Packing Tips
We have all been there. Last minute packing. Staying up all night before an early morning flight. Getting ready to leave for our dream trip exhausted. Realising you don’t have the right clothes or they don’t fit results in panic buying with rushed trips to the shop or praying Amazon can deliver same-day. That item we know we have but can’t find anywhere. Buying new shoes then forgetting to break them in. The suitcase you were planning to use you discover is damaged. Then when you get to your destination, you realise that you have forgotten an essential item.
The list of the last-minute craziness we all can identify with some or all of these situations. We can guarantee we have all done all of them and even more. Below is pretty long but stick with it and you might learn something!
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Take the stress out of packing
1. Use a list. We suggest one overall master list and a carry-on list. Review all items and cross off all you won’t need during your travels. Travel abroad is very different than a trip domestically. It is essential for a successful and healthy trip to be organised and thoughtful in your packing.
2. Start early. We start laying out our packing 2-3 weeks before. Do you have a guest room bed or a room in the house that is rarely used? Take advantage of that space!! This gives you time to determine what you need and don’t need. Approaching it this way, you will be able to determine early on what you will have to shop for without expensive last-minute panic buying.
The main packing list below is all items you may need to bring on your trip. It is a list geared for all trips abroad, whether one week or two months. This is not a list for backpackers, as their needs are unique, especially if they stay at hostels or are camping. This is for your average traveller, who will likely have one checked bag, a carry-on, and a purse or backpack.
There is a second list that is for carry-on luggage. All items are contained in the master list but detail what you need in your carry-on specifically. Checked luggage can get lost, or you are held up at a connecting airport for a long time due to weather or mechanical problems.
3. This is also an ideal time to sort out the non-clothing items. Look for travel-size items. Or buy small containers to avoid bringing bulky products such a facial care jars or big tubes of face scrub, or bottles of astringent.
4. Make the effort to assess your daily routine and truly only bring what you need and leave what you don’t need behind.
5. Packing abroad also means preparing for the what-ifs. By making sure you are not bringing more than you need leaves room for the medical supplies.
6. As you layout your belongings, you can then determine how you may want to sort them. We use packing cubes for smaller items and tend to get lost in a suitcase, i.e., undergarments, socks, nightwear, swimsuits, and summer wear. Use packing cubes to save space and have better organisation.
7. All miscellaneous items should be ideally packaged in some container. Whether you use Ziploc baggies, mesh bags, or cosmetic containers, it doesn’t matter. Follow the rule; everything goes into some kind of pouch. This will make it easier to find things during your travels. You know the “it has to be somewhere” moments.
8. Keep your packing list with your pre-trip layout. Once an item is there and can stay, check it off.
9. As your list is complete, you can assess the suitcase you will need if you have not already chosen. Documents are something to organise and prepare early. Find a water-resistant folder, binder, or sleeve.
Put together a detailed itinerary. Have both paper and electronic copies. Copy all your important documents such as passport, credit cards, medical insurance, travel insurance, etc. Make two sets of copies to hide in separate suitcases. Leave one with a family or friend back home. It is important to have paper copies. People often say I have it saved on my phone, but that will do you no good if your phone is lost or stolen.
10. Don’t bring valuables if you can avoid them. No one will remember or care if your pearls are worth thousands or are fake. Or if your designer purse is an authentic Louis Vuitton? Do you really need that huge diamond ring or earrings? No one really cares if your husband got you a big diamond; well, the thief might. It only draws attention to you and makes you a target for theft. You are there to experience their culture, not to show off to people you will never see again. As a whole, in Europe, they live a much simpler, less materialistic life.
11. We can not encourage you more to get a digital hand scale for all your travels. It weighs your luggage before going to the airport. They are dead-on accurate, small and lightweight. Especially handy coming home if you bought lots of souvenirs and gifts.. They are inexpensive, around £10, and invaluable.
12. Keep in mind if you plan to bring items home from your travels, you will need space to do so. Make sure as you leave space and that you are not at the weight limit before you leave. Plan for this ahead of time, or take a small duffle to check an extra bag coming home. You can often pay for this in advance to save costs.
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Accessories
This is simple. This is the one area men may need more of. Most items can be worn during travels, such as a belt and hat. Sunglasses no matter the season, we suggest packing a pair. We travel off-season but landed up buying some at our destination as it may be cooler, but it was still very sunny.
