Hannah Suggs' Travel Blog  DiannaSuggsTravel.com

Have you ever felt bogged down by all your suitcases during what is supposed to be a fun vacation? Has packing ever felt particularly overwhelming? Are you trying to save some money on baggage fees, or even save some time at the airport?

Packing light can be a simple fix to most of these packing problems.

Why does packing light matter?

Stress-free travel is a huge benefit of packing light. Only having a small suitcase or backpack makes navigating airports and cities a breeze. They are smaller, lighter, and easier to pick up or roll. Only having one manageable suitcase also means your other hand is free to hold onto your map, a railing on a staircase, or your child’s hand.

Bringing one small carry-on means that you won’t face any checked luggage fees—a must for budget-friendly travel!

Not all carry-ons are created equal! Some brands might advertise their suitcases as carry-ons, but bag allowances at airports are only getting smaller. Be sure to research the size limits for carry-ons for your particular airline and measure your bag yourself.

If your bag is found to be too big when you’re boarding, the airline might make you pay to check your bag anyway, so it is always best to be proactive and measure your suitcase accordingly.

Packing lightly is overall better for the environment. The heavier the airplane, the more carbon emissions. Ensuring your luggage is small and light-weight helps with carbon emissions.

Quality over quantity

Have you ever gone on vacation with a million outfits and realized that you barely wore anything you brought with you?

Think about what you truly need on vacation and compare that to what you really wear at home. Don’t put so much weight on your Pinterest boards—it’s easy to get caught up in what you think you should look like at a particular destination, but it is important to think about what you actually see yourself wearing.

Focus on versatile items that can be used in several different ways.

A capsule wardrobe contains different articles of clothing that can be mix and matched to make several outfits. If fashion is important to you during your travels, then a capsule wardrobe is a run alternative to packing several different outfits.

These are my top five tips on how to travel lightly and efficiently so you have a fun and stress-free trip, wherever you go!

1.    Choose the right bag: for some, a smaller roller carry-on works best, but sometimes even a backpack works well.   Helpful Hint: packing cubes make packing your suitcase or even backpack super-efficient!

2.    Plan ahead: don’t wait until the last minute; create a packing list tailored to your trip and stick to it.

3.    Layer smartly: even colder climates are possible to pack lightly for by bringing clothing made from breathable and lightweight fabrics that you could layer easily.

o  Helpful hint: if you need to bring a thicker layer, think about wearing it on the plane; planes are always too cold anyway, you might be thankful for the extra layer!

4.    Versatile footwear: a comfortable walking shoe is a must-have for any trip, but bringing a pair of sandals or flats can be useful at nicer locations or restaurants.

5.    Limit toiletries: use travel-sized containers or use the toiletries provided by the hotel or AirBnB.

Test yourself!

If you need to—practice! Sometimes it can be helpful to see if you can live out of your backpack or suitcase for a week or two.

A fun exercise I recommend is taking a weekend trip with just a backpack to test out how it feels. Packing lightly means different things to different people, so the best way to discover what it means for you is to try it out.

Contact DiannaSuggsTravel!

The best way to figure out what to pack is to have all the details of your trip hammered out.

We can help you any way you need at DiannaSuggsTravel—whether it be lodgings, airfare, or excursions. No task is too great or small!

Now get out there and make the most out of your travel experience!

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