The Art of Packing Light or Advice That Actually Works for the Rest of Us
You cannot move for articles telling you to pack lighter. And they are not entirely wrong. But most of them seem to have been written by someone travelling alone with a capsule wardrobe, no health conditions, and a pair of feet that fit into shoes sold outside Western Europe.
Let me offer a slightly different perspective.
The case for travelling lighter is real
Airlines are quietly shrinking their baggage allowances, and what used to be a standard inclusion is now frequently an expensive add-on. That alone is reason enough to think more carefully about what goes into your case.
But there is another reason that does not get mentioned nearly enough: as we get older, lugging heavy luggage simply hurts. I have a bad back, and these days I far prefer a wheeled cabin bag to anything I have to hoist. Even with wheels, though, a suitcase is no fun across cobblestones, up three flights of stairs to an Edinburgh apartment, or down the seemingly endless steps at a station that advertises “escalator access” — failing to mention the steps you must first navigate to reach said escalator. (I have been very lucky with the kindness of strangers on both counts.)
So yes — lighter is better. But how you get there matters.
The advice that does not work for everyone
Most packing guides will tell you two things. First: you will not wear half of what you pack, so take less. Second: if you forget something, you can always buy it when you get there.
On the first point, I am afraid I cannot help you much — I actually wear most of what I bring. I do pack spares, but I use them. If you are the same, ignore the guilt.
On the second point, I will push back quite firmly. “Buy it there” is advice that assumes you are built to an internationally standard size, which many of us simply are not. In Mexico, I visited a street lined end to end with shoe shops. Not one pair of shoes fit me! And that was before my current foot problems. In India, I tried to buy a jacket and had exactly the same experience. I should mention that I am not particularly large by UK standards. I am a fairly average British size. But average in the UK is not the same as average everywhere else, and finding larger sizes, wider fittings, or specialist items abroad can be surprisingly difficult.
And that is before we get to medication. If you take regular prescription medicines, which many of us do, you already know that a full wash bag’s worth of tablets and repeat prescriptions does not leave much room for optimism about packing light. That is not poor planning. That is simply reality. Any packing advice that ignores this is not written for you.
What actually does help
The one piece of advice I will wholehearted agree with is this: pack with intention.
That does not mean packing less for the sake of it. It means packing smarter. Choose clothes that genuinely mix and match rather than building complete standalone outfits. Opt for fabrics that can be washed in a sink and will not need ironing — especially important on tours, where there is rarely time to send things to a laundry. Think in combinations, not outfits.
What to actually pack
Here is a practical starting point. Your list will vary depending on your destination, health needs, and trip length — and that is perfectly fine.
Essentials
- Passport and visa, plus a hard copy or photos saved to your phone
- Travel insurance documents
- Tickets and boarding passes
- Cash and cards
- House keys
- Mobile phone and charger
- Camera and charger
- Plug adaptors
- All prescription medication (Really important – do not scrimp here)
- A small first aid kit
- Wet wipes and tissues
- Toothbrush and toiletries
- Pen and notepad
- Emergency contacts and any passwords you might need
Worth considering depending on your destination
- A lightweight waterproof jacket
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Headphones
- A refillable water bottle
One final thought
The goal is not to pack as little as humanly possible. The goal is to pack what you actually need, without breaking your back or your budget getting it there. Anyone who tells you otherwise has probably never tried to find wide-fit shoes in a Mexican market town.
Pack thoughtfully. Travel happily. And always accept help on the stairs.
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