Given that more and more airlines are offering budget “no-frills” travel (you can even find transatlantic flights for just $99), it’s all the more important to know how to pack light and avoid paying double the price for checked baggage.
It’s actually quite easy to do, and you’ll be surprised at how much time and money you’ll save travelling with only carry-on. Here are 10 quick tips on packing light:
1. Pack only your staple clothes
We all have our few staple items that we wear day in and day out at home. So just pack them and you’re sure to have something you like to wear for every occasion.
2. Wear bulky items on the flight
Heading somewhere cold and need to bring a big, bulky ski jacket? Wear it on the plane and save bag-space.
3. Pack layers
Again, if you need to stay warm wherever you’re going, it’s much more effective to pack thin layers than lots of bulky things. Thermal underwear are extremely efficient and hardly take up any space at all.
4. Roll clothes instead of folding them
This has been personally tried and tested, and it worked. Roll you t-shirts, jumpers or pants up and squeeze them into your bag. You’re guaranteed to fit more in.
5. No matter how long you’re going away for, only pack enough clothes for 7 days
Whether in the sink or at a laundromat, there’s always going to be a way to wash your clothes. It’s much easier to do this than lug around extra weight.
6. Ditch the “what if” items
If you’re packing something “just in case”, then chances are you probably won’t need it. Let it go, leave it behind.
7. Choose a colour palette/shade
Worried about not having a versatile wardrobe? Stick to one colour palette or shade and ensure that all of your clothes go together. You’ll have a lot more outfit options this way.
8. Buy your toiletries when you arrive.
You’ll be able to find everything you need mostly anywhere in the world, so save yourself some space and leave the shampoo at home.
9. Invest in some packing cubes
Trust me – these will change your travelling life. If you can manage to fit everything into two packing cubes, then you’ll be fine. Your bag will also be a whole lot more organised and neat.
10. And finally, with practice, understand what you use and what you don’t use
This knowledge only comes with experience. The best way to eliminate unnecessary items when you travel is to write down everything you pack as you’re doing so. Then, while you’re away, whenever you actually use something, cross it off your list. At the end of the trip, you’ll be able to see what was necessary and what was simply excess weight.