Tips for Packing Lightly for International Travel

Tips for Packing Lightly for International Travel

Monica Tindall

There’s an undeniable allure to travel, an enchanting call that beckons us to explore new horizons, immerse ourselves in different cultures, and create cherished memories. Whether it’s an exotic getaway or a quick weekend escape, the art of packing lightly is a skill every traveller should master. I’m going to share with you how I travel internationally with just carry-on luggage, avoiding the queues for check-in and the wait for luggage on arrival, and completely avoiding lost bag nightmares. These tips are for those of you who like to maximise every minute and perhaps for anyone who might be just as impatient as me.

When I arrived in Australia last winter, ready for three weeks of catching up with family and friends, my uncle gasped at my luggage. “Where are the rest of your belongings?” he questioned, “Did the airline lose them?” When I told him the carry-on was all I had for the trip, he laughed and said it was smaller than my aunty’s make-up bag. If you’re staying in one place for an entire trip and have all the time in the world to wait at the luggage carousel, then perhaps you won’t need these secrets for efficient packing. However, if you want to hit the ground running and like to hop around, lightening your load without compromising essentials makes travel much more hassle-free.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

“The world is full of things to see, do and eat, and those who don’t travel light will likely run out of time and energy to do them.” – Monica Tindall

Tips for Packing Lightly for International Travel

Choose a Lightweight but Durable Carry-On Bag 

The first tip for packing lightly is selecting the right carry-on bag. Opting for a lightweight yet sturdy bag ensures that you have a solid foundation for your travel adventures. Look for materials that are both durable and around two kilograms or less in weight. Consider a bag with multiple compartments, as it allows for better organisation and easy access to your belongings. Also, consider a bag that’s expandable. However, only expand it on your return. Never begin with a full load!

For short trips and especially when travelling on budget airlines that only allow a 7kg carry-on, I usually carry a fancy version of a sports bag. With no wheels, it’s extremely light, slips over my elbow, looking like a huge handbag and fits a surprising amount of stuff! Because of its appearance, I’ve never been made to put it in that dreaded size and weight machine (even though it probably has more than 7kg inside), nor incurred a fee for being overweight.

On longer trips and with more respectable airlines, I travel with my Samsonite C-Lite Spinner carry-on trolley bag. It’s one of the lightest in the industry, is so streamlined it looks smaller than its actual dimensions (55.0 x 40.0 x 20.0cm), and rolls like a sports car taking a corner – smooth! Curv® technology offers remarkable lightness and exceptional durability. And the lining is made out Recyclex™, fabric made of out 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic bottles (a win all-around). It’s even wired to carry a power bank inside with a USB port on the outside near the handle. 

The elongated double-pull handle and double wheels ensure effortless manoeuvrability and convenience. The ease of carriage is especially appreciated when transiting in airports and wheeling from one hotel to the train or next destination when on the road. Having less load to carry and zipping it around on wheels makes exploration so much easier.

This bag is expandable (up to 23.0cm), offering additional space for belongings ON THE RETURN! The key to packing lightly is allowing a little room for souvenirs (in my case, food and wine) when you’re ready to head home (again, I stress, never start out with a full-to-the-brim suitcase). Despite its spaciousness, the C-Lite Spinner weighs just 2.1kg, allowing for more essentials and less for overweight airline fees. 

Moreover, this bag comes with a limited 10-year global warranty (excluding electronic parts), essential for frequent travellers, and several colour options. Although you might think it cool to go all black, choosing a vibrant hue, such as my Samsonite chilli red, makes it easy to pick out from a crowd.

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown

“Packing lightly gives you the freedom making your travels richer.” – Monica Tindall

Plan Your Wardrobe to Optimise Space

Efficient wardrobe planning is the key to a streamlined and clutter-free suitcase. Here are some tips to help you curate a travel-friendly wardrobe:

Start With Your Shoes: Shoes are often the heaviest items in your wardrobe, so it makes sense to begin with something versatile. Consider the activities you’ll most engage in and make shoes for those things a priority. Exercise and exploring on foot compose a good part of my travels. Hence, a quality pair of sneakers are essential. I’m overjoyed with the white sneaker trend at the moment as, with a good pair, I can wear them for both working out and with my summer dresses (or winter pants). Depending on the location, I generally wear my sneakers most of the time. There is no more than one other pair of shoes (usually something a little smarter but just as walkable) in my bag. I don’t want to miss out on anything because I can’t walk far in my shoes!

