- Wash your clothes! Almost all Air-bnb’s have a washing machine so make the most of it. Make sure you pack a few strips of Stripclean, they are so light and thin you won’t even notice them in your luggage. If all you have is a sink you can still wash a couple of things you want to wear again. Simply put a Strip clean in the sink to soak with your clothes then once it has dissolved in the water rinse your clothes and hang to try.
- Think of your suitcase like a mini capsule wardrobe. Pick all complimentary colours such as blue, black, white and denim. Then you can mix and match each day and still feel like you’re wearing different outfits. Think of things that will take you from day to night. A little black dress can take you from lunch to dinner. If you’re thinking of bringing something ‘just in case’ then leave it behind and save it for a special occasion at home
- Shoes – again the key here is versatility. Pick a pair of thongs, a sandal that can take you from day to night and a pair of sneakers. Sneakers are essential so that when you’re racking up those kilometres walking you are protecting your feet. That is really all you need! If you can’t live without heels then pick one in a nude or black but make sure it’s lightweight.
- Pay attention at the luggage store. Almost all reputable brands display the weight of your luggage. Make sure you select the lightest so that you’re not ‘weighed down’ before you’ve even packed!
- Get mini with your toiletries. Supermarkets and pharmacies both have tiny versions of your favourites. If you’re on an eco-journey and reducing plastic then solid shampoo and soap bars will be even lighter!
- Instead of bulky make up/toiletry bags use large sandwich bags. They are super light, have a waterproof seal and as they’re see through you can quickly spot what you need. Make sure you rinse them out and save them for your next trip when you’re done.
- Pre-download a bunch of books and movies onto your Ipad or electronic device. If you’re travelling with a companion download different things and swap devices during your trip.
- Don’t have printed copies of your travel documents. Email them to yourself (just in case you ever lose your phone!) then make an album on your phone with screenshots for quick access. Add all your bankcards and plane tickets to the ‘wallet’ app in your phone.
- If you’re a frequent traveller invest in some great light-weight travel products. Get an inflatable travel pillow, a lightweight micro fibre antibacterial towel and a travel adaptor with USB ports. This way you can leave your plugs at home and charge multiple devices at once.
