Packing Light: Tips for Stress-Free Travel

Packing a suitcase is an art form, requiring some creative thinking.  Not to worry, it is easier than it sounds.  Most airlines are now charging for check-in luggage. Here are some quick tips to make your travel a bit more stress-free.

Consider Your Luggage

Most travelers today use suitcases with wheels and may miss this simple idea.  One way to travel light is to have a lighter suitcase.  The easiest way to achieve this is to buy an “ultralight” suitcase (a 22” suitcase 7 pounds and under).  Check with your Travel Agent about airline  restrictions of carry-on and checked bag weight and dimensions. And make sure  your bags have plenty of compartments.

Clothing & Shoe Choice

Try packing lighter weight clothing, no wools or heavy fleece.  Aside from the obvious reduction in overall weight, lighter clothes are easier to roll.  Rolling clothes allows for more effective use of space while preventing wrinkles in most clothes.  As for shoes, remember to wear the bulkiest ones on your flight and pack the smaller ones in your suitcase. It would also be wise to pack one change of clothes in your carry on bag in case your suitcase gets lost.

Toiletries & Medicine

The easiest as well as the lightest way to travel is without toiletries.  If you can run by a drugstore when you reach your destination you can pick up all the toiletries you need quickly.  You can also rely on your hotel to supply the items you need.  If you are going to bring your toiletries in your carry-on, remember to pack your liquids, gels and pastes of 3.4 ounces or less in a clear quart sized bag.  You are able to bring more liquids, gels and pastes if they go in your checked bag.

Medicines tend to be a bit trickier.  You can pack the bottles you got from the pharmacy inside a ziploc bag, however, that may take up a good amount of space.  The alternative is to pack enough medicine for your trip plus 3 days extra in travel containers. This way you are covered in case of a delay and you have saved room. Medicines should be taken in your carry-on luggage in the event your checked luggage is lost so you have immediate access to your medication.

Electronics

Electronic devices are a great way to save space in your luggage.  An iPad or Kindle reader are much slimmer and space saving than books.  Electronic devices do not have the feel and scent of paper but you can pack an entire library in your carry-on without all the weight.