When traveling, we tend to get carried away with the “what ifs.” This can easily make us forget the benefits of packing light. It can quickly leave us feeling overwhelmed in preparing and then significantly overloaded (literally) when we get to a destination. Talk about starting a trip or vacation on a negative note!
As we’ve traveled over the years, we have discovered the incredible benefits of traveling light and keeping items we bring to a minimum- even with kids (more complicated but possible). When we want to maximize enjoyment in a new city, packing light is the key for us.
I learned the importance of packing light the hard way
It took a miserable trip to Europe as a traveling student for me to finally realize that I was a chronic over-packer. I took a much-anticipated trip backpacking trip around Europe when I graduated from undergrad (via the train).
For some reason, even though it was summer and I only needed light layers, I packed a 60-liter backpack to the brim and hauled it all over Western Europe. On the hot, humid summer days and on a budget that required lots of walking over taking a taxi (before Uber and smartphones), I was painstakingly lugging around this giant backpack and an overstuffed purse.
My two friends who joined me had packed similarly and were equally miserable. My hips and shoulders were chronically sore throughout the 2-week trip. Did I still have a blast? Of course! Would it have been better with less stuff to haul around? ABSOLUTELY.
Travel mishaps that now make packing light a no-brainer for me
Learn from my mistakes! It seems that over the years, something goes wrong every time I have checked a large bag to my final destination. I have had bags lost for entire weeks. This once meant I had to wear my husband’s extra clothes for a few days (it looked as ridiculous as it sounds). I’ve had entire bottles of toiletries (the shampoo or hair spray I HAD to have from home) explode everywhere in my bag. I’ve had bags completely destroyed (wheel facing the completely wrong direction), making it very difficult to pick it up and get it outside the airport and to a hotel.
All these problems over the years could have been easily avoided by only having a carry-on bag! It took me around eight years and over 20 flights overseas for me to realize the ridiculousness of packing so much stuff finally.
Here are some of the benefits of traveling light.
1. No need to wait for a checked bag.
This means less wait time when reaching a destination or returning home. It may only be five to twenty minutes, but it feels like FOREVER when you’re tired after a long day or two of traveling. (On my last flight over the holidays, I swear my bag was the last one off the plane.)
2. You’ll never have to deal with lost bags.
This can also be a big vacation downer when you must buy all the packed items. For example, enjoying the island life is hard when you don’t even have your swimsuit! My mom came to visit for ten days this summer in the Czech Republic, and her bag literally didn’t show up until the day before she left. We managed to scrounge up a wardrobe and toiletries for her at my in-law’s house, but it was obviously less than ideal.
3. Don’t get buried in clutter; enjoy!
When we arrive at a destination (whether a few weeks or months), I love that I can unpack my small suitcase of stuff into one drawer in 5 minutes. This means I can immediately start focusing on relaxing, researching, or whatever I want to do to fully immerse myself in the activities and culture of the local area. It’s much more fun than being buried in things you must organize!
4. Learn to be a minimalist.
Travel and pack light enough times, and you will notice it carry over into other areas of your life. Your giant home closet or garage full of stuff will feel unnecessary. It will help you get some perspective on what matters and trim the excess (we have an entire article about travel and minimalism here). There is a reason for the saying, “simplicity is bliss.”
5. Fewer things to keep track of.
Spend less time worrying about where you packed away that one shirt or pair of sandals and more time doing what you enjoy when you are traveling. I feel at ease when I have fewer things to lose or be stolen. Plus, if you genuinely think of something you need, you will finally have an excuse to go shopping! (It doesn’t hurt occasionally, right? Plus, it’s a souvenir.)
By now, you should have noticed a trend in these benefits:
LESS STUFF = LESS WORRY
How to travel and pack light no matter who you are
1. Get a well-organized carry-on-size travel bag.
This means easy access to all the pockets with designated spots for keeping laundry, toiletries, shoes, and clothing separated.
You can choose a rolling bag or a backpack, depending on the traveling you will be doing. Both are excellent options, and you can even find a bag with both options built in if you’re unsure (they’re just usually more expensive). However, if you plan to use a lot of public transportation, having a backpack has benefits.
2. Organize with packing cubes.
Packing cubes can make any piece of luggage more functional. This helps you organize and cut down on clutter and unnecessary items. I usually try to make it a goal to fit all of my main clothes in a large packing cube (12″x 12″x 6″). If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t get packed. I then have a small cube for underwear, socks, and tank tops, one small bag for toiletries, and one small bag for miscellaneous charging cords, first aid kits, documents we may need, etc.
