How to Pack Light for a Trip Back Home: Expat Edition
- Oct 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Destination: Italy
If you're an expat planning a trip back home, you know the struggle of packing light—especially when traveling to a destination like Italy! Whether you're navigating airports, train stations, or crowded streets, the key to a stress-free trip is mastering the art of minimalism without sacrificing essentials. After countless trips and packing tweaks, I've compiled my ultimate light-packing guide, complete with hacks and a packing list to ensure you're prepared while keeping it simple.
Why Pack Light?
Packing light means more freedom—less waiting at baggage claim, easier transportation, and a smoother overall travel experience (lost or broken luggage anyone?). For us expats, it's a real struggle because without a checked bag we're unable to bring back those extra goodies from home... Which is why I enjoy them while travelling and then eagerly await for my mom's parcels!
What's the Purpose of the Trip?
This Autumn, my main goal is to film and photograph the city as well as a friend's wedding. This is why my luggage is heavy on the tech and camera gear side. Depending on your purpose, you may save some room and replace camera gear with clothing, souvenirs or anything you may need.
Packing Hacks & Tips for a Smooth Trip
1. Choose the Right Backpack
I swear by the Osprey Fairview 40L Backpack (for women). It's small enough to qualify as a carry-on but roomy enough for all your essentials. Plus, it’s designed to fit comfortably on your back for those long walks through Italian cities and train stations! Bonus tip: light packing starts with light luggage!
The Osprey Fairview 40 weighs 1,547 kg, do you know how much your trolley or backpack weighs?
2. Weigh Your Bag Before Leaving
Talking about weight... Avoid surprises at the airport by using a luggage scale to ensure your bag meets airline weight limits. The world is divided into two types of people: those who pack last minute (who might not have time to weigh their luggage), and those who prep everything in advance. I belong to the latter group: I lay on the floor all travel essentials and trip-specific items weeks before leaving so that I can refill any empty containers, look at my clothes and remove what I don't really need, etc.
3. Use Compression Packing Cubes
These are a game-changer! They maximize space and keep everything organized. I love compression packing cubes for keeping clothes compact and wrinkle-free. For toiletries and miscellaneous items I rely on mini travel containers.
4. Bring Multi-Purpose Items
A multi-purpose 3-in-2 USB-C cable saves space and eliminates the need for multiple chargers. Pair it with a power bank for a seamless travel experience. A money belt is discreet and adds an extra layer of security; I use it to carry my passport and other essentials.
5. Stick to a Capsule Wardrobe
Italy is all about style, but you don’t need to bring your entire closet. Stick to versatile, neutral pieces that you can mix and match. Limit yourself to one pairs of shoes, and wear your bulkiest items on the plane. My go-to technique is to bring a couple of pieces that can be washed in the sink every evening with laundry detergent sheets.
6. Opt for Solid Toiletries
Liquids take up valuable space and are a hassle during security checks. Opt for solid products like a solid sunscreen stick, toothpaste tablets and deodorant wipes to keep your toiletry kit light.
Watch the Full Video Here
Packing under 10kg
Essential (and Realistic) Packing List for a Light Trip Back Home
Here's the complete list of what I pack for a week-long trip to Italy—optimized for light packing, but ensuring I don’t miss any essentials:
Travel Essentials
- Backpack Osprey Fairview 40L (for women)
- Kindle & Origami Case
- Eye Mask
Toiletries
Miscellaneous
Medicine (basic and chronic illness specific)
Clippers
Tweezer
Mini Mirror
Elastic Bands
Face Masks
Prescription Glasses
Mini Face Cloth
Tech Essentials
Camera Gear
Clothes
- 1 Long-Sleeved Shirt
- 1 Dress
- 1 Cardigan
- 2 Pairs of Shorts
- 1 Tank Top
- 1 Skirt
- 1 Short-Sleeved Shirt
- 1 Jacket
- 7 Pairs of Underwear
- 2 Bras
- 3 Pairs of Socks
- 1 Pajamas
- 1 Warm Scarf
- 1 Light Scarf
- 1 Pair of Shoes (+ flip flops)
(Planning on purchasing one pair of trousers during the trip)
Bonus Tips for Packing Light as an Expat
Leave Room for Souvenirs: Heading back home means you might want to bring back gifts or special items. Pack with extra space in mind. In my case I brought souvenirs from Finland and used some of that space to bring Italian cookies back.
Layer Up: Italian weather can be unpredictable, so stick to layering. A lightweight scarf or jacket can go a long way. I checked the weather forecast more than once and the weather still changed dramatically; it was meant to be rainy but I was unlucky and on top of torrential downpours, we had strong winds (100km per hour) and low temperatures.
Be Flexible: Despite my planning, my flight was cancelled last minute. The night before the flight I had to rearrange my luggage. Luckily I had already planned to bring 3 backpacks: originally the tiny one was meant to stay inside the Osprey, ready to be used as a daypack in Italy. After the cancellation, I ended up with a different airline which had stricter weight requirements. This forced me to check the Osprey, ultimately using my mid-sized backpack as carry on and my tiny backpack as personal item. Since all camera gear, laptop and other tech already fit the mid-sized backpack, I was able to travel comfortably.
Packing light is an art, and with the right tools and techniques, your trip back home will be a breeze! Whether you're navigating narrow streets or hopping between cities, this list ensures you're prepared without the bulk. Happy travels!
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Do you have any tips or must-haves when packing for a trip back home? Let me know in the comments below!
Rahel
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