How to Travel Light

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Be Smart and Travel Light

Packing a light travel bag will be a traveler's main concern as major airlines are charging $15 to check any bag on a domestic flight. Most airline carriers already charge $25 to check a second bag. Find out what major travel essentials to carry, tips on packing a light travel bag, travel suggestions, how to pack a travel bag, and the best lightweight travel bags that you can buy. Learn how you can pack your suitcase light for travel and save a lot of money on your travel expenses.

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Tips on Packing a Light Travel Bag 

The most important component of packing a light travel bag is to make a list. You have got to make a list. Then when you know what you want to pack, cut it in half. People that usually don't make a list are last-minute packers who decide to take things that they never wear. The essential clothes for travel are clothes that hide stains and can worn day and night. Men are encouraged to pack a sports jacket that can be worn during more formal occasions. Women, a nice dress packs lighter than a suit.

Select outfits that match the shoes you want to pack. People always tend to over pack shoes, but you don't pack as many shoes if you build outfits from the bottom up. Also, always make sure you pack comfortable footwear.

An excellent way to reduce the amount of clothes and shoes you pack for travel is to select a color scheme and stick with it. Incorporate accessories to a color scheme to add a little flare. Choose a main color as your base outfit and add things to it. I never travel with some sort of scarf. Adding accessories takes up less space in a suitcase and makes an outfit versatile to make it easier for transitions from day to night. Choosing a color scheme can be difficult for some. Most travelers are inclined to pick darker colors, such as black, brighter colors are more in season this time of year and should be your choice.

Airline Charges for Checked Bags Poll 

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Travel Light Travel Bags 

Featuring travel bags that allow you to travel light. Shop eBags' huge selection of luggage and suitcases from top brands including Samsonite, Traveler's Choice, American Tourister, Skyway, Delsey, Rick Steves, Tumi, and Victorinox. Travel light by choosing travel bags from the largest selection of carry-on luggage. Find exactly what you need for your travels. If you're a business traveler, consider a carry-on to avoid airline baggage fees, and a garment bag or a suiter to protect your work clothing.

If you like to travel in style, check out eBags fashion designer suitcases and luxury luggage categories, where you'll find names like Vera Bradley, Diane Von Furstenberg and Liz Claiborne.

While each airline has its own set of carry-on requirements, eBags has identified 22" x 14" x 9" or 45" total (height + width + length) as a basic measurement for consumers to follow when making purchase decisions. These carry-on luggage dimensions include all handles, wheels and other extrusions. Save time, save money carry-on!

Also, just choose your favorite airline and eBags will show you all the carry-on bags that fit your airlines overhead bins. Buy all the luggage you're looking for - at great prices!


Link to eBags.com Home Page

Best Lightweight Travel Bags 

Travel Light with Simple Packing 

Simple Packing - A Travel Planning Kit So You Don't Pack Your Entire Closet

Amazon Price: $30.00 (as of 12/26/2009)Buy Now

How many bags did you take on your last trip? Three? Four? Five??? Aren't you ready to get away from schlepping heavy bags around to taking just one sleek set? The simple packing method follows three easy steps to help you select the perfect combination of clothes and accessories. In fact, the kit will help you select the minimum number of clothes that will give you the maximum number of combinations. You will feel confident that the contents of your suitcase can handle any dressing situation thrown your way while on your trip. One glance at your planner will quickly remind you that you have what it takes!

How To Pack A Travel Bag 

After deciding on the most important things to pack, squeezing it all into a 22 by 14 inch regulation carry-on bag may be an even harder task.

Always pack in layers. First lay your pants, then clothes and shoes. Put small items in shoes, like socks, and put them in the sides of your travel bag.

Reduce Wrinkles When Packing:

Don't go to your travel destination being forced to wear wrinkled clothes. To reduce wrinkles, roll your shirts and shorts and packing jackets into dry cleaning bags. You would be amazed at what a difference doing this can make. Your clothes are practically guaranteed to be wrinkle free! Don't forget to put all toiletries in a quart-size plastic bag to expedite security clearance when taking your travel bag on board any airplane as a carry-on. Even if your checking your bag in, toiletries are much safer in a plastic bag. I've learned through experience to use plastic bags. One time my hair mousse exploded in my suitcase and got all over everything! Last bit of advice on how to pack light for travel is to be sure and check the airline carrier's web site before departure. Any updated baggage guidelines will be stated there and you won't encounter any surprises at the airport.

Lightweight Carry-ons 

Lightweight carry-ons that will save you time and money at the airport.

