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Are you packing light for travel?  Or are you someone who packs with a whole set of luggage just in case you might possibly want to wear those other 4 outfits?  It is possible to pack in a single bag even for a long trip if really want to.  I’ll show you why it makes travel so much easier!

Most people seem to think packing light for travel is not a possibility for them.  We get some really astonishing reactions when we tell people that we pack for a two-week vacation in just a carry-on or, sometimes, just a backpack. 😳  What??  We do!  But we haven’t always been light packers.  We cut out a little on each trip until we finally got it down to a carry-on or backpack.  Now we’re used to it and would never do it differently.

In this post you’ll learn why packing light for travel is SO much easier, what to take to make it all fit, and how to plan to make it work.

PACKING LIGHT FOR TRAVEL

#1 Choose a Small Bag

If you choose a smaller bag like a lightweight carry-on or a backpack you’ll force yourself to pack less.  Check the airline restrictions for size and weight before you choose your bag. 

We use a rolling carry-on bag (plus this backpack under the seat) if there is no fee for carry-on luggage.  Ours are lightweight and compact, making it much easier to lift and fit into the overhead storage on the plane. 

We use only this backpack if there is a fee for a carry-on on any of our flights.  This will fit under seat in front of us.  This qualifies as a personal item (or handbag) which is free.  Be sure to check the weight of the bag though!  If it is even an ounce over their limit they will charge you.  A lot!

#2 Pack for 1 Week or Less

No matter how long your trip is, pack only for about a week (more if it will fit).  We stay at a place that has a washing machine or laundry service, or we find a nearby laundry and wash when needed.  We use these laundry detergent sheets that are light and easy to pack.  I know some people hate the idea of doing laundry on vacation, but it’s really not bad.  Since there are fewer clothes, there is less to wash.  We usually wash 2 loads of clothes (one light load and one dark load) before we go to bed and hang them around the apartment to dry overnight (if there’s no dryer).  Especially in winter when the heat is on, they are usually dry the next morning.

For more about the clothes we take while packing light for travel read this post on 9 Stylish Yet Simple Outfits for Your Travel Wardrobe.

#3 Don’t Pack Bulky Clothes

Avoid packing thick, bulky clothes that take up a lot of room in your bag.  Even in the winter packing light is possible if you use these light packing tips.  You can pack thin clothes and layer them as needed.  In the winter we pack mostly long sleeve button-up shirts or very thin sweaters.  I put a cotton camisole under mine, and the boys put a t-shirt under theirs.  That’s usually all we need, but if it’s really cold you could always add another long sleeve or thermal layer underneath.  Once we add a jacket and a scarf and start walking (we walk almost everywhere we go) we are plenty warm and even have to start shedding layers eventually.  We also take earmuffs or beanies and gloves when needed.

BUY ON AMAZON:
Long-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt
Thin Sweater
Cotton Camisole
Thermal Layer
Winter Jacket
Heavy Winter Coat
Packable Raincoat
Scarf
Gloves

#4 Use Packing Cubes

Using packing cubes for luggage is a huge help when packing light for travel.  They keep clothes organized and separated, and some can compress them so they take up less room.  We use these packing cubes in different ways.  Sometimes we use them all, and sometimes we just use one.  You can see in this post the latest way we prefer. Whichever you prefer, using packing cubes makes things much neater, and you can take it out and use it as a kind of “drawer” in the hotel.

BUY ON AMAZON:
Packing Cubes, Set of 4  
Packing Cube, 1 Large

#5 Bring 1-2 Pairs of Shoes

We usually bring only 1 pair of shoes on a trip and wear them, so there’s none to pack.  Occasionally, it’s necessary to bring another pair like flip flops for the beach or a dressy pair for a special occasion, but two is our limit.  Comfort is the biggest consideration since we walk almost everywhere, but they have to be cute too!  I wear short, warm, fuzzy boots in the winter, Merrell hiking shoes if we’re hiking on rough terrain, or sneakers with jeans or shorts when the weather is warm or mild.  The boys wear Merrells or any comfortable sneakers.  Minimalist travel shoes makes packing light very possible.  Note– I put Dr. Sholl’s Massaging Gel Insoles in most of the shoes I own.  They just make everything more comfortable.

