If you're the type of person who pays extra baggage fees regularly, packing light can seem like a mammoth task. Despite this, many how to travel light suggestions will recommend fitting two weeks' worth of gear into a palm-sized knapsack. Don't worry, and there is a happy medium.
Traveling light doesn't have to imply ultra-light travel. Your bag will become lighter with each decrease you make, and if you're not ready or able to make all of these modifications at once, add a few more each time you pack for the trip. I've made these changes over time rather than all at once, and I can't believe I used to check a 23kg luggage full of clothes.
So, I have listed few tips on how to travel light to make sure that you get an idea of how you can reduce your luggage weight.
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Key Tips On How To Travel Light
There are no hard and fast rules that you can apply on every trip, but here are a few guidelines that have helped me learn how to travel light over the years, based on years of trial and error and inspired experimentation.
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Every sliver of available space is beneficial:
Replace your stack of paperbacks with a tablet or e-reader, forego and maximize your space by packing nooks and crannies with small objects (including stuffing socks, underwear, mittens, and even T-shirts into your shoes).
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Pack no more than a week's worth of clothing.
Add a dryer sheet to keep things fresh (you might find you can forgo perfume altogether with this hack). Pack a travel-sized bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser and spritz your clothes on the fly to remove creases. Plan to wash laundry along the road if your trip is longer than a week.
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Pack a variety of outfits that you may mix and match.
Only include clothing that can be color-coordinated with the rest of your trip attire. Leave an item at home if it doesn't work with numerous outfits. I try to stick to two pairs of jeans and two pairs of shoes that coordinate with the rest of my belongings.
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Make the Most of Your Personal Item
Airlines allow you to bring a personal item such as a purse or laptop bag in addition to a carry-on bag. I usually travel with a tiny backpack containing much more than a purse but fits beneath the seat in front of me. (If I need a purse when traveling, I fold it up and stuff it into a larger bag.)
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Why Buy A Backpack Instead Of A Suitcase
I also advise you to purchase a backpack rather than a wheeled suitcase. It simply provides you a lot more options.
When you're carrying luggage, going up or down steps at a train station, for example, isn't simple (and you'd be shocked how many stations don't have elevators or escalators). Walking with wheeled luggage on cobblestone streets or dirt roads is also not a pleasant experience.
It's a lot simpler to use stairs with a rucksack on your back, and you can walk (or even sprint, if you're about to miss a bus) faster. then you have both hands free
When you need to check maps on your phone or get a take-out coffee on the fly, having both hands free is quite beneficial.
Most importantly, if you are planning to travel light, then the backpack has lightweights to give you more comfortability while traveling than the trolley suitcase.
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How To Pack Light And Stay Organized
The expert-level organization is a cornerstone of lightweight travel. Folding, rolling, and compressing are the most typical methods for packing. Folded clothing is placed in a durable plastic bag (like these) and moved to squeeze further air out, conserving space.
Folding your clothes is preferable for heavier fabrics like denim pants or chambray shirts while rolling your clothes is best for softer textiles like cotton and wool that are less likely to wrinkle. While compressing your suitcase saves room, it does not guarantee a lighter bag; in fact, it may urge you to over-pack, putting you in danger of a weight-related charge at the airport.
Instead of putting all sweaters in one pile, all jeans in another, and so on, fold clothes into "units" and place them in your suitcase together. The packing tools listed below can assist you in travel light in any conditions.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are fantastic for making the most of your luggage space. They organize stuff into categories and keep them individually, making it easier to find what you need in your suitcase. If you're on a tight budget, gallon-sized freezer bags will suffice—they'll accomplish the same job for a lot less money, and they'll last for numerous journeys.
Packing Folders and Envelopes
Packing folders or envelopes, another organizational help, have the same space-saving purpose as packing cubes but are better at keeping your clothes wrinkle-free. If you're carrying many button-up shirts or blouses, these are fantastic options, and many of them come with boards to make folding easier. Keep in mind, however, that any folded garment will wrinkle along the fold lines.
Packing Sacks
Packing sacks are the most flexible packing aids available, resembling cubes but in a softer bag form. They won't keep your clothes wrinkle-free, but they're fantastic for storing belts, jewelry, hair-styling products, shoes, and other essentials that you don't want to throw into your bag at random.
Final Words
Keep in mind that shops can be found all across the world, even in seemingly inaccessible locations! If you forget something, it's frequently still possible to purchase it there. However, avoid packing at the last minute. Make your packing list the day before. If you're in a hurry, you can become stressed and over-pack your bag. Oh, and there's one more helpful rule: leave a quarter of your bag empty. It facilitates loading and unloading and can also be used to store souvenirs and gifts and will help you to travel light.