I then base my clothing on the shoes I’ve chosen.

Versatile Pieces or a Capsule Wardrobe: Select clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits. Opt for neutral colours that can easily be paired together, maximising your outfit options while minimising the number of items you need to pack.

Light Cotton Dresses: An alternative to a neutral wardrobe is a bag full of light cotton dresses (for warm weather) or tights and long-sleeved shirts for cooler climates. I can roll at least 10 light cotton dresses (in a rainbow of colours) into a small carry-on. I avoid items with zippers, excess buttons, pockets, require a belt, heavier fabrics etc., as these take up precious weight. Additionally, light cotton garments can be hand-washed and dried reasonably quickly if you’re travelling in the summer.

Layering: Layering is not only fashionable but also practical. Instead of packing bulky sweaters or coats, choose lightweight layers that can be easily added or removed based on the weather conditions.

Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics: Consider packing clothes made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics such as polyester or merino wool. These materials tend to remain wrinkle-free, allowing you to look fresh and presentable throughout your journey, and avoids time searching for an iron. (We take irons in hotels for advantage in Asia, but many 5-star hotels in the rest of the world, especially Europe, don’t supply an iron in the room.)

Rolling Technique: Rather than folding your clothes, roll them. Rolling not only saves space but also minimises wrinkles. It’s a simple yet effective technique that helps you make the most of your suitcase’s capacity.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

“Travel makes one modest. Living out of a suitcase for a month makes you wonder why you have a whole house-full of stuff.” – Monica Tindall

Additional Packing Lightly Tips for International Travel

In addition to planning your wardrobe strategically, consider the following tips to further optimise your packing:

Toiletries and Cosmetics: Carry travel-sized toiletries or transfer your favourite products into smaller containers. Additionally, look for solid toiletries like shampoo bars or solid perfumes, eliminating the need for bulky liquids.

Electronics and Cables: Invest in lightweight and compact travel adapters, and bring only the necessary electronics. Use cable organisers to keep cords tangle-free and save space.

Pack Essentials First: Begin by packing your essential items, such as travel documents, medication, and valuables. This ensures they are easily accessible and protected throughout your journey.

Utilise Packing Cubes: I don’t use packing cubes for carry-on luggage as I avoid any additional weight. However, if you’re going to check in a piece, compression packing cubes or bags are a great way to organise belongings. Some people group like items such as underwear, t-shirts and socks. However, I group mine by the day. EG Everything I’ll wear on Monday, including a dress, underwear, socks and so on. It makes for efficient packing and creates a system for knowing precisely how many days I have left before I need to find a laundromat.  

Embrace the “Less is More” Mentality: Remember, the less you pack, the more freedom you have to enjoy your travels. Embrace the minimalist mindset and ask yourself if you truly need every item you’re considering packing. Be ruthless in your choices and prioritise functionality and necessity over unnecessary extras.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

“Packing – going lightweight sets you free on your travels.” – Monica Tindall

Utilise Jacket Pockets or Wear It 

If you want to try only taking a carry-on but are still concerned about weight:

1. Think about what else can be used as storage space.
2. Consider wearing your jacket (or tying it around your waist) and your hat instead of putting them in your luggage.
3. Utilise jacket pockets for carrying heavier items such as toiletries and batteries.

I slide my plastic zipper bag allowance of liquids into my jacket, which avoids it being counted as weight and also speeds up the security check as I can quickly retrieve it for scanning.

Schedule a Visit to the Laundromat

Even though I travel for months at a time, I never pack more than I would use in a week or ten days. Planning accommodation with a washing machine or a trip to the laundromat doubles the number of days you can get out of your suitcase contents.

Tips for Packing Lightly for International Travel

Packing lightly is an art that can transform your travel experience from burdensome to blissful. By choosing a lightweight yet durable carry-on bag and implementing strategic wardrobe planning, you can optimise space, minimise stress, and embark on your adventures with ease. Remember, travel is about exploring, discovering, and immersing oneself in new cultures, not about lugging around heavy suitcases. So, embrace the wonders of packing lightly, pack smart, and embark on a journey that will leave you with lifelong memories.

“Traveling is not about the destination; it’s about the journey.” – Unknown

“Make sure you can enjoy the journey by packing light.” – Monica Tindall

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