Extraordinary Packing Tips
Proven Advice On How To Efficiently Pack Your Travel Bag, Save Space
Oct 18, 2007
An overloaded suitcase makes going on vacation stressful. Follow these packing tips and travel with ease.
So you have all the essentials for your trip. You have your plane ticket or a few magazines to read on the road. Time ticks away but as you get closer to departure you begin to wonder how to pack all your gear into your suitcase.
The best piece of advice when it comes to packing - bring half of what you think you’ll need. Bring enough clothes for comfort and functionality, but don’t bring your whole wardrobe. If you realise you forgot a shirt or pants – go buy new. They can also count as a souvenir of your trip.
Packing tips
- Suitcase Or Backpack - Decide on the type of travel bag you need. If you’re travelling to a resort where people pick you up at the airport, drop you off at your swanky hotel and then pick you back up seven days later, a suitcase will fit the bill. But, if you plan three weeks of train hopping in India, you may want to consider a comfortable back pack.
- Write It Out – Don’t wait until two hours before your flight to start packing. Make a list in advance to ensure you have everything. Tick off items as you acquire them. Put all items in a pile to ensure when it's time to put them in you pack you don’t have to run all over the house searching for them. Quick tip - try to remember the things you needed/didn’t need on your last trip and pack those. While on your trip, if you think of things you wish you’d brought write them down. Keep a list of things to bring next time.
- Divide And Conquer – Decide what is necessary and what is optional. If you don’t plan on scuba diving everyday, leave the fins at home. Better still rent them there. Leave all unnecessary items such as expensive jewellery or irreplaceable heirlooms home. Pack a cheap watch instead of the Rolex and be prepared to accept that anything you do bring could be lost or stolen.
- Get Travel Insurance – Get a good accidental death, dismemberment and health insurance before going abroad. Once you arrive at your destination it’s too late to purchase travel insurance. Also verify with your home insurance to see what they cover regarding belongings. Baggage insurance can be expensive and limited and often home insurance covers belongings even when you travel. Pack your policy as well as important phone numbers to call in case of an emergency.
- Bring Prescriptions – Stock up on all prescribed medication before you go. Overseas medicines carry different names – learn the Latin name. Most pharmacists can recognise root names of drugs and give you something similar in a pinch. However, avoid problems by bringing what you need. Same goes for feminine products, condoms and sun cream.
- Don't Jam Pack – Leave room in your bag for souvenirs or purchased items. To conserve room in your bag, roll your clothing and bring only one pair of shoes (besides the comfortable pair of walking shoes you’ll wear on the plane).
- Map Your Destination – Plan before you go and spend less time walking around with your head buried in a guidebook. Scan maps of the area and have a general idea of where you are. Print the maps, roll them up and stick them in your bag.
The copyright of the article Extraordinary Packing Tips in Budget Travel is owned by James W. Coates. Permission to republish Extraordinary Packing Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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