3. Go for a capsule wardrobe when packing clothes.
When packing light, there is still no need to wear the same outfit daily. Go for pieces of clothing that are versatile and can be easily mixed and matched.
Tutorials related to a capsule wardrobe discuss the benefits of picking classy timeless pieces. The most basic I have seen is “10 items that can make 48 outfits.” It includes:
- Three short-sleeved shirts
- One long-sleeved shirt
- One cardigan
- One blazer
- One vest
- One skirt
- Two pairs of pants in various complementary colors: gray, black, cream, or blue.
This is something that females tend to get more excited about, but it can certainly apply to anyone. The idea of a coordinated closet while traveling sounds fantastic and stress-free.
4. BONUS: Go for multi-use clothing.
This can even further pare down your clothing essentials to pack. After all, you might also need to fit some workout clothes, warmer winter layers, or pajamas in that packing cube. Limited options are available online, but examples include dresses with different styling options (usually adjustable straps or sleeves), infinity scarves that can double as a shawl or shirt, and pants, skirts, and shirts that can adjust their lengths.
5. Don’t get carried away with footwear.
I try to keep my shoe choices light and to a minimum. I strive for only bringing two pairs but sometimes settle for three. I like to hike and exercise no matter where we go, so I bring a pair of tennis shoes to exercise, explore, and even wear with my jeans.
For daily wear or dressing up, I usually settle for a pair of comfy sandals that can be worn anywhere and dressed up on the rare occasion if needed. If I will be somewhere colder or I plan to dress up more often, I might throw in a pair of boots or packable flats. It’s easy to get carried away for what you “might” need, but try to stay practical! Shoes take up a lot of space!
6. Use accessories to mix up your wardrobe and pack light.
Don’t forget that you can accessorize with a few statement pieces of jewelry, scarves, hats, watches, etc. They will take up a lot less space than a giant wardrobe with lots of variety. I usually bring one or two of my favorite pairs of earrings, one hat and a scarf. However, these types of items are also fun to buy as souvenirs (every once in a while), so keep that in mind as well when choosing how many to bring.
7. Go for all-in-one toiletries.
Remember that chemical and perfume-free is better for your skin and the environment when packing. If you love “smelly” toiletries, take a break from them when traveling. If you do a “detox” from super-smelly soaps, lotions, and potions, you might find that they are ridiculously potent and unnecessary. (I learned this while pregnant and sensitive to all smells.)
Check out things like simple castile soap that you can use for everything: body wash, face wash, laundry detergent, everyday cleaning, even shampoo (I don’t like the way it feels on my long hair, personally). We use Dr. Bronner’s tea tree hemp soap and love how it smells and cleans. Fortunately, you can still have pleasant smells (just less assaulting on your senses) with natural products.
For shampoo and conditioner, we go for bars to save space and get through security easier. Plus, they last me an entire trip of washing my hair 2-3 times per week (anything more than that is bad for your hair, or so I’m told).
8. Prioritize your day-to-day toiletries.
Packing toiletries can take up a surprising amount of room. I keep my bathroom and “getting ready” regime to a minimum when traveling. It saves me lots of space and time getting ready and going to bed, and helps me focus on experience over appearance.
For makeup, that usually means I bring concealer, eyeliner, and mascara. I usually decide not to bring a straightener or curling iron and let my hair “be free.” I have a small bottle of hair spray, headbands and a few bobby pins to rein it in when needed. This may sound horrific to some women, but as I’ve learned to use less for my beauty routine, I’ve found I’ve become much more comfortable in my own skin. After all, we’re all beautiful just the way we are!
My toiletry essentials are only toothpaste, a toothbrush, contact solution (you can find this almost anywhere, so don’t bring too much), skin spot treatment, and an oatmeal lotion that I can use for both my face and body (I like Aveeno personally).
9. Downsize your technology.
Do you need a laptop, cellphone, and tablet? Unless you work on the road, you may be distracting yourself from enjoying your environment with unnecessary email, Facebook, and Instagram. Even if you are a digital nomad or have to work from home, only bring what is absolutely necessary to get your work done. It may be worth investing in compact versions of your technology essentials (My husband uses a MacBook air, and I use a Microsoft Surface X Pro.)
10. Do one book at a time or get an e-reader.
Real books are fun, but unfortunately, they take up much space and weight when traveling. Consider adding the Kindle app to one of your electronics OR getting a small, inexpensive,, lightweight e-reader. If you must have a book, consider having one at a time and exchanging it with other travelers as you go for your next read (either on your own or at a hostel “trade library”).
