10 On-the-go Travel Tips

1. The cardinal rule: pack a carry-on sized suitcase only; no checked bags! On domestic flights, this will save you money. You also don’t want to be lugging 50 pounds around, as it will definitely slow you down. Taking a carry-on also ensures that your luggage will not be misplaced or lost. A loophole to this rule exists if you are traveling internationally. On international flights, you are allowed two checked bags free of charge. It comes in handy to check a bag if you have a connecting flight, so you don’t have to load your carry-on bag twice. However, if you do check a bag, I still advise that it be carry-on size so that you will not have problems beyond the airport. It’s a good idea to invest in a carry-on with many compartments and is built to last. I like Travelpro, myself. I have traveled with carry-ons only to Paris, Costa Rica, and Portland, Oregon. It can be done.

2.Your second carry-on item (what the airports call your “personal item”) should be a large backpack. A backpack can carry a lot more than a messenger bag, a tote bag, or a purse, and is more comfortable to carry around. I like to use one with lots of pockets to keep everything organized. It also comes in handy during the trip; if you go to the beach, travel between cities, etc, it will be more comfortable than any other baggage.

3.Pack only what you need. If you pack only one or two of each item of clothing (one dress, one jacket, two pairs of pants, one or two swimsuits, etc.) you'll eliminate time spent choosing an outfit and spend more time enjoying your vacation. Layering is the key. See “Packing Lite” for more advice.

4.If you're going on a long vacation (several weeks or more), plan to do your laundry while you're there. That way, you can still pack lite and last the entire trip.

5.Shoes take a lot of space in your bag, and they can be really heavy. I’ve found that two pairs of walking shoes, a pair of sandals, and a pair of flats is perfect. The sandals and flats take up virtually no space, and it’s good to have two pairs of walking shoes so that your feet will not get too uncomfortable wearing only one pair. If you must bring a pair of heels, pack the most comfortable and versatile pair you have.

6.Leave some room in your suitcase (yes, even if it’s carry-on size) for souvenirs or other items that you can bring back. You can also ship items back, but it can be quite costly depending on where you are, so you may want to budget that into your trip.

7.Pack your essential toiletries and medication in your carry-on bag (I like to keep them in my backpack) and don’t bring things that you can buy or get from the hotel (shampoo, body wash, etc.).

8.If you are going somewhere that has a clean water system, bring a water bottle or buy one when you get there. In Italy, for instance, you can fill up your bottle almost anywhere with some of the freshest water I’ve ever tasted- for free! This is a huge money saver, as most cities in Europe do not offer free table water.

9.Wear the heaviest jacket that you are bringing on the plane. This will save space in your suitcase and keep you warm when the flight turns cold.

10.A small travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer is essential. This will save you the time of finding a restroom (if one is even available) and it will keep you nice and clean.

Enjoy your travels!