Airlines recent policy switch to charge for checked bags has caused millions of travelers to rethink their packing philosophy. And with some airlines charging as much as $100 for a checked bag, it’s never been a better time to learn how to travel and pack lightly. There are numerous ways to save on space and time when packing and the simplest room-saving gestures can really do wonders.
We can begin by emphasizing that being smart about what you wear to the airport can save sufficient space. Instead of packing that bulky jacket and sizable hiking boots, try wearing them through security. While it’s tempting to wear comfortable clothing like sweat pants and shorts during your travels, keep in mind that those items tend to be the easiest to pack. Before you begin the packing process, make sure you start with a multi-faceted and easy-to-use carry on bag. The general guidelines for airplane-friendly carry on bags are usually less than 22 inches long, 14 inches in width and nine inches high. Make sure your carry on comes close to these dimensions, as you want to maximize as much space as possible.
A carry on with several pockets and compartments particularly comes in handy when traveling for over a week. A key element of traveling lightly on extended trips is layering your outfits. A few simple pieces combined with one or two pairs of jeans can really go a long way on the road. Shoes tend to take up the most travel space so do your best to minimize footwear and only bring an extra pair if absolutely necessary. Reduce the number of toiletries down to the absolute necessities and often that means leave things like cologne, perfume, and larger bottles of lotion at home. Compress the items you do have in your carry on and ball up things like underwear and socks. Also carefully examine your bag to see if you can squeeze smaller items into larger pieces like shoes, hoodies and hats.
Apply these same principles when taking a shorter trip that’s less than seven days, but feel free to add in a few more pieces since you will have more space. Of course a critical element to any traveling is making sure you are adequately equipped with the proper housing options. Make sure to visit PC Housing to find the perfect place to stay on your jaunts and adventures.
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