Unless you are moving overseas or doing a destination wedding, you should ALWAYS pack just a carry-on suitcase. Trust me, once you have learned how to pack lightly and efficiently for a long trip, you won’t ever go back to that heavy expensive bag.
Today, we’re about to embark on a mission to revolutionize the way you travel. Get ready to bid farewell to the cumbersome checked baggage and say hello to the sleek, efficient carry-on! Here are six dazzling reasons why traveling light will elevate your group adventures to a whole new level of luxury and convenience.
Effortless Airport Experience
Picture this: You breeze through the airport terminal, effortlessly weaving through the crowd, your carry-on gliding alongside you like a loyal travel companion. And you don’t look as haggard when you take off for your flight. You never know who you will meet – new boss? New bestie? A Celebrity?
Meanwhile, those wrangling with hefty checked bags are sweating bullets at the baggage claim. With a carry-on, you skip the dreaded wait and dive headfirst into the adventure! It drives me crazy when I have to wait for everyone else’s bags. Now that my kids don’t need strollers and carseats, and thus don’t need to check them, we can be out of the airport here in Dallas in 5 minutes. After a day of travel, I don’t want to have to wait longer than I need to on the “other side” of security where there are no lounges.
Are you taking any trains or subways? If you are traveling during rush hour you will find it very hard to navigate a packed subway or train with a ton of luggage. Sure you could take a taxi but they often are smaller and don’t have room for a lot of people and their bags. Since you have to be super aware of pick pockets, keeping track of a lot of luggage or large luggage isn’t ideal.
Skip the Check-In Lines
Why waste precious moments in long check-in lines when you could be sipping champagne in the airport lounge or exploring duty-free treasures? And skip the cost of paying for the bag to be checked. A carry-on means you’re checked in and ready to roll before others even reach the counter. Your group will be thanking you for the extra time to indulge in pre-flight pampering. I value my time in the airport lounge and often arrive early enough to enjoy a quick bite to eat or just to use a nicer restroom than the one in the waiting area. My kids have also gotten way to use to using the airport lounge and skip breakfast just to try the food. We definitely get our money’s worth when they are on the trip! I do enjoy bringing colleagues or family into the lounge when they travel with me as well if they are regulars. They appreciate the experience and we would have to get there so much earlier if we had to go to check in our bags.
Avoid Lost Luggage Heartaches
Nobody wants to deal with the gut-wrenching feeling of lost luggage. Trust me, I’ve been there. While traveling to Germany for a river cruise, our luggage didn’t make it on our flight. We had one day before the cruise started (which was several hours away). The stress of not having any clothes was excruciating. We didn’t know if we had to spend our one day in Berlin shopping instead of site seeing. We were lucky and it came in time. But we’ve all heard the horror stories of luggage being lost forever in Europe or getting to you on the last day of your trip. With a carry-on, your belongings are right by your side from takeoff to touchdown. Say goodbye to the anxiety of wondering if your wardrobe made it to your destination; it’s safely stowed overhead, awaiting your triumphant arrival. It really is amazing how much you can get into a carry-on suitcase and a large backpack.
Efficient Packing for the Win
Let’s face it, we’ve all been there – agonizing over which shoes to pack, only to end up wearing the same trusty pair throughout the trip. A carry-on forces you to make those tough decisions, resulting in a curated selection of versatile, chic outfits. Plus, no more dragging around unnecessary extras – just the essentials for a streamlined and stylish adventure! I use to just pack my bags full without really thinking through what was really needed. What is two (or three or four) more dresses or outfits? Certainly I’ll wear them right? Nope. Now I get that you will need some alternates from time to time or want to be spontaneous. But if you are going to spend so much time and effort planning your every moment on vacation, why not plan every outfit your plan to wear. Spontaneity can be in the form of a scarf or jewelry. I recommend a clothes itinerary for long trips that will make packing a breeze.
Worried about room for souvenirs? We simply bring a foldup duffle bag in case we need some extra space for gifts and stuff we brought. It also helps with dirty laundry. Now this only works if someone in the group didn’t bring an extra bag. Since everyone can have two bags (one luggage and one personal bag), this works great for my kids who don’t have a backpack. Being teenagers, they just need their phone. No backpack full of things to keep them busy. Airpods and phone. So they can carry the bag of dirty laundry home in the duffle.
Stay Agile and Adventurous
Ever tried maneuvering a colossal suitcase through narrow cobblestone streets or up a flight of winding stairs in a charming European boutique hotel? Trust me, it’s a workout you can do without! Our first big trip to Italy and we had two large suitcases that we checked. We believed we needed all of the “things”. I brought running shoes – ha! I thought I would run the streets of Positano. Did my running shoes ever get unpacked? Nope. I could barely walk up the hills of Positano. We had an early morning flight and thus had to meet the driver at 3:30am at the top of the village. No porters to help us carry our very heavy and oversized bags up the hills of Positano. I vowed then and there that our next trip would not be that way. We next went for two weeks to Australia with only a carry-on and survived four very distinct locations that required different attire. A carry-on grants you the freedom to navigate any terrain with ease, keeping you agile and ready for spontaneous exploration.
If you are traveling internationally, European rooms are known to generally be smaller. And that’s ok because you aren’t there to lounge in your room. You are there to explore. But with less room, comes less room for your stuff. If you are jammed into a room with your family, there may be little room for large cases of stuff.
Jet-Set in Style
Picture yourself strolling through the airport terminal, your carry-on exuding an air of sophistication. It’s not just luggage; it’s an accessory that complements your jet-setting lifestyle. From sleek, high-end designs to chic, personalized tags, your carry-on becomes a statement piece that embodies the essence of luxury travel.
So there you have it, fellow adventurers – six compelling reasons to join the carry-on revolution! Embrace the freedom, efficiency, and style that comes with traveling light, and watch as your group adventures reach new heights of luxury and convenience. Bon voyage, and may your carry-ons be forever filled with wanderlust and wonder!
Checkout this recent post on my recommended travel essentials.
