Travel Tips: How to Travel Light
I’ve done enough travel with carry on and backpacks to really understand the value of packing light and how to do it well. Do I always take my own advice? Not always, but when I do, I usually follow these:
Start off by creating a packing list. Stick to your packing list and try not to add in anything before you go. If you are going to add anything else, try taking something out as well. Your bag or suitcase gets surprisingly heavy with all the ‘extra’ this that and the other things you add in!
Get the best bag. Are you planning on backpacking or are you planning on taking a rolling bag suitcase? Most trips should only take a 35-50L backpack, or a carry-on sized rolling bag. Any more and you aren’t packing light anymore.
The trick to longer trips is just more laundry, not more clothes. Find places along the way to do laundry and only pack items that you know will hold up in the wash so you only need to bring one.
I usually try and go with the least amount of things as possible. I’ll go with the 5-4-3-2-1 rules and go with 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses/rompers, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 swimsuit. But since i’m usually traveling so long I add a couple more bathing suits and couple of layers including tech clothing and a hoodie. You can always play things by ear since only you know the destination and the weather as to where you’re going to .
Coordinate your clothes so everything goes together. This makes mixing and matching so much easier, and when most of your clothes are in the laundry, you won’t have to worry about creating an outfit.
Try and pack only carry-on versions of your liquids. The only exception to this might be sunscreen. I know in Asia, everything is either really expensive or has whitener in it. I checked my bag on the way here if only to bring two full sized sunscreens from home.
Don’t forget. You can always buy there. Unless you’re heading to the end of the world where there isn’t a convenience store or local shop, you should be able to get the basics, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste. My uncle never packs a toothbrush or toothpaste and just gets them once he’s landed instead so he doesn’t have to travel with them in his carry-on.
Packing cubes and compression bags are a great thing to use for every trip. My brother got me a couple for my birthday last year and I swear by them. It’s handy to pack your winter clothes while you’re in countries where it’s summer and vice versa. Now, don’t use this as an excuse to fit more into your bag that you do not need. I’m notorious for this and it’s something I’m always working on.
Check out the other travel tips on the blog below for more advice on your travel needs:
There are two types of booking in my mind. Booking in advance to secure the best place with the group you have, and rocking up the day of or just before in hopes of getting a good deal and staying flexible. Now, I’ve done both and I understand the merits for each.