Going on a holiday trip, or a lengthy vacation getaway surely takes the stress of everyday life away. But, packing for a vacation or a trip can actually be stressful. Ironic, eh? Worrying about your outfits, deciding what to bring, and trying your absolute best to fit it all in your suitcase, can take up so much time, and before you know it, you’re packing at the last minute. Worry no more, here are smart packing tips that will surely make packing a fun and fulfilling pre-holiday/vacation activity.
Things to consider before packing
Destination
Every trip begins with deciding where you want to go and what you want to do when you’re there. Knowing your destination ahead gives you ample time to prepare and pack accordingly.
Length of Trip
Going on a weekend camping trip up in the mountains? Or a week-long beach experience? The length of your trip can tell you a lot about how much you should pack, like which outfits are suitable and which items are essential.
Itinerary/Activities
Vacation getaways will never be complete without activities to enjoy and experience. Make these activities more enjoyable by preparing stuff that might come in handy.
Getting Started
Packing Efficiently
- Prepare a checklist – Even experienced travelers forget things to pack, so a checklist is a must-have every trip.
- Lay everything out before packing – Seeing everything you want to pack right in front of you gives you a chance to double-check your list and make adjustments before packing.
- Pack your clothes first – You can organize your clothes by outfit for each day or activity. Packing cubes are great for organizing clothes.
- Roll it instead – Rolled clothes eat up less space than folded ones.
- Put heavy items at the base – Whether you’re using a suitcase or a luggage, heavy items should be packed at the base to prevent other items from getting squished.
- Wear your heaviest clothes in transit – This will help you save up a lot of space in your luggage, especially if you can wear a coat or sneakers that you wanted to bring in the first place.
Essential Items
- Pandemic-proof items – Health and safety should always be the number one priority especially if you’re traveling during a pandemic. Keep hand sanitizers, face masks, and cleansing wipes within reach.
- Bring two laundry bags – At least one would be enough, but having two will let you separate colored clothes from whites. Much more useful if you’re planning to do laundry on your trip. A big plastic bag is great to have for your wet clothes after a good swim too.
- Have a separate bag for electronic devices – Put devices and cables and everything electronics related in a separate smaller bag or organizer.
- Prepare a health kit – First-aid, medication for any possible travel-induced sickness, and other medical items necessary should be packed in a separate bag or organizer. Make sure that it is easy to locate in your luggage.
- Spare daypack or small pouch – Just in case you wanted to buy souvenirs, or weren’t wearing anything with pockets to put your phone, wallet, or passport.
Toiletries
- Go small or solid – Choose smaller sized toiletries but as much as possible go for the solid options. Solid toiletries take away the risk of spilling and takes less space than liquid toiletries in bottles or containers.
- Pack liquid toiletries in waterproof bags – In case spillage does happen, it will be contained within the bag. No need to worry about shampoo all over your clothes.
- Try to acquire toiletries instead – Acquiring toiletries at your trip destination rather than bringing your own might not seem so encouraging, but if you’re looking to save some space this is a good option to consider. Most places nowadays have these items readily available for travelers.
Stuff that might come in handy
- Reusable water bottle – Having your own eliminates the need to buy unnecessarily pricey bottled water during your travels
- A plastic raincoat – No one knows when rain might come and spoil your sunny day.
- Power adapter – Most useful if traveling overseas, as power outlets differ from country to country.
- Shawl – Very easy to bring and serves a lot of purposes. Can be used as a blanket, or a shade, or to cover your luggage. You get the idea.
- Headphones/Earphones – Hours-long flights or drives tend to get dull. Listen to music or watch a movie to lift your spirits up.
- List of useful foreign words and phrases – This will surely come in handy when traveling abroad. Much better if practiced ahead of time.
A very well-packed luggage is usually a great sign of a wonderful trip, and hopefully this list made you excited not just for the trip, but also the preparation and the packing beforehand.