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1. Pack outfits, not just articles of clothing.

Do you really need that random yellow shirt that matches nothing to line the bottom of your bag the entire trip? Pack pre-planned outfits.  Putting outfits together while you pack helps you plan for the trip and makes it easier to pick what you’re going to wear for the day so you can get back to enjoying your trip.

2. Choose coordinating items.

Calling all capsule wardrobe fans! Pack things that will coordinate with each another so you can switch up your outfits while on the road.

3. Pack twice. 

No, really. Pack, and then reconsider whether you really need everything you have packed.  In all of our years of traveling, we have never once regretted ditching something in round two.  This same approach goes for toiletries etc., as well.

4. Resist the urge to pack for the unexpected.

I know those Hunter rain boots are awesome, but maybe you don’t need them when the forecast isn’t calling for rain.  Pack for the unexpected, and you will end up lugging heavy bags around for a week to avoid the possibility of momentary inconvenience.  Instead, pack only what you absolutely need, and pocket that overweight baggage fee to handle the unexpected as it arises.  Unless you’re going to the moon, the people living at your destination manage the unexpected every day with what is available to them and so can you.  Speaking from experience, carting an overstuffed duffel through the London summer is WAY more inconvenient than ducking under a Boots awning for five minutes to wait out an afternoon shower.  

5. Do a load of laundry.

Taking advantage of your AirBnb’s washer/dryer or spending an hour at a laundromat mid-trip is the easiest way to dramatically cut down on the size and weight of your luggage.  It may not sound glamorous, but there is nothing glamorous about waddling through Termini station with a bag you can barely carry.  If you don’t have access to a washer or dryer along the way, you can always bring a laundry detergent pack or two and wash a few things in the sink or tub.  We usually keep a box of Tide Laundry Detergent Sink Packs in our luggage just in case, and it has saved us more than once (I’m looking at you, Buenos Aires).  In either case, it helps to keep dirty clothes in a separate bag so you can easily do laundry when you get home and save precious family time digging to find clean clothes.

6. Limit your luggage.

We haven’t checked a bag in 5 years. That means we also haven’t lost our luggage, had it stolen, sworn under our breath at a luggage cart with faulty wheels, or wasted precious time baggage claim (save a few involuntary checks due to small plane size) — and that includes several 10+ day international trips.  Limiting the size and quantity of your luggage will force you to consider what you really need for the trip. If you’ve never had the pleasure of toppling down an escalator at Waterloo Station along with your overstuffed luggage, just take our word for it that less is more in terms of traveling with luggage.