Used on a few of our more “rustic” trips: pack old ratty underwear and throw away as you use. Do the same for other clothing items that are worn or just not your favorites.
We way overpacked for a family trip to India (had one bag just for food for my kids - was afraid they wouldn’t eat anything) but by the end of our trip, we had reduced our luggage and packed items by more than half.
It’s sad to write about this, but even my kids ratty underwear was picked out of our trash by one of our drivers. We started giving away or leaving behind some of our good stuff midway through the trip.
We went to China several times and the laundry service was amazing and fairly cheap. Everything looked brand new. We’d get our laundry done right before we flew home just because the clothes looked so nice!
I love to travel light, it provides so much mobility. Plus, as long as you’re not going too far off the beaten path, you can always find what you need if you realize you’ve forgotten something or need something.
Same with me. I was going to a conference in Phoenix for 4 days and I was the lightest packer. The other people packed two huge suitcases, plus a duffel bag to carry-on. They packed full size shampoo, lotion, hair products, etc. To each their own, but we’re going to Phoenix, not Tibet and we’re only going for 4 days.
I like to bring my own shampoo, it’s for colored hair and keeps my color longer. But I always decant into 3 oz containers. Even when we drive. I can’t imagine flying with full sized toiletries.
Only carry on. I don’t travel as lights as my kids. Who expect to wear my clothes and shoes.
I think the best travel tip is not only pack light but get your companions to do the same. This was the first long trip (two weeks) that my husband didn’t balk at carry on only. He’s done it before but now he’s a believer. Planes, trains and automobiles plus walking–it better be light. Probably helped I bought him a few more travel friendly clothes and he decided to leave extra shoes at home and just bring some slippers for down times.
And the easiest way to not do laundry in the sink (with associated drip mess) is do it in the shower. Super fast and easy. Bringing some fold up hangers with you makes for a quick wash and dry.
Agreed. When my husband and I did a Western Med cruise in 2012, we checked our bags (which actually got lost and barely made it to the cruise ship dock, after our overnight night in Barcelona). For family trip in 2015, our kids talked us into doing rolling carry-on bags plus backpacks. It was really helpful. My bag was still rather heavy, so it was lovely that daughter graciously scooted up behind me (for steeeeep staircase in Rome rental apartment and on many up/down for Venice canal bridges).
The staircases will get you in Europe. We forget sometimes that USA is a YOUNG country.
Our hotel in France (perfect location–right near Louvre in Paris) was 600-700 years old. With a historical spiral staircase to prove it. The coat closet sized elevator was on floor 1 1/2–you start at 0 level and reception was at level 1.
On the last day there we got talking to the manager and asked him why the elevator was so high. He said they weren’t allowed to move the historical staircase to make room for it (believe me they tried!). The powers that be obviously believed that bit of history was more important than safety–the spiral steps were smaller than foot size (unless you were a tiny person from the era) and uneven to boot. Anyway–lighter is better.
It’s easier to say “Oh, if I forget anything I can just buy it” when you are a standard (small) size. Not so easy if you can’t just buy off the rack or from any old store. Try being American sized and looking for clothing in China.
@twoinanddone - I have that issue with shoes. It’s hard enough to find narrow width shoes ( size 9.5 or 10) in a major city, try being in another country or even in the rural area where we visit family.
I have the reverse problem here at a Walmart In Colorado, I forgot to pack some pants and I needed to look reasonable at a customer visit, nothing for my size and this is before I lost weight.
The last plane trip we took was to Barbados (we returned home 2/29/2020) We fully intended on bringing just carry-ons but realized our spray sunscreen would not pass carry-on muster. I looked at the added cost to check 1 bag and it was about $35. We decided to check one and carry on the rest as I was sure having to buy screen at a Caribbean resort would cost MUCH more than that. Plus we were then able to bring our own snorkel equipment which I actually prefer.
The TSA requirements of 3 oz/ liquid is just that. You can take a bunch of 3 oz bottles. If you want you can take 12 oz sunscreen just put it into 4 separate 3 oz bottles.
Just FYI–spray sunscreen isn’t very good although it’s convenient. Neutragena lotion is one of the best among the brands. (Love the Dry touch). (I’m a pharmacist and actually did continuing education on sunscreens–living in the sun will do that to you!)
Except isn’t the limit 1 quart bag worth of 3 oz? Or something like 8 or 9 3 oz containers? I mean if you want to use up 4 of your 8-9 for sunscreen go for it!
And it is still a stupid rule because what difference does it make to put 12 oz in 4 different containers or to have one 12 oz container in the original package? It was a rule made at a time of crisis when the govt didn’t want people bringing dangerous things on planes - like WATER. Now it is just inconvenient.
The other night my daughter was flying and her plane was delayed so she went to a steakhouse to eat. A steakhouse on the terminal, past security. They have steak knives at steakhouses. PAST security. You can buy things like fingernail clippers past security, in case they take yours away at security.
Just let me bring a damn bottle of water past security. And some toothpaste. And my spray on sunscreen.
Thanks for the info regarding spray sunscreen. We use a ton of it (more than a can each, and there were three of us traveling) which is why we go through so much. Even if we used lotion, we’d need more than allowable for a week in the sun.
But you still have to take off your shoes because of one crackpot from years ago. And your jacket. and your belt. And whatever is in your pockets. Plus kleenex because that messes up something. Not to mention the extra x-rays. And ipad, computer. And heaven forbid you have an underwire bra. Or sparkles on your shirt (that sets off alarms too.) But you can get around this by paying bucks to “get on a list” to breeze through the peon line.
Please excuse my mini rant.
I’ve had global entry for a long time. It has saved me from a lot of aggravation and made travel a bit less onerous. I am ok with having had to pay. After 1st time, S had free renewals with his CCs so he used them for our subsequent renewals.
