Share your "Packing Light" travel tips

[salpal]

Mine is to pack black slacks/shorts/skirts so that I only have to take one or two pairs of black shoes.

Also - a long sleeved silk tee shirt is a must for layering when need to prepare for varying temperatures.

[Boudicca]

If it wont fit in a weekender bag, its not going :) I only take black and white clothing which is interchangeable. Pack one pair of red dress shoes and very small red pocket book to give monochrome black/white a bit of glam, and two dramatic lightweight wraps for the same reason.Travel in old sneakers which I discard, wearing better shoes on the return trip. All items, hand washable. Voila

[Suzi]

I also tend to travel with black clothing. My "little trick" is to travel with several colorful scarfs. I wear them around the brim of my hat, as a belt or around my neck. It makes it look like I have a different outfit each day/evening. Scarfs weigh nearly nothing so they are even better to travel with than jewelry. Also, new scarfs are my "go-to" gifts when I need to bring a gift home for friends....because they are so lightweight.

[Lauren Sweeny]

I buy Exofcio underwear thru Travel-smith catalogue on sale online. They wash like a dream & fast..I also buy their non wrinkle black stretchy material (mix n match ) separates. I have a light raincoat/ jacket that rolls up.

[2BNTV]

Rolling up clothing is a big space saver!!!!

[DigitalGranny]

Wow! Thanks for the great tips!

[Indydealmaker]

Always travel by car and take everything but the kitchen sink.

[Bonnevie]

I had a friend who used to take all her underwear that was getting worn and just toss it after she wore it.

[Lauren Sweeny]

Forgot most important thing.....Do not take new shoes!! Wear shoes you intend to take for at least a few weeks to prevent blisters and being stuck with only unwearable shoes. Black or brown( depending on your color voice of clothing) in a low heel or ergonomically correct flat get you through any long walking tours. If on a cruise, again 1 color of shoe to match your clothing,closed toe,tennis or ballet flat for for walking on uneven or dirt paths on shore. Sandals can be squeezed in because they do not take up much room. I bring 1 pair if Low or kitten heel fancy for dressy dinners.
I have bought sandals on shore for cheap but they do not last too long because they are flimsily attached.

[rayschic]

I travel a lot and I do all of the above mentioned suggestions, my favorite being to roll all the clothes. On my last trip they lost one of our suitcases. We always have two small suitcases. One of my favorite packing tips that I always share with other travelers, is that each of our two suitcases is filled with half of my clothes and half of my husbands clothes. That way, when they lost one suitcase, we both still had clothes to wear. I also always pack one bathing suit and a pair of shorts in a very small carryon. That way, if they lose both of our suitcases, we will be at the pool enjoying an iced cold beverage while they sort it out.

[thelegges]

I pack for two weeks in a nap sack. One pair each,skirt, short, pant. 8 tops. All mix and match. Wear casual shoes and pack dress. All can be washed and hang dry in few hours. Traveled for a living so got it down pat

[Mamaderby]

Ziplock bags are your friend! Push the air out of them. Underwear in one, scarves in another. Can fit a couple of tshirts in another.

[Boudicca]

SO, wish we had a "like" icon as there are some fabulous tips in all the above. Especially admired the sharing of two suitcases along with shorts/bathing suit. Great ideas, don't ya love TOTV. :)

[Barefoot]

I pack for two weeks in a nap sack. One pair each,skirt, short, pant. 8 tops. All mix and match. Wear casual shoes and pack dress. All can be washed and hang dry in few hours. Traveled for a living so got it down pat

I love the idea of traveling with one knapsack.
But how on earth can you get a dress, eight tops, a shirt, shorts, a pair of long pants, underwear, pajamas plus cosmetics in one knapsack?

[salpal]

Another idea -- hubby and I will pack some clothes that were intended for our next Goodwill bag. We will wear on trip and toss along the way. Actually, several hotels in Spain have clothing donations bins nearby, so apparently many people are doing this.

[Barefoot]

I once worked in the travel industry. I was surprised at how often people pack prescription meds in a suitcase, and how many suitcases go astray. :eek:
Be sure to pack any medications you need in a carry on bag.

[Lauren Sweeny]

Make sure your MEDS are in a container with its name ( preferably not generic name) and dosage! If you do need to refill in an emergency it is VERY helpful . If you need a CpAP on a cruise, bring it or call cruise line ahead of time to get distilled H2O ordered. It is always wise to bring a list of MEDS,dosage ,how often and include in this sheet your health conditions and allergies. Date of birth And blood type too!
You or significant other can whip it out instead of trying to remember when under stress.
When I travel with a friend I ask to have the above info for them placed .
All info this is in sealed envelope but ready in purse when off shore or touring.

