Traveling is as much about the joy and excitement of exploring new places and cultures as it is about the sense of freedom you experience when you get out of your comfort zone and roam around the globe in search of new adventures. It’s just you (and your travel companions, if you’re not traveling solo) and a world of possibilities that lie in front of you as you travel towards your next destination.
Except you won’t get to taste too much freedom if you have to drag a huge and heavy suitcase with you wherever you go. The truth is that the majority of people have no idea how to pack for a trip and usually end up taking more items with them than necessary. So, they’re basically just carrying around a lot of deadweight that restricts their movement and weighs heavy on their budget.
So, if you don’t want to let your luggage get in the way of your plans and stop you from making the most of your travel experience, here’s what you need to do.
Take your time
Planning a trip takes time, as there are numerous aspects you need to focus on, from comparing prices for transport and accommodation and creating an itinerary to learning what is esim and how it can help you while traveling. That’s why packing in a rush is never a good idea.
You should give yourself enough time to do your due diligence and choose the items you’re going to travel with carefully, so you don’t run the risk of underpacking or overpacking, which is far more likely to happen. You should have most of your luggage ready one day before departure and only add items that you’re constantly using like chargers right before you leave.
Make a list with all the essentials
Sometimes, the thrill and excitement of going on a trip abroad can make you lose your head, which means you might forget must-pack items if you’re not careful. There are certain things that all travels should carry with them, no matter where they’re going or what they intend to do there. This includes travel documents, first aid kits, devices and chargers, an eSIM – which you can learn more about at https://esim.holafly.com/ – and so on.
If you want to be extra cautious, you should create a list with all the travel essentials you need for your trip and make sure you stick to it. Keep in mind that just-in-case items don’t belong on this list or in your luggage.
Research your destination(s)
Climate is the first aspect you need to keep in mind when packing. You need to make sure that the clothes and accessories you’re taking with you are suitable for the temperature and the weather conditions of your destination. For example, if you’re heading to a sunny location, it makes sense to pack more lightweight clothes and just one or two items to keep you warm if the weather changes suddenly (plus the must-have sunscreen, sunglasses and hat).
Things can be a bit trickier when you’re visiting different places with different climates. In this case, multi-purpose items can be your salvation. You also need to pack in accordance with the activities you plan to engage in. If you want to partake in sporting activities, find out if there are facilities where you can rent equipment so you don’t have to bring your own.
Choose the right type of luggage
The type of luggage you’re going to use is just as important as the items you’re going to put inside. If you’re only taking one bag with you, which is what you should strive for if you want to travel light, you have to make sure it’s both light and spacious enough to fit all your essentials.
There’s no point in packing light if the luggage itself is bulky and heavy. A proper-size luggage is also going to stop you from going overboard when packing. It’s best to spend some extra money on a sturdy piece of luggage made of lightweight materials than to buy one that is cheap and won’t last long.
Opt for versatile items
Speaking of lightweight materials, the same principle applies to the clothes and shoes you should pack. Depending on your destination and the duration of your trip, it’s wise to pack a few days’ worth of outfits comprised of lightweight and versatile pieces that you can wear over and over again.
Think about how you can mix and match items to create multiple looks for different occasions. Clothes that you can layer on top of each other and help you transition from day to night are much more practical than single-use items. Also, the laundry facilities in the places you visit allow you to wear the same clothes as many times as you want and always look put together.
Use packing cubes
It’s not just the luggage you choose or the items you fill it with that matter when you want to pack light, but also the way you organize these items inside your bag. So, if you want to make your life easier and your luggage lighter, you should use packing cubes to keep your belongings neat and organized and have more room to fit them all. It’s also important to place the most used items on top so you can reach them easily whenever you need them.
Packing smart and traveling light is something that might seem hard to achieve for some, but it only takes a few clever tricks and a bit of practice to get it right.
