Traveling opens up our world to new places, experiences, and people. But there’s always some level of stress. One way to alleviate travel headaches is to pack your belongings only in carry-on luggage. Plan to take one carry-on suitcase (using one with wheels will mean a more leisurely walk in the airport and at your destination) and one personal item (with a trolley sleeve to fit over the handle of your carry-on suitcase). Packing with carry-ons allows you to avoid paying airlines’ checked bag fees or risk airlines losing or misplacing your luggage. Also, getting around while rolling your small suitcase is a breeze. No more lugging big, heavy suitcases around! Pack lightly and carry on! No more checked bags! Sound impossible? It’s not if you follow a few well-proven ideas. For years, my husband and I have successfully traveled on trips exceeding two weeks with just carry-on luggage. Less luggage means more travel enjoyment because we can bypass baggage claim waits and have little to lug from place to place.
Top 10 Tips for Traveling Lightly
1. Create a list of the events or activities for your trip.
Start with an organized list. For instance, do you plan on hiking, attending business meetings, celebrating someone’s wedding, or simply strolling city streets? Once you have the list made, you’ll have a better idea of the types of clothes and shoes you’ll need to take with you. Plan to pack just what you’ll need on your trip. Don’t pack for every possible scenario.
Begin to plan your packing at least a week before your departure. This provides you time to think and rethink your choices and, possibly, delete some of those choices before packing your bags.
Also, check the weather forecast online for the destination(s) you’ll be visiting. That way, you’ll know whether you’ll need to pack fewer or more layers of clothing.
2. Focus on a central color theme for outfits.
You can simplify your outfit choices by choosing a focused color palette (e.g., black, navy, or brown). It’s easy to mix and match tops and bottoms when all can coordinate with each other. Hang your outfit choices together to ensure they’re what you’ll need and want to wear. Sometimes it’s easy to weed out a few things by eyeballing your choices.
3. Pack 4-6 tops/shirts and 3-5 bottoms (e.g., shorts, pants, capris, skirts) that don’t require ironing.
Remember that prints can hide wrinkles, and synthetic materials tend to dry quickly (if you plan to hand wash anything). I usually stay away from 100% cotton clothing when traveling. I take some tops with prints, but I pack some solids and use accessories like jewelry and scarves to change the looks from one wear to another.
Pack 4-5 pairs of underwear and socks; some lightweight, quick-drying options are available at online travel-focused retailers. Finally, pack sleepwear. (To help in your planning, you may want to search online for “travel clothing” or related phrases for a list of places selling clothing and accessories designed specifically for travelers.)
Keep in mind that shoulders and knees must be covered when visiting most religious buildings, so plan accordingly.
4. Consider using travel packing cubes to keep your luggage organized.
You can pack your tops in one packing cube, bottoms in another, underwear and socks in another, and so on. Then when you get to your guestroom, it’s easy to unpack as your clothes have already been organized. There are also compression bags that might help use limited space effectively.
5. Plan to layer your outerwear.
Take thin outerwear layers (e.g., sweater and/or fleece, waterproof windbreaker) instead of a thicker jacket. Layering helps you stay comfortable while on the go, as you can shed layers as the day warms up. Some of these outerwear layers can be worn on the plane (and then put in the overhead compartment) to free up space in your luggage.
6. Wear your heavier shoes on the plane.
Pack your lighter-weight shoes and/or sandals for other times on your trip.
7. Use toiletries provided in your hotel room or ship stateroom.
You can expect basic toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in your hotel room or cruise stateroom. Use them instead of bringing those items from home.
8. Plan to do some laundry if traveling for over a week.
Pack a lightweight bag (or plastic trash bag) to hold your clothing that needs to be washed to keep it separate from your other clothes.
If moving from hotel to hotel on a trip, plan to do wash (e.g., tops/shirts, underwear, socks) in the bathroom sink. Pack some laundry sheets (no liquid to worry about) and a few thin metal hangers (like the kind from a dry cleaner) in the bottom of your suitcase to hang up things after washing them. I usually wash when we’re in a place for 2-3 nights, so items have time to dry before moving to our next location.
Another option is to send out laundry or visit a laundrette while away. If you’re a cruiser, there may be self-serve launderettes or a laundry service onboard. The convenience may be worth the added cost.
9. Download reading material and other entertainment content.
Leave books and magazines at home, and plan to download that content to the device you’ll be using while traveling. While at it, download other content like podcasts, videos, and TV shows on your device. For reading on a device, check your public library, which probably uses an online app to access e-books and e-magazines; it’s wise to research this option in plenty of time for your trip in case you need to place a hold on popular items.
10. Remember that you can buy almost anything you need while traveling.
There’s no need to take every possible toiletry item with you. Pack just what you need (maybe a few toiletries items to get you started for a longer trip), knowing you can find most things you need at your destination.