Toiletries and Hygiene
Review your routine and the volumes you use during the time frame of your trip. Seek travel size or transfer your products to smaller containers. If you stay in hotels, you can avoid packing soap and shampoo but always bring conditioner, which is often not provided. We use clear mesh bags, clear toiletry bags, or Ziploc to hold our toiletries. Most everyone has had some product leak out over all their clothes. The key is to put your items in some kind of leakproof container at all times. (Check some out here on our Travel Essentials list) Clear containers make it easier to see, and you don’t waste digging looking for your lip balm.
Electronics
Electronic supplies should be minimum. Avoid a laptop if you can. Today’s modern smartphones are just a smaller version. A tablet works as well. If you are like us, we need to bring at least one. Streamline these items as best you can. Keep them packaged and organised. For a laptop, put it in a thinly padded sleeve.
We tend to bring lots of international adapters as we lose a lot along the way. It is important to keep all these smaller, easily lost items well packaged. We found this great electronic case that holds everything we need and keeps it all well organized. You can find it on our Travel Essentials list. We haul a bigger Drone around, but that is the price for wanted great photos and videos.
Additional Supplies
This is a mish-mash of items that we feel are essential. We bring all of these. It seems like a long list, but most of these items are small. We only bring one of most items for the whole travel group. It is about being prepared. Look for small versions of these items; small, durable flashlight, lightweight tote bag, mini sewing kit, travel first aid kit, etc.
Documents
Bottom line, you need all of these documents and copies of what you bring. Make three sets of copies. Take two with you and leave one with your family at home. You can also make an electronic copy and also email them to yourself. We always advise going with some local currency on hand. We get some at our local Chase before we leave. Airport exchanges are pricey, and you will get a better rate at your local bank, so plan ahead.
Part of the list speaks to putting together a Travel Emergency Contact Info. It is of paramount importance to carry with you a card that holds all this important info. If you would take ill or get injured away from your belongings and documents, you must have on your person all the info that may be needed in an emergency. Your nationality, passport number, medications, medical conditions, emergency contact, health and travel insurance numbers and contact info, embassy info, local 911 numbers, calling code, and how to call in or out of the country you are in. Time is of the essence in emergencies.
Over the Counter Meds
Finally, we have a list of over-the-counter meds that we suggest everyone has packed (included in the FREE Travel Planner pdf). Being prepared helps you stay healthy during a trip. Do not expect that you can buy these meds there if you get sick overseas. If you get ill on a Saturday evening, you will not find open stores anywhere, and most stores, even pharmacies, may not be open on Sunday.
Luggage
Luggage Restrictions per Airline
Worried about whether your luggage is too big or too heavy for the plane?
Use the link below to see all luggage restrictions for all airlines:
Carry-on Heads Up
Why do we prefer to have carry-on rollers? Hauling things on your back and shoulders is not healthy or wise. If you have long layovers, it could seriously hinder your movements. A roller can take all items, even your backpack, off your body. You can drape your jacket and neck pillow off of it. It also makes a nice leg rest for long layovers. And if you do some after security shopping, it comes in quite handy to avoid carrying shopping bags with you.
Many international airlines, if you are flying economy, have a weight limit for carry-on. This will not be easy for you if you have laptops and heavy camera equipment. All of a sudden, all those important items you should not separate from you will be forced to. If there is more than one in your group, spread out the weight before heading to the airport. Don’t have one person carry the laptop, camera, and all the paperwork. The airlines can make quite a bit of extra income this way too.
Know your Airports! We love buying alcohol or gifts duty-free. We save room in our carry-on just for that reason. But if you fly through certain Airports to make your connection, you have to go through security. If you buy liquor or olive oil, they could confiscate it. This is not a problem in most places. Some airport security, as long as it is well sealed in the duty-free bag, they will allow but not always. Know your airports.
To Those Who Pack Light
To those you can pack for a whole trip in a small backpack, we commend you. Congratulations, you have our awe and respect.
Final Thoughts
We hope these packing tips and lists still serve you well.
Packing doesn’t have to be chaotic. Using a list and staying organised is all it takes. Use our packing tips above, and you may even find it fun. What we have found is our greatest tool is starting early. That has dramatically reduced packing stress.
Have that suitcase zipped up at the front door days before your trip even. Your heart will smile each time you see it. You will also leave more rested and ready to hit the road the second you arrive.
The printable PDFs of both packing lists will be sent to your email address within 24hr. They can be printed in black and white colour or downloaded to your computer, mobile.
You are packed and ready to go. We wish you safe and exciting adventures. May all your travel dreams become a beautiful reality.
Bon Voyage
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