Travelling is great, but there is always one thing which makes me cringe when I think of it: packing. Every single time when I pack for travelling, somehow, I get this weird idea that I’ll turn to be a completely different gal who uses body lotion twice a day, has a day and night outfit and so on.
Let’s face it: we all have the urge to over-pack every single time. I managed to start packing lighter, but I still come back with a few things I haven’t used or worn, so I call that over-packing still.
Related: Tips & Trick for Packing While Travelling
While all the things you want to pack seem indispensable, take a moment to ask yourself if you really, really need it. So, without further ado, let’s start debating why you should always try to pack light for your travels!
It’s Lighter
I started with the obvious one.
I travel with a camping back pack that converts to a solder bag as well. If I stuff it, it gets too heavy to carry. The same thing happens to a carry-on bag.
Related: 5 Tips That Will Make Packing for Travelling Easier
After carrying the bag around the airport for an hour or so, you’ll start regretting packing so many things.
Skip the Queues
If you ever travelled with a check-in bag, you know already you have at least 2 queues to wait for:
- wait at the check-in queue
- wait for the luggage to arrive from the airplane
It takes a lot of time for the bag to come from the
It’s Cheaper
1 in 150 people loses their luggage at an airport. Most of the
Also, if you opt for a check-in bag, it can easily get heavier than the limit imposed by the airline, which means extra money from your pocket. And the extra weight fees are not cheap.
It Won’t Get Lost
Having your luggage lost is probably everyone’s worst fear. Sometimes we pack valuable things like a laptop or a photo camera in the check-in bag (just for the record – never pack valuable things in your check-in bag).
It can take weeks to get your luggage back and nothing guarantees you’ll get all of your things in it.
Not to mention that some airlines require you to have insurance purchased for such situations. If the airline loses your luggage and you don’t have the insurance purchased, they won’t take responsibility for loosing it and most probably won’t bother to help you recover it.
It’s Safer
Now that we excluded the loosing scenario, let’s talk about the overall safety of the content of your bag.
It’s well known that check-in bags are not handled gentle. If you don’t pack them accordingly – for mechanical shocks – you risk to have things spilled or broke when you reach your destination.
I don’t know about you, put I care a lot about my camera.
Less Decisions to Take
Packing light means less everything: make-up, clothes, shoes and so on.
You know what more clothes means? More time wasted deciding what you should wear. Each travel has a limited time, so I would very much prefer to spend my time exploring rather than deciding what to wear. Wouldn’t you?
Do you pack light for your travels? Which are the most challenging parts of packing light for you?
9 comments
I am SUCH an overepacker. I’m trying to learn the art of packing light, I will definitely use your tips and tricks. Hopefully it will save me some money on my next trip!
I always overpack but these are great tips on why to pack light. Definitely keeping these in mind.
We can’t do carry on only as we go long haul and for a long time, but this last trip to Ireland with my 4 kids for a month I had one medium suitcase and one small one. And there were presents in there too. 😀 I totally agree, packing less is easier all round.
I had an airline lose my luggage for this first time this year and it was devastating! Luckily I was coming home from a vacation rather than flying to one. I definitely learned my lesson and now I try to fit everything I need into a carry on. Just this past weekend, I took a trip and only traveled with a backpack.
Having your lauggage lost while travelling is the worst! Did they manage to get it back at least?
This is the hardest thing for me to do. I am currently packing for 10 day trip and have to suitcases ready.
I have converted my son and a very good friend to carry on travel. My friend did 2 weeks in Australia with only his carry on. He used to be one of these two checked bags with something for every eventuality travelers. He said he has never enjoyed a trip more. It takes some discipline in the beginning but once you get the hang of it….awesome.
Go, go, Gillian! I haven’t mastered a carry on for two weeks, but I can’t wait for the next longer trip to see how I’ll manage.
I always have SO much trouble packing light! But I agree with all of these reasons. The decision thing is huge for me. I always have trouble narrowing it down in the first place before I go, but then if I pack light, getting dressed is SOOO much easier and quicker once I’m there!