I travel 200 days a year — these are the 8 rules that save me from baggage fees

When you’re on the road as often as I am—roughly 200 days out of the year—you start to see airports differently.

For most people, packing is a once-in-a-while stressor, but for me, it’s practically a lifestyle.

And let me tell you: nothing slows down the rhythm of constant travel like unnecessary baggage fees and processes.

I learned the hard way in my early days, standing red-faced at airline counters while agents weighed my suitcase, calculating how much extra I owed.

Those lessons turned into systems. Now, whether I’m hopping across Europe on budget airlines or flying cross-country for a quick work trip, I have a set of rules that keep my bags light, efficient, and—most importantly—free of surprise fees.

If you’re tired of paying for overweight luggage or checking bags you don’t really need, these are the rules that keep me moving freely.

1. Pack for outfits, not for options

Here’s the mistake almost everyone makes: they pack individual items without thinking about how they’ll fit together. You end up with a suitcase full of “maybes” and nothing that actually works as an outfit.

Instead, I plan every piece around outfits. If I pack one pair of neutral pants, I’ll make sure they go with three shirts. A jacket has to work with at least two different looks.

This way, I’m not wasting space on pieces that only work once.

It feels restrictive at first, but it’s actually liberating. I’ve found that limiting choices makes mornings easier on the road—you don’t stand over your bag wondering what goes with what. Everything is already part of a system.

2. Shoes are the silent suitcase killer

Have you ever noticed how quickly shoes eat up bag space? Pack three pairs and suddenly half your carry-on is gone. The trick is being ruthless.

I stick to two pairs, max. One is versatile—think clean sneakers or slip-ons that can handle long walks and still look decent at dinner. The second is situational: maybe sandals for a beach trip or dress shoes for a formal event.

When I started traveling this way, I realized shoes aren’t just heavy—they’re also the hardest to replace on the road if you forgot something.

So, I’ve learned to invest in versatile, comfortable pairs that can handle different scenarios, saving both space and sanity.

3. Layers beat bulk every time

One time I packed a giant winter coat for a trip to Germany, thinking I’d need it constantly.

By day two, I was lugging it around indoors, sweating on trains, and cursing my decision. That was the last time I let bulk win over layers.

Now, I swear by lightweight layering. A thin thermal, a long-sleeve, a hoodie, and a packable jacket will get you through almost any cold-weather destination without weighing down your bag.

The beauty is flexibility: layers let you adjust to shifting temperatures, from chilly mornings to warm afternoons, without dragging around one massive piece of clothing.

4. Wear your heaviest items on the plane

Have you ever noticed seasoned travelers boarding in boots and jackets, even when the destination is warm? That’s not fashion—it’s strategy.

Wearing your heaviest items onto the plane saves precious luggage space. I’ll often wear my bulkiest shoes, a hoodie, and a jacket, even if I end up peeling layers off mid-flight.

It’s a trade-off: a little less comfort in the air for a much lighter bag on the ground.

Once, on a flight to Iceland, I wore two coats, a scarf, and hiking boots just to keep my carry-on under the weight limit. Sure, I looked like a bundled-up snowman at the gate, but when I sailed past the baggage fee line, it felt like a victory.

5. Roll, don’t fold

Do you roll your clothes or fold them flat? I was a folder for years until a fellow traveler showed me the rolling trick at a hostel in Barcelona.

It looked strange at first, but once I saw how much more fit into the same carry-on, I never looked back.

Rolling isn’t just about saving space—it helps prevent deep creases. T-shirts, jeans, and even some dress shirts come out looking fresh enough that I don’t need to iron.

I also tuck socks or underwear into the rolled-up bundles to squeeze out every last inch of space.

The first time I tested this method, I cut my packing volume by almost a third. That’s the difference between skating past the bag sizer at the gate or paying extra for a checked bag.

6. Use the personal item loophole

Do you know how much you can actually fit into the “personal item” airlines let you carry on for free? More than most people realize.

For me, this usually means a slim backpack that doubles as a day bag. Inside, I’ll pack a laptop, a water bottle, toiletries, snacks, and even a change of clothes.

If my carry-on is stuffed to the brim, I’ll shift heavier items—like shoes—into my personal item to keep the main bag underweight.

The trick is to choose a bag that looks modest but is deceptively roomy. Airlines rarely measure personal items unless you’re really pushing it, so this is one of the best ways to stretch your free allowance.

7. Toiletries: shrink everything

Have you ever packed full-size shampoo bottles only to find them half-empty by the time you get home? Toiletries are notorious for wasting space and weight.

I switched to refillable travel bottles years ago. They’re TSA-friendly, lightweight, and force you to be realistic about how much you’ll actually use.

I also swap out bulky liquid products for solid versions whenever possible—like shampoo bars or toothpaste tablets.

This small shift not only saves space but also cuts down on spills. Trust me, nothing ruins a bag faster than a leaky bottle of conditioner soaking through your only jacket.

8. Edit, then edit again

Finally, here’s a rule I follow religiously: once I’ve finished packing, I take everything out and ask myself if I really need each item. Without fail, at least three or four more things get cut.

This process sounds tedious, but it’s liberating. We tend to overpack out of fear—“What if I need this?”—when, in reality, most of those items never leave the bag. Travel teaches you that you can get by with less than you think.

Every trip, I refine my list further. By now, I have a mental packing template that works almost anywhere, and I rarely come home wishing I’d brought more.

Editing is the hidden secret behind every seasoned traveler’s light bag.

Final thoughts

Traveling 200 days a year has taught me that packing light isn’t just about saving money on baggage fees—it’s about freedom.

It’s about moving through airports with ease, skipping long waits at baggage claim, and knowing your essentials are always within arm’s reach.

Every time I pass someone struggling with an overweight suitcase, I remember my early mistakes and quietly thank the systems I’ve built. These rules aren’t glamorous, but they’ve saved me hundreds—probably thousands—of dollars and countless headaches over the years.

The truth is, once you start traveling lighter, you never want to go back.