This was published 12 years ago
Beat the baggage fees: how to shrink your luggage for summer
Guilty of overpacking? Fear not - there are ways you can reduce your baggage.Credit: Getty Images
Put your hand up if you're guilty of overpacking?
Do you really need to take that hair straightener, hard-cover book, three pairs of stilettoes, your snorkeling mask and a spare jacket?
Packing for a summer holiday must be one of the most enjoyable varieties of organisation but as with anything that involves decision making, it can be fraught with stress.
One in three women admit to becoming more of a 'stress-head' in the lead up to a holiday, according to research from online travel agent Lastminute.com.au.
But there are a few ground rules for any trip: Start packing a few days ahead and then reassess the night before departure and leave some items at home.
If you're a woman off on a summer holiday the best clothes to pack are items with neutral colours, fabrics that don't wrinkle, such as knits, and multi-purpose pieces, such as a scarf that could be used as a belt, head scarf, for warmth or to dress up an outfit.
If you're travelling for a few weeks there will be time and opportunity to wash your clothes at some stage so you can afford to leave some pieces at home.
Also, if you're going to be staying at a fancy hotel or resort, then check beforehand what is supplied - you probably don't need to pack a beach towel, your shampoo, conditioner or body moisturiser. Some five-star hotels also have reading lounges with plenty of new glossy magazines and books that have been left behind by other guests.
Similarly, your hotel might have a business centre so you may not need a laptop if you simply want to check a few emails. Leaving your expensive computer equipment, as well as your jewellery, at home can make for a much more care-free break.
If you're heading overseas for a white Christmas or a ski holiday then consider minimising your luggage by wearing bulky items onboard the plane. An overcoat may come in handy on the flight if the air-conditioning is too cold, and it can make a good pillow.
Shoes, and particularly boots, take up a lot of suitcase space so think carefully about what pairs you will need.
For a summer break most women really only need three pairs: thongs, runners and a dressy pair of shoes.
If you're taking boots it's worthwhile stuffing them with socks, scarfs or accessories to save on space.
Rolling clothing instead of folding is also a good tactic as it not only minimises wrinkles, it also makes bulky items easier to pack.
If you're really having trouble keeping the weight down, maybe your suitcase is to blame. Consider buying a high quality suitcase that is lightweight but durable.
Airlines these days have a love/hate relationship with overweight baggage: On the one hand it's a great money earner but on the other it chews up fuel, takes time to load and results in furious customers when it's lost.
Qantas allows domestic passengers one piece of checked luggage weighing a maximum of 23kg. The carrier will charge you $10 for every extra kilogram. If you're off to Europe with Qantas every extra kilogram will cost you a whopping $50.
Virgin Australia has the same checked baggage allowance as Qantas - 23kg - but with Virgin you'll pay $12 to for a checked bag when purchased online and $40 at the airport. For every kilogram over the allowance the airline charges $15.
Before you leave for the airport weigh your bag and check the dimensions of your carry-on bag. It should be no more than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, including wheels, with a maximum weight of 7kg.
So the moral of the story is: Don't make the mistake of packing too much or you can expect a hefty bill.
Although it's the season of goodwill, a big smile and a friendly attitude doesn't seem to work any longer on airline staff. No doubt they've seen and heard every excuse in the book.
Plus the more free space in your suitcase at this end, the more you can fill it with shopping at the other end.
Here is the woman's ideal summer travel checklist:
- Cardigan or hoodie
- Cotton camisoles for layering
- Jeans and dressy pants
- Jacket
- Pair of shorts
- A long or short dress for dinners
- Swimsuit and sarong or a long shirt that can be used to cover-up
- Hat that bounces back to shape after being squashed in a suitcase
- Sneakers, thongs and a pair of dressy shoes
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Small bag for day trips and to bring your holiday purchases home
- Scarf
- Tracksuit pants and t-shirt
- Camera for happy memories
AAP
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