Everyone has seemed to become a ‘packing light’ or ‘minimalism’ evangelist. In every book and website you come across, the author would probably recommend that you get rid of everything and travel with just a backpack or just a carry-on suitcase. I’ve even recommended packing light several times on this site.
We’ve heard it all before. Packing light is supposedly ‘easier’ and will help you save money on airline fees. While packing light is a completely valid method, what’s wrong with bringing everything you own?
I’m not recommending that you bring 100+ pounds of luggage on your next trip, but instead of completely disregarding traveling with lots of stuff as evil, we should consider the benefits of packing more:
1. Packing More Is Easier Than Packing Light
People seem to claim that traveling with a lot of stuff is difficult. I’ve heard the scenario several times: You walk into the lobby of your vintage hotel in Rome just to realize there’s no elevator. Your room is on the 7th floor and you have a massive checked in suitcase as well as a carry-on backpack. Oh no. What are you going to do?
YOU’RE GOING TO BE A REAL MAN (OR WOMAN) AND WORK THOSE QUADS AND GLUTEAL MUSCLES!!!!
On a more serious note, you’ll probably only need to go up the stairs with your luggage once when you arrive and down the with your luggage stairs once when you leave. It’s not that hard. Plus, you could probably get people in the lobby of your hotel to help you with your bags.
The aspect that makes ‘traveling heavy’ easier than traveling light is that you’ll always have everything you need. Instead of having to get lost while looking for a store that sells the exact Colgate Total Plus Whitening toothpaste that you can’t live without, you can bring it with you from home.
Also, you won’t need to re-wear the same dirty clothes every day, and you won’t need to pay for laundry services or hand wash your clothes.
2. Packing More Is Cheaper Than Packing Light
The average luggage fees for airlines look something like this:
- Carry on bag: Free
- First checked bag: $25
- Second checked bag: $35
- Additional bags fee: $75 each
If you decided to take one checked in bag with you, you’d only need to pay $25, which is you can barely buy a tank of gas with.
While at your touristy destination, you may need to pay premium prices on things you could have brought from home. For example, consumer electronics tend to cost more overseas compared to in the US. Also, it will cost you a decent amount of money to pay for laundry services if you only bring a few clothes.
The amount of money you will save off of buying stuff at home will probably save you even more than the $25 you could save from only bringing a carry-on bag.
tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items
3. Packing More Will Make You Happier and Give You More Freedom
Remember that spear gun you always wanted to travel with?
Well, if you decide to pack more and take a checked-in bag, you can take it with you along with your meat cleaver and saber. Also, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) allows you to larger containers of non-flammable liquids in checked-in bags than in carry-on bags. By packing more with you, you can have more freedom in what you can bring.
Do you prefer packing light or packing a lot? Leave your comment below.
Note: I still prefer packing light.
Photo Credit: unsplash.com
Ha! I had the same annoyance- which backpack to take? Reviews/blogs all say the smaller the better. I opted for a 70l bad boy and ain’t yet regretting it.
I completely agree. It depends on your travel style. I would say at times traveling light can be a bit easier, but sometimes packing with a lot can be helpful, as well.