Traveling Light Fewer Bags and Lighter Luggage May Equal More Fun

Traveling is one of greatest ways to experience new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. You should feel free of the burdens of your everyday life when you're traveling, so wouldn't it make sense to pack in a way that allows you to move around easily? Packing light is a savvy way to enjoy your trip without having to lug around heavy suitcases and bags. Plus, with per-piece baggage and weight fees climbing ever higher, the fewer bags you travel with, the less you'll have to worry about added costs. One of the best ways to do this is to limit yourself to carry-on bags.

Carry-On Bag Guidelines

If you're flying, you will probably be allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item at no charge. Your personal item may be a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag. While there is no federal standard for carry-on bag size, most airlines will accept on-board bags that are no larger than 45 linear inches (comprised of length, width, and height). Whatever bag you use, it should be able to fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat.

If you're planning on only traveling with a carry-on bag, you'll also have to adhere to the "3-1-1" rule implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which states that:

In a carry-on bag, travelers are allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers that are three ounces or less

Containers must fit in a one-quart size clear plastic zip-top bag

Each passenger is allowed one zip-top bag

There are usually some exceptions made for medicines and baby formula, but it's best to check with your airline and review their carry-on guidelines.

Packing Your Carry-On

While deciding what clothing you should bring, there are a few things you should keep in mind, including:

Considering your destination's climate - Whether you're heading to a winter wonderland or to a warm tropical destination, you'll want to pack clothing that will allow you to be comfortable no matter the weather. For example, if your destination is in a cooler climate, plan on packing clothes that can be easily layered.

Choosing items that can be used in multiple ways - Thinking in this way can be an invaluable skill for a light packer. For example, if you plan to pack a sarong or scarf, consider using it as a skirt, dress, or beach cover up. Women can also take advantage of transformer-style dresses, which are made of lightweight materials and can be worn in a variety of ways to create the different looks.

Planning to wear clothing several times over - You can always pack more tops than bottoms, which can give the illusion of having many different outfits. And, chances are you'll be able to launder your clothes wherever you are, if necessary.

Choosing clothing made of synthetic materials - This type of clothing wrinkles less and dries quicker.

Selecting versatile footwear - Instead of packing hiking boots and sneakers, just pack sneakers, which can be used for walking, running, and hiking.

Other Considerations

Packing light means you should also avoid bringing items that are really valuable, heavy, or take up a lot of space. This may mean that you take your cell phone that takes pictures and leave your expensive SLR camera at home, or leave your laptop and take advantage of internet cafe and hotel computer rooms to check emails and update your social networking profiles. Additionally, you should avoid packing or traveling with excessive amounts of jewelry. Bringing jewelry along won't only add weight to your bags, but will also cause you to worry about them being lost or stolen.

Whatever you end up packing, make sure that you can still enjoy your trip without regretting toting heavy luggage and bags around.