Travel

Why You Need To Master Light Packing

Collaborative Post

If you love to travel, and you often feel envious of people who seem to shimmy through security without any worries, then packing light is the answer to almost all of your problems. Seasoned travellers know that packing light and dressing in security-considered clothing means you’ll have a better time at the airport.

But it’s not just the airport – once you arrive at your destination, lighter luggage means you won’t struggle with transfers, can hop on different public transport – or higher a smaller car.

Conscious of others

There might not be many other times that people are tempted to take several large cases and are willing to push by others to get in the cue – but travelling seems to bring it out in many people. When you make light, you naturally take up less space – but also are less likely to worry about the weight and space your cases will take up.

If you are travelling in a group, packing light lightens the load considerably.

Transport

If you have ever tried to travel long distances by public transport with heavy cases, or more than one – you already know it can be a nightmare. There are a few things you can do to make it easier. You can use smart travel tricks like carrying a smaller case and leaving a bigger case at a single point that you will pass through a few times. Luggage lockers Penn Station is a solution that travellers can hope to see more of in different places!

When you have less to carry, you are more mobile, and public transport won’t feel as stressful.

Convenience

Keeping a single bag with you at all times means you have what you need no matter where you are. Until you become a professional packer, you might not be able to fit a month’s worth of clothes in a backpack – in the meantime, it is simply convenient!

Passports, cash, a book to read, your phone and chargers will all be packed in the bag you carry with you. It is the most effective way to make sure you can get what you need when you need it.

Time-saving

Checking in luggage can be a nightmare, and with so many airports having strikes – you never know when the lines for checking in luggage will turn into chaos. If you like to arrive at the airport just a few hours before flying, then often checking in luggage makes this more difficult.

You just need to cruise through security with your single bag.

Money-saving

If travelling on a budget is your thing, then you will already know that big cases start adding up in terms of cost. Instead of being able to catch the train or metro – you might find your case is just too big. You’ll be forced to look for taxis which are more expensive.

Budget airlines, while they are well priced, usually have additional fees for luggage that needs to be checked in and loaded onto the plane. Hand luggage and a small carry case is usually included in the seat price.

Not only that, but even when there are no staffing issues, from time to time, luggage goes missing – replacing all of the items in there is costly. Not only that, though, but you can also be sure that you are the only person who is handling your luggage – nothing will be broken, dropped or go missing.

Although there are many airports that are multi-levelled, some are smaller and have less in terms of amenities. So, if you want to try out airports that aren’t in main cities, then keep in mind that they might not have elevators to move large, heavy cases around.

Energy

Earning morning flights and hauling a huge heavy bag around will quickly sap your energy. Since most people try to pack the maximum, that is 25kg that you’ll need to manage before and after the flight. For a short time, even when the case isn’t on wheels, it might not seem too bad. But any queues or issues on either side will leave you needing to hold the case.

Then after you pick up the case at the other side and are already post-travel tired, you’ll have to use the last of your reserves to get where you want to be.

Learning to travel light takes some time and practice. Working out how to get trousers rolled up into socks and wires in carefully labelled ziplock bags is all part and parcel of becoming the more efficient version of yourself.

Travelling with children can be tricky, but it is worth mastering: How Travel Can Help Children Develop Key Life Skills.

 

I am Sarah, home educating mum of three (born 2012, 2014 and 2016)

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