Travel Tips

Charlotte Cuddihy
May 28, 2019
4 min read

How to Pack Light

Travel is my favourite thing in the world. But it can be so expensive, the key to travelling often is cutting costs where possible. Usually the first cut is with luggage. When possible I try pack as light as I can. Often getting tips off travel sites can be so helpful too. I'm a big fan of The Culture Trip. They have so many guides for easy travelling, and tips for when you're there too!

Why?

1. Simplicity

Keep calm & carry-on. If I can manage with a carry-on so can anybody. And there are so many benefits to this. Not only is it way cheaper, but the whole airport experience is much faster and less stressful with a small case.

2. Faster

Also, there is no waiting for bags at the other side, you can beat all the queue and get the first access to transport. I can't remember the last time I checked in a bag, it just takes a little bit of extra thought is all. I just makes way more sense. No need to waste time checking in bags or searching for your suitcase in a sea of them.

3. Manageable

Having a small bag is so much easier to keep tabs on. When you're travelling to your hotel, or around the city etc having one little bag will give you piece of mind. The risk of misplacing your luggage or getting robbed is less.

Tips for Packing Your Carry-On

1. Planning is key

It's impossible to pack light if you just grab a bunch of stuff and hope for the best. Thinking ahead and strategically packing the right amount of t-shirts, pants, and jackets is a necessity. I usually bring my small case, because I'm lazy and wheeling is much easier than carrying all day!

Pro Tip: Rolling your clothes instead of folding will give you additional space in your case.

2. Know your Restrictions

The last thing you want is to get to the airport and be stung for extra fees. Ryanair can charge up to €50 if your bag is too big or up to €20 for every kg the bag is overweight at the gate... not an ideal start to the holiday.

3. Limit Yourself

Limiting what you bring with you is so important. For me I think about what I plan on doing for the day, pack my outfits together so to make sure I'm not missing anything important. Another tip I try to do is bring the least amount of shoes as possible, I try to plan my outfits around the same pairs. They take up so much space and weight it's ridiculous, and this is from a shoe lover.

Ruthlessness is key. Less of the maybe I might like this or I haven't worn this at all now would be a good chance. I had an outfit going to Paris, I thought it was so 'French' but my boyfriend hates capes, I knew I'd take it off the second he commented so I just didn't bother pack it. And it was so heavy too so I just made way more room.

4. Minimal Appliances and Make-up

When I go away I always get lash extensions because it makes my life so much easier. I can wear less make-up, which means I can pack less make-up and have more space in my case. Win Win. I love getting my lashes done, I always go to deise beauty in Waterford. In my opinion they are the best in the town. My lashes are always long with a little curl but still look so natural, I don't know how they do it.

Another tip I follow is applying tan. Tan makes everything better. When I have tan on I feel like my hair and make-up is instantly better. I try to only pack one appliance also, I might curl my hair before I go and just top it up here and there.

5. What You Need VS What You Want

Start your packing with your absolute essentials first. What can't you live without. This always changes based on where I'm going. Going to Amsterdam coats where the first thing I packed, I hate the cold! Travelling to Paris I plagued my boyfriend with my new selfie stick. Going on a sun holiday bikinis first and foremost.

travlling, travel light travel tips — My trip to Croatia

Obviously key essentials are always passport, ID, chargers and adapters first. But after this is where you need to narrow down on the must-haves and the I can probably live without for a week. The only toiletries I ever pack are the small toothbrush and toothpaste sets fro Penneys. Penneys is unbelievable for travel essentials I wouldn't go anywhere else. I always wait and buy my shampoo's etc when I'm there just to cut on space though.

Extra Tip

If all else fails and you find you have way too much, you're aloud duty free, so buy something small and stuff a bunch of things in your new extra space i.e. the duty free bag.