Travelling light: how less luggage brings more freedom

Everyone’s seen – or possibly been – the traveller with too much luggage: wrestling a heavy suitcase onto a train, rummaging in panic for a missing item or repacking at the check-in desk to avoid paying excess baggage fees. Travelling light removes all that stress. One compact bag, a few versatile essentials and everything you need within easy reach. It's not about restriction – it's about the pleasure of moving freely from one place to the next. Whether you're heading to Paris for a business meeting or for a few restful days on the Riviera, mastering the art of packing light ensures a seamless travel experience. 

Many travellers feel the need to prepare for every possible scenario: extra shoes in case of rain, a formal outfit for unexpected dinners or full-size toiletries that could easily stay behind. This ‘just in case’ mindset often reflects a need to feel prepared, comfortable and in control while away from home. Sometimes it’s about time pressure – last-minute packing can lead to unnecessary items being thrown in without proper thought. Other times it’s about reassurance, as familiar things make new places feel more homely. Yet, overpacking rarely delivers the comfort it promises. It simply becomes a burden.

Learning to pack light starts long before the suitcase is zipped up. It begins with intention – choosing to focus on what will actually be used rather than what might come in handy. It requires confidence in your resourcefulness and trust in the destination.

Much of what travellers think they need is already provided. Modern hotels, such as Novotel, offer high-quality toiletries, towels and other essentials such as hairdryers. Travelling light isn’t about doing without – it’s about knowing that comfort will be ready and waiting on arrival, and that anything truly essential that's forgotten can almost always be picked up locally.

A compact suitcase encourages more deliberate choices without compromising on comfort. Keeping to a few versatile essentials leaves room for what really matters: space for souvenirs, local finds or simply breathing room for the journey ahead. 

• Clothing: Stick to a limited colour palette so pieces mix and match easily. Lightweight layers help adapt to changing weather and settings – convertible trousers that transform into shorts or a fine-knit jumper that doubles as a travel wrap.
• Shoes: Two pairs are usually enough; a comfortable pair for walking, another set for evenings or meetings. 
• Toiletries: Travel-sized products, solid shampoo bars and multi-use items save space and reduce the chance of spills. 
• Tech: A universal USB adaptor and a multi-connector cable replace multiple chargers. An e-reader or tablet saves space over books and doubles as an entertainment hub.
• Accessories: A foldable tote bag or day pack works for everything from shopping to spontaneous picnics. A reusable water bottle keeps hydration simple and sustainable.

Even a minimalist suitcase can be organised beautifully. A few thoughtful habits turn packing into a fine-tuned system rather than a last-minute scramble.

• Roll, don’t fold. Rolling clothes saves space and helps avoid creases.
• Use packing cubes. Keeping clothes, accessories and electronics in separate pouches makes unpacking faster and more organised.
• Fill the gaps. Socks inside shoes, cables tucked in sunglasses cases – every corner of a bag can serve a purpose.
• Wear your bulkiest pieces. A jacket over the arm, hiking boots or trainers on the feet. These all add up to less inside the case.
• Pack by order of use. Essentials for the first night on top, things for later in the trip at the bottom.

Rail travel rewards the light traveller. With fewer bags, there’s less time spent searching for luggage space and more freedom to relax. A soft-sided holdall or weekend bag slips neatly under the seat or overhead. For early departures or late arrivals, proximity helps – Novotel Bordeaux Centre Gare Saint Jean offers a practical base steps from the station, with a restaurant and 24-hour reception.

For air travel, a well-designed cabin case is enough for most trips. Keeping liquids below 100ml simplifies security, and with no checked baggage, there’s no waiting at the carousel. Travellers heading south might opt for Novotel Nice Centre Vieux Nice, where pool towels and amenities are ready on arrival.

Business travel often tempts people to overpack – multiple outfits, spare chargers, extra paperwork. Yet a compact, capsule wardrobe can simplify your load. A lightweight blazer, a couple of smart shirts or blouses and one pair of versatile shoes often cover every occasion. Laundry and ironing facilities at hotels such as Novotel Lyon Gerland Musée des Confluences make it easy to keep clothes fresh without filling the case.

For spa breaks or relaxing holidays, travelling light sets the tone from the start. Fewer belongings create a slower pace and more headspace for early swims, leisurely breakfasts or exploring on foot. At Novotel Aix-en-Provence Pont de l’Arc Fenouillères, for instance, guests can unwind by the pool or head into the old town, travelling easily between the two without the burden of heavy bags.

The benefits of travelling light become clear the moment you leave home. Check-in queues feel shorter, transfers simpler and changing platforms or gates less stressful. Moving with a compact bag allows travel to flow naturally – slipping through crowds, hopping on a tram or changing plans without a second thought.

A smaller suitcase also frees the mind. With fewer items to manage, there are fewer outfit decisions, less unpacking and repacking, and more mental space to enjoy what's in front of you – the view from a train window, the scent of a morning market or the rhythm of a new city. Lightness encourages flexibility and that often leads to the moments that define a journey – the unplanned café stop, the unexpected conversation, the quiet evening walk after rain.

Travelling light is an art form; a gentle recalibration of how travel can feel. It turns movement into something graceful and unhurried, guided by comfort rather than clutter. It’s trusting that the world – and thoughtful hotels like Novotel – can provide what’s needed along the way.

So, the next time a suitcase lies open on the bed, consider the space between the essentials. That space is freedom – the kind that makes every journey lighter, calmer and infinitely more enjoyable.