When traveling internationally, you will most likely visit more than one destination. This means taking trains, long car rides, and/or multiple plane rides. Bringing large heavy luggage around on all these different means of transportation can and will be a headache. Traveling light and packing smart can make a huge difference on any trip, but especially these kinds of trip.
We like to call it simple smart. This is how we do it.
- Don’t overpack – obviously
- Bring only what you need. Try to pack everything into 1 carry on and 1 personal bag. Don’t waste time at a baggage claim if you don’t need to.
- If you’re going to be out and about, you probably won’t need much other than the clothes on your back and your essentials (passport, wallet, phone). Bring a light day bag for your essentials.
- Going somewhere warm? Packing light should be easy since you won’t need thick clothing. Pack your flip flops, wear your one pair of shoes on the plane.
- Going somewhere cold? Layer layer layer. Use light clothing that you can wear multiple times to layer up and stay warm. If you need a large jacket, bring only 1, and wear it onto the plane. Or carry it on with you instead of stuffing it in a bag. Light windbreakers are even better. You can use them as a layer and you can wear them whether it’s really cold or just a little chilly.
- Bring clothes that you can wear multiple times.
- Bring your favorite jacket and joggers, which you can wear over and over. We like moisture wicking and odor resistant tees which can be worn a few times without having to be washed.
- Don’t bring extra pairs of shoes if you don’t need to.
- Leave space for souvenirs or don’t if you’re not expecting to bring any souvenirs back other than pics on your phone and memories in your mind or if you’re expecting to revisit soon.
Most of all make your trip about the experience, not your stuff.