Nov 26th, 2007
Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light
If you could add a couple of extra quality hours onto your vacation, would you? If you could reduce the stress of traveling, would you? I know I would. It is so easy to save time and energy by packing light. If you haven’t discovered the joys of traveling light, you are really putting yourself under undue stress and unnecessary constraints.
I discovered the joys of traveling light about four years ago. I decided to travel without checking luggage after a trip to Kauai when my luggage was temporarily lost by the connecting airline. I now travel with just carry-on luggage that fits in the overhead bin. Sometimes, I’ll bring a small child’s sized backpack as well. I’ve traveled overseas into multiple climates for nearly three weeks at a time with just a rolling carry-on suitcase and a small backpack.
My goal here is to share the reasons why you’ll benefit by leaving the big suitcases at home. So, lets get started.
1. You don’t have to stand in long lines at the airport to get a boarding pass and check luggage. It seems that the airport lines at the check-in counters are longer than ever these days. You’ll save yourself at least five minutes, but more likely quite a bit more by checking-in online at home and not having to check luggage. Another benefit of checking in online is that you’ll reduce your risk of being bumped from your flight. Most airlines cut-off check-in 30 minutes before departure, so if you might be running late because of traffic, you don’t have to worry about missing the window for checking in. Please note that you will save the time and stress going inbound and outbound. The benefit to you is that you completely eliminate the time waiting in line at the check-in counter. You’ll also benefit by reducing your risk of missing your flight.
2. You don’t have to wait for your luggage at baggage claim. According to a JD Powers study, US passengers wait on average 17.3 minutes for their baggage to arrive. That’s 17.3 minutes that you could be in your convertible headed to the beach. Remember that you’ll save this time again when your are returning home, too. The benefit to you is the time saved getting to your destination and then back home.
3. Your luggage won’t get damaged, pilfered, or lost by the airlines. I’ve had at least two suitcases destroyed beyond use by the airlines. I’ve also had my luggage temporarily lost twice. Who wants to spend precious time watching for your luggage to show up at baggage claim only to discover that it’s not going to show up? Then you must find an agent who can help you file a claim. My blood pressure is starting to raise just remembering the times I had to do just that. The benefits to you are that your luggage will be completely in tact and with you when you arrive at your destination which saves you time and tremendous stress.
4. You won’t require assistance with your luggage at your hotel. I prefer to handle my luggage myself. While it is in my control, nothing will go missing. I always feel silly having a bellhop carry my luggage when I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself. After a long flight, do you really feel like making small talk with another stranger? Plus, there is the need to thank the bellhop with a gratuity, which you must prepare for and find the least awkward time to dig through your wallet. Sometimes, when you leave your luggage with a bellhop, you have to wait a while for it to be delivered to your room. Who wants to wait for that? If you are able to bring your luggage along with you, you can freshen up as soon as you get to your room.
5. You will reduce the clutter and bulk you have to carry around. Let’s face it, even with skycaps and bellhops, at some point you have to carry and move your own luggage. The bigger the case, the more the weight. So, make it easy on yourself and pack light. How many times have you packed a large suitcase full and worn every piece of clothing and every shoe? I’d be willing to be that hasn’t happened very often. One strategy that I’ve used to reduce the amount of clothing and shoes that I bring is that I choose either black or brown shoes and select clothing colors that go with those shoes. Shoes take up quite a bit of space in your luggage, so by limiting the number of shoes you bring, you’ll be able to fit your travel needs into a smaller case. Other good strategies are to use the hotel laundry services and/or bring a travel-sized container of Febreze to freshen up and re-wear your clothes. The benefits to you is that you’ll have less weight to carry and less clutter to deal with at your destination.
6. You will be more flexible for changing flights if necessary. If you are confirmed for a flight, but when you get to the airport, you discover that there is a possibility of getting an earlier flight, if you’ve checked luggage, you can’t take advantage of the earlier flight. Also, if your connecting flight gets canceled and you must wait in standby for other flights, you’ll be glad to have the flexibility and have your luggage with you.
If you don’t think you can travel light, I challenge you to just give it a try the next time you travel. I’m almost certain you’ll discover that it is the better way to go.
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29 Responses to “Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light”
Great tips - thanks!
Another reason to travel with just carry-ons. You’re going to be among the first from your flight to reach the rental car counter. You snooze you loose, in this case you could loose an hour waiting to pick up that convertible.
David
@ Going2Oahu - I’m glad you liked the tips. Are you a light traveler?
@ David - Yes, you are right about getting to the rental desk sooner. The same applies to getting a cab. Either way, you’ll be waiting less. I’d rather get out of the airport and onto the beach as soon as possible.
What are the current rules re: size of carry-on luggage and the amount of carry on’s? For example did your child sized backpack count as your hand bag?
Three cheers for getting to the beach sooner.
You appear to be a “Hotel” person. We on the other hand are “Condo” people. While I recognize that a great divide exists between us, it’s good to know that we can at least communicate about our differences.
