Pack Smart

No matter how much you think you will need those 5 pairs of pants, you won’t. And no matter how bad you want to take a pair of shoes for every occasion and outing for your trip, don’t. Believe me, you don’t need to pack a lot for your trip. You shouldn’t pack a lot for your trip. In fact, you will most likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you pack less. 

Therefore, the most valuable tip I found when it comes to packing is to only bring a carry on. I know this may sound impossible for some of you, but believe me, you can do it! I went two weeks during the rainy season in Ireland only using what came out of a carry on. After returning from this trip and reflecting on everything from our travels, I realized how much smoother, cheaper, and easier our trip came out to be by only bringing one bag.  Then I did it again on our wintery Christmas trip to Copenhagen.  Here are some of the reasons why I concluded that I will only be bringing a carry on for my future trips:

1)            No checking in bag fee. 

Checking in a bag, depending on the airline, can get pretty expensive. Save the money that you would otherwise use to check in a bag to use on your trip!

2)            Time saved

You will save time not having to wait to pick up your bag at the airport luggage pick-up.  I know I’m not the only one who hates having wait at luggage pick-up. Whether it be at the start or conclusion of your trip, the last thing you want to do is stand and wait for your bag to appear dead last on the conveyer belt. It always feels like forever waiting and waiting and waiting. Save yourself the time and hassle. By bringing a carry on, you can skip the bag check-in at the beginning of your trip, and be able to keep walking right passed the luggage pick up after your flight.

3)            No risk of the airport/airlines losing your checked-in bag.

Lost luggage is not like lost mail, it is more common than you think! In fact, know it occurs because it happened to my colleague. After hearing how she had to spend her 2 week trip in Europe bumming off her friends’ toiletries and having to spend a lot of money and time buying new clothes on her vacation, I decided that if she could spend a whole trip without any of her belongings, I could spend any trip having the bare minimum in my carry on.

4)            Easier to carry.

Let’s face it, we all hate having to lug around a big suitcase. They’re annoying. Having to roll it around everywhere and load and unload it into hotels, cars, shuttles, etc. is a pain. With a carry on, you can easily carry your bag without all the hassle.

5)            Less to worry about.

When you already have enough to do and worry about at the start of your trip, as mentioned before, you can skip the step of checking in a bag at the airport. This also means that you can skip the step of having to worry about if your bag is at the appropriate weight requirements before you make it to the airport. You also can spend less time worrying and keeping track of one more belonging on your trip. One less item to worry about means one less thing to keep track of and one less stress on your trip.

6)            Having access to all of your belongings.

If packed correctly, it is so useful to be able to get whatever you need from your bag. On the airplane, I keep my bag underneath the seat in front of me so I am able grab anything I need during the flight. Having everything with you at all times is not only convenient, but it can also be comforting to know your belongings are near as well.

7)            Easier to store.

Many situations may arise. However, let’s say that you have reached your destination and you go to drop off your belongings at your hotel/B&B so you can get started on exploring. If you are unable to check into your room just yet because you are too early, you don’t want to have to carry your belongings around everywhere. That would be awful, and maybe even impossible to do since many places won’t allow you to bring in your big suitcase. If you have a carry on, it would be much easier to bring with your while you wait for your hotel room. Though you still might not be able to take in your carry on to places you want to go see, the chances of finding a smaller locker or storage will be more likely than finding a place to keep a big suitcase with your other belongings.

8)            Less time choosing and outfit to wear on trip.

This may not be that big of a deal, but for some it could save a lot of time. Especially as a girl, sometimes I spend more time choosing an outfit than what I should. With the limit on how much clothes you have, it will be very simple finding and outfit to wear. Again, there will be time saved and less stress on yourself.

9)            Less to organize when re-packing in hotel.

You’re already sad the trip is over. The last thing you want to do is re-pack and deal with the hassles. If you have a carry on, it will take less time energy, and stress to pack up your belongings to start your long journey back home.