Planning Tips for Frequent Travelers
It may not be something you enjoy doing. It can be stressful and tedious, but it doesn’t always have to be. A few great tips will help you pack better and not worse. For those packing tips, who better than frequent travelers who’ve had their fair share a failure and a win?
Traveling with too much luggage can seriously weigh you down, no matter if you’re flying, traveling by train, or bus. When I used to travel, I had a full-time job so I limited my trips to three- to four-day ones. When I started to travel for longer periods of time, I took a 75-pound backpack on my first trip. However, I was deeply disappointed when I had the task of carrying it up several flights stairs in an old building without elevators. You can bet that I didn’t make the same mistake again. I now ensure I can carry everything I pack.
It’s also important to remember that baggage costs more when you fly. The cost of checked bags seems to rise. There are some fare options that can be very affordable but won’t allow you to bring a bag. It’s possible to save money on packing by learning how to pack efficiently.
You can bundle your outfits.
Martha Villaroman (family travel blogger at Go Places With Kids) tells SELF, “We find that it’s easier for us to pack outfits together.” To make a bundle, combine your shirt and pants with your underwear and socks. This will allow you to quickly grab the bundle you need the next morning.
Use packing cubes.
Cubes can be used to compress and separate clothing. They are also great for efficiently packing suitcases. You can arrange cube contents by day or by type according to your itinerary. This organizes your suitcase well and saves you the effort of having to displace or unfold everything to find the right outfit. You can protect vintage clothing or sensitive clothes by packing a compression bag.
As many wrinkle-resistant fabrics as you can.
Mar Pages, cofounder, Solo Female Travelers Tours, explains to SELF, “Our favourite and most simple packing tip is to bring nonwrinkle clothes that don’t arrive all creased.” These fabrics should be considered next time you’re shopping for or packing for a trip: spandex (lyocell), denim (polyester), wool, knits and spandex. Avoid 100% linen or blends of linen-cotton, as these fabrics are more susceptible to wrinkles.
Purchase solid toiletries
“Liquids tend to take up most space and spill too much,” Lavinia Daousa, Continent Hop, tells SELF. These liquids can also be annoying to carry if you only need to check a bag or are required to comply with TSA regulations. D’Sousa’s solution? You can opt for soaps and solid shampoo bars instead. Solid perfume, makeup removers, bug balms and sunscreen can all be purchased. You can reduce leakage by placing plastic wrap underneath liquid caps.
Your clothing can be multifunctional.
For traveling light, it is important to have multiple uses for your items. D’Sousa suggests that the scarf/scarf is the most versatile item you could carry. It can be used as a sarong or wrap for your dirty clothes, and can also be worn around your shoulders to cover up for visiting a religious location. This is an efficient way to pack light. The same principle applies to your hair tools, including skin-care products. A 2-in-1 hair straightener/curler, a tint which can be used as blush or lipstick, and soap that doubles for shaving cream are all examples.
Select the right clothing color.
Alina McLeod from YouTube says that as a full time traveler, she has a capsule wardrobe. She includes items that easily go together. “That means choosing neutrals with a few pops or colors.” It’s easier to layer items when you move around and change weather. McLeod added that this allows McLeod to use all of the items she brings, rather than having a bunch of different outfits.
Use the pillowcase hack.
Nina Ragusa, of Where in The World Is Nina, recommends a TikTok hack which has been gaining a lot attention this year. She suggests having two pillowcases. You can stuff clothes into the zippered pillowcase and then cover it with the regular one. “Now you have more room in the bag for other things, and you can bring a pillow on your flight. Ragusa explained that most airlines don’t consider a pillow a carry-on.
Create a virtual packing plan that you can actually complete.
A packing list is something you probably already know. You don’t need a checklist that you just look at and then mentally cross off. Instead, prepare a packing list you can actually check off as you load your luggage. Numerous apps allow you to make this simple with premade templates for activities like hiking and road trips. PackPoint and Packing Pro are two of the most widely used apps.
You should always have a bag for toiletries.