On the matter of packing light “Condo” people have a real advantage, that is if they ask the most important question up front. “Does the unit have a washer and dryer?” Once this is established a whole new world in “packing light” opens up.
Our philosophy for packing goes something like this:
For the basic Hawaii ensemble (shorts and a shirt), it’s one to wear, one clean and one in the wash. Add a swimming suit and some flip flops and you’re on island time. Throw in a pair of jeans, a light jacket and a pair of walking (hiking?) shoes and you’re ready for almost anything. Wear a set of nice clothes and shoes on the trip over and back.
Get one of those nifty “compressor” bags at Wal-Mart, stuff your clothes in it, smash the air out and you’ll find that your carry-on is still half empty. Don’t bother packing shampoo’s, conditioners and so on, just buy them when you get there and throw them away when you leave.
The only problem we have is, where do we pack the gifts we’re bringing home for friends and family? My answer is don’t buy any! The good news is, at least my wife and I are still communicating about that one.
David
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@ HVG - about 90% of the time, I fly American Airlines. I’m fairly certain most US airlines have similar rules. You are allowed one case that must be able to fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. In addition, you can bring a “personal item”. So, the backpack counts as the personal item. We’ve brought bigger than child sized back packs, but smaller than backpacking backpacks, on board with no problems. Here are American’s guidelines: http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/carryOnAllowance.jsp
@ David - Haha…not so fast my friend (as Lee Corso would say).
I am an equal opportunity accomodationist. 
I am living proof that it is possible to be a hotelist and a condoist. Actually, I usually try to look for a good condo before I look for a hotel in Hawaii. Here is an article I wrote months ago about the pluses of staying in a condo: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/07/02/3-ways-to-have-a-luxurious-hawaii-vacation-on-the-cheap/
On Maui, we really love staying in the condos at Kapalua. Where do you guys like to stay?
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light […]
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Hi Sheila,
I am going to show this article to my wife!
LOL, Lawrence. I hope she likes it.
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal I happen to be a whole-hearted believer in travelling light, and Sheila builds a very clean and convincing case for it filled with many practical insights. […]
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
I read your “vacation on the cheap” article. Well put. Wow, a condoist and a “Lost” fan. Does life get and better than that? During the season Wednesday night is “Lost” night at our house. Don’t tell any one but I secretly scour the blogs looking for plot tips and spoilers and then pretend I have special insight as we watch the show. But I digress.
Where do we stay on Maui? We’ve stayed in Kaanapali, Kahana and Kihei. Recently we’ve found a condo we like in Ma’alaea, where the harbor is. Andrew Doughty in his “Maui Revealed” book (p.131) recommends against staying here unless you get a really good deal. We’re getting a one bedroom ocean front condo for about $105 a night plus tax, which seems like a good deal to us.
Here are a few things we like about the Ma’alaea condo:
The price. As stated above it’s quite reasonable for the location.
It’s ocean front. The condo is literally 50’ feet from the ocean. There is no beach in front, but a short walk takes one to 3 miles of sand along Ma’alaea Beach.
We like to go whale watching. From the condo to the pier is a 5 minute walk. When not out on a boat we can watch the whales from our lanai.
It’s quiet. The condo is well off of the highway so there’s little traffic noise. The harbor noises do filter in, but we find them quite pleasant.
It’s centrally located. We travel around a lot taking pictures and researching places to add to our websites so the location saves us some time.
The owners are terrific. Renting from a private owner can make one a bit nervous. The owners of this condo have always conducted business very professionally with us.
And the most important thing. It has a washer and dryer, so we can pack light.
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
Hi David - That sounds like a fantastic condo deal! Maybe we should check that out. Do you know if they have the permit with the county of Maui for legal vacation rental?
I’m glad to hear I’m not alone as a Lostie. Have you been to Oahu to check out some of the spots where Lost is filmed?
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That is a very handy list. I know from personal experience how much time we can save by only carrying a small carry on.
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
HI Sheila, The condo is in a resort area, so there are no problems with the county. It’s http://www.vrbo.com/112536 if you want to check it out.
We’ve never visited any of the Lost sites. In fact, other than the airport, we’ve never visited Oahu. Maybe you’ll have to give us “5 Outrageous Reasons to Visit Oahu.”
Hi Monika - thanks for your comment. I’m glad you were already in the traveling light club of uber travelers.
Hi David - Thanks for the link to your favorite condo….and also thanks for the Oahu article suggestion.
One other advantage of traveling light is you have more baggage allowance on your return flight home.
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal […]
[…] Six Savvy Reasons Why You Should Travel Light by Sheila Beal - Since I’m a non-native English speaker, there are several expressions I’m not familiar with. “Traveling light” used to be one of them. When I first read this article’s title, for a brief moment I thought it dealt with the possibility of using light as a means of transportation. Naturally, this made me think that the author should be crazy. Well, I hope this little confession of mine will give you some (humourous) ideas. Regarding the article itself, I must highlight an interesting tactic employed on it: ending most tips by explicitly stating the benefits one would get from them. Bloggers and non-fiction writers could try this as a way to improve their pieces. […]
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