautiful restaurant. Six of us ordered starters, mains, desserts, and drinks. We prepared ourselves to pay as a thank you.
When the bill came, our hosts insisted on covering it. Out of curiosity, our children asked for the receipt. We converted it and couldn’t stop laughing. The entire meal cost £22.
In the local markets, we regularly fed our family well for under £20 a week.
One of our favourite money-saving habits is simple: when we accept a house-sit, we always ask whether the car is included. If we do need to rent a car, we use annual hire-car insurance for £30–£50 a year instead of paying daily fees.
These small decisions make a big difference.
Why Slow Travel Matters
Slow travel changed everything for us. Staying longer in one place helps us understand a destination instead of rushing through it. We build friendships, learn local customs, find hidden paths, chat with neighbours and settle into gentle rhythms.
We wake up together, read, move and explore. We’re not strict with routines; we prefer to live intentionally, not automatically.
Longer stays also mean family and friends can visit, creating shared memories in beautiful places. Slow travel gives you time. Time gives you connection.
Minimalism and the Freedom It Brings
Minimalism gave us no clutter, no stress, and no endless chores. No gardens to maintain, no repairs waiting at home, no pressure to “keep up” with anyone.
It gave us clear space and clear minds. Our relationships grew deeper. We gift experiences, not things. We share dreams and goals openly, and support each other fully.
Many people overpack out of worry, forty outfits for a two-week holiday, only to wear four of them. The truth is that almost everything can be replaced anywhere in the world.
There is abundance everywhere if you’re willing to let go.
The Moments That Changed Us
There were countless moments when travelling light made everything easier: carrying sleepy children through airports, moving around the UK with one tiny case each, never losing anything because everything had a place.
And then there was the moment that changed everything.
After clearing our debt, a debt we once believed we’d never escape, I watched my husband and children laughing in a pool. I took a deep breath and thought, “As long as we have this, health, happiness, time together, what more could we ever need?”
Even now, when I travel for events with just a backpack, people are amazed. Our siblings travel light now, too. It’s contagious.
What Our Children Learned
Travel taught our children lessons that no classroom could. They learned to respect nature, challenge themselves, and see life as an adventure.
They learned that people everywhere are kind, that most pre-travel fears aren’t valid, and that kindness always matters.
They learned that memories last longer than objects, and that work should never cost you your life. They discovered that the world is far better and safer than the news suggests.
Redefining Freedom
Freedom used to mean money, the ability to buy choices. Now, freedom means something far more powerful: spending our time how we want, with the people we love, in places that make us feel alive.
If You Want to Try This Lifestyle
Start small. Try a weekend away with carry-ons. Book a local house-sit. Feel what it’s like to live with less.
You don’t need to commit to a year straight away. Many families try it “just for a year” and never go back because it feels so good.
If you’re unsure, learn from people already living the life you want. Borrow courage until your own grows. It’s brave to choose a different path, but the transformation, especially for your children, is priceless.
We’ve gained friendships around the world, watched our children grow into confident, grounded humans, and created endless memories together.
We’re able to show up for others when they need us because we’re not tied to one location.
Minimalist, budget travel didn’t just save us money. It gave us our lives back. And it all began with one simple decision: to travel lighter, so we could live fuller.
If You Go
House-Sitting Platforms:
Budget Travel Tips:
- Book flights for off-peak days and times
- Use local buses and trains
- Buy food from local markets
- Ask if a house-sit includes car use
Packing Tips:
Stick to a simple “three-month rule”: if you don’t use it, don’t pack it.
If you want more guidance on traveling light, check out Go World’s guide on How to Pack Light for Any Length Trip Abroad, which breaks down exactly how to streamline your luggage without sacrificing comfort.
To pair with that guide, we’ve also created a Packing List for an International Trip in our Amazon storefront. It includes the exact lightweight, dependable essentials mentioned in the article so you can easily find everything in one place and choose what fits your travel style.
Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.
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Author Bio: Laura Helen is a multi-bestselling author, worldschooling mum, and adventure-led creator who has spent nearly a decade travelling full-time with her family. Featured on Sky TV and across international media, she helps families rewrite their stories, live with purpose, and turn the world into a living classroom. With a playful heart and a deep belief that life is meant to be lived fully, Laura inspires others to choose courage, curiosity, and connection—wherever in the world they may be.
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