Use These Packing Hacks for Your Next Trip

Heading on a vacation soon or traveling to a different country? These packing hacks will help make things go smoothly so you can focus on having fun.

Make a Checklist

The first thing you should do before you even start packing is to make a checklist. List out everything you will need on your trip. Here are a few things to start with:

Prescription Medications
Underwear
Toiletries
Socks
Electronics
Wallet
Phone
Chargers
Something to sleep in
International adaptor plug
Travel ID/Passport
Travel Insurance
Sweater for the plane
Three bottoms
Four tops
Two pairs of shoes

Roll Your Clothes

Rolling your clothes in your bag will give you so much more room. Take this to the next level by using travel bags to squeeze out the extra air. These bags will give you even more space so you can pack more necessities. Rolling your clothes also prevents wrinkles. You won’t have to worry about ironing your clothes once you reach your destination. Who wants to spend half of their vacation ironing?

Balance Your Luggage

You’ve seen the people who stand their bags up only to have them fall over in the middle of the airport. If you were ever one of those people you know how annoying and frustrating it is. As you are packing your bag, make sure it is balanced so it won’t fall over when you have to stop. The easiest way to do this is to put the heaviest items at the bottom. Put your shoes, bottles, liquids, and anything else with weight at the bottom of your bag — by the wheels. Put your lightest items on top. You will notice it is much easier to move your bag around and you won't have to deal with it falling over while you travel.

Carry-On Luggage

Pack only a carry-on and skip checking your bag. When you only have a carry-on, you won’t have to waste your time at the airport checking your bags. In fact, 25 million bags get lost or misdirected every year. You don’t want that hassle. Once you check-in online, you can go straight to security and get your trip started. Another reason to use only a carry-on is you won’t have to wait at the baggage claim once you reach your destination. There will be no worrying about if your luggage got lost or destroyed along the way.

In-Flight Bag

Your inflight bag should have all of your essentials in it. Have your documents ready or at least separated from your other items so you can access them easily. Put loose items in a small pouch. The small items include a pen, chapstick, gum, and anything else you may need but isn’t part of your travel documents. Also have an electronics pouch for your phone, tablet, and chargers.

Pack Outfits

Don’t just throw clothes in your bag because they are your favorite clothes. Make sure you have outfits packed otherwise you will end up with a whole bunch of clothes you will never wear. Then you end up wasting space. Check the weather before you go, look at your itinerary, and plan your outfits around those.

Separate Dirty Laundry

Separating your dirty laundry is even more important if you are traveling to multiple places. Put your dirty laundry in a separate bag, such as reusable shopping bags. These bags are perfect to use while shopping around town, but then when you’re done put your dirty laundry in them to take home.

Don’t Forget First-Aid

It is not something most people usually think about, but you may need a first-aid kit. It is better to need it and have it than not have it and need it. Make sure the kit has medication if your stomach gets upset, cold and flu medication, band-aids, anti-itch cream, and benadryl in case of an allergic reaction. In addition, make sure your prescription medications are all filled before you leave. You don’t want to run out of medication in another city or country.

Sunglass Case for Your Chargers

Use an empty sunglass case to hold your chargers and headphones. A sunglass case is a perfect holder for small items because it keeps them all together and easy to find while you are on the go. If you need more than one, check out eyeglass pouches wholesale and separate your chargers by category. They are also handy for holding prescription medication and other small items.

Mint Containers for Jewelry

Jewelry gets tangled or lost while traveling and it is hard to find the small pieces. Make it easy by storing your earrings, rings, and necklaces in mint containers. Take it further by putting your earrings in a button to keep them together. Use a straw to hold your necklace in place and keep them from getting tangled.

Bar Shampoo and Conditioner

Instead of wondering how much liquid you are allowed to take on the plane, buy bar shampoo and conditioner. They work just like liquid shampoo and conditioner but are easier to pack. They also smell amazing.

Sarongs are Versatile

If you don’t have a sarong it is time to buy one. Choose a longer sarong so you can use it as a blanket during a cold plane ride. It is also used as a shawl to cover your shoulders if you are visiting a religious place or you get cold on a bus ride. Of course, it also works as a coverup for the beach or when you are going from laying in the sun and heading into shops.

Wear Heaviest Clothes

If you have a heavy sweater, wear it instead of packing it. The same applies to shoes. Wear your biggest shoes so you save precious packing space for your other necessities. Layer your clothes so if you do get warm you can take layers off during your trip.