Travel keeps getting more and more complicated. Planes feel more cramped, and carry-on sizes are shrinking. Line-ups are longer as is the distance you must travel between connecting flights.
Something you don’t want to do with heavy, overstuffed bags. Even if you’re travelling by train, car or bus, you’re still want to limit your luggage to the necessities. Whether you’re going on a business trip or planning a summer-long, cross continent trip, you’ll save yourself a lot of travel trouble if you follow these ten tips.

The less luggage, the less hassle. If you can get everything in a carry on, then you don’t have to wait until luggage is unloaded to be on your way. For longer trips, two smaller bags with shoulder straps are more manageable than one giant suitcase. They’re easier to throw in the trunk of a car and if you have to maneuver through a big city, you won’t be marked as a tourist. As for wheeled luggage, when you have heavy baggage, they’re a lifesaver in the smooth terrain of an airport. Unfortunately wheels won’t help when you’re climbing stairs or negotiating an overhead luggage rack.

Choosing the right luggage is as important as bringing the right clothes. If you’re backpacking, you need a lightweight, waterproof pack. For business meetings, a garment bag. For vacationers, structured suitcases with wheels are great for getting around airports and resorts, while unstructured, soft-sided luggage is easier to cram into a small space, such as the trunk of a car.

When you travel, you shouldn’t bring anything that you’re afraid to lose. If you are visiting family and you want to bring gifts, it will ease your mind and make your luggage lighter if you send those items ahead by insured mail or courier. If you just don’t want strangers rifling through your luggage, bring a lock. Most airport security requires that luggage is unlocked, but you can always use it to secure your bags when you reach your destination.