The warm summer weather is knocking, which means it’s time for vacation! Over the years I have learned from my packing mistakes to pack only useful essentials and leave non-essentials behind! I have also recognized simple ways to follow the airport’s rules but in a way that saves money. If you are traveling by plane this summer and need some packing and airport tips, you’ve reached the right place.
- Only pack the essentials/leave the non-essential items behind.
As obvious as this may seem, not many people pack only essentials. I still have a bad habit of over-packing and end up not needing half the items I carry with me on vacation. When I notice myself doing this, I end up regretting that I brought the stiletto high heels I never got to wear or the curling iron I never had the chance to use. These unnecessary items tend to take up space in your luggage that you could instead use for essentials plus any souvenirs you want to bring home.
- Don’t pack things you can easily buy on vacation.
Most people have the habit of packing their usual toiletry products they think they can’t live without. The truth is a simple shampoo and conditioner product is taking up space you can use for souvenirs or other essentials. Before packing your skincare or hair care routine, consider purchasing those products at a local drugstore in the country you are visiting. Depending on your routine, I understand the places you are visiting may not have the products best suited for your needs, but it is not worth packing it all when you can find most of those products sitting on the shelves of local drugstores. This was especially challenging for me since I am so invested in my skincare and haircare routine that I always felt the need to carry these products with me everywhere I go. However, this method has definitely helped me back lighter in recent years and left me room for souvenirs.
- Pack a full carry-on instead of using luggage.
Now that I shared some packing tips for keeping a light suitcase, you can now save money by only packing a carry-on. This technique is one I have learned recently since I have lost my luggage in the past, and it was a hectic process. By packing only a carry-on, you won’t have to worry about losing your luggage, and it saves you a lot of money when you can avoid the charge of bringing a suitcase on board. This method also saves you time in the airport since waiting for your luggage to get off the plane can sometimes take up to a few hours. This way, you will be able to keep your luggage with you throughout the entire journey and exit the airport as soon as you land.
- Wear extra clothes on the plane.
I understand weight limit may become an issue if you choose to only pack carry-on luggage. I have had those incidents where the carry-on was too heavy, and they wanted to put it in the back of the plane. A secret tip I can share with you that has worked for me is if you wear a few layers of clothing on the plane (since it tends to be quite chilly anyway), you won’t have to worry about the weight limit or spending extra money for placing your suitcase in the back. Layer yourself with a few extra tank tops and sweaters just to get yourself onto the plane then once you settle in, you can take the extra layers off. The positive side is you are able to take the extra clothing with you without having to pay extra for the weight limit and putting it in the back of the plane.
I hope these tips help with your travels this summer because I promise you, they’ve worked for me! It saves a lot of time, money and energy in the airport as well.
Enjoy your flight and save travels!