[Sable99]

I, too, travel with Ziploc bags. My aunt uses the Space Saver bags and packs her clothes in them.

I always have my med list with me that also includes my latest shot records and allergies.

I buy 2" x 3" plastic bags and put my meds in them -- a small bag for every morning, every noon and every night. I also have my daily fiber allotment in small bags. I put all the little bags in a Ziploc bag. I toss the little bags when I'm done with them. I take a few extra days of my meds.

A little off topic but--

I typed up my emergency contact information (on a small piece of paper) and put it in front of my mother's driver's license. It has my name, home phone number and cell phone number on it.

I make a copy of my driver's license, insurance cards, passport and credit cards and put it in the bottom of my suitcase. (When I was in China, a person in our group lost (??) her purse and she needed this information!)

[Barefoot]

I pack for two weeks in a nap sack. One pair each,skirt, short, pant. 8 tops. All mix and match. Wear casual shoes and pack dress. All can be washed and hang dry in few hours. Traveled for a living so got it down pat

I love the idea of traveling with one knapsack.
But how on earth can you get a dress, eight tops, a shirt, shorts, a pair of long pants, underwear, pajamas plus cosmetics in one knapsack?

I'm still waiting for the Legges to tell me how to pack all this stuff into one knapsack each.
Seriously I would love to know.
I'm the traveler with three suitcases who can never find anything because I packed too much stuff!

[pbkmaine]

The way to travel with a very small suitcase or knapsack is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. There are videos on YouTube. It helps if the clothes are a synthetic blend or wrinkle-free cotton. Miniaturize your cosmetics. I go on week-long business trips with a soft-sided carry-on and a tote using this method.

[CFrance]

I'm still waiting for the Legges to tell me how to pack all this stuff into one knapsack each.
Seriously I would love to know.
I'm the traveler with three suitcases who can never find anything because I packed too much stuff!
Bare, have you seen some of the knapsacks recently? Eddie Bauer has some you could stash a Christmas tree in.

When you get back here, go to PBS and watch the travel show "Globetrotter." You'll see!

[Barefoot]

Bare, have you seen some of the knapsacks recently? Eddie Bauer has some you could stash a Christmas tree in.
When you get back here, go to PBS and watch the travel show "Globetrotter." You'll see!

CFrance, we have PBS here in Canada, I'll have to check if we get "Globetrotter". (We also have Eddie Bauer stores.). :D:
I'm just wondering if you are permitted to take a huge stuffed knapsack on an airline as a carry on.
I adore travel organizational cosmetic holders and that kind of stuff.


The way to travel with a very small suitcase or knapsack is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. There are videos on YouTube. It helps if the clothes are a synthetic blend or wrinkle-free cotton. Miniaturize your cosmetics. I go on week-long business trips with a soft-sided carry-on and a tote using this method.

I agree pbkmaine. That's the way I travelled for years on business.
However now it appeals to me to just jam everything into one knapsack.
Simplifying life and all that.

[rayschic]

Barefoot, check out this link for what to pack into a knapsack. She gets all of the items on that list into the backpack on her back! Amazing ! Also, watch some Rick Steve's videos, he has great packing light ideas. Rolling the clothes really saves tons of space. There are many videos out there on how to roll your clothes.

. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-list-women

[Lauren Sweeny]

Try " Smart Traveler" and " Packing Pro" apps for ideas. Smart Traveler gives Your selected countries alerts and warnings by US Government . Check out sites; CDC and WHO ( World Health Org) for health and medical concerns around the world . Always good to check what,were things are happening that may not be in the newspapers as yet.

[tomwed]

Check out johnnyjet.com for all kinds of traveling advice.

[off topic]
I am also a big fan of Rick Steves. When we went to Italy I bought his book and followed it to the letter including the hotels he picked out. I made sure the front desk knew that Rick Steves told me to stay here. He said to buy Rockport shoes too. I also downloaded his audio tours and listened to them as I was seeing the sites in Venice, Florence and Rome.

[Barefoot]

Barefoot, check out this link for what to pack into a knapsack. She gets all of the items on that list into the backpack on her back! Amazing ! Also, watch some Rick Steve's videos, he has great packing light ideas. Rolling the clothes really saves tons of space. There are many videos out there on how to roll your clothes.
. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-list-women

Thanks Rayschic. I wish the website showed a video of her packing all that stuff into her backpack.
I will definitely consult Rick Steve before I pack again.

[CFrance]

I'm sorry, but I think Rick Steves looks ever so slightly like a slob when he travels. People should show respect to another country when traveling by dressing up a little.