Take only the essentials, and leave the rest at home. You’ll be thankful for it when you’re traipsing around another city with a lighter bag than you normally would have.

Whether you’re travelling on a budget carrier and are only limited to a carry-on bag, or you’re always scrambling for space in the in-flight overhead compartments, the advantages of travelling light are obvious. Not only will your body thank you for not putting it through the mill by lugging heavy baggage around, you’ll also feel less encumbered when trying to explore your new surroundings.

And once you’ve been through our tips below, you’ll be stuffing your tiny suitcase without having to sit on it, like a pro.

1. Make a list

Even if you’re a hoarder, making a list will force you to evaluate your priorities, and differentiate between what’s necessary and what isn’t. Write down the number of days you’ll be going for your trip, and the number of outfits you’ll be needing, according to the weather you’re travelling to. If you’re able to do laundry there, narrow your options too, as you won’t need so many changes.

2. Stick to wardrobe basics and neutrals

This way you’ll be able to mix and match easily. Prefer clothes that stand-out for interesting ootds? Choose a few standout pieces and work around said items. Also, if you’ve got plans to party or explore the nightlife in the city, a little black dress doesn’t take up much space, and works for all occasions and venues.

3. Put together all the things you’ll need for your trip

Instead of pulling clothes directly from your wardrobe and into your luggage, plan ahead by laying them all out – sets of clothes, toiletries, accessories, chargers and so on, and eliminate those that aren’t as necessary as the rest. If you’re having trouble paring them down, remove half of what’s on the bed (or floor), and see if you have space in your luggage for any extras after.

4. Pack ahead of time

To make point three a reality, packing will have to take place a day or two before your trip. While this can go two ways – you know you’ve got everything and can head to the airport without double checking, or you might add more items due to last-minute paranoia. If you’re like me, and are prone to doing the latter, prevent it by having a list and checking it off to ensure you’ve got everything.

5. Use packing cubes or vacuum bags

The former are a godsend when it comes to organised and efficient packing. These help you reevaluate the things you need to bring, and the options you’ve got due to the space limitations per individual cube. They’re also great for preventing any mishaps, such as toiletries bursting midflight and getting all over the rest of your luggage. They also help you find things easily and quickly, especially if you need to repack and move certain things to your carry-on should your check-in bag be overweight.

Vacuum bags are another option, and are great for those prone to sitting on their luggages to get them to zip. Whether for summer or winter, these nifty bags don’t take up much space and are easy to navigate.

6. Bring things that are versatile, lightweight and fold small

Obvious, right?  Not really. Especially if you’re backpacking or are travelling to a cold climate and have to bring around outerwear like jackets and such. Consider the following factors when choosing your apparel: fabric, weight, wrinkles (or wrinkle-free), thickness, quality, and takes up minimal space (i.e. can be folded easily).

7. Make a list for your last-minute essentials

These include your toothbrush, toothpaste (if you don’t have an extra set, that is), retainers, mobile phone, laptop and mobile phone charger – basically things you’ll still need to be using just before you board the plane.

8. Wear heavier items on your flight

Minimise the possibility of paying overweight flight charges by wearing your heaviest items. You won’t be moving around very much anyway, so that added weight on you isn’t going to impede too much. Wear your jacket, your heaviest footwear (boots or shoes, not slippers or sandals), jeans and sweater (not a sundress)

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