travel light

Meaning

To 'travel light' means to go on a trip with very little luggage, usually just a small backpack or a carry-on bag. It is a highly recommended practice to save money on baggage fees and move around more easily. It has a positive, practical connotation.

Examples

• I always try to travel light so I don't have to wait at the baggage carousel.

  I always try to travel light so I don't have to wait at the baggage carousel.

• Since we are only going for the weekend, we should travel light.

  Since we are only going for the weekend, we should travel light.

• My husband never learns to travel light; he always packs three suitcases!

  My husband never learns to travel light; he always packs three suitcases!

• If you travel light, it is much easier to hop on and off trains.

  If you travel light, it is much easier to hop on and off trains.

• She managed to travel light even though she was going away for a whole month.

  She managed to travel light even though she was going away for a whole month.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I prefer to travel lightly.

  ✓ I prefer to travel light.

  Although 'lightly' is an adverb, the standard, idiomatic expression is 'travel light'. 'Travel lightly' is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural in this context.

• ✗ I need to travel with light bags.

  ✓ I need to travel light.

  While grammatically correct, 'travel with light bags' is literal and misses the common, idiomatic phrasing of 'travel light'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We have a lot of stairs to climb at the hotel, so please try to ___.

  💡 Pack very little luggage.

  Show answer

  travel light

• If you ___, you can avoid paying extra fees for checked baggage.

  💡 Bring only a small bag.

  Show answer

  travel light