When it comes to travelling, the adage “less is more” has never been more true. As one experienced traveler put it, “You can’t travel heavy, happy and cheap. Pick two.”
While packing light may be second nature to the seasoned traveller, what about those of us who travel infrequently or are heading out on our first lengthy trip? Not to worry, Simply Laundry has put together some great tips to help you pack light and functional.
Tip 1: Evaluate Need vs. Want
Of course we would all love to have full access to our closets and bathrooms every where we travel, but do we really need those items? When it comes to travelling, less is more and comfort is king. Consider what you will be able to buy when you reach your destination, such as toothpaste, razors, hair brush, etc. Items that are easily picked up in any locale should be left at home.
When it comes to clothing choice, pick versatile items that can easily be layered. Also, keep in mind the type of trip you are going on. While high heels may be appropriate for a week in Miami, they will most likely be of little use to you on a venture around Europe.
Tip 2: Pack To Conserve Space
There are many ways to conserve space in your luggage from the basic to the more complex. A basic practice is to roll clothes as opposed to folding them. This not only helps clothes keep their shape on long trips, but also creates more room in your luggage. A more complex, or professional, way to pack includes purchasing items such as packing cubes or airless baggies, which can help minimize space used and keep you organized.
When packing, always consider what you will use frequently. You may be tempted to bring an item such as a hair dryer, but consider that most hotels will supply hair dryers and if not, they can typically be bought for cheap at most department stores around the world. The actual cost of lugging a $20 item around in your suitcase may be much more than the cost to temporarily replace it for the duration of your trip.
Tip 3: Take Advantage Of Experience
If you’re an experienced traveller, then you already have plenty of experience to draw on to help you plan better. If you’re not, consider asking the advice of someone you know that has travelled a great deal or look online for professional advice. When it comes to travelling, experience is the best teacher! Learn from others to avoid ‘rookie’ mistakes that will impede your enjoyment of your travel.
Tip 4: When In Doubt, Leave It At Home
The unwritten rule of travelling is that it is always better to have too little than too much. If you reach your destination and find you are missing an essential item, you can always find a replacement or close facsimile at your destination. Besides medication, is there really anything you can’t live without? Being left without an item is much more desirable than having to lug around heavy suitcases full of items you’ll never use. This is especially true for vacations in areas such as Europe where you’ll be doing a lot of walking with your luggage.
Once You Get Home – Relax!
Whether you packed too much, too little, or brought the perfectly packed suitcase, the one thing you will want to do once you get home from your vacation is relax. Let Simply Laundry handle the clean-up after your travels while you take it easy! Simply Laundry will pick up all your laundry and dry cleaning from your trip and have it returned to you like-new in 48 hours. Leave your travel laundry to us so you can focus on savouring the memories!