General Packing List
Consider these items when planning what to pack for your trip:
- 4-6 tops
- 3-5 bottoms (pants, shorts, capris, skirts)
- 4-6 pairs of underwear and socks
- scarf, belt, sunhat
- shoes/sandals (Take the very minimum you’ll need because they can take up a lot of space. Wear your heaviest/biggest shoes on the plane to conserve packing space.)
- sweater or fleece (With layers, you can quickly shed one or two during the day if it warms up.)
- rainproof windbreaker or jacket
- sleepwear
- swimsuit and coverup, in warmer weather
- documents including passport, insurance cards, license, visa (if required), International Driver’s Permit (if needed), guidebook, and pre-purchased tickets for trains, museums, etc. Have copies of your passport and license packed separately to have backups if your passport and/or license get stolen.
- credit cards, debit card, and cash
- smartphone and devices loaded with content (e.g., books, movies, podcasts, music). Remember your wired and portable chargers as well as earbuds/headphones!
- electrical plug adaptors for your destinations. Consider an adaptor with USB ports for flexibility.
- sling pack, day pack, or fanny pack to carry essentials during the day
- lightweight duffel bag or a zippered tote to pack souvenirs you purchase. You can use this bag/tote as a carry-on and check your suitcase when returning home if you run out of room in your luggage.
- basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, sunscreen, brush/comb)
- vitamins, medications, basic first-aid supplies
- eyeglasses, sunglasses, contacts
Lightweight Extras (If Space Allows)
Here are extras to pack if you have the space and you’re not at the maximum weight allowance:
- travel-size sound machine to block out noises while sleeping
- eye mask to block out light when sleeping
- compact umbrella
- location devices such as an Air Tag or a Tile for your luggage or other related travel items. These devices help to locate misplaced luggage or, if walking in an unfamiliar city, can help direct you back to your hotel if you leave the device in your luggage in your hotel room.
- refillable water bottle
- mini Bluetooth speaker – to enjoy your playlists in your hotel room/rental property. (I found one online with a travel case, so it can clip onto the outside of my airline’s “personal” item, freeing up packing space.)
- exercise bands to keep you fit while away
How I Pack Lightly
Just so you know, packing lightly is still a challenge for me, but I know it’s made a difference when traveling from place to place. Here’s what I’ve packed for a two-week trip this summer.
My Suitcase
Shown below is what’s been packed for a two-week trip. It looks like a lot, but they’re all thin pieces (nothing bulky) that pack nicely. First, I place my shoes in my suitcase’s top and bottom sides before adding clothing. A compact umbrella, brush, and like items easily fit in the gaps between the suitcase and clothing.
My Backpack
I find a backpack suits my needs perfectly. (Before, I used to pack a weekender-type bag, but the backpack has compartments that fit my laptop, Kindle, and other items much more effectively.) I attach the tiny Bluetooth speaker to the outside of my backpack so it doesn’t take up space inside. My reusable water bottle also fits nicely in the backpack’s outside mesh pocket.
You’ll notice an AirTag in the picture below. Why pack AirTags in things I plan to carry on the plane? Having them in my suitcase and backpack makes sense to me. One never knows when an airline might tell some passengers that they must gate check their suitcases (to be stored in the plane’s cargo area) or if someone happens to try to take off with my backpack when I don’t have it resting on my suitcase.
Related Articles for International Travel
Destination-Focused Articles
- Antarctica: Viking Cruise Guide for Adventurers
- Canada: Canadian Rockies by Luxury Train and Car
- Canada: Halifax Top Sights to See
- Canada: Prince Edward Island
- France: Normandy, Brittany, Provence, and Paris
- Greece: A Guide for Two Weeks in Greece
- Greece: Crete, Rhodes, Santorini
- Ireland: Dublin, Kinsale, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher
- Italy: Piedmont, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Naples, Rome
- Viking’s Grand European Tour Highlights
Travel Planning Articles
- Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers
- Expert Tips for Traveling Internationally for More Fun, Less Stress
- How to Find the Perfect Vacation House Rentals
- Top Ten Tips for Renting a Car in Europe
- Travel Planning Timeline
Final Thoughts
When you first think about it, traveling lightly – with just a carry-on and a personal item – may seem daunting. But it’s easier than you might think. And packing lightly means you have just what you need – not the extraneous things you might first consider. Plus, if flying with a carry-on (and a small personal item), you can avoid paying checked luggage fees, not worry about losing your luggage, and save time. You’re in complete control of your belongings. Once you try it, I’m betting it’ll become a habit! Happy travels!
Comments?
Feel free to share your suggestions and ideas for traveling lightly. Your thoughts could help other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
