How to Travel Lighter Without Sacrificing Comfort

Going on a big journey soon? Whether you’re flying or taking the train, packing more efficiently will make your whole experience more enjoyable. 

You won’t need to give up the essentials in the process. With a few clever strategies and savvy upgrades, you can reduce the bulk and enhance your experience too. 

Choose the right luggage 

Taking the right bag with you makes all the difference. Of course, you’ll need to plan with the length of your trip in mind, but it’s worth choosing something as small and lightweight as possible. 

If you’re flying, you’ll need to be aware of luggage size restrictions. Many airlines only allow hand luggage only up to around 55cm long and 40cm wide, so it’s worth measuring up before you head to the airport. Check the weight limit for hold luggage too.

You should also think about whether wheels or straps will suit you best. If you’re going travelling between destinations, then a sturdy rucksack is perhaps a no-brainer, but a suitcase may be better suited for hotel stays. 

Master the art of capsule packing

The concept of choosing from a limited selection of clothing makes even more sense on holiday, is a capsule wardrobe. This allows you to pick and choose between pieces that work well together, regardless of the combinations. 

Plain, elegant tops and trousers can be mixed and matched to create outfits that work for every occasion and formality. Aim for neutral styles that can be mixed, matched and easily stowed away without getting too creased! To keep your clothes looking smart, you should work out whether folding or rolling works best for your style of bag. 

Go for multi-use products

Going on holiday shouldn’t mean creating any more waste than usual. Plus, giving your belongings more than one purpose could mean saving space and weight in your luggage too.  

For example, rather than packing separate bottles of shampoo and body wash, why not pack a 3-in-1 cleanser? Your scarf could double as a blanket, while your mobile phone could also become your primary camera, notepad and navigation device. Just don’t forget your portable charger!

Embrace travel-friendly tech

Reading on the plane or train can be a brilliant way to pass the time, but carrying heavy books with you could quickly become a nuisance. Embrace digital alternatives like e-books and streaming services to lighten your load.

And while you might be tempted to leave some tech at home to save space, don’t forget your headphones. Lightweight and compact, over-ear headphones are comfortable and portable and allow you to tune out background noise. Whether you’re catching up on a podcast or unwinding with a playlist, a good pair of headphones can make all the difference. 

Pack travel-sized items

Finally, it might be worth sacrificing your usual comforts and convenience items when you need to save space. Whether you sleep with an eye mask or usually carry a large water bottle around with you, there are plenty of collapsible and miniature alternatives to try. 

Collapsible water bottles, for example, can simply be tucked away within your bag when you’re not using them. To streamline your packing even more effectively, you could use pouches or labelled bags for organisation. Time to level up!