Packing is normally a stumbling block for many travellers. Desperately, we sit on top of the suitcase and force the zip to shut. Panicked packing often leads to a disorganised mess of things you could have lived without on your journey. With a flight to catch and important documents to find (where did you put them?), it’s never as simple as we think it’s going to be.
To avoid a packing disaster, try out some of our traveling tips:
Give Yourself Time…And Then Some
Don’t leave packing until the night before, and certainly don’t put it off until the morning of the journey. A few days before your holiday, you should keep your suitcase open in your bedroom and gradually pack it with the things you need. This gives you the perfect opportunity to launder your clothes and rush into town to buy anything you’ve forgotten.
People have a tendency of overpacking, so if you stuff your suitcase full of clothes and toiletries, you can slowly remove items that you believe you can live without, over a period of days (when you’re feeling a bit more frugal).
Make A List
You really can’t be too organised for a trip abroad. Making a concise list can help guide you through the essentials, so you don’t leave anything important behind. Map out how many outfits you’ll need, depending on what you’ll be doing. For example, if you’re planning on hiking up a mountain, don’t forget your walking boots! Getting your thoughts in order will bring you a little peace of mind.
Be Selective
Luggage weight is limited, so don’t throw everything you own into your suitcase. Invest in portable luggage scales, otherwise you may arrive at the airport with too much baggage. Always bring simple, staple clothes with you that are easy to mix and match and pack for the weather.
Go as light as you possibly can. You’ll probably want to bring back some souvenirs or clothes from your holiday destination, but if you have no room, what are you going to do?
Techniques
Most people swear by the roll technique, and we agree. Somehow, this means that everything fits snugly into your suitcase and doesn’t crease.
To make the most of your suitcase space, buy your toiletries in miniature andstore them in a plastic wallet. Normal, plastic shopping bags are a must-take also. You can store dirty and wet clothes in these bags for the journey home.
Always keep your important documents close to hand, such as the tickets for your flights and your travel insurance. You don’t want to rummage through your suitcase to pull them out.
Divide And Conquer
Do not keep all your valuables in one place. If you’re holidaying with someone else, make sure that he or she has half of the money, and then you split the rest up between bags. This precaution is purely for any instances of lost luggage or stolen rucksacks.
The key thing to remember is: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. When you get to your hotel, safe and sound, make sure that you deposit the majority of your money in their safe.
