On the surface, this may seem a contradiction to my last travel tip - to use a generic packing list so as not to forget anything. However, they can actually be complimentary tips. The purpose of the generic packing list is to make sure you don't forget something essential for that particular trip, not to pack for every eventuality. The key word is essential. What is essential for one trip (ie. a sleeping bag and pillow on a camping trip), will not be essential for another one. The key is to go through the list and decide what you really need, and what you can do without. After all, there are several benefits to packing light:
1. The fewer things you take with you, the fewer things you have to keep track of. This minimizes the possibility of loss due to theft or neglect. This is especially important if there is a gap of time between checkout from your hotel and the time you need to be at the airport, or vice-versa.
2. Traveling light allows you greater freedom of movement. If you have lots of bags, it limits your options of moving from one place to another. Instead of contacting and waiting for a shuttle, shelling out a lot of money for a taxi, or renting a car, you can use public transportation to get from one location to another. For short distances, you may even be able to walk.
3. Traveling light cuts down on extra fees. Most airlines charge $25 per bag that you check. They also charge extra if your bags are too heavy. Taxis often charge extra for bags. Even buses and trains charge fees for extra bags. And don't forget the tips you need to pay the hotel porters for helping you carry your bags.
4. Traveling light saves time. If you only have a carry-on bag, you can avoid lines at the airport (such as luggage check-in and the baggage claim). You also don't have to spend time tracking down baggage carts or making multiple trips lugging all your bags to and from the car to your room.
5. Traveling light allows you to handle travel disruptions with minimal worry. Have you ever had your flight delayed, forcing you to race from one gate to another at the next airport to make your connecting flight? Even if you make it, sometimes your luggage doesn't, causing massive headaches trying to track it down. Or have you ever been on a flight that is overbooked? If you only have your carry-on bags to worry about, you can easily change to another flight (either earlier or later). If you are willing and able to do this, you are often rewarded with a free ticket for a future flight.
6. Traveling light reduces stress. We've all seen families traveling with way too many bags (maybe it was your own family). Invariably, they are stressed out due to one or more of the reasons listed above. Experienced travelers have learned to pack the essentials, and only the essentials, so that they can easily cope with the unexpected variables that crop up on even the best planned vacation.
For ideas on how to reduce your load when traveling, go to http://www.onebag.com/ The website has various tips on what to pack, what to pack it in, how to pack it, and additional reasons on why it is necessary. So try packing light for your next big trip. You'll be glad you did.
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