If you’re like me and you love to pack as many short trips as you can into your year, then you may have thought about how to pack light to travel in the most resource and cost effective way. I always choose to travel taking only hand luggage for any trip I go on for up to 5 days.
As many airlines have struck down on hand luggage size, taking a suitcase as hand luggage is becoming more difficult. Therefore, I choose to take just a backpack with me for my short trips. Not only does it save you on flight costs for adding baggage, it saves time not having to wait for baggage and is generally easier to travel with. Read on for my top tips on how to pack light taking only a backpack as hand luggage.
Choose your backpack wisely
There are a number of great backpacks available to purchase that are perfect to take for hand luggage. Many of my friends have found some great options on Amazon. I already happened to own a sturdy basic backpack that has been perfect for my needs.
There is no need to spend lots of money on a backpack, but I would recommend a rectangular shaped backpack. It should also have a good amount of space inside and some kind of front pocket for smaller items e.g. electronics that you want to keep separate from the inside.
Be selective with the clothes you take
The most important and probably most difficult part of packing light is choosing what clothes you want to take. I’m a big fan of light clothing and layering. I always take floaty dresses, small tops layered with linen shirts and light trousers where more warmth is required.
Think carefully about how long you are going to be away and pack only the amount of clothing that you actually need, plus a couple of spare essential items. When thinking about shoes I try to take one pair that I will wear for the majority of the time (which I will also wear to travel in), plus a smaller pair of sandals or flip flops if needed. I only ever take one jumper and/or jacket with me, both of which I will also wear to travel in.
Roll clothes and wear bulky items
Rolling clothes is absolutely key when making use of the space you have. I always lay out my clothes, creating 2-3 piles which I roll up together and place on top of each other in my backpack (positioned like the image below). If I’m taking an additional pair of shoes, I will either pack them flat at the bottom of my backpack, or down the side of the rolls of clothes, depending on the space I have.
Your travel outfit is also a great way to save space. Always try to wear the bulky items that you want to take. As mentioned, I will always wear a jumper and/or jacket and my bulkier pair of shoes. If I want to take a pair of jeans or a heavier pair of trousers, I also wear those to travel in.
Pack liquids sparingly
It goes without saying, I will also pack light when it comes to liquids. When taking liquids in hand luggage on flights, there is a limit on what you can take. Generally you can take 1 transparent plastic bag, filled with liquid items up to 100mL, to a maximum of 1L.
Even with this limit in mind, I try to take less and pack sparingly. I would recommend focusing on essential items e.g. toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel and deodorant, plus a few key makeup items. Anything less essential, I will buy from a local supermarket when I get to my destination.
Within my plastic liquid bag I also place other essential items e.g. a travel toothbrush, razor and any medications needed.
Packing other items
Anything else I take gets placed above my rolls of clothes, alongside my liquids, at the top of my backpack. For me, this tends to include a small bag with a hairbrush, makeup brushes, a travel hairdryer and hair ties. I place any small electronics such as chargers and travel adapters in the front pocket of my backpack.
I also take with me a small bum bag or cross body bag to carry my passport, purse and any key travel documents safely through the airport. If needed at the gate, I have just enough room to squeeze this bag inside my backpack. When I’m on the plane, my backpack fits perfectly under the seat in front of me, so there is no need to worry about ensuring space in the overhead cupboards.
Since moving to the backpack approach, I’ve found travelling so much easier. I avoid any worries about taking bigger luggage items and find it generally easier to travel through the airport, as well as to my accommodation on the other side. I would really recommend trying this method whenever you can for any short trips!
I do the same traveling with only a personal item for trips of 5 days of less. I have found packing cubes a great way to keep things organized- one/ maybe 2 for clothes and then one for electronic accessories.
Packing cubes are great, I have a few bigger ones for taking a suitcase but might invest in some smaller ones too!