Whether you’re exploring new destinations through your street photography or simply traveling for another work conference, there are lots of reasons to consider packing lighter, from cost to convenience. While cutting down on your luggage might not sound super easy, we’ve got strategies in mind to help you pack light for happy travels.
Read on to learn how to pack light and avoid stress as you fly to and from your Harlingen international airport on your next holiday getaway!
Know Your Room: Carry-on vs. Checked Bags
Whether you’re traveling for two weeks or you just need a day bag, understanding the airport’s guidelines on luggage can help you pack efficiently and plan your next winter vacation or summer getaway without stress. There are generally two types of luggage you can travel with: carry-on and checked bags.
Carry-on Bag
A carry-on bag is a small bag you can bring with you onto the airplane. To qualify as a carry-on, your luggage must either fit under your seat or into the storage compartment above your head. These bags typically include small rolling suitcases, duffel bags, briefcases, and large backpacks.
Usually, you can take a carry-on bag into the airplane for free. However, some airlines only let you take personal items like handbags, purses, and briefcases for free, and charge for carry-ons that will be placed in the luggage compartment. Many travelers fly with just a carry-on.
Checked Bag
A checked bag is bigger luggage that you check in at the airport and place in the airplane’s cargo hold. Airlines typically have specific instructions on the weight of checked bags and what fees they charge for additional packing weight. Examples of checked bags include large suitcases, sports equipment bags, musical instrument cases, and large pet carriers.
Before you decide on what bag to travel with on your next trip, you should consider the location and duration of your stay. If you learn how to pack light, you may be able to travel with only a carry-on and save yourself from the hefty baggage fees that come with checked and heavy bags.
Tips for Packing Light
Packing light for your holiday, vacation, or business trip can help you save time and make it easier for you to travel comfortably. Start your packing light journey with a few hacks from Valley International Airport!
Use the Right Luggage
For your carry-on luggage, you should use a bag that is lightweight, durable, and has plenty of storage space. Travel backpacks can be a great option. If you must check a bag, it’s best to choose one that is sturdy and easy to handle. One trick is to put as many personal items as you can manage in your carry-on to keep your checked bag as light as possible and save on overweight fees. You might also consider using compression packing cubes to save space.
Pack Flexible Clothing
Make sure that you fold or roll up your clothes neatly if you want to save up space in your suitcase. You can choose materials that are lightweight (polyester, silk, merino wool, or nylon) and take up less space. Look for clothes that match your personal preferences while also saving space.
When packing light, you need to think about versatile clothing items that you can mix and match, and don’t bring multiple items for the same purpose. Still, don’t forget necessities like a coat or a rain jacket. It can be difficult to choose just one pair of shoes or one jacket, but the more you can cut down on unnecessary items, the better. Prioritize using pieces for multiple uses, with neutral colors making up items you can easily mix.
Minimize Most Toiletries
For minimalist travel, one great packing strategy is to buy toiletries in your destination rather than packing them ahead of time. If you do need to take toiletries, you can opt for travel-size containers instead of full-sized toiletries that take up space. Not only are they quicker to pack, but they also cut down on extra weight and are easier to manage on your trip. You can also opt for solid alternatives like one bar of soap, solid shampoo, and solid conditioner to help you save even more space and avoid spilling incidents.
Practice Tech-Smart Packing
When flying, it’s best you bring only the essential electronic devices you need, especially when traveling to multiple destinations. For example, you shouldn’t carry large devices like your laptop if you won’t need them on your holiday. You should also ensure that your devices are fully charged to avoid carrying chargers that you can do without. There are extra rules surrounding electronics, and they can be vulnerable to damage.
Rules for Packing for Air Travel: Permitted Packing List
Knowing what you can and can’t park in your luggage can help you avoid problems when checking in. For specific information on what items are fine and which aren’t, you can visit your airline’s website and view their packing list.
Here, we’ve compiled some of the common items that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows and doesn’t allow on airplanes:
Permitted Items in Carry-Ons
- Liquids that are stored in 3.4-ounce containers or less and put in a quarter-sized resealable bag
- Gels like face serum, hand sanitizer, hair gel, and toothpaste
- Snacks like creamy cheese and peanut butter
- Small, unopened bottles of alcohol with up to 70% alcohol content
- Medical devices and necessities like a first aid kit, blood sugar test kits, EpiPens, inhalers, and crutches
- Liquids like baby formula and insulin
- Baby food like breast milk and baby formula, whether canned, processed, or jarred
- An empty water bottle
- Devices with blades not more than four inches long like bottle openers, nail clippers, and scissors
Prohibited Items in Carry-Ons
- Sharp objects with blades bigger than 4 inches
- Swiss army knives
- Battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices
- Any type of knife that isn’t plastic or a round-bladed butter knife
- Sporting equipment like hiking poles, baseball bats, and ski poles
- Aerosol insecticides
- Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
Permitted Items in Checked Bags
- Heavy items like bulky souvenirs and sports equipment
- Large or irregularly shaped gifts
- Large containers of liquids like conditioner and shampoo
- Large aerosol cans like shaving cream and hair spray
- Flammable items like nail polish and lighter fluid
- Work tools like hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers
Prohibited Items in Checked Bags
- Alcoholic beverages with over 70% alcohol
- A non-empty compressed gas cylinder
- Cooking spray
- Cordless curling irons that contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries
- Vaping devices and electronic cigarettes
- Christmas crackers and fireworks
- Flammable gels, liquids, or aerosol paints
Tips for Packing Presents
If you’re reuniting with your loved ones this holiday, you may have plans to exchange presents. Here are some of our favorite tips on how to pack your precious gifts and breeze through the checkpoints!
Gift Cards are Great
Opting for gift cards is a great way to pack light and give an amazing present. This way, you can give your loved one a special treat at their favorite restaurant, boutique, or spa without affecting your luggage space. You can even use the extra space to pack more comfortable clothing.
Small Presents Are Just as Good
Remember: you don’t have to literally go big to go all out for the holidays. Clothes, wallets, and stuffed animals are great options, too. They’re also light and fit right into your bag without taking up space or causing delays at checkpoints.
Check Your Gifts
Check your airline’s rules again before packing gifts like snowglobes. You may be free to put a snow globe in your checked luggage, but you have to review it according to the limitations for liquids before putting it in your carry-on.
Don’t Wrap Your Gifts Yet
Some gifts will need to be inspected at airport checkpoints, so don’t wrap them before you travel. Instead, you can put them in gift bags or boxes that can be easily opened to avoid headaches with security. We also recommend wrapping your gifts in bubble wrap and clothes before packing them in your luggage.
Travel Light and Happy This Holiday Season as You Fly With Valley International Airport
You don’t have to be traveling light to have a good time flying with Valley International Airport, but saving space on luggage can make trips a little easier. Whether you plan on taking nothing but a carry-on or you’re checking a great big bag, before you book your ticket, check your airline’s requirements and TSA guidelines to help you pack effectively.
At Valley International Airport, we believe traveling should never take away from your trip. That’s why we take care to ensure you have a smooth flight every time you fly with us. Whether you’re traveling internationally or locally, we’ve got you covered.