Katie and Pierce
International travel is exciting, but dealing with heavy luggage? Not so much. Whether you’re planning a week in Paris or a month backpacking through Southeast Asia, packing light will make your trip so much better. You’ll save money on baggage fees, move around easier, and spend less time worrying about your stuff.
The secret to packing light isn’t just bringing fewer things. It’s about being smart with what you choose and how you pack it. These tips will help you fit everything you need into a carry-on bag while still looking great on your trip.
1. Start Your Packing List Early
Don’t wait until the night before to think about what you need. Start making your packing list at least a week before you leave. Write down everything you think you might want to bring, then go back and cross out the things you don’t really need.
This gives you time to think about each item and ask yourself if you’ll actually use it. You might realize you don’t need three different jackets or five pairs of jeans. Having a list also helps you pack faster when the time comes because you already know exactly what you’re bringing.
2. Pick The Right Suitcase Or Backpack
Your suitcase or backpack is the foundation of packing light. A heavy bag means less room for your actual stuff before you hit weight limits. Look for luggage that weighs less than 5 pounds when empty.
Hard shell suitcases protect your things better, but soft sided bags give you more packing space and flexibility. If you’re backpacking, make sure your pack fits comfortably and has good padding on the straps. Remember, you’ll be carrying this around a lot, so comfort matters just as much as weight.
3. Build Around A Simple Color Palette
Pick two or three colors that all go together, like black, white, and gray. When everything in your suitcase matches, you can mix and match any top with any bottom to create different outfits.
This simple trick means you can pack way fewer clothes but still have lots of outfit options. A black dress can look casual with sneakers or fancy with nice shoes. A white shirt works with jeans during the day and dress pants at night. Neutral colors also hide dirt better when you’re traveling.
4. Think In Complete Outfits
Before you pack, think about what you’ll actually be doing each day. Will you be walking around cities, eating at nice restaurants, or spending time at the beach? Plan specific outfits for different activities instead of just throwing random clothes in your bag.
Write down “Day 1: museum visit, casual dinner” and then pick out exactly what you’ll wear. This stops you from packing “just in case” items that you’ll never actually put on. You’ll be surprised how many fewer clothes you need when you plan this way.
5. Choose Clothes That Do Double Duty
Look for clothes that can work in multiple situations. A nice button-up shirt can be casual with jeans or professional with dress pants. A simple black dress works for sightseeing, dinner, or even a night out if you add the right accessories.
Scarves are amazing for this. They can be an accessory, a light blanket on the plane, or even a cover-up at the beach. A lightweight cardigan can dress up a t-shirt or keep you warm when the air conditioning is too cold. Think about how each piece can serve double duty.
6. Bring Only Two Pairs Of Shoes
Shoes take up the most space in your luggage, so be really picky about what you bring. You need one comfortable pair for walking around all day and one nicer pair for dinners and special occasions.
Make sure both pairs go with most of your clothes. Black or brown shoes usually work with everything. Skip specialty shoes like hiking boots unless your whole trip revolves around hiking. You can always buy cheap flip-flops at your destination if you need them for the beach.
7. Get Organized With Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are like little suitcases inside your suitcase. They keep your clothes organized and help you fit more stuff in the same space. Compression bags work even better because they squeeze out extra air to make your clothes really compact.
Use different cubes for different types of clothes. Put all your underwear and socks in one cube, shirts in another, and pants in a third. This way you can find what you need without making a mess of your entire suitcase.
8. Roll Everything Instead Of Folding
Rolling your clothes saves way more space than folding them. It also prevents wrinkles better than you might think. Start by laying the item flat, then roll it up tightly from one end to the other.
This works especially well for t-shirts, pants, and dresses. You can fit rolled clothes into smaller spaces and corners of your luggage. For delicate items like silk blouses, you might still want to fold them carefully, but roll everything else.
9. Put On Your Bulkiest Items For Travel Days
Put on your boots, heavy jacket, and bulkiest sweater when you’re actually traveling. This saves tons of space in your luggage and keeps you warm on cold airplanes.
You can always take off layers once you’re on the plane and store them in the overhead bin. Just make sure you’re comfortable walking through the airport. Don’t wear so many layers that you’re sweating by the time you reach your gate.
10. Skip Most Toiletries And Beauty Products
Most hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, so you don’t need to pack these. Bring only the essentials like toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, and any special products you can’t live without.
Pack toiletries for just a few days, then buy more at your destination if needed. This is actually fun because you get to try local brands. Remember that liquids in carry-on bags must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a clear quart-sized bag.
11. Focus On Smart Fabric Choices
Some fabrics are just better for travel than others. Merino wool is amazing because it’s warm, doesn’t smell bad even after multiple wears, and takes up very little space. Synthetic fabrics dry quickly if you need to wash something in your hotel room.
Avoid heavy materials like thick cotton jeans or bulky wool sweaters. Silk is incredibly lightweight and can be dressed up or down. Linen is great for hot climates because it’s breathable and packs small. Check the fabric labels when you’re choosing what to bring.
12. Save Space For Shopping And Souvenirs
Don’t pack your bag completely full before you leave home. Save about 20% of your space for things you’ll buy during your trip. Nobody wants to pay for an extra bag just because they bought a few t-shirts and gifts.
If you’re worried about having enough space, pack a lightweight foldable bag inside your luggage. You can use it as a carry-on for your return flight if you end up buying more than expected.
13. Bring Travel Laundry Soap
Bring some travel-sized laundry detergent or laundry sheets so you can wash clothes in your hotel room sink. This means you can pack fewer clothes overall and still have clean outfits for your whole trip.
Even if you’re only going for a week, being able to wash your underwear and socks means you only need to pack half as many. For longer trips, this is absolutely essential. Many hotels also have laundry facilities you can use.
14. Go Minimal With Electronics
Bring only the electronics you’ll actually use every day. Your phone probably has a good enough camera for most vacation photos, so you might not need a separate camera. A tablet can work as both entertainment and a laptop for light work.
Pack one universal adapter that works in multiple countries and has several USB ports. This way you only need one charger setup for all your devices. A small portable battery pack is useful for long days of sightseeing when you can’t charge your phone.
15. Check Your Bag Weight At Home
Use a luggage scale or bathroom scale to check your bag’s weight before you head to the airport. Airlines have strict weight limits, and you don’t want any surprises at check-in.
Aim to be a pound or two under the limit to account for anything you might add during your trip. If your bag is too heavy, you still have time to remove some items or rearrange things between your carry-on and personal item.
