How to Pack Lightly for International Travel

As most airlines grow stricter about carry-on and checked luggage requirements, packing for an international excursion becomes a delicate art. Checked luggage usually must weigh less than 50 lbs. Some companies, such as American Airlines, charge for a second checked bag even when you're flying internationally (Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways all charge to check a second bag if you're flying within the United States).
Here are some hard-earned tips for keeping yourself under the 50-lb. limit without sacrificing any necessities.

Instructions

1

Pick a lightweight suitcase when you buy your luggage---it will save you plenty of money in overweight fees later. Polyester bags are durable and lightweight, as are polycarbonate blends. If you prefer a suitcase with wheels, look for a duffel bag style with wheel attachments. They stretch to offer more packing space, but they also weigh much less than hard-shell luggage.
Aluminum handles will reduce weight but still give you the advantage of a wheeled bag.

2

Choose the shoes that you will wear while traveling first, as these will add the most weight. Try to stick to only one pair of sneakers or comfy shoes, and one pair of dressy shoes, in case you have a nice evening out. Choose a pair of dress shoes in a neutral color, black or brown, so that all of the outfits you may want to wear with them will match.

3

Plan to bring one shirt per each day that you will be away. Remember to include some dress shirts as well as T-shirts, if you intend to go out to a nice restaurant or a dressy event. If it will be cold in the area you are visiting, pack in layers. Two or three sweaters should be enough, along with one heavy jacket. You may wish to wear the jacket on the plane so as to avoid adding its weight to your bag.

4

Bring two pairs of pants (jeans and a pair of dress slacks) and one or two skirts if you like. You can mix and match this; for example, bring three pairs of pants and no skirts, but don't pack more than two pairs of jeans. Denim is heavy and will add unnecessary weight to your bag.

5

Buy new shampoo when you reach your destination (or even better, use the bottles normally provided by the hotel), and discard it before you leave. Unless your shampoo costs $125 a bottle, it will be cheaper than paying the overweight bag fee. Don't pack your entire shower room. One of the side-effects of globalization is that you can find your name-brand shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, toothpaste, etc., just about anywhere in the world. You don't need those heavy liquids taking up valuable weight in your bags.