If old movies are to be believed, people used to travel with multiple steamer trunks. Heavy, bulky and tough to store, the trunks were handled by servants and sometimes stored in their own cabin or sleeper car. Today, airline baggage fees and restrictions mean that some industrious travelers are eschewing checked bags altogether, surviving with a single carry-on. If you are planning to stay in hostels or older hotels, where you may need to carry your bag up several flights of stairs, the advantage of packing light becomes obvious.
Mix and Match
An old adage states that when packing for a trip, you should take half the clothes and twice the money that you think you need. Most of us have had the experience of returning from a vacation with a suitcase full of clean clothes. Rather than pack separate items for every possible contingency, focus on a few pieces that serve multiple purposes.
A pair of basic black pants is perhaps the most versatile item of all. Paired with a dressy shirt, they are appropriate at all but the most formal dinner. Worn with a T-shirt, they are perfect for casual sightseeing. Many travelers choose khakis for the same purpose, but black does not show dirt and can often be worn several times.
Four shirts and four pairs of pants or skirts yield 16 different outfits, if all of the pieces can be worn in combination. Add accessories like shawls, lightweight jackets or jewelry to further define different looks without adding weight or bulk to your suitcase.
Invest in Luggage Organizers
Luggage dividers such as packing cubes and space saving bags serve multiple purposes. They compress clothing, allowing you to pack more in the same space, while making it easy for airport security to search your bag without tearing it apart. Luggage packed this way is easier to unpack when you arrive at your destination. Should you experience an overnight flight delay or other emergency, you can easily access fresh clothing and toiletries.
Roll Rather Than Fold
Rolled clothing takes up significantly less space than folded items, and is less prone to wrinkling. Fold the item lengthwise as you normally would. Instead of making a final horizontal fold, start at one end and tightly roll the piece into a ball. Some travelers create a rolled bundle with heavier items stacked inside lighter pieces, and the entire stack rolled together.
Know the Regulations
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations can change at a moment's notice, so make sure you understand which items you may and may not bring onboard a flight. Items such as liquids, cigarette lighters and pointed objects may be subject to additional restrictions, so check the regulations just before departure.
Protect Your Money and Documents
Passport requirements have become increasingly strict since the September 11 attacks, and losing your passport may result in significant delays. Make extra copies of your passport. Place a copy in your bag and leave one at home with a relative. Consider e-mailing a copy to yourself as well. Carry your passport, cash, credit cards and other important papers in a money belt or neck wallet underneath your clothes. Never place important documents in a fanny pack or outside pocket of a bag.
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