7 Reasons to Travel With One Bag
Lindsay Champion of Overstock.com knows the benefits of traveling light.
Written by Lindsay Champion
The next time you travel, rather than shoving nearly everything you own into ten pieces of luggage and hauling them around, try packing light. Not only will it help you keep costs down while flying, it will improve your physical well-being and make your trip far less stressful. Keep your mind and bags light by traveling with one piece of carry-on luggage on your next vacation. Look below for the seven reasons to travel with one bag.
The Top 7 Reasons:
1. Save money. Most airlines charge money for checking bags. If you travel with one bag you can avoid having to pay for more than your plane ticket. Simply take your bag as a carry-on, and avoid the hassle of checking bags all together.
2. Lighten your load. Lugging multiple bags through the airport, in and out of the car, and into the hotel is a hassle. Pack your belongings into a backpack or a rolling suitcase so you can evenly distribute the weight in your bag and carry it easily, as opposed to pulling at two or three different bags at once.
3. Avoid long lines. Checking your bags at the airport almost always involves waiting in a long line. If you have only one bag, you get to bypass the line. It’s like having your own private VIP pass.
4. Stop worrying about losing your luggage. The more bags you check, the greater the chance that one of them will get lost. If you have only one bag, you can keep it with you at all times.
5. Packing to return home takes less time. Instead of running around the hotel, wondering if you’ve forgotten anything, relax and take your time because you only have one bag to worry about.
6. Explore before checking into the hotel. With bags bogging you down it’s hard to do any sightseeing. Instead, pack light and enjoy the day, even before check-in time.
7. Forget about the stuff and enjoy the trip. With your mind focused on all the things you brought and how to use them, you’ll have a harder time enjoying the new environment around you. Pack a few simple items, and instead of worrying about what to wear every day, repeat outfits as much as possible and keep it simple. You’ll enjoy your vacation more when you think about your personal belongings less.
Tip: Purchase a versatile bag with a garment bag included, so you can pack formal clothing as well as casual wear.
Overstock.com is an online retailer offering a wide variety of high-quality, brand-name merchandise at discount prices, including luggage, home decor, appliances, watches, jewelry, electronics, sporting goods, clothing and shoes. They give customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently.
“Forget about stuff and enjoy the trip! ” Yep, you got that right.
I use to be an overpacker. Now, I see how crazy that was.
We’ve been on an open ended world tour as a family & go months at a time with only a tiny carry on piece each….and that includes homeschool supplies and 3 laptops!
The only way to go!
soultravelers3´s last [type] ..Family Travel Food
I used to be an overpacker too. One time I even had to buy a new suitcase on location because I couldn’t fit everything in my old backpack. Traveling light makes a trip so much easier and better!
One year I bought a piece of hand luggage that was the exact dimensions permitted by the CAA. A week later they changed the rules / dimensions
Raha´s last [type] ..Book Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
Too bad!
It all depends where you are traveling as with carry-on bag weight restrictions it is so had to pack everything into it.
Vi´s last [type] ..Don’t forget take power inverter to your road trip
True. When traveling with a carry-on, you need to make a few sacrifices as to what to bring.
Hi..it’s good idea about save money and feeling comfortable but it total depends on situations and type of luggage ….
Good point! Like Vi said, it depends on where you are traveling and also what you will do once you’re there. An activity-based trip such as trekking in Thailand may require a different solution than a charter to Spain.
I go into lots of detail in my “packing light” series on my site. If you are interested in checking out tips & tricks that will help you really accomplish the one-bag goal, please check it out! I’d love to hear your own tips in the comments!
Thanks for letting us know about your series. I’ll check it out!
I hate it when people try to save time and money and jam up the overhead bins with their obviously over sized bags that should have been checked in. It is a nuisance for everybody else on the plane.
Suck it up and check your bag!
Aaron´s last [type] ..Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa Review
I can understand that! As long as someone’s suitcase comply with an airline’s requirements, though, I have no complaints. If not, it’s a no-go!
I personally love traveling and shopping, things don’t seem hard when I buy them, they seem worse when I try packing them. The reasons listed are very much true, and I would definitely try to implement it. Anyway less luggage gives more comfort and less worries is the bottom line always. It saves lots of time, unlike searching for things shattered here and there.
Hannah Hamilton@Garment Bags´s last [type] ..Samsonite DKX Wheeled Garment Bag – Keep Your Clothes Secure
Hi Hannah,
I recognize that. Purchasing is easy. Packing, on the other hand, not always so. Then there are those who take it to the extremes and don’t bring any luggage at all. Have you read Rolf Potts new blog, the no baggage challenge? http://www.rtwblog.com/ Surely an impressive feat.
Oh so true. I have done enough traveling to know that arriving at the destination with a full suitcase or travel bag is cause for concern. It seems no matter what by the time we’re ready to leave I have way more goodies than I had planned. I would say there’s a lot to be said for packing light…and having only one bag would be a dream.
Mary Mira Robson@ B&B in White Rock BC Canada´s last [type] ..Why I Love Being An Innkeeper
You know, it would be ideal to arrive with a suitcase or bag that is 3/4 full – then you’ll hopefully have enough space for any new purchases.
I always have to travel a lot with regards to my business issues. I used to pack a lot, but now I travel only with one bag realizing the need to travel with one bag. I appreciate your work to put up here and share it with every one.
Tom Holmes@Home Bar Sets´s last [type] ..How to Stock Your Home Bar
Hi Tom,
Good to hear you’ve also made the change to traveling with one bag only. Especially for business trips, it’s a real advantage!