As an experienced world traveler and backpacker, learning to pack light can be difficult at first, but it’s an aspect of travel I have found to be ESSENTIAL! Not only are you saving space while traveling by plane, bus, or scooter. You’re also keeping your luggage to a minimum making both your back AND budget happy for the duration of your travels.

TIPS FOR LIGHTWEIGHT TRAVEL

Here are a few tips to make your journey from tourist to traveler painless and easy. I’ve learned lots of tricks over years through traveling abroad and am excited to share them with you! It is shocking how quickly a pack can get weighed down if you’re packing unintentionally. Not to mention you can save hundreds of dollars by not having to pay to check your bag in at airports. Less is more here, trust me.

1. Lightweight Carry-On Sized Backpack

Pack a lightweight carry-on-sized backpack. The lighter the better, preferably a full front pack or full back opening backpack to avoid the need to go digging. Many airlines have weight and size requirements, if you need to drop a little weight be sure to wear layers including your heaviest clothes and shoes on the plane.

2. Leave with a partially empty pack

Keep ¼ of your backpack empty to begin your journey so you have plenty of space to collect and bring home souvenirs from your adventures.  You can always buy clothes when you get to your destination if needed, but let’s face it. Most of us typically buy a few T-shirts as souvenirs.

3. Get Rolling

Roll your clothes instead of folding them. It condenses your clothes tightly like compression cubes, helping you to fit more into a small space than when you fold your clothes in your bag.

4. Minimize your shoes to a few multi-purpose pairs

5. Use compression packing cubes to compress your clothes 

You can separate your compression packing cubes into categories: shirts/ shorts/ underwear & socks/ dirty clothes. I prefer cubes with ventilation to prevent clothes from getting stinky. Compression cubes really make a significant difference when trying to create space.

6. Limit toiletries to the essentials

Replace bulky toiletry bags with a lightweight toiletry organizer or mesh bags. Make sure your liquids are carry-on size (typically 4oz or less).

Instead of traditional female menstrual products which take up a lot of space, try using a menstrual cup. (Editors Note) There is a learning curve to these cups so you’ll want to practice a few months before you travel.

7. Choose your headphones wisely

Leave your fancy beats over-ear headset at home. Not only can they easily get stolen, but you won’t want to lug those bulky suckers around. Earbuds are lightweight and more portable. I always bring a second pair of good ol’ fashion cord buds to watch movies on the plane.

8. Keep your money and ID safe and secure

Bringing cash will save you ATM fees at the beginning of your trip. You can exchange your dollars as you go until you have to switch to ATM withdrawals. I like to bring $1,000 of both big bills and some smaller bills which I store in waterproof zip lock bags in a couple of hidden spots in my pack only I could find. I ALWAYS recommend maintaining a reserve of $100 that you never exchange. Just in case you have a surprise cash-only fee at customs and all the ATM machines are broken (personal experience speaking).

I bring one no-fee international credit card (Savor One Card) which I use as much as possible to save on ATM withdrawals and two debit cards in case one gets lost or stolen. Keep the backup card hidden in your pack.

Don’t forget your passport and driver’s license! It’s a good idea to bring a paper copy of your passport and ID just in case. I store my passport in a waterproof ziplock bag at all times.

Leave unnecessary cards in your wallet at home. Pack your essentials in a coin purse, hidden travel belt, or fanny pack.

WHAT NOT TO PACK

We often think we can’t live without certain comforts we are used to having but the reality is, you really DON’T need much while traveling. It can be an adjustment at first but I think you would be surprised how nice downsizing can be and how you really CAN survive with less.

1. Don’t pack more than 1 week’s worth of clothing

Although it is nice to have a lot of clothes to choose from, clothes take up a lot of space in a pack and that adds up fast. Yes, you’ll need to wear your clothes a few more times than you normally would between washes. But most places you travel to will have laundry services for cheap or you can do your laundry on your own using this Scrubba Portable Wash Bag.

Lightweight fabrics like dry-fit shirts and quick-dry shorts make a significant difference in space and weight.

2. Don’t pack “what if” items

People are people all over the world and we all have the same basic hygiene needs. Now if you have more specialized specific needs that are hard to find or you can’t live without, then ok bring those along. I pack my aluminum-free deodorant and fluoride-free whitening toothpaste because they are less available elsewhere. But try to keep your pack limited to your MUST-HAVES, not your MIGHT NEEDS, except for maybe a small package of biodegradable cleansing wipes to keep in your pack for those emergency situations when you really need to use the toilet and there is no toilet paper (again, personal experience lol).

3. Ditch the typical beach towel

Replace that plush bulky beach towel with a quick-drying compression towel or multi-purpose sarong. They are lightweight, dry quickly, are very versatile.

4. Don’t pack bulk, pack layers

When preparing for cooler temperatures, think layers vs bulky warm clothes. Unless of course you’re traveling somewhere where it is legitimately cold during the winter months, then obviously you will need to accommodate for more bulk. However, the layering tactic still applies to winter situations (coming from someone who is very used to living in cold snowy winters). But that’s another story for another time. When packing for travel with the occasional cooler temperatures leggings can be used for layering, working out, hiking, and everyday use. Pack a pair of thin tights to go under leggings if you think you may need to layer up for more warmth. You can easily layer tights, leggings, and thin lightweight pants to prep yourself for chilly temperatures without compromising your pack space. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane and layer up to drop weight if needed!

Opt for a thin lightweight rain jacket or compactable shell that can be compressed.

5. Minimize your toiletries, bring only what you NEED

Buy products once you get to your destination and ditch what you don’t need before going home. Don’t pack your bulky electric toothbrush. Use an old-fashioned travel toothbrush saving space and weight. I recommend packing aluminum-free roll-on deodorant if you are traveling somewhere really hot to prevent your deodorant from melting and making a mess in your pack. Make sure to keep your carry-on liquids TSA approved with Leak Proof Travel Bottles (typically 4oz or less).

REMEMBER

Packing light while traveling may seem risky for those of you who are used to bringing the comfort of your home with you wherever you go. But I assure you the transition isn’t so bad. Especially when you experience decreased travel costs and struggle. More importantly, when you experience the freedom to get off the beaten path with less of a headache . . . (well, more accurately, backache lol).

You’ll start to focus more on the amazing adventures and opportunities packing light provides instead of the few comforts you don’t necessarily need. With that being said, we are all different and so are our needs. If there are some things you really can’t go without then that’s FINE! The beauty of packing minimally is that you have that extra space and wiggle room.

Above all, have a hella fun time enjoying your trip!