Packing light: how to travel with less on a group trip

On group trips you change transport all the time: coaches, trains, ferries, stairs, tiny lifts. Your suitcase is the one thing that follows you everywhere, and the lighter it is, the more smoothly the trip runs. Travelling light does not mean giving everything up: it means choosing well.

Why travelling light pays off

• Transfers are quicker: getting on and off coaches, trains and ferries becomes easy.
• There is less effort on stairs and cobbles: many hotels in historic centres have steps or small lifts.
• There is more room on the coach for the whole group, and waits to collect luggage get shorter.
• You avoid surprises over weight limits: they depend on the carrier and the fare and are listed in your travel documents.

The three-step method

• Start from the programme. Look at the length, the climate and the evenings planned: how many “smart” occasions are there really? Will there be a chance to do laundry?
• Build a capsule. A few clothes in neutral colours that go together: three or four T-shirts, two pairs of trousers or skirts, a jumper, a light jacket and one smarter piece for the evening.
• Do the bed test. Lay everything out on the bed and take away about a third: what is left is almost always enough.

Tricks that work

• Weigh your suitcase at home with a small travel scale.
• Roll your clothes or use packing cubes: you save space and find everything faster.
• Two pairs of shoes at most: the ones you wear on the journey and a light pair.
• Choose quick-drying fabrics: whatever you wash in the evening is ready the next morning.
• Use travel-size containers for toiletries and follow your airport's rules on liquids.
• Leave a little free space for shopping and bring a folding bag.
• Put a recognisable mark on your suitcase, such as a coloured ribbon, and a tag with your name and a contact number.

In your hand luggage

Keep with you whatever you cannot afford to lose: documents, tickets, personal medication, chargers, valuables and a light change of clothes in case the suitcase is delayed. If you take medication regularly, find out before you leave about the rules of the destination country.

An example from the islands

On the islands a small suitcase makes an enormous difference: you change island, climb on and off ferries and some hotels are reached on foot, along steps and paved lanes. A soft bag or a small suitcase with sturdy wheels, plus a daypack, is best. Swimwear and a towel, sandals, shoes with good grip for polished marble, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream are enough, plus a light jacket for the deck and cooler evenings.

Our trip “Cyclades island hopping: Paros, Naxos and Santorini” lasts 8 days, with three islands, ferry tickets included and a Greek coordinator: a good chance to put these tips into practice. On trips with flights, always check the weight and size limits set by the airline.