Traveler
IN PHOTO: An Air Canada passenger walks to catch his plane at the Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta Reuters/Todd Korol

Bringing a lot of things when you travel can be burdensome, not to mention impractical. Oftentimes people have to pay extra for excess baggage. Free yourself from the stress of carrying so many things by following these seven tips to travelling light.

1. Know Where You're Going: Learning some valuable information about the place where you intend to go helps a lot when you start packing. First and foremost, consider the weather in that place. Is it sunny or snowing? Knowing these things will aid you in deciding what kinds of clothes to bring.

2. Write it Down: One of the reasons why we keep bringing things we don’t actually need when we travel is because we fail to write down only the important ones. Try making a to-bring list before the big date so you don’t forget anything vital.

3. Plan Ahead: Are you going to the beach or attending an important occasion? Planning ahead the activities you want to do on your trip can also help you in packing light. For example, bringing a pair of killer high heels is useless when you only plan on staying at the beach the whole time.

4. Bring Multi-purpose Pieces: Shoes and clothes use up the space in your luggage. Instead of bringing three pairs of shoes, why not bring just one? Bring a pair of shoes that can be worn outdoors as well as for formal occasions. For clothes, bring with you a blouse or dress that is perfect for everyday touring as well as formal dining.

5. Pack Earlier: Packing a day before your trip only makes you disorganised. Packing ahead of time is important because you can carefully choose the items you have to bring and avoid putting in those extra clothes you don’t need at all.

6. Be Innovative: Ever heard of compressor bags? You can use these bags for packing bulky items. They work by getting read of excess air so you can have extra space for storing other items. You can also put smaller stuffs inside your shoes to maximize space.

7. Use the Carry-on: Did you know that many celebrities pack light by using only the carry-on whenever they travel? A carry-on bag is spacious and it can fit inside the plane’s overhead compartment. If you’re only staying for a few days, this is your practical choice.

Travelling light must be turned into a habit especially if you’re a frequent traveller. Take note of these tips you never have to worry about excess baggage.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at sprevendido25ibtimes@gmail.com.