One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is overpacking. We get it, you want to be prepared for any situation or activity, but that doesn’t mean you need to take your whole life. I bet you’ve never heard anyone say, “I wish I brought more suitcases to carry around.”
Packaging light has many benefits, such as moving around easily and quickly during travel, saving time and money at the airport, and easily controlling your luggage. But how do you pack light when going on a lengthy trip?
Here are our top 5 tips for packing JUST a carry-on for your next trip...
#1. Invest in a top Carry-On Suitcase
There are quality carry-ons designed to fit certain needs, are reasonably priced, and have different sizes and wheel options.
Do your research and pick what design will best suit your travel style; for example, some carry-ons have a built-in storage/closet system!
#2. Figure Out What You NEED To Bring (leave the rest at home)
No matter how long you are traveling for, it's best to pack for 1 week - Remember, you’re not traveling to mars! Most hotels have laundry facilities and offer basic toiletries and bath necessities.
Other than your necessary clothing and toiletries, only pack items you need for activities you plan to do, such as hiking clothes or a swimsuit.
Anything that “might come in handy,” leave at home! These aren’t necessities. If you end up needing them, you can always buy them.
#3. Plan Out Your Outfits
Pick out all the outfits you want to bring and lay them out. Then plan your outfits for each day, evening, and activity.
Anything that isn’t added to a day's outfit put it back in your closet!
Pro Tip: Neutral clothes are easy to mix and match and can be worn differently over multiple days. Different accessories can also change an outfit's look for re-wearing.
#4. Use Packing Cubes or Compression Bags
These can be purchased and re-used to help keep your luggage organized and compact, so you can fit more into a smaller space.
Be smart with HOW you pack your bags, such as using the rolling method versus the folding method. You’d be surprised how much of a difference it can make!
#5. Pack In Advance!
Pack your bags ahead of time (not a few hours before you depart, but a few days)!
Pro Tip: Walk around your neighborhood for a few minutes with your bags - You might look funny, but you’ll thank me later!
This will help you better understand how your bags will feel when you’re moving around with them, and if they’re too much to handle, you can adjust what you’re bringing.
And don’t forget - You can always do laundry, and if you forgot something or need something, you can buy it!
Want more helpful tips for your next trip? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today and start planning with the ELx Travel Team.