Silver Coleman High-Tech Lightweight 21" Carry-On Upright

Amazon Price: $45.95 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

Tips for Travel 

The Smart Traveler's Passport: 399 Tips from Seasoned Travelers

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/26/2009)Buy Now

Tips for travel! Designed to look and feel like an actual passport, these tips on planning, booking, packing, flying, safety, security, and getting around make the perfect bon voyage gift!

Garment Bags 

Lightweight garment bags that will help lighten your load during travel.

Olympia Deluxe Garment Bag, Black, One Size

Amazon Price: $33.38 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

Samsonite X'ion 2 Spinner Garment Bag, Black

Amazon Price: $460.00 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

Samsonite Aspire XLT Ultravalet Garment Bag, Black

Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

Lightweight Travel Bags 

SAMSONITE F'Lite 31-Inch Upright Hardside Suitcase - Black

Amazon Price: $119.00 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

Pack Your Bags and Travel! 

Travel Suggestions 

Tropical Hawaiian Islands Vacation
Your Hawaiin vacation can allow you to enjoy tranquil, warm ocean waters, pristine, sandy beaches, warm tropical weather, surfing, diving, hula dancing, golfing, hiking and much more!
Disneyland Park California
Children visiting Disneyland will find a fun filled, exciting experience. Parents also enjoy their time spent at Disneyland and also find themselves wanting to come back again.
Travel On A Budget
Discount family vacation travel including discount vacation packages, you desire quality accommodations and transportation options at the lowest cost.
Visiting Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is known as one of the natural wonders of the world and is renowned for its beauty.
All Inclusive Vacations
All inclusive vacations can save you alot of money. They usually include accommodations, meals, tips, and taxes all in one package price.
Planning A Cruise Ship Vacation
Taking a vacation aboard a cruise ship is an extremely fun and exhilarating experience. Cruise packages and destinations give you a range of choices.
Dude Ranch Vacation
A dude ranch vacation allows it's visitors the opportunities to embrace self-reliance and living off the land and to experience the enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Touring Ancient Egypt
Have you ever wanted to see an actual pyramid, to marvel at the most breathtaking architectural works in all of history?
Ski Resorts in Canada
Skiing in Canada can offer the ultimate in skiing adventures. Ski resorts are plentiful in Canada accommodating the many skiiers that come to enjoy the Canadian slopes.
African Safari Vacation
Taking an African Safari Vacation can be a rewarding and exciting adventure. It puts you into direct, personal, unchoreographed contact with the African wilderness.
Beautiful Cancun Beaches
If you love to spend your vacation along a beautiful beach, Cancun Mexico is a great choice.
New Orleans Visitors Tour
New Orleans is a city that attracts visitors from all over the world. Located in Southeastern Louisiana along the Mississippi River, known for its multicultural heritage as well as its music and cuisine and is considered the birthplace of jazz. The city is still recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but is recovering gradually and still has alot to offer its' visitors.

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  • Reply
    totalhealth totalhealth Nov 13, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
    great travel tips, I love to travel and if I am going somewhere just to have a vacation for a few days, I just bring jeans and shirts for my clothes, then I don't have to worry on how to mix and match my clothes and shoes, a rubber shoes or a slip on will do. plus jeans can be worn twice or thrice.
  • Reply
    Incognito Incognito Nov 3, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
    Packing is such a hassle when traveling, I especially find it incredibly frustrating when airlines have different weights that they allow...that is why I truely enjoyed your lightweight suggestions, will be using them on my next travels! Thanks again!
  • Reply
    papawu papawu Jun 9, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
    Seeing as how I pretty much drive everywhere I go, I don't have the problem of the expense. I have a small trailer which I hitch to my vehicle as well. My work keeps me on the road at least 6 months out of the year and I live out of hotels and suitcases until I get back home to L.A. I can honestly say that I have become more than proficient at traveling light. At least light for me. For a 6 month leave, I have 2 large trunks, 1 medium sized trunk, a briefcase, a laptop, a desktop and monitor. I think that's pretty light for being away for that amount of time.
  • Reply
    Teddi14 Teddi14 Jun 9, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
    Nice lens. I found you from a search for Squidoo on TweetDeck. I am going on a trip soon and I wanted some tips. Thanks.
  • Reply
    Doug Doug Jan 16, 2009 @ 10:53 am
    Thanks for the tips. More packing suggestions,please. Certain suitcases offer specific challenges.
    What's the best way to pack the samsonite series 10?

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