Little strikes panic in the heart of a traveler more than standing at the baggage carousel and watching everyone retrieve their bags when yours is nowhere in sight. We have all seen the photos of the land of lost luggage in numerous airports around the world lately, and it does not inspire confidence as we look forward to embarking on our own travels.

Stepping off the airplane onto the soil of a new and unfamiliar place can be both exhilarating and stress-inducing. There is so much to take in, the unique sights and smells of a place, the sound of a language not your own.  It is one of the most transformative things we can do. Yet we know, built right in to the joys of travel, are also the unknowns.  Travel can be tricky at the best of times, and even more so now with the uncertainties of ever-changing restrictions, the chaos of airports, and millions of bags waiting to be reunited with their owners.

One of the best ways my husband and I have found to reduce some stress is to plan as much as possible ahead of time and to travel with only carry-on luggage. Limiting our baggage is a source of amusement for our oldest daughter who cannot imagine having such a reduced wardrobe.

I’m sure you are asking how on earth can I travel with just a carry-on bag? Let me extoll for you the virtues of travelling light.

It simplifies packing and unpacking, allows you to skip lines, makes travel more flexible, makes choosing an outfit each day a breeze, and saves money.

SIMPLIFIES PACKING AND REPACKING

When traveling light, I admit the initial packing will take more thought but during your travels you will appreciate having less to sort through and repack throughout your trip.

When you have limited space, you learn to be intentional about every item you place in your suitcase.  Think of it as a portable form of the capsule wardrobe.  We have all seen how far just a few key items can stretch. There is no need to sacrifice looking good on your holiday, it just takes a bit of extra care to accomplish.

 I recommend packing cubes to keep your items organised and easy to find. Have one cube for designated for undergarments, one for tops and one for bottoms, and one for soiled garments, or whatever combination works best for you.  This keeps things neatly organized and easily repacked.  So, when I am looking for a cardigan in the evening, I only have to open one of the zippered pouches instead of sifting through the whole suitcase.

SKIP THE LINES

When you travel with a carry-on only there is no need to check your bag when you get to the airport.  You can avoid that long, snaking line to the check-in counter which can be one of the most time-consuming parts of making it onto the airplane.

Do not stop at the desk, go directly to security.

When you reach your destination, you will be able to exit the airport immediately without having to locate the baggage carousels and wait for the bags to be unloaded.

ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBLE TRAVEL

I still recall being at the Rialto Bridge in Venice watching fellow travellers struggle with their huge suitcases as they attempted to navigate the stairs, while my husband and I easily managed our carry-ons-turned backpacks. 

Travelling light allows quick and easy access as you board trains, busses, and as you navigate streets, stairs, and the sometimes cramped but quaint lodging options. We have stayed in wonderful Airbnbs with narrow passageways and staircases that would never accommodate the larger suitcases. Travelling light expands your accommodation choices, especially in places of antiquity. 

If you are depending on local options for transportation, like busses or trains, the ability to carry your luggage with you allows for side trips to sights if you are just passing through and do not have a place to store your luggage.  You can decide to tour that cathedral on your way to your next destination without the hassle of dragging a large suitcase after you. It is likely that you will be able to keep your small bag with you rather than store it in a baggage compartment, once again reducing concern over someone else ending up with your bag.

MAKES DRESSING EACH DAY A SIMPLE CHOICE

In your traveling capsule wardrobe, all pieces must coordinate with all the others. There is a certain freedom which comes from having little to choose from.  There are many choices to make when traveling and having a reduced number of items to choose from as you dress helps to reduce the decision fatigue which can occur.

Choose items that can be worn in multiple ways.  (eg. a button-down shirt could be worn over a dress or tank like a light jacket, on its own tucked into pants/skirt or tied at the waist, under a sweater or jacket, or it could also be used as a bathing suit cover-up).

Find pieces of clothing that can be dressed up or down.  Most likely you will have occasions where you will want to dress up and go out for a nice dinner or to the theatre, but it would be a waste of space to bring an outfit that only works for that occasion.  The simplest dress or top/ bottom combo can be dressed up with a bit of jewellery or a scarf and the right shoes. Likewise, the same outfit can be dressed down when paired with sneakers.

With the advent of high-tech fibres, there is now a wide range of clothing designed for travel.  These items are light-weight, crease-resistant, and quick-dry.  Instead of taking your jeans, you can opt for a pair of pants that are more comfortable, still stylish, and when washed will dry in a few hours. Instead of needing multiple pairs of pants or shirts to cover all the days of your holiday, these quick-dry items can be worn over and over with a wash in-between. 

SAVES MONEY

Some of the budget airlines charge extra for checked bags which you can avoid by having only carry-ons. Another way that you save money by traveling this way is your inability  to cart home a bunch of unnecessary souvenirs for yourself or those at home since you have no room. Many of us know the buyer’s regret after purchasing these tchotchkes.  Instead of spending your time and money on cheap mementos you could instead be relaxing on the beach or touring that art gallery.

OTHER TIPS

Invest in carry-on sized liquid containers for personal care items.

Choose a versatile bag. We travel with lightweight yet durable soft-sided bags, which have 3 options for carrying – with a handle like a briefcase, an over-the-shoulder strap, or hidden backpack straps.  The ability to wear the case like a backpack leaves your hands free and balances the weight on your body – this is my preferred way of carrying my suitcase.  Avoid cases with wheels as this adds unnecessary weight and will further limit the items you can take with you. (Our choice of bag is the Aeronaut 45 Tom Bihn Bag)

Start small when trying this new perspective on travel. Don’t try it for the first time on a month-long trip - start with a week. Test this method a few times before attempting the longer trips since you will learn as you go and figure out solutions to some of the challenges.

Wishing you light and happy travels.

Photos: 1. Marissa Grootes 2. JesHoots 3. unknown all via unsplash