Traveling light, especially internationally, has some significant advantages, including saving you money and making you more adaptable to life abroad.
Here are some tips to help you pack smartly and light so that you can make the most of your journey!
1. Pair your packing down
Lay out everything you think you want to take on your trip.
Then cut that in half. Yes! We said half.
Trust us, you’ll be fine without it, and you’ll enjoy not having to lug so much around with you everywhere you go.
2. Don’t pack anything new
Items you plan to wear often should not only make you look good but need to be comfortable, too.
Try not to take anything you haven’t worn before. You want to make sure your clothing will stand up to all the activities you plan to do.
Test all your gear before you go, including your shoes!
3. Pack multi-purpose items
Make sure your clothes can serve more than one function, going smoothly from outdoor adventures to out to dinner.
Choose items that can be worn in multiple ways, too, to save space in your luggage.
4. Keep layers in mind while packing
Plan for colder days and evenings by packing lightweight items that you can layer on top of other clothing.
This will also help you plan a variety of outfits without the extra clothes!
5. Stick to quick-dry fabrics
Try to pack as many things that are made from quick-dry materials as possible. These materials don’t wrinkle as easily, making them perfect for stuffing into your pack!
6. Consider doing laundry
Speaking of… do some laundry!
Try to wear shirts and pants more than once and just change undergarments each day and wear outer layers multiple times, as well.
7. Organize your packing
Use packing cubes that can be compressed to maximize space in your pack and bring plastic bags, which will serve many purposes on your journey.
8. Pack heavy to light
In order to make your bag or suitcase more comfortable to carry, keep heavier things at the bottom with your lighter items towards the top.
9. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase
Want to stay fresh all vacation long? Use dryer sheets!
You can place them throughout your bag and rest assured that your clothes will smell fresh for your entire trip.
10. Skip folding & roll your clothing
A popular trick used by modern-day travelers is rolling your clothes instead of folding them.
This saves on space and eliminates the opportunity for deep creases.
11. Keep your liquids in a zip lock bag
Any liquids or toiletries are best kept separate from your clothing and other items. However, you only have so much room to work with.
12. Pack your carry-on with the essentials
Your carry-on should contain your basic essentials as well as an extra outfit. This will help put your mind at ease as you wait at baggage claim, which sometimes misplaces your luggage.
Remember, the less you bring, the more you can focus on having fun.