While you may be seeing some cheaper airfares right now, if you don't jump on them right away, you might be out of luck. With a lot of Americans taking a "wait and see" approach to travel this summer, due to so much uncertainty happening right now, airlines are noticing more and more people waiting until closer to travel time before they purchase. This also means that airlines are cutting routes, so there are fewer to choose from.
A lot of things are up in the air and being able to go with one bag that you put in the overhead (and that all-important personal item under your seat) can save you a lot of money and hassle. My personal travel goal this year is to pack super light on my trip to Europe and take just a 16" roller bag and a backpack for each of us. I know most people aren't willing to do this, and you don't have to, but packing a full-size carry-on per person is absolutely doable.
1 - make a packing list
This is so important. When you start making a list, you can see how many things you actually want to take and it can make it a lot easier to take things off your list and streamline your travel wardrobe. You always want to make sure you mix and match your items, so all the tops go with all the bottoms you take, giving you a much larger selection when you get there. If you have 4 tops and 3 bottoms, you have 12 outfits instead of only 3 or 4.
Instead of bringing a really fancy going out outfit, bring something that is still pretty, but can work for other things, like a plainer black dress that can be worn for sightseeing, but can also go to dinner with the addition of some accessories, like a belt and jewelry. Bring only shoes that you can walk in all day and leave your high heels at home. Opt instead for some pretty sandals or cushiony wedges.
2 - choose the right bag(s)
When I travel, I choose a different bag for different kinds of trips, but if you're a one and done sort of person, make sure you invest some actual money in a good bag. That doesn't mean it needs to be $300 or more, but you want to make sure the quality is there, so you're actually getting your money's worth out of it. A bag that lasts you for a decade is a better investment than a pretty one that is poorly constructed and ends up with a broken wheel and janky handle during your second trip.
Read reviews, go see them in person and drag them around the store. Even if you find a better deal online, it's always good to know what you're getting and to be able to open it and see just how big all the compartments are and if it's laid out in a way that works for you.
3 - use packing cubes
People will tell you that you don't need cubes, and they're right, but they are a tremendous help to light travelers, because you can get the compression cubes that allow you to pack more in less space. They also help you organize and can go straight from your bag to a dresser drawer when you arrive. If you travel as a couple or a family, you can get everyone their own color, making it easier to spot who's stuff is inside without having to open it and dig around.
4 - roll your clothing
This can be controversial, but I swear by rolling. You can save 1/3 of the space you would have if you didn't roll. Of course, if you're using compression packing cubes, you may not have this problem. You just need to make sure you fold your clothes into the shape of the cube in order to maximize all the space inside. I generally roll everything and then fold my pajamas on top.
5 - optimize your travel outfit
Don't forget that what you wear on the plane should also be able to work for your trip. You also want to wear your bulkiest items on the plane. For example, I always layer: tank or tee with a sweatshirt or cardigan and a wrap/scarf. You can always take layers off when you get going and that sweater/sweatshirt/cardigan can be an emergency layer if you need it at your destination. I also wear jeans, if I'm taking them, and my sneakers.
6 - don't forget your personal item
You get a personal-sized item for your flight, so use it wisely. Whether you're a tote, duffle, or backpack person, choose one that is going to be comfortable for you, that will carry everything you need. I usually bring a backpack with me, because I bring my laptop with me on all my trips. I also use my personal item for my toiletry bag, all my electronics cords, and snacks. That way I have room in my carry-on for just clothing and my second pair of shoes.
You can pack your purchases in it on your way home, just in case you are forced to gate-check your carry-on, but if there are two of you, I almost always pack a bag that packs flat for those extra items on the way back, because often we have souvenirs or a bunch of international snacks we're bringing home. On our last trip to Disneyland Paris, I really wanted to bring home a cute Mickey bucket, but it was too large to fit in the limited space we had. If I had a back-up bag (we went with an expanding carry-on that did not have enough space for such a large purchase and another small carry-on that was completely full), I could have come home with it.
Now, you just need to learn to pare down your toiletries by decanting what you can into smaller tubes, buttles, and pots and you're ready to be a carry-on traveler!
What is your biggest struggle when it comes to packing light?
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