Why is it that one always over-packs? When I returned last week my suitcase looked like a fat pig and weighed as much as an elephant. But I did get to wear everything! I had so many events in South Africa, and for each one had a change of clothing. But of course Paris shopping stretched the seams of my bag to its limits. One of these days I will manage to get it down to two pairs of underwear, two socks, a pair of trousers and two shirts. Where are the days where the trunks were shipped ahead of you for convenience sake?
Have you figured out the key to traveling light? What are your best tips?
#1 by EM on June 8, 2010 - 6:18 pm
The key to traveling light is:
Fed-Ex!
#2 by Dennis on June 8, 2010 - 7:01 pm
FedEx, Mr Wolf! I send my larger bags to the destination hotel and let the hotel help me send it back. I never travel with anything more than my carry-on.
#3 by petra voegtle on June 8, 2010 - 8:00 pm
Smaller suitcase!
#4 by Richard, England. on June 8, 2010 - 8:30 pm
BIG empty suitcase. Lots of space for shopping.
#5 by Karena on June 9, 2010 - 3:31 am
Well Vicente, you do sound like me!! I cannot seem to travel light!
Karena
Art by Karena
#6 by Dale-Vancouver on June 9, 2010 - 4:23 am
I always over pack, but there’s nothing worse than under packing and not having the appropriate outfit.
What hotel did you stay at??? (I’m curious if it was one of the hotels I featured in a South African Hotel post I recently wrote)
#7 by Dorys Saxlehner on June 9, 2010 - 5:21 pm
Why do we always overpack? Fear of the unknown! And control-freaks like us, we always think we’ll be in control if we have everything we need. But agree with EM (#1) Fed-Ex works wonderfully!
#8 by melissa on June 9, 2010 - 9:30 pm
JUST PACK WHAT GOES ON A CARRY ONE REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF TIME…
EDITING IS THE KEY… PACK ONLY WHAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN REUSE WITH OTHER KEY PIECES…
WASH YOUR CLOTHS.. I ALWAYS STAY IN AN APARTMENT SO I CAN WASH MY CLOTHS… I JUST DO WITH OUT A LOT WHEN I TRAVEL AND IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO HAVE SUCH FEW THINGS…
I TOO, USE TO FED-EX EVERYTHING WHEN MY KIDS WHERE YOUNG… I KNOW HAVE THEM CARRY ONLY CARRY ONS ALSO AND SO NO NEED TO SPEND A FEW HUNDERED DOLLARS ON FED-EX..
XXOO
MELISSA
#9 by Carleen LeVander on June 10, 2010 - 3:54 am
My key to traveling light is choosing a basic color and then pack interchangeable pieces. Also key are several scarves of different weghts.
#10 by Christine Schwalm Design on June 10, 2010 - 2:49 pm
I have a deal with my best friend that if we travel anywhere for 5 days or less, I must use carry-on. I do what Carleen does–work around one basic color. I pack some powdered laundry detergent (I need to reserve all my “liquid allowance” for the lotions and potions that keep me looking good) so I can wash something if it needs it. Muji and the Container Store both have lots of fantastic products that are good for traveling. I also read an article a few weeks back in the NY Times where a flight attendant traveling on vacation showed how she packed for 10 days with carry-on only. Her trick? She rolled everything.
#11 by Kris on June 14, 2010 - 1:37 pm
Hello Mr W
Shipping ahead/Fed Exp is definitely a way to go!
WHY travel light when you have all the means to travel heavy? And you got to wear ALL you brought; you felt great and you looked great!
How lucky you didn’t have to sail to South Africa like in the old days, how lucky you went to all the events and looking great, and how lucky you got to shop in Paris … next time you look at all the heavy luggage and say : I am a heavy traveler, and that is ME. I am so very lucky! Life is beautiful!
C’est la vie!
#12 by Henk Laundry on March 19, 2011 - 9:01 pm
I always travel by packing only the absolute essentials in one carry-on bag..the rest are cheap clothes and stuff which you can buy when you get there..think it’s easier this way..
#13 by Dave on April 20, 2011 - 11:18 am
I think Henk is spot on. What you don’t take with you can always get it on the other side if you really need it.
#14 by Edward on May 7, 2011 - 6:39 am
Travelling with fewer luggages is good or else you always have to put your eyes on that wherever you are carrying with you. However, sometimes it is hard to travel with few things even if you want. The best solution to this problem can be taking washing powder or liquid cloth cleaner with you so that you can pack least number of clothes and wash them and re-wear them. I also completely agree with “Melissa” that taking as many reusable things as possible makes you travel lighter. Try these little tips just once and you will feel the difference.
#15 by Jon Dykstra on June 28, 2011 - 4:59 pm
No, I haven’t figured out the key to traveling light. No too long ago I was checking in luggage and it came in over-weight. I had to stand there amongst the crowd and rearrange my suitcases so that each came in under 50 lbs. I still haven’t learned, although I now weigh my luggage at home before going to the airport.