Mikkel Woodruff, of Sometimes Home, tells SELF that while the packing tip is simple, it saves a lot time. “Each person has a separate bag with toiletries that can hold travel-sized products such as toothpaste, eye drops and deodorant. It’s easy to carry in a backpack or your luggage.
Woodruff says that although we should pack clothes for each trip we do not need to take time to pack toiletries. “Replace any item that is damaged on your return from a vacation as soon as possible.
In transit, wear your bulkiest clothes
Instead of packing your coat in your bag and letting the weight take up valuable space and weight, you can bring it along on the plane. The overhead bin usually has enough space for your coat. For valuable, but heavy items, such as backup batteries and cameras, you can use the pockets.
It’s a smart idea to also bring along any footwear you may want, such as boots or sneakers. They will have your foldable slippers, which is a standard feature on international long-haul flights. This will allow you to let your feet breath a little while on-board. Wear thick socks to keep your feet comfortable on shorter flights without slippers. Keep your shoeless feet to yourselves.
Take a daypack that folds.
Rachel Posey, Unparalleled Dimensions, recommends that you pack a collapsible backpack that folds down small to fit easily in your luggage. With a lightweight bag, it’s easy to navigate a new city. These bags are light and compact, and can fit in any bag. You should also keep in mind that some attractions and museums don’t allow large backpacks. It is best to bring only the essentials for your day of exploration.
Your jewelry should not tangle.
Abigail Schaffer from EF Ultimate Break recommends that jewelry be wrapped in press-and seal wrap to keep it from becoming tangled. “Use one of those seven-day plastic containers to separate your jewellery items so they don’t tangle.” This is a cost-effective and lightweight alternative.
Do laundry while on vacation.
Schaffer’s tried-and-true tip is to plan to do laundry while on vacation. For trips lasting more than two weeks, it is essential to do laundry as it can be difficult to pack separate outfits for each day. Depending on where your trip is taking you, you might find it easy to visit a laundry facility or do laundry at a hotel. However, a good hand wash can be just as effective. Schaffer suggests that you bring a small amount laundry detergent with you so that you can wash the clothes in the sink quickly if necessary. You might be able to find a liquid or a leaf version.
Keep your bag smelling fresh.
Do you want your luggage to smell fresh all through your trip? Ben Wallington is the CEO of Designerwear. He has been a frequent international traveler. You are planning to travel to a hot destination? When traveling to a hot destination, add a small muslin bag with rice to your luggage. This will absorb the moisture and keep your clothes clean,” he said.
You can cushion your heels and head with socks
Protect a structured cap from being damaged during travel by packing it in a carry-on bag. Also, make sure to pack scarves and socks around the hat. “Works like a charm!” Rachel Jean-Frichau from Rachel Off Duty tells Self. To prevent your heels or collared shirts from becoming sloppy in your luggage, do the same with them.
Wear shower caps to cover your shoes
You’ve seen those disposable shower caps in many hotels. While they are meant to protect your hair from water, they also have a secret dual purpose. They protect your clothes from dirt and mud on your shoes. Wrap each shoe in a waterproof shower cap and then put it back into your bag.
You should always have a spare outfit with you.
If your bag is delayed or lost, you’ll need to have clean clothes ready to go when you reach your hotel. For the rare occasion that your bag is lost or delayed, you should always have fresh underwear, a day’s outfit, as well as sleepwear in your luggage. You should also make sure to include any other essentials, such as medicine, valuable technology or anything that is irreplaceable, in your carry-on. It’s always good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
With photos, you can keep track of everything.
Forbes Advisor’s Jason Metz is a writer and travel expert who recommends taking photographs of your luggage before you go. If your baggage is lost, or you need to file travel insurance claims, this can save you time. Metz told SELF that you can track your belongings with a high-tech device such as an Apple AirTag, or Samsung SmartTag. Make sure to note where you have put your keys or parking tickets so that you can find them easily when you return.
Maximize the packing capacity of your personal items.
A carry-on bag is allowed and you can bring a personal item. Some airlines allow only a small personal item. You can maximize the space by packing your personal item in a spacious backpack or duffel. All your flight necessities, from compression socks to travel headphones to sleep masks to sanitizing wipes to clean your window, tray table and seat, can be packed in the bag.