Overpacking remains the biggest mistake travelers keep making, according to a new survey by Global Rescue, a leading provider of travel risk management and crisis response services. The finding was reported by Euronews.
Data from the company's latest Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey shows that more people now consider overpacking their most serious travel mistake than in previous years. Some 38% of experienced travelers held that view, up from 32% in 2025 and 35% in both 2024 and 2023.
Dan Richards, chief executive of The Global Rescue Companies, said overpacking was the most common avoidable mistake seen year after year. He said it was a habit that added stress, weight and unnecessary complexity at every stage of a trip, when the real point of travel should be freedom, flexibility and discovery.
Richards said overpacking was not just exhausting but could also be dangerous. He warned that heavy luggage increased fatigue, worsened balance and raised the risk of falls, back strains and other orthopedic injuries while moving through airports, cruise terminals, cobbled streets or uneven paths.
He added that it could also become a real problem during travel emergencies such as evacuations caused by wildfires, civil unrest or a hurricane. Richards said travelers weighed down by bulky or numerous bags moved more slowly, tired faster and might be forced to abandon their luggage altogether. In a crisis, he said, the ability to move quickly could matter just as much as what someone had packed.
Top travel tips from the survey
Beyond mistakes, travelers surveyed also shared their best tips for a smoother trip. The most popular was a distinctly modern solution: placing smart tags in checked luggage, a favorite trick of 31% of respondents, while 16% said they always email themselves digital copies of their passports and identification documents, according to Euronews.
Another 10% of those surveyed said they use compression cubes for packing, and a further 10% roll their clothes instead of folding them.
Nine percent said they use a multi-port charger to save space, while 7% bring an empty reusable water bottle through airport security to cut costs and plastic waste. Six percent said they always download entertainment content to their devices before setting off.
More advice for travelers
Experts have previously explained what to do if a flight is canceled or delayed because of wildfires, saying travelers in that situation need to take extra steps rather than simply waiting for the next departure.
Specialists have also outlined what guests can take from a hotel room and what they will be charged for, noting that bathrobes are among the most commonly stolen items from hotels around the world.
