10 Helpful Tips for Packing Light

With practically every airline charging fees for checked bags these days, many travelers are trying to find ways to avoid checking bags all together.

Packing light has many advantages besides just avoiding airline fees. For example, you don't have to stand around for an hour waiting for your bags to show up on the baggage carrousel upon arrival at your destination and there's no chance that your bags will be lost or damaged en route. It's also easier to get through busy airports and train stations with fewer and smaller bags, and it makes it simple to take public transportation, rather than relying on high cost taxis and limos.

Here are some tips and suggestions for packing light, and fitting all your travel luxuries into one easy, carry-on bag.

1. Make a Packing List base on items and clothing that you know you'll need on your trip and stick to it! Try to avoid bringing items that you think you might need.

2. Wear layered clothing when you travel, that stretches and breathes giving you more room in your bag.

3. Pack wrinkle-free clothing as much as possible.

4. Rolling your clothes instead of laying them flat in the bag will provide more space.

5. Select one or two color scheme. Sometimes it's a good idea to add a few items with dark patterns, such as plaids as they help hide wrinkles, stains and dirt.

6. Reversible clothing, especially tops, are great choices since they effectively double your clothing choices.

7. Pack clothing that will dry quickly as you may need to wash some items during your trip.

8. Consider using a dual-purpose bag (suitcase/backpack combined) if you're going to be doing a lot of walking.

9. To simplify things for yourself, consider buying toiletries such as shampoo and toothpaste during your trip.

10. Make sure to follow the TSA 3-1-1 Liquid Rules;

Any liquid or gel packed in your carry-on bag must fit in a container that is a maximum of 3 ounces.
1 Quart: Containers carrying your liquids and gels must be packed in a clear, plastic bag that is no larger than 1 quart and has to be able to close completely.

1 Person: Every person is allowed to bring one clear, quart-size bag of properly sized containers noted above. Many stores have increase their supply of toiletries that meet the TSA guidelines.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next vacation!

20 Creative Packing Extras

We wanted to share this fantastic list of creative and practical extras to pack when traveling abroad, especially for budget travelers, adventure travelers, and backpackers. Pure genius! (You’ll thank us later.)

• Sarong: A large piece of lightweight material that can be used as a quick-drying towel, blanket, pillow, etc.


• Extra pair of insoles for when shoes get wet. A second pair of insoles is much lighter than a second pair of shoes.

• Inflatable hangers: Clothes dry faster ($5 at AAA, light and tiny).

• The two most useful medicines: Tylenol is a general analgesic and helps reduce fatigue. Benadryl is a great sedative and sleep aid.

• Small suction cups with hooks: To hang a toiletry bag from the mirror in small bathrooms and to dangle money belt from the youth-hostel shower wall.

• Earplugs for sleeping at night. Bring some even if you don’t think you’ll use them.

• Ziplock bags: To save theater stubs, train tickets, subway tickets, and all kinds of other tiny souvenirs; to store your wet insoles; or to preserve the other half of that huge cafe sandwich.

• Dental floss or fishing line: Strong, versatile, waterproof, nearly weightless. Could double as a shoelace or used to mend backpacks or clothing.

• A combination alarm clock/flashlight/motion-sensor ($30 from Brookstone): Attach to the hotel door or window. If someone moves the door or window, the motion sensor emits a high-pitched sound similar to a fire alarm.

• If you have a fancy camera, a little black electrician’s tape across the brand name discourages thieves. What appears to be a generic camera is almost worthless to those who regularly “hunt” Canon, Leica, Nikon, and so on.

• A headlight instead of a flashlight. Better for reading in bed. Frees your hands if needed.

• Post-It notes to flag guidebooks.

• The Body Shop’s “Refreshing Foot Spray” and “Peppermint Foot Lotion” in small, travel-size bottles to soothe tired, aching feet.

• Put your extra camera lenses in a thick ankle sock. You can toss them in your day pack without worrying about damage and they take up less room than bulky lens cases.

• Tie something distinctive, like a ribbon, to your luggage handle for quick spotting at airport carousels.

• Safety pins. You’ll be surprised how often these come in handy. Affix them to the inside of your backpack or luggage where you can find them easily.

• Mailing tubes: To collect prints, posters and souvenirs you may want to keep, also handy for small items and breakables.

• Digital tape recorder: a great way to catch the waves, traffic, sounds in the cafés, and more and send to friends via the Internet accompanied by digital photos.

• Combo journal/scrapbook: Bring a simple, lightweight journal (Moleskins are perfect), some colored pens and a glue stick. As you write each day, add creative touches by sketching in color, paste in museum tickets, or even cut/paste local brochures, café napkins, etc.

• Vitamin B6: Makes your blood undesirable to mosquitoes. Best if taken a few days in advance.