How to travel light: 7 tips
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Are you preparing your next trip and want to travel light? Do you want to take the essentials with you and want to be sure not to forget anything?
Don't worry. If you have no idea how to travel light, we're sharing a list of essential items to give you an idea of how to pack your suitcase.
Packing light might seem like a challenge if you're the type of person who travels with your entire wardrobe. However, with the right advice on how to travel light you will be able to fit two weeks' luggage in a backpack or a small suitcase.
And that's what we're going to find out in this article.
Let's look at it right away.
I - The advantages of traveling light
We all know that when we travel, and especially with low-cost airlines, It is very important to reduce our luggage as much as possible to avoid unnecessary costs.
With the holidays approaching and last minute trips to nearby destinations to spend a few days away, it is increasingly important that our luggage does not incur additional costs. Traveling without suitcases or with the necessary luggage is becoming more important than ever.
Indeed, more and more of us are checking the weight of our suitcases before traveling. Never before has it been more important to lighten the load on your luggage.
Here are some of the reasons why it's important to travel light:
It's a lot cheaper
At present, airlines don't charge for carry-on baggage, while checking a bag on a round trip flight can cost you a lot, a bag with hand of around ten kilos well organized can save you this additional cost.
Faster registration
In fact, online registration saves you time. You don't have to queue at the check-in counter and can go straight through security. Plus, you don't have to wait for your bag or suitcase to come off the conveyor belt when you arrive at your destination.
Easier to carry
Carrying only one bag means less luggage to carry and therefore less risk of losing it or having it stolen.
And now that we've seen the benefits of traveling light, let's discover some tips to help you do so. do.
II - 7 tips for traveling light
1. Use a small, lightweight suitcase
The oldest trick and probably the easiest way to travel light: Use a small suitcase or backpack so you can't fit too many things in it. Don't be tempted to buy a suitcase that's a little too big, as you'll fill that space with unnecessary things.
You can also choose to travel with hand luggage only. To do this, choose a small suitcase designed to be the perfect size for carry-on luggage, meaning it is as big as possible without being too big.
Preferably, opt for a model that has separate compartments so that everything is well organized and it is a real pleasure to travel with. This is a great option if you plan to travel with carry-on baggage only.
2. Pack the bare essentials in clothing
Shoes are often the bulkiest items in our bags, so never travel with more than two pairs.
Carry your bulkiest pair on the plane and an easy-to-carry pair in your bag. There's nothing better than a pair of sneakers for the day and a slightly more chic pair of shoes for the evening.
Jeans or pants are another bulky item to take with you when traveling. Never travel with more than one pair and always wear them on the plane.
Finally, don't pack clothes that you don't usually wear or that you won't need depending on your destination. Indeed, there is no need to weigh down a big coat if you are going under the coconut trees for example.
3. Minimize toiletries
If you're staying at a hotel, we're pretty sure you'll be provided with shampoo and soap, so leave yours at home. For men, that means they can get by with a travel-size deodorant and toothpaste.
For women, it's a different story. Most will have a little more difficulty, as there are some toiletries you can't live without.
So look for products that serve several different functions like 2-in-1 products.
When it comes to storage, choose a toiletry bag that is both compact and functional. The goal is that it takes up as little space as possible in your luggage and provides enough space to take all your toiletries. If you are traveling by plane, consult our guide toiletry bag by plane so as not to make a mistake.
4. Pack your bags for a week, even if you're going for longer.
One of the rules to respect is to limit yourself to what is strictly necessary. A motto among experienced long-distance travelers is to pack for a week, regardless of the length of the stay, and do the laundry along the way.
Indeed, if your clothes are dirty, you can always do laundry once you get there or better leave your clothes at the laundromat.
5. Put your little things in big things
Shoes are a good place to put socks, underwear, jewelry or toiletries if you're not bringing toiletry bag of course.
There are also travel vanities to compartmentalize things and keep them tidy, which means more space.
Finally, be aware that ironed clothes take up less space, but another option is to roll them up, which will prevent creases from forming.
6. Makeup and medication kit: opt for the mini size
For those who can't do without their lotion or body cream, stock up on a small arsenal of empty bottles to fill with your usual products. There are miniature versions, but they are generally expensive. This is why it can be useful to carry a small quantity of your products with these small bottles.
For makeup, it is the same. Choose the ones you use the most and forget the rest. The best thing is to bring a small make-up bag made especially for your stay.
Finally, the medicines. Avoid carrying your entire arsenal. It is best to calculate the doses per day and use pill boxes or take a simple first aid kit with you.
7. Accessories, only the essentials
A call to the hotel reception or a check of the equipment on the site's web page can save us from having to carry a hairdryer, or electrical adapters.
Similarly, if the book you are reading is very bulky, forget about it until you return from your trip and opt for something lighter. And if not, there is always the e-book version which can make things a lot easier for you.
III - How to organize your hand luggage
Only take the essentials
We saw this before, but most people pack an extra pair of shoes just in case, a hair dryer, an extra jacket, etc. The truth is that any extra clothing creates unnecessary space that will hinder your travels.
Roll your clothes
Putting the items in your luggage in order is one of the most important tasks when packing. In general, it's best to put the heaviest items at the bottom, place shoes in individual bags so they don't get stained, and the last secret: roll up all your clothes to avoid wrinkles and take up as little space as possible.
Carry bulky items
If you're short on space, it's best to take your bulkiest items with you when traveling by plane. If you are traveling to a cold destination, for example, pack your heaviest coat and the shoes that take up the most space.
In summary
Traveling light does not necessarily mean traveling ultra-light. If you're not ready or able to make all of these changes at once, add a few each time you pack.
As you've seen, traveling light gives you extra freedom and flexibility that you don't have with heavy luggage.
You can get around airports and train stations quickly and it's so much easier to take public transport with a small bag. You save money by not having to check your bags onto the plane and you can keep your bags handy wherever you go.
You're also less likely to lose items when you travel light, because it's easier to keep track of your belongings. To organize your toiletries well, discover our toiletry bags hanging, ideal for traveling light.
And you, do you have any other travel tips to help you travel light? Feel free to send them to us in the comments.
