Packing less will save you more when travelling. (Comstock Complete)

Can you avoid paying checked luggage fees and wasting so much precious vacation time packing and unpacking?

You can if you pack less. And if you can get away with just a carry-on bag, you also avoid the risk of belongings going astray.

There's no shortage of packing advice, in print or online. One web site I found useful is www.onebag.com, where its creator, Doug Dyment, declares: "Your top priority should be the acquisition, personalization, and use of a good packing list.''

When I used to travel once or twice a year, and solely for pleasure, I kept a written list. After nearly two decades of frequent writing trips, and taking virtually the same stuff every time, the list is in my head. But I still leave written reminders if I'm including something I don't normally take, such an extra warm layer or binoculars.

The fault of most lists, Dyment says, is that "they enumerate the possibilities, rather than eliminate the liabilities. A list of stuff you might want to take is very different from a list of things you can't travel (comfortably) without.''

Dyment's own list is long, but you can adjust it to fit your particular needs. Plastic utensils, for example, are handy for picnic lunches but aren't likely to be needed on an escorted tour.

How to lighten the load?

- Avoid taking anything heavy or bulky. A sweatshirt is a comfort on cool days but takes too much space. Pick a lighter substitute and think about layering to suit climate changes. For an August trip to the Yukon, I included a thin wool sweater and a cotton turtleneck -- items I don't regularly pack -- along with a T-shirt and a waterproof windbreaker. That gave me up to four layers should I need them.

- Mix and match. Every top and bottom should go with the others. Navy is smart and doesn't show the dirt; neither do taupe or fine checks.

- Accessorize with scarves, belts and costume jewelry to create the illusion of a bigger wardrobe.

- Plan on doing laundry. Whatever you pack for a week can be recycled with washings to last two or three.

This needn't be a big production. I wash socks and undershorts daily when I'm travelling, usually just before changing for dinner. I use anything that lathers -- shampoo in a pinch -- then toss them into the tub where they rinse while I shower. Wrapped in a towel and wrung thoroughly, they'll dry by morning. This takes maybe five minutes.

Soak a drip-dry shirt in the tub, then give the armpits and the inside of the collar extra attention. I rinse mine under the showerhead and hang it sopping wet from a plastic hanger I carry. Avoid wrinkles by making sure the shirt's front and back don't stick to each other.

No, these clothes won't be washer-clean, but they will be cleaner.

- Think twice about items that take forever to dry. I'm told denim jeans are in that category. Take synthetic socks and underwear, not cotton. Tip: If an item isn't drying quickly enough, hang it near a heating vent or a turned-on lamp or TV set or use the blow-dryer in the bathroom.

- If you're going on a cruise and must take a blazer or jacket, wear it on the plane.

- If you've filled your carryon and still have things left over, consider sharing one piece of checked luggage with your travelling companion. My wife and I did that for a cruise where jackets and long skirts were required

- If you do check luggage, put a change of socks and underwear in your carryon in case the checked bag goes astray.