Bulky Neck Pillow
We understand the desire to be comfortable while you travel to your destination, but the neck pillow should really stay behind. These pillows are bulky and take up unnecessary space in your baggage when you are not using them on the plane or train. Realistically, you’ll only use it for a small percent of your entire journey and then you have to carry it around the whole trip!
Get creative. Bundle up a sweatshirt as a makeshift pillow. If you feel like a neck pillow is an absolute travel necessity, invest in an inflatable one that you can pack into a small case to save room in your luggage.
Excessive Skin Care Products
We can all agree, skin care is important and we know a lot of people are married to their skincare routines. But if you’re looking to save space (and hassle) while packing for a trip, skincare is one area you can trim down.
Take only what is absolutely essential: sunscreen, face wash, moisturizer, etc. Leave the extra stuff for when you get back (It won’t go anywhere). Traveling with liquids can be a hassle at TSA anyways with limits on fluid ounces. Put the products you need into travel-sized containers and use the extra space for more important things. Less is more.
Jewelry
While jewelry isn’t going to take up much space in your bag, there are a few reasons you can keep your diamonds and pearls at home. First, it’s a good idea to travel without many valuables. You don’t want to risk losing them or getting them stolen. Plus, who wants to deal with detangling necklaces when they have new places to explore?
You can dress to impress without the valuable jewelry. In fact, as a general rule of thumb, it’s better to blend in than stand out when traveling in foreign countries. This will make you less of a target for anyone looking for tourists to take advantage of. Long story short, leave the jewelry at home and only take the basics.
Non-Functional Shoes
Shoes are one of the bulkiest items in your suitcase so it pays to be strategic while packing your footwear. Think about what activities you’ll be doing on your trip. Hiking? Tennis shoes. Beach? Sandals.
Usually, you can leave the high heels at home because they’re not functional unless you have a formal event you’ll be attending. As a general rule, bring the most practical shoes that will go with as many different outfits as possible. Most of the time, you won’t miss the shoes you didn’t pack.