#6 Wear the Largest Items

The largest items are shoes and jackets, so we wear those (or carry the jacket).  As I already mentioned, we try to only bring lightweight travel clothes, but if there is something heavy we try to wear it as well.  You can put gloves in the jacket pocket and tie a scarf to the backpack.

#7 Think Small

I’m kind of obsessed with small things.  I like to keep everything compact so nothing takes up much room.  I use a small leather wallet all the time, not just when we travel.  It holds everything I need, and it fits into bags easily.  I use small liquids bottles, small accessory bags, and a small foldable Wet brush.  I only buy make-up in small containers.  I just think small when I purchase most things, so everything works when I am packing. 

BUY ON AMAZON:
Wallet
Medicine Organizer
Mesh Bags
Liquids Bottles 3oz, Liquids Bottles 2oz
Collapsible Liquids Containers
Dropper Bottles
Creams Containers
Foldable Wet Brush

For more information about all the things I pack see this post on How to Pack a Travel Backpack for a 2-Week Vacation.

#8 Limit Liquids to 3-Ounce Bottles

In order to avoid checking a bag, you have to limit all liquids to containers that are no more than 3 oz, and all of the liquid bottles must fit in a quart-size bag.  For me, three ounces of most liquids usually lasts for a two-week trip.  You can always buy more once you get to the destination if you run out of anything.  I like these collapsible containers, these silicone bottles, and this clear bag.  They are a lot stricter about this in European airports, so be careful not to go over the limit, or you’ll be stuck at security for a while.  This might have happened to us a time or two. 😣  Another tip— look for non-liquid substitutes for your normal liquids like Cetaphil facial cleanser in bar form.  I cut the bar into fourths so it’s smaller.  I can pack it my other toiletry bag so it doesn’t take up precious liquid space.

#9 Use Simple Toiletry Bags

There are so many cool travel organizer bags to choose from, but you’re better off looking for a small, simple, soft, toiletry bag.  Then fill it with small items as discussed in #7 above.  Having a small bag will make sure you don’t pack too much, and having a soft one will make it flexible in the bag, so it can fit easily.  My new favorite is this one.  It holds all of my toiletries and make-up, and it folds up or lies flat to fit easily in my bag.

#10 Pack Only Small Appliances

We all have essential tools for our hair, face, etc, but think about what you can live without temporarily or how you can substitute a smaller version of it.  Hair dryers and irons for clothing are almost always available at hotels and vacation rentals, so you really don’t need to take those.  Things like a curling iron, hair straightener, shaver, etc are necessary for some people (curling iron for me!).  For these items, look for the smallest version you can find.  Straight, thin, and flat items fit best in the bags.  Always buy dual voltage items so they don’t burn up when they are converted to other voltages in other countries.

#11 Go Light on the Jewelry

When packing jewelry choose 1-2 simple pieces of jewelry that match all of your outfits. Hoop earrings, large or small, are easy.  They’re flat so they pack easily.  You could take a silver pair and a gold pair, for example, and that would likely match everything.  Simple bracelets and necklaces pack easily too.  Just make sure you don’t pack any that will tangle easily.  Use a drinking straw cut to the right length to pack a necklace or bracelet that may tangle.  To read more about how I match my outfits to save room read this post on 9 Stylish Yet Simple Outfits for Your Travel Wardrobe.

#12 Use Small Medicine Organizers

Medicines are really a necessity, wether you take prescription medicines regularly or not.  There’s always a chance that you will get a cold or a stomach ache or headache or motion sickness.  You just never know, so it’s good to take a mini pharmacy with you even when packing light for travel.  I like to use an 8-day medicine organizer and put a different type of medicine in each compartment.  I put Tylenol in the Sunday slot, Zyrtec in the Monday slot, etc, and I label each one with my label maker.  I keep up with the expiration dates by writing them on a piece of blue tape on the bottom of each one.  I put any on a foil sheet in a mesh zipper bag.  Another great idea is this small medicine bag.  It’s tiny, is zippable, and can be labeled.

#13 Find a Lightweight Laptop or Tablet

If you’re like me and are attached to your laptop, it has to go everywhere!  Or maybe for you it’s your tablet or reader.  I take my laptop on every trip.  I have a 13-inch MacBook Air that’s pretty light. You could also consider taking your tablet instead of your laptop or just use your smartphone and use it with a foldable bluetooth keyboard.  They make a lot of things these days that are very light.  If travel is in your future and these things are important to you plan ahead when purchasing them.