Documenting my travels is obviously the main focus of my blog, but I’ve decided that I will also add some travel tip articles from time to time to help everyone with the more mundane side of travel, such as packing. So, I’m going to start with packing, as this is always a job I hate. Once I’ve decided on my holiday and organised it, I just want to go and begin my travels without having to think about what I need to pack in my case.
Make a list
Packing, as I’ve already mentioned, is always a bit of a nightmare from deciding what to take with you to how to get everything tidily into the case. So, to start off with, you need to make a master travel list on the computer so that you don’t have to keep thinking about what to take each time you travel, and hopefully it will prevent you from forgetting anything important. You can set your list out in sections and use headings like toiletries, accessories, important documents, things to entertain the children with, and clothing – leaving a number of rows free to write in what clothing you plan to take. Then all you have to do is print a sheet off every time you need to travel and cross the items off as you pack them – you can then recycle the sheet afterwards. If you are really savvy, you could even laminate your sheet and use an erasable pen so that you can cross things off and then wipe the pen off again afterwards ready for the next trip!
Plan your clothing
Think carefully about your clothing in advance of your trip. If you are going somewhere hot then you will obviously need to pack thin and lightweight items, and if you are planning somewhere a bit colder then you’ll need to pack heavier items that include jumpers, fleeces, warm trousers, and thermal socks. Start off by getting all your chosen clothing out on the bed and then look through it again carefully and decide whether you really need to take everything out in front of you. Think about mixing and matching items and whether you are going to be able to wash anything whilst you are away. Taking too many items will bulk out your luggage and add to the weight. Remember also that if you are going anywhere hot then you’ll likely have some mosquito issues, so remember the insect repellent and to wear light coloured clothing that will also help to repel them.
Use packing cubes or net washing bags
Using packing cubes or net washing bags can be a great way of space saving and preventing your clothes from getting too creased. Roll or fold your clothes carefully and place them inside the bags – you’ll be amazed at how much more you can fit into the case. Try to take clothing that is made of more travel friendly materials, such as cotton, acrylic, nylon, rayon, and wool, to avoid creasing your clothes as much as possible. These packing bags are also brilliant if you are travelling around to a variety of places, as you can just lift a bag out to get something and then replace it again without having to empty the entire case. You can also compartmentalize your items to make it even easier to pack and take items in and out of your case – you could use different coloured bags or label each bag, too. You may even want to take one or two spare bags with you to put dirty laundry in so that you can keep it separate from your clean clothes. And the great thing about these bags is that they can just be popped into the washing machine and washed after your trip!
Choose the right case
The case you choose to travel with is also an important factor to consider. Some cases are much lighter than others – remember that a heavier case will add to the overall weight of your luggage. If you are thinking of taking a cabin bag onto the plane as your main luggage, be sure to thoroughly check the dimensions first with the airline you are travelling with as even though it may state that the bag is cabin size they can vary quite a bit and I have known people to be fined for having the wrong sized bag! Think about the colour of the case, too, as light-coloured ones will show the dirt much easier than darker ones and will soon start to look shabby after a few flights. Cases with four wheels are also a better option, as they rotate 360 degrees and are therefore much easier to manoeuvre.
Conclusion
It’s always a good idea to pack your case at least a couple of days in advance just in case you have any last-minute problems that you need to take care of. If you’re flying, make sure that everything you have in your hand luggage meets the security rules to avoid any delays or issues going through security at the airport. Hopefully, these tips will help to ensure that every trip you make is an organised and safe one!
