How to Travel Light

Simple steps to help ease the hassle of travelling.
by Updated January 29, 2009

Although many of us are tempted to pack everything down to the kitchen sink when we go on vacation, there is a lot to be said for travelling light. By cutting down on the number of items and the amount of luggage you take, you will find it easier and safer to travel. You will also have far less hassle when it comes to packing and unpacking, and you can avoid the exhaustion of having to haul heavy luggage around with you during your trip.

If you want to learn more about how to travel light there are some very simple steps that you can take in order to ease the hassle of travelling and avoid being bogged down with an array of items, many of which you probably won't even use. Of course, we all know how tempting it can be to pack everything that happens to catch your eye when you are getting ready to go away, but in reality we all tend to overdo it by packing too much. Stop giving your self unnecessary headaches and hassles by travelling lighter with less luggage.

Make a list: One of the most important steps when it comes to doing your packing is to make a list. By organizing yourself in this way you can ensure that you do not wander around randomly packing items into your bags and cases without even thinking about whether you will use them. Once you have made a list, go through it again and cross off any items that are not really essential or that you are unlikely to use.

Check facilities with your hotel: By contacting the hotel at which you plan to stay in advance and finding out more about the facilities that they offer you could cut down on the amount you have to pack. Most hotels offer laundry facilities nowadays, so you don't have to take your entire wardrobe. Instead you can have the facility wash your clothes halfway through your holiday and wear them again. Also, many hotels offer an iron, tea and coffee makers, hairdryers, towels, and toiletries, so you should also be able to cross these items off your list.

Pack the right clothes: If you are travelling to a destination where the climate is quite warm then try and stick to lightweight clothes. Not only will these take up less room in your suitcase, but they will also be lighter to carry and will require less in the way of ironing and maintenance when you arrive at your destination. Also, don't over do it when it comes to shoes and footwear, plan ahead and try and stick to just two items of footwear, one for casual wear and exploring, and the other for dressier occasions such as evening meals out.

Simply exercising some common sense and resisting the temptation to pack non-essentials can make a dramatic difference in the amount of stuff that you end up taking with you. By travelling light you will enjoy increased comfort, and may even save yourself some money by avoiding the extra fees associated with exceeding airlines maximum bag weight limit.

 


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