A hostel manager in Lisbon told me my 'packing light' plan was actually costing me money

He pointed out I was paying for laundry every three days, which over two weeks added up to more than a checked bag fee would have been. Anyone have a good rule of thumb for when to pack more versus pay for laundry?

3 comments

3 Comments

river1902mo ago

Ever think packing light was always cheaper? That hostel manager has a point, laundry fees really sneak up on you. What's your cutoff for trip length where you'd pack more instead?

patriciaellis1mo ago

and honestly @emery965 makes a good point about the cost adding up fast. my cutoff is closer to 5 days cause I hate doing laundry on trips, like it feels like a waste of vacation time wandering around looking for a laundromat. plus my travel style is just pack heavy and leave room for souvenirs, so I'd rather haul a bigger bag than stress about dirt and smell. but I'm curious what the math looks like for a 2 week trip, like does bringing 14 outfits actually beat paying for 4 or 5 washes?

emery9652mo ago

Packing light backfired on me once when I had to wash a single pair of jeans for like twelve bucks. Laundry costs are no joke, especially in some cities. My cutoff is probably around ten days, after that I'll stuff a few extra shirts in my bag. It just feels like the balance tips where bringing more saves you money and hassle.

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