When it comes to international travel – or any long trip, for that matter – packing tends to be one of the least favorite activities. Unfortunately, this leads a lot of travelers to make foolish mistakes that hinder their travel experiences and lead to poor decision making. If you want your trip to get off on the right foot, you need to pay attention to how you’re addressing this all-important task.
Try These 4 Packing Hacks
Packing may seem straightforward, but it’s actually an art form that takes special care and experience to master. If you’re tired of spending too much time in airport security, feeling weighed down by too much stuff, or never having the right items at the appropriate time, then this article is for you.
Check out the following hacks for smooth, easy travel:
- Create a Checklist
One of the more frustrating aspects of packing is being in a rush and trying to remember everything you need. You stand over your suitcase running through a mental list of items, but know you’re forgetting something important.
In order to help yourself avoid forgetting key items, start a packing checklist two or three days before you leave. Keep it on your phone or desk and add to it as you remember things. This will help you speed up the process of actually packing your bags, while also giving you the confidence that you’ve remembered everything.
- Carry On Whenever Possible
If at all possible, avoid checking baggage. Not only can checked baggage be expensive, but it takes up precious time when you arrive at the airport. It also runs you the risk of losing items and/or experiencing a delay when you arrive.
People often think they have too much stuff for a carry-on, but you’d be surprised how much you can get in one small suitcase and a backpack or tote. The key is to pack versatile clothing items that can be worn multiple times with different outfits. For example, blue jeans and neutral shirts/blouses are great. It’s also wise to limit yourself to just one or two pairs of shoes (including the ones you’re wearing).
- Keep Travel Items Ready to Go
Make sure you always have travel items on hand. Better yet, keep them stored in your luggage ahead of time.
“There’s nothing worse than being ready to leave for a trip and realizing that you don’t have travel-sized toiletries. You either have to go out to the store and buy something at the last minute, or you’re forced to do without,” explains Autumn Lido of the Ben Lido Travel Kit Club. “Our subscription service solves this issue.”
In addition to signing up for a subscription service like this, you may also find it helpful to purchase an additional phone charger and/or portable battery pack that permanently resides in your suitcase.
- Roll Your Clothing
When you’re packing all of your items in a carry-on, space can become an issue. In order to maximize space, try rolling t-shirts and other clothing items.
“To properly roll your clothes, lay the item of clothing out flat,” travel blogger Lindsey Campbell suggests. “Then fold the bottom two inches of the item inside out so it creates a type of pocket along one side of the clothing. From the opposite end, roll the item tightly until you get to the pocket you’ve created. Fold one side of the pocket over the roll, securing it tightly.”
In addition to saving space, rolling your clothing provides you with easier access. When you go to pull out a shirt, you don’t end up unfolding everything else in the process. You can grab the shirt and be on your way.
Enjoy the Travel Experience
Many people love visiting different countries and seeing new places, but are so turned off from the actual travel process – that is getting there – that they don’t travel as much as they should. Or if they do travel, they end up feeling stressed and anxious the entire time.
If you want to travel without the burden of unnecessary stress and anxiety, you need to go back to the basics. By learning how to pack, you can enjoy smooth, frictionless travel that allows you to focus on the experience, rather than distractions. Are you ready to take charge?
