Packing for an exciting holiday should feel fun. For many of us, it soon turns into a last-minute scramble, squeezing in “just one more thing” and hoping the zip doesn’t burst. Then comes the moment of truth: the airport check-in desk.
Checking your baggage weight is the step most people forget. Even seasoned travellers get caught out. You arrive ready for take-off, only to be told your suitcase is a few pounds over the limit, and suddenly you’re paying a hefty fee before your holiday has even begun.
“Sometimes it’s not even the content that’s making your baggage so heavy. It’s the suitcase itself.”
If you want to avoid baggage fees, the solution is simple: pack lighter and check your weight before you leave home. Thankfully, you don’t need to sacrifice your belongings. With a few smart swaps and simple packing habits, you can make your suitcase lighter easily. Here are ten ways on how you can make your luggage 15 pounds lighter for that next flight.
1) Choose a Lightweight Bag
Sometimes it’s not even the content that’s making your baggage so heavy. It’s the suitcase itself.
Invest in a lightweight bag that’s durable, light and not bulky. Travellers are often tricked into thinking they need a big travel bag with all the bells and whistles, when a large duffel bag is really all you need.
When choosing a travel bag, think of your holiday habits. Are you a wanderlust traveller who’ll be walking with everything you own on your back? If that’s the case, you’ll need a lightweight backpack that can fit all the basic necessities.
If you travel more for business or luxury holidays, a hard-shell, lightweight suitcase with wheels is the answer. They’re a breeze to transport, make you look stylish and weigh very little.
2) Pack Only Necessary Toiletries
Toiletries can really weigh down your luggage. Often, that weight isn’t necessary. Most destinations provide basic shower gel and shampoo. Instead of packing big bottles, buy what you need once you arrive.
If you’re worried about not finding your preferred products, bring a small amount in travel-sized bottles. These can go in your hand luggage, which leaves your checked suitcase lighter.
For extra convenience:
- Consider solid alternatives like shampoo bars, conditioner bars, or soap bars. They take up less space and can’t leak.
- Pack multipurpose products when possible, like a moisturiser that doubles as a hand cream.
- Keep your toiletries in a clear, resealable bag to pass through security quickly.
3) Make an Itinerary and Pack Accordingly
It’s easy to overpack, especially when your mind starts running through endless “what if” scenarios. What if my shoes break? What if it suddenly gets freezing in the Bahamas? What if I spill coffee on my shirt every day? Before you know it, your suitcase is bursting at the seams with items you may never need.
One of the best ways to keep luggage weight down is to create an itinerary for your trip. How many days will you be away? Will you be doing any physical activities like hiking, swimming, or sightseeing that require specific gear? Or is your schedule packed with business meetings or social events that call for smarter outfits?
Once you’ve outlined your days, plan around them. Choose pieces that can be mixed and matched, layered, or dressed up or down. Limit yourself to one or two pairs of shoes, ideally ones that suit multiple occasions. Accessories can also help change up looks without adding bulk.
4) Put Some Things in a Backpack
A smart way to lighten your checked-in baggage is to move some items into a backpack and carry it on as hand luggage. You might be tempted to pack heavy things like full-size toiletries, but remember the carry-on hand luggage rules for liquids and gels. Most airlines limit containers to 100 ml and need them to fit in a clear, resealable bag.
It’s also important to check the luggage rules for the airlines you’re flying. Some allow both a carry-on bag and a personal item like a handbag, while others only permit one. Knowing the limits ahead of time can save you stress (and extra fees) at the airport.
You can also pack heavier items at the bottom of your carry-on and use compression bags if needed.
5) Try to Pack Your Lightest Clothes
When packing your bag, take note of the material of your clothes. Some material weighs more than others. This doesn’t seem like much when you look at just one t-shirt, but put ten t-shirts together and it really adds up.
To make your suitcase weigh less, pack clothes made of thin cotton and lightweight fabrics. If possible, don’t pack too many heavy materials like denim and wool. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to leave your favourite pair of jeans behind!
6) Wear Your Heaviest Clothes on the Plane
One of the most popular travel tricks is to wear your heaviest clothing on the plane. Your chunky jumpers and boots can add a lot of weight to your luggage. Best to put them on rather than packing them.
You might feel a little over-dressed in a thick coat or a furry jacket, but it’s an easy way to keep your bags lighter and stay within weight limits. Plus, planes often get chilly, so that coat or jumper could end up being a very welcome layer during the flight.
However, remember to wear layers that can be removed once you’re on board. This will help to keep you comfortable during your journey while saving weight in your luggage.
7) Use Your Clothes as Luggage
Wearing your heavy items has another added benefit. It doubles up as an extra place to stash your belongings. Coats and hoodies generally have large pockets in which you can stuff those bits and bobs that are small in size but relatively heavy.
This can be anything from electronics such as your phone, iPad and portable charger, to heavy pieces of jewellery. Having these valuable items on your person is also a great way to keep them extra safe. Just remember not to walk through the security scanners while they’re still on your person.
8) Spread the Weight with Friends and Family
If you’re travelling with other people, try and spread out the weight between each of you. In some cases, one person’s luggage is the only overweight one, while everyone else has plenty of space and are under the weight limit.
To avoid the awkward shuffling around of your belongings in public at the airport, buy a luggage scale that you can use at home. This way you can check to see whose baggage is overweight and whose isn’t.
9) Clean Out All Your Bags
The only thing worse than packing for a trip is unpacking. Because you’ve arrived home and the travel hype is over, we tend to forget to clean out our bags. If you’re not careful, you could end up lugging around unnecessary junk on your next trip.
Wallets, handbags, and toiletry bags are the usual suspects. Empty your old wallet of any old receipts, loyalty cards and random foreign currency you won’t be using. Double check your toiletry bag for empty bottles and additional beauty products.
Make your suitcase lighter with a quick clean between trips. Shake out crumbs and debris, wash reusable liquid bottles, and wipe down makeup or toiletry spills before they harden. Check jacket pockets and the corners of your bag for forgotten items like boarding passes or travel-sized products. Store what you actually need, like clear liquids bags or travel adapters, in one neat pouch so it’s ready for next time.
10) Roll Your Clothes
Rolling your clothes technically doesn’t make your baggage lighter. But it does save room.
By compressing your clothes, you’ll need less space to fit all your things. This means you’ll be able to take a smaller, lighter bag, over a bigger, heavier and bulkier suitcase. Making your overall luggage much lighter!
Stay prepared and book your airport parking with SkyParkSecure. For more ideas on how to make the most of your weight allowance, take a look at our post on Ways to Save Space in Your Case and if you’re travelling during colder parts of the year check out How to Pack 10kg Bag for a Winter Break.
