- Wear your sneakers, your hat, and your jacket or warm hoody on the plane to leave more room in your backpack
- Since I have space behind my suitcase zipper mesh pouch (where most people store underwear), I pack all of my squishy items against the case, like sports bras, underwear, and bikinis.
- Bring clothes you can wear more than once like a beach cover-up that can turn into a skirt or casual dress.
- Turn one piece bathing suits into sexy tops to wear out at night by throwing on a sarong or flowing skirt.
- Pack no more than two pairs of jeans and no more than 3 pairs of shorts.
- Bring enough socks and underwear, especially if if you plan to walk daily or hike. They don’t take up a lot of room. You can always wash items in a sink to dry.
- Roll clothes into tubes or fold clothes into flat thin squares. Using extra packing items to compartmentalize into cubes or tubes has never worked for me, only taking more room than I need.
- Don’t bring pajamas. Sleep nude. If you are staying in a hotel or on a cruise, you can lounge in the plush bathrobe.
- Throw out old underwear and T-shirts as you travel.
- Use plastic bags around clothes you don’t want to get dirty, especially a nice outfit or two. The plastic bags can be used later to collect sea shells or used in an emergency.
Toiletries
Pack toiletries in a Ziplock bag or toiletry bag that is not in a hard container so you can squish items between shoes or clothes. Put your favorite skin scrub in a contact lens case and make sure to pack only small bottles of beauty necessities. Throw them out when done. Bring a toothbrush you don’t mind throwing out and make sure to pack a small travel kit with band-aids and Neosporin for emergencies, especially in countries where a CVS is nowhere to be found.
Backpack or Carry-on Bag
Carry a backpack on the plane for anything that won’t fit in the suitcase and that needs to be taken out while flying, like books, headphones, and travel essentials like my new favorite – Saje Wellness oils (Relax) to help you sleep. Their roller ball sticks come in many natural blends (and even a pocket pharmacy) to help with stress relief, pain release, and more symptoms that can materialize while on a plane or traveling in a foreign land.
In your backpack, carry one warm wrap, shawl, hoodie, or jacket that can be used throughout the entire trip. I like to pack a black soft shawl wrap that can look nice at night with a dress or be thrown over a Tee on the plane to keep you warm. Save room for snacks on the top of your bag.
If you can find room, bring a foldable carry-on tote bag that can be squished to bring back gifts that may not fit in your backpack.
What are your favorite travel packing tips to bring less?
