Haven’t even left the country and your suitcase is already bursting? 7 ways to minimize your luggage

▲Do you often find your suitcase stuffed before you’ve even left? (Illustration / Sourced from THRILLIST)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Tomorrow you’re supposed to go on a trip, but as you pack, you suddenly realize that before you’ve even returned, your suitcase is already packed to the brim. Are there any good ways to reduce the amount of luggage you bring? Japan’s NAVER has compiled 7 handy tips for lightening your load—perfect for travelers about to set off.

But before we share these tips, why do we often end up with “too much luggage”? NAVER points out that the biggest reason is “worry”—the fear that if you don’t bring something, what if something happens? As a result, we unknowingly pack lots of “just in case” items, but in reality, you might be overthinking it.

Let’s take a look at the suggestions below.

▲Smartphones are becoming increasingly common and are also great travel companions. (Illustration / Provided by TACHIYAMA Images)

1. Don’t bring too many travel books—make the most of apps instead
A thick, heavy travel guidebook may only have 10% of its content actually used during your trip. Consider photocopying the important sections and rely more on apps for the rest. There are now specialized apps available for things like route maps and transit info—all for free.

If you want to carry information from travel websites with you, taking screenshots on your smartphone and saving them is also a great option.

▲Decide on your outfit for each day in advance so you won’t overpack (Illustration / Provided by TACHIYAMA Images)

2. Plan out what you’ll wear each day ahead of time, then pack accordingly
On trips, we often fantasize about wearing styles we’ve never tried before—and before we know it, we’ve packed way too many clothes... By planning your outfits for each day in advance based on your itinerary, and then packing only those, you can avoid bringing too many clothes.

In addition, choose clothes made of thinner materials that are easy to wash and can be worn multiple times: thin fabrics take up less space and are easier to pack; easy-to-wash clothes allow you to wash and dry them at the hotel and wear them again; dark-colored clothes are more stain-resistant and show dirt less, so they can be reused and help save luggage space.

3. Make good use of vacuum compression bags
Cheap and lightweight vacuum compression bags are great tools for organizing luggage. Items like sweaters and knitwear can be stored in these bags, thereby saving a lot of suitcase space.

▲If the hotel provides complete amenities, you can skip bringing some toiletries. (Illustration / Photo by reporter Tsai Wenjun)

4. Don’t bring what you can get locally
This mainly refers to hotel supplies. Although more and more hotels are promoting eco-friendly policies and asking guests to bring their own toiletries, if the hotel provides items like cleaning supplies, combs, hairdryers, etc., take them out of your luggage.

5. Prepare a small bag/ziplock bag for important documents or tickets
Preparing a small bag or ziplock bag to hold your passport, other documents, flight tickets, or local admission tickets all in one place not only makes them easier to carry but also simpler to find.

▲Using small, lightweight bottles for skincare or makeup is also a space-saving solution. (Illustration / Provided by TACHIYAMA Images)

6. Use travel-sized bottles for cosmetics and skincare products
For women who want to stay well-groomed even abroad, skincare and makeup are essential—but they can take up a lot of space. Preparing a few compact travel-sized bottles and decanting your products into them can save a significant amount of room.

Also, don’t throw away free samples from drugstores—bringing them along to use on your trip is another great option.

▲A versatile scarf can elevate your look for the day. (Photo / Sourced from Naver Blog)

7. A versatile hat or scarf
Scarves are extremely versatile—you can tie one around your head as a hair accessory, around your waist, or simply drape it around your neck. And if your hairstyle just isn’t working out, a stylish hat can not only cover it up but also add flair to your outfit.