Tired of lugging round those heavy suitcases whenever you head abroad? Sick of being hit by exorbitant baggage fees every time you jet off to the sun? In this guest post, Scott Burgess of Hipster Travel Guide shares his top tips for packing light to get the most out of your next vacation. Small bags make excellent companions
People pack too much.
If you need proof, the next time you’re on a plane just look at all of the junk your fellow passengers are trying to stuff into the overhead compartments. It’s a phenomenon I’ve never understood. If you’re trying to get away, to see some place new, why are you bringing all of your stuff with you? It’s only slowing you down, literally.
After years of travelling, I can honestly say I could leave my house today with a fresh pair of socks and a second set of boxers and be gone for as long as the journey allows me. My packing list for a seven month trip to Israel, Egypt, Greece and Turkey – and I didn’t know where exactly I was going when I left – amounted to the following (some of which I was wearing):
2 pairs of trousers; 2 button down shirts (one long sleeve, one short sleeve); 3 T-shirts; 1 pair swimming trunks; 1 pair hiking shorts; 1 pair sandals ; 1 pair of boots; 1 light jacket; 3 pairs of socks; 3 pairs of boxers; 1 wool hat; 1 lightweight sleeping bag; 1 guidebook to Israel; basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorant, plasters, small sewing kit); Ziplock bags; flashlight; pocket knife (with corkscrew); 20-foot length of rope; camera
If I’d wanted to, I could have cut that list down even more. But I’m not a minimalist, I’m just lazy. I may want to explore the world, but I don’t see why it’s necessary to bring so many of my creature comforts with me while I’m at it. So anything I can do to lighten my load, I do.
There is nothing other than medication which keeps you from dying that is really necessary.
Over-packing is a disease caused by people over-worrying. When you’re going to new places and only meeting strangers, you don’t need to impress them with all of your outfits. Most strangers will never remember what you wore – honestly, they probably won’t remember you at all.
My tips for packing start before you even pull your bag out:
Lay out everything you want to bring and then decide if you really need it. In most cases, you can do without
- Know where you’re going: Take a look online at the weather forecast for your destination. If rain is likely, an umbrella or rain gear might be necessary. Look at the temperature highs and lows and then add / deduct five degrees to that, meaning you’ll have something to keep you comfortable no matter what happens. Look for things you don’t need, instead of what you do.
- Pack the right bag: People will fill whatever bag they have in front of them. If the bag is smaller, they will pack less, so don’t take a steamer trunk when you’re going away for the weekend.
- Write a list: It takes two minutes to think through your trip – even one without an itinerary – and to conjure up everything you want to take with you. Think through the activities you’re likely to do. A fancy dinner? Beach lounging? Coffee shop smoking? Take the right clothes, and see if some items might be able to serve more than one purpose.
- Plan on buying stuff: Cash and credit cards are much lighter than shirts, shoes or anything else. You can shed pounds in your bag if you’re planning to buy a few things on your journey. Additionally, those purchases will stay with you when you return – a friendly reminder of your time abroad.
- View everything: Pull out everything that you want to pack and put it on your bed. If the pile is too big, then ask yourself: “Do I need this?” If you have to really think about it, you probably don’t. Also, include the clothes you’re going to wear to the airport – and make those your heaviest items.
- Be decisive: Just make up your mind, and never pack two things because you couldn’t choose between them. If you ever arrive home with clean clothes, you over-packed. Don’t let that happen again.
Paring back your packing list will lighten your load – and just in case something happens and you end up lugging your bag around for a few hours, you’ll be grateful for everything you didn’t bring.
This guest post was contributed by Scott Burgess of Hipster Travel Guide. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cheapflights Ltd.
