20 Tips For Packing Light & Saving Money On Baggage Fees
How Much Space Is Being Wasted In Your Luggage?
As a frequent flyer, you may have noticed planes over the years getting more and more compact. For airlines, space is money and as a result, rules around baggage fees are forever in flux. Stricter and stricter guidelines around luggage size and weight are being implemented all the time. As thrifty travelers, it's now more important than ever to develop strategies for packing light so we aren't slapped with exorbitant baggage fees. Here are 20 tips for traveling to the farthest reaches of the globe with only a carry-on.
1. Don't Take Everything In Your Bathroom Bag
Many people just throw their whole bathroom bag into their luggage but as toiletries can take up a shocking amount of room, this isn't a good idea. Sift through your products using a minimalist mindset and decide what you really need.
2. Pack No More Than One Week's Worth Of Clothes
A good rule of thumb for packing is to pack no more than a week's worth of clothing, no matter how long your trip is. You'll be able to hand wash or do laundry along the way.
3. Choose The Right Bag
The bag you use makes a big impact on what you're able to pack. Avoid hard-shell bags and choose something that's comfortable for you, whether it's a backpack or something with wheels. Think small and light.
4. Pack Must-Haves
Don't think in terms of what might be nice to have, think about what you absolutely need. That way, each item in your bag will be used multiple times.
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5. Limit Shoes
It might be tempting to pack three or four pairs of shoes just in case you have the occasion, but this is the wrong mindset as shoes are extremely bulky. You shouldn't need more than two pairs of shoes.
6. Wear Your Bulky Items On The Flight
The oldest trick in the book is to wear all your bulkiest items on the flight to save space in your bag. It also gives you plenty of comfy things to use as pillows and blankets.
7. Use Packing Cubes
They may seem like silly extra items but packing cubes can actually save you an insane amount of room in your bag, especially if they compress. What's more, they're going to save you a lot of time rummaging through your bag later on.
8. Bring Light, Versatile Clothing
Even if you're going to a cold climate, opt for layers instead of big, bulky items. Pick breathable fabrics that can be folded up small like merino wool.
9. Buy Quick-Dry Clothing
As mentioned, you should bank on doing laundry or hand-washing your clothes so you don't have to bring as much. Because of this, you'll want to opt for quick-drying clothes, especially underwear and socks so you can wash and dry them in your hotel room in a pinch.
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10. Make A Packing List
Making a personalized packing list and sticking to it is a great way to stay organized and avoid getting carried away. You can learn from your trip and adapt it over time until you have a no-brainer list that's perfect for you.
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11. Choose A Functional Personal Item
Most airlines allow you to have a personal item as well as a carry-on bag free of charge. Optimize that personal item! Whether it's a backpack or a sizeable handbag, make sure it's as useful as possible.
12. Replace Toiletries With Waterless Options
From shampoos to lotions and makeup, there are plenty of waterless toiletry options that come in clutch when traveling. With these, you don't have to worry about exceeding your liquids limits and they also tend to take up far less space than travel-sized liquids.
13. Use Carabiners
Carabiners are those things climbers use to hook themselves to their harnesses. They're also incredibly useful for hooking odds and ends to your bag such as a water bottle or sandals.
14. Choose Sensible Colors
By sensible colors, we mean neutral colors that easily go together so you can mix and match without having to resort to any horrendous pattern combinations. Keep in mind to avoid white or very light colors as they show every little stain.
15. Roll, Don't Fold
Rolling your clothes into little cylinders takes up much less space than folding. It also makes it easier to find things in your bag later when they're rolled up individually instead of folded and stacked on top of one another.
16. 3-2-1 Rule
Many travelers swear by the 3-2-1 rule or some variation of it. You can get away with packing 3 tops, 2 bottoms, and 1 pair of shoes for most trips.
17. Weigh Your Bag Before You Leave
So you're not caught off-guard at the gate with a huge baggage fee after all that effort, make sure to weigh your bag before you leave. At home, you can easily shuffle things around or re-think your items without added stress.
18. Check Airline Baggage Restrictions
Make sure to go online and check baggage restrictions for your specific flight as it varies from airline to airline. Some discount airlines, for example, are notorious for quietly reducing the carry-on baggage size and slapping patrons with baggage fees.
19. Travel-Sized Toiletries
Even if you're checking a bag, you should still opt for mini toiletries. We always keep the small hotel bottles and re-fill them endlessly.
20. Go Digital
If you're traveling a lot, opt for e-books instead of the bulky and heavy printed variety. It reduces an enormous amount of weight and space in your bag and also allows you to carry a whole library with you.
