Sometimes the excitement of going away can be tinged with the daunting prospect of packing – yet again! What you probably need are some routines that are quick, easy to implement, and don’t involve lots of extra planning. Here it is, our top 11 travel tips for packing, a simple guide without all the more obvious tips. Let’s get you up and running with a quick rundown list, then we’ll get into more details.
1. Don’t overpack - lay out what you need first
This is something most of us fall foul of.
Lay out all the items you want to pack first to size up the “beast.”
Follow some of the other rules below to reduce your packing quantity and help you travel light.
Try to be strict with yourself. It’s natural to want to cater to every type of event, but often that’s not possible. Just cater for the events you know you will attend and trust that you’ll figure out any others that arise.
Work out the outfits you know you will need each day as far as possible.
Pack in a linear and chronological order from the first day to the last.
If you’re attending a family gathering as your first event, ensure the clothes you need for that occasion are the first ones you’ll come to in your packing.
This reduces disruption to all your other outfits and takes the thinking out of it. You’ll know what needs to be in the “to wash” pile.
3. Washing on the journey - it can double your clothes
You can reduce your packing by a third, or even a half, if you use your wardrobe wisely.
Unless your destination is the Sahara desert, it’s likely your accommodation will have laundry facilities.
If not on-site, there are usually laundry outlets nearby.
When you’ve worked your way through your wardrobe, incorporate a couple of hours for laundry time. Get everything washed, dried, and even ironed if possible. You often don’t have to manage this all yourself.
Bonus tip: Don’t think about taking travel pack washing powder or other liquids. You’ll struggle to get them through customs, and it’s usually just a few cents to buy at the facility.
4. Deal with wet swimwear - use a separate bag
We don’t always cater to what happens to our clothes.
If it’s a swimming pool or beach-related vacation and you won’t have a place or time to dry your swimwear, take a small foldable zip bag for damp clothes.
Small ziplock bags take up almost no space and can be kept with your toiletries kit.
This might just save all your other clothes from getting wet right on the day you need them!
5. Consider a soft-sided bag - it can hold just that bit more content
Need more space? Suitcases are often rigid and unforgiving.
Even with a capsule wardrobe, you might still need a little extra space.
Opt for a soft-sided bag for more flexibility to add items.
Just make sure it’s safe to put through as baggage, and it might just help.
6. Keep important medications to hand - in your carry on luggage
Prescription medications, in any quantity, are allowed on planes.
Check the TSA rules regarding your meds.
Keep them separate from your other items, perhaps in their own bag, and take them in your hand luggage if possible.
Better yet, keep them near your purse or personal belongings.
7. Keep essentials packed and ready - duplicate items
Our favorite travel tips on packing are those that take the stress out of packing by always being prepared.
Spend a bit of time working out the toiletries you need for any trip and keep a separate travel toiletries bag ready to go.
This way, you won’t have to think about toothbrush or cologne management each time you go away.
The same goes for a ready-to-go medicine kit. You don’t want to bother with those plasters and bug spray each time.
8. Follow the 3-1-1 rule - and check on other regulations
The 3-1-1 rule is based on TSA regulations for packing liquids and gels.
All liquids and gels must be in 3.4-ounce bottles or less (3).
They should be inside a single, clear, quart-size zip-top bag (1).
Only one bag is allowed (1).
Make sure to check all baggage and boarding rules and regulations around flying to avoid any surprises.
9. Create a Capsule Wardrobe - mix and match your clothes better
A capsule wardrobe not only helps with travel packing but can also be adopted throughout your work wardrobe and personal clothing.
This consists of 9 tops, 5 bottoms, and 5 pairs of shoes, all in a mix-and-match color palette.
This means you can quadruple your number of potential outfits, if not more!
10. Don’t forget travel shopping - leave some space available
We often pack to the ultimate degree, resulting in us sitting on our suitcase to zip it fully.
Consider leaving some room in your case for items you may pick up along the way, like a special gift from your host or an award from work.
Just try not to be too disappointed if you come back with the same space still available.
We rarely pack as well on our return as we do on our initial packing session, usually due to time pressure. This is another good reason to leave a bit of space if possible.
11. Wait before wrapping gifts - or get them when you’re there
This tip could save you a lot of headaches.
Leave any presents unwrapped and in the bag, as airlines often unwrap presents for inspection.
Wait until you arrive to wrap them, and take only as many wrapping materials as you need.
If it’s a specialized gift that you must take with you, that’s fine. But consider leaving some time available while you’re away to shop for something local. Plus, it’s another excuse for a local sightseeing shopping trip!
To finish...
We hope this has given you some quick and less obvious travel tips on packing. Be sure to check out our other articles for a whole host of travel help!
