You received the confirmation email for your e-tickets and the itinerary. The countdown begins. The suitcase that you may or may not have put in storage needs to be packed and asap. Traveling is something you’ve done before, so you figure that it can’t be that bad, right? But first, you have to choose between checking in luggage or bringing the small carryon that can fit right above your assigned seat. Of course the size of your luggage is determined by things like the destination, length of stay, items and type of trip but for this piece, I’m going to give you a few tips on how to get the most out of your carry on for short stay business travel.
Prior to travelling, I spend a decent amount of time ‘mentally packing’. This means that I sit there adding and subtracting what I should bring with me on my upcoming trip. I tend to not pack too early just in case I have to use specific items that are in the suitcase. And from experience, nothing is worse than taking an item out ahead of time and forgetting to place it back in your luggage.
This is why I came up with a system that can hopefully help you the next time you have to plan for your next business trip.
Multipurpose clothing
Throughout my many years of travel, I’ve come to realize that you do not need to have a plethora of clothes, shoes and accessories. For the most part, I didn’t end up using most of it. I found it to be a pain, especially when you have a back-to-back schedule. Instead of carrying a number of blazers, pants, dresses, bathing suits, etc., I started to narrow it down by bringing clothing that is interchangeable. For example: a blazer can be paired with a strapless dress or a business casual shirt and pant during the day for meetings and said blazer can be removed, while adding a few light accessories to spice up the look if you’re pressed for time and have a dinner meeting. The same rules can work for shoes. Now, I know there are shoe lovers out there but in reality, if you want to travel lighter, always remember that shoes will take you to the cap weight size for luggage at a faster rate. If need be, make a list of the things you need vs the things you want to carry. Instead of folding, try rolling items into a burrito shape or wear clothing that might not require ironing. This is especially helpful if you are in a rush and you do not have time or access to an iron.
Accessories and Miscellaneous items
Try to avoid bringing items that hotels offer. Shampoo, conditioner and towels are some of the items that can be very bulky. By not packing them, you can save space for something that you need. If done right, you can also have enough room to store a sweater or light jacket. This type of packing might not work for everyone but you can always alter it to your liking. It doesn’t hurt to ask what the dress code will be during your trip. This will at least give you a head start and you can narrow down the items that you know won’t be necessary.
Let’s wrap this up
Reducing clunky/oversized luggage to convenient in-cabin storage can be life changing. It can be a little tricky at first but doing a little research about your trip ahead of time can greatly improve your travel experience and you’ll notice that the weight will literally be lifted. This doesn’t always apply to all types of travel but I can assure you that the Carry-on life has benefited me. This comes in handy when you end up somewhere that has stairs only. Light luggage = less stress on my body. At the end of a long travel day, the last thing anyone is trying to do is pick up 50 plus pounds of luggage. Do you have any stories on how you pack? Maybe something to add? Feel free to comment below.