3 reasons to pack light on vacation

“He who would travel happily must travel light.” These wise words by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ring even more true today as the travel industry tries to capitalize on luggage-laden travelers by often charging extra for checked bags on flights.

For frequent travelers, overpacking is one of the cardinal sins of travel. Here are three reasons it pays to travel light.

It saves money

Airlines typically add additional costs when checked luggage exceeds the weight limit and many airlines now charge passengers for simply having checked luggage. Packing a small carry-on bag allows you to save money in several ways. You don’t have to pay checked baggage fees, you don’t have to tip people for carrying your luggage into hotels and you don’t have as much room for buying a ton of extra souveneirs.

Taking only a carry-on forces you to bring only exactly what you need on your vacation.

It’s safer

The less luggage you have to keep track of, the smaller chance your belongings have of being damaged, lost or stolen. Just keep it simple. Traveling light is more stress free and it helps cut out some of the hassle of traveling. You’ll be more in control and less of a target for pick pockets if you have fewer bags.

It makes travel easier and more enjoyable

You can be much more flexible and get around easier by packing light. Having less items means you have so many more options for where you can go and what you can do. You don’t have to wait around to get your checked luggage when you arrive somewhere or wait for it all to be loaded into a cab.

Instead, you can just get off the plane or train and begin your vacation. If you are able to transport everything with you, you can see more things, be flexible about the locations you stay in and not be weighed down. When you pack light, you can better keep track of your items and don’t have to constantly worry about where everything is.

Plus, you don’t have the hassle and physical discomfort of dragging huge bags through airports and train stations.

Next time you pack for a vacation, think simplify, simplify, simplify. Traveling is much better when you can focus on the place you are — instead of on all of your luggage.