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Master the 5–4–3–2–1 Packing Method and You’ll Never Need More Than a Carry-On Again
The amount of luggage that was mishandled nearly doubled globally in 2022 compared with previous years, the Guardian recently reported. That’s bad news if you’re traveling for business or pleasure this summer and don’t want to deal with the hassle of a lost bag.
What can you do to reduce the chance of having to spend hours on the phone with customer service and running out to buy emergency underwear? Various travel sites offer the same advice to reduce your chances of airlines losing your bag: things like booking longer layovers, avoiding connections where possible, and checking your bag’s tags. But there’s an even easier way to avoid lost luggage drama — bring only a carry-on.
This solution couldn’t be simpler, or more foolproof. The only trouble for some of you chronic overpackers is becoming the kind of person who packs light. Is this possible? Yup, if you learn to follow a simple principle called the 5–4–3–2–1 packing method.
The 5–4–3–2–1 method in 3 variations
The details of the 5–4–3–2–1 packing method differ slightly depending on which site or expert you consult. On Apartment Therapy, one writer claims she was able to travel around Europe for three weeks by packing only:
