A smiling Michelle L. Jensen (Travel HerStory) with blonde hair wearing a black tank top and olive green wide-leg trousers sitting on a grey linen sofa, holding the Black Voyage travel backpack between her knees in front of her, with a large bold black line-art surrealist wall mural in the background at the Hotel Makaaba Eco-Boutique, in Bacalar, Mexico.
Black Voyage Travel Backpack

Greetings from Bacalar!

Travel Packing Guides

Since baggage fees keep getting more and more ridiculous, I’m all about helping you pack smarter, not harder–whether you’re planning a European trip or any adventure where you want to avoid paying for checking a bag or those atrocious overweight fees.

Here, you’ll get the real scoop on packing strategies I’ve tested during my travels that have saved me money and space in over 35 countries.

I’ll share how compression packing cubes actually work, provide honest reviews about which luggage is worth buying, offer country-specific packing guides, and recommend essential items such as an anti-theft purse and external battery packs.

Quick Answer

How do I pack light and avoid baggage fees?

The best way to pack light and avoid baggage fees is to build a capsule wardrobe, along with space-saving gear such as compression packing cubes or vacuum-sealing technology. Pack only a carry-on and a personal item, and wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane. I fit 4.5 months’ worth of clothing into a carry-on and a vacuum-compression backpack this way, while washing clothes on the go, and paid very few baggage fees.

Travel Packing Guides

Country-Specific Guides

Anti-Theft Items

Luggage & Backpacks

Space-Savers