How To Travel Light
When it comes to travel, many people lack experience and over pack. This results in overweight baggage fees, having to cart around unnecessarily heavy items, and having an overstuffed suitcase, which can cause problems if you fly and your bag gets screened for a search. Even worse, you can lose a big clunky checked bag, have it damaged, or have it lost for you. By following these simple tips, you can travel for days on end with only a carry-on bag.
Think about what you absolutely need on the trip, not things you might want to bring with you. Although bringing three pairs of shoes per week may seem like a great choice, in actuality, bringing one pair of shoes can be an even better choice that will save you loads of packing room. Additionally, do not bring hair supplies like a hair dryer, straightening iron, or curling iron. These are often available at hostels and hotels anyway, and tend to be bulky and heavy.
Know before you pack that hotels almost invariably supply shampoo and soap. Therefore, you should not feel obligated to bring them with you. By bringing along soaps, you not only have to restrict them to the small sizes airport security demand, but they must also be placed in a zipper bag, and removed each time you go through security. By cutting out the soap, you can simply drop your rucksack on the conveyor with your shoes and step through the scanner.
Only pack one outfit per day, and even less if you have access to laundry services. Know that you may buy clothes while you are abroad, and so you need not bring one shirt per day, especially if you wind up buying two or three additional shirts. Further, if you pack two or three pairs of pants, they will last you the entire time you are there if you choose wisely and pick basics that can match any combination of shirt/pants you put them in.
Leave room for gifts you may bring home with you. This space can be inside of other things, like hats, socks, or shoes, or you can reserve a pocket in your rucksack solely for gifts.
Don't pack multiple books. Not only can you buy new books while overseas, but it is highly unlikely you will be that bored and need to read.
Bring shoes that are versatile. If you are going for business, a pair of dark, sensible trainers will likely suffice just as well as shined black shoes. If you are going to explore and plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, wearing a pair of well-balances running shoes can serve as your touring and hiking shoes.
Roll your clothes into tubes to save space, or look online at the 'bundle method' of packing.
Leave your towels and sheets at home--hotels supply these, and they are clean. If you do not have access to towels, you can always buy a towel exclusively for use abroad, then throw it away. You can also invest in a travel towel, and use that.
Forget anything you bring "just in case". Unless you are visiting a third world nation, it is very unlikely that anything you may need in a pinch will be unavailable.
When it comes to packing light, the key is bringing only what you need and packing it tight. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that you get the most out of your packing space.