11. Don’t be afraid to shop locally.
We get comfortable with the brands in our own neighborhood stores. However, the truth is that most countries have their own alternatives (i.e. toiletries). You can find diapers, contact solution, tampons, sunscreen, or whatever else you need on the road without over-stuffing your bag. If you are nervous about a particular item, hop onto a travel forum for your area and ask for practical advice from other travelers.
12. Lightweight extras we like having more than clothes.
We tend to fly by the seat of our pants when we travel, so a few backups come in handy even when packing light. The ones we’ve found most helpful are a portable charger (don’t forget to keep it charged), a mini microfiber towel, and a lightweight sleeping bag liner (for when your hotel looks nothing like the pictures and you’re afraid to sleep on the mattress or you’re freezing on a bus or airplane).
Now what?
Okay, so there you have it. Plenty of practical ways to start packing light for your next adventure exist. As you read through, you may feel overwhelmed or think packing light is too complicated and requires too much sacrifice. Maybe you’re right, but for us, I think it’s worth it and that you should at least give it a try!
Ask These Questions When Packing
When you start packing, first ask these questions so you have a rough idea of what you need:
- What climate am I traveling to? Is it pretty predictable, or is it a shoulder season where all bets are off? (This may make it trickier if you have to pack for two seasons, but it’s still totally doable.)
- How long will I be gone? No matter how long, you shouldn’t need more than 5-7 days worth of clothes; that’s what laundry is for.
- Will I have access to laundry or can I get by hand washing a few items? (i.e., underwear!)
- How much luggage am I allowed to take with me? (Check your airline’s policies for carry-on bags; many European companies have strict weight restrictions as low as 8 kg. This may put a wrench in your packing light goals.)
- How much luggage do I want to carry around the airport, to taxis, through streets, etc.? The answer is as little as possible.
- Realistically, what will I wear and use for my trip? Even when packing light, I always seem to have a few clothing items I forget about and never wear.
- Do I have room for souvenirs if I find some authentic pieces I must have? Keep room for those fun items you find and want to buy to support the local economy.
Now make a simple checklist to help you manage your packing endeavors better:
- Carry on luggage (check that it passes on the airline you will be traveling with)
- Packing cubes or zippered lightweight bags
- Capsule wardrobe essentials
- Extras needed for the climate you will be going to (i.e., swimsuit, snow boots, etc.)
- 2-3 pieces of footwear (INCLUDING the ones you will be wearing to travel)
- Don’t forget your background clothing essentials like socks, underwear, and bras! These are super easy to hand wash, so only take what you need (I usually wash them while I shower).
- Fun accessories that fit in your bag and help you dress up and change your wardrobe as needed
- Toiletries: all in one whenever possible and bring the bare essentials
- Technology: try to detox from all your devices if you can; otherwise, only bring what is essential.
- Books: only bring one at a time, or think about getting a lightweight Kindle (or even adding the app to a device you bring). This is especially great when you want access to a travel guide; they are always bulky.
- Extras to consider: portable charger, travel towel, and lightweight blanket or sleeping bag liner.
- Depending on where you’re going, you might consider other options like a flashlight, multi-tool (you never know when you need a bottle opener), GPS phone, or first aid kit.
Finally, it is time to focus on what matters.
To us, long-term travel isn’t about the stuff we drag around with us but all the unique experiences we encounter. Without our bags literally (and figuratively) weighing us down, we have time to focus on what matters to us: building relationships, learning (we like to think of travel as a form of engaging education; learn more about it here), trying new things, enjoying nature and just plain relaxing.
When it’s all said and done, most us forget about the stuff we’ve gained but very acutely remember the rich memories we’ve made over the years.
If you don’t already, I challenge you to try packing light for your next trip.
If you are an avid traveler, chances are you have already discovered the great benefits of packing light. However, no matter who you are or how much anxiety packing light may give you, I challenge you to give it a try.
You will be surprised by how much less stressful travel can be. And let’s face it, we could all use less stress in our fast-paced lives. Travel is so good for the soul, and packing light adds to the experience.
What are your travel packing hacks?
There is no right way to pack or travel. These are just ways to maximize your time and enjoyment.
What are your favorite travel hacks for packing? What have you realized you don’t need while traveling? What items can’t you live without? How does the amount of time or the destination affect your packing strategy?
We’d love to hear about all of them! And we’d love to hear your opinion on ours as well. Keep in touch!
Happy travels!
