How To Pack For A Trip

Well, summer is here and what does everyone love to do during the summer? Travel, of course! During the summer months, I travel a lot and one of the most important things to do before a vacation is to pack accordingly. Packing smartly is not always easy to do, so here are some tips that I've learned on how to make travel a whole lot easier, and make your trip a whole lot more enjoyable.

Know the Fundamentals for Your Trip

What will you be doing on your trip? Will you be visiting family or friends? Or, will you be hiking and enjoying the great outdoors? Knowing the fundamentals of your trip will give you the basis for what you need to pack. For example, if you are going to Florida to celebrate your cousin’s birthday, and you know that she wants to go to a nice restaurant, you need to pack something dressy. If you are staying near the beach, you need to pack bathing suits. If you are going hiking in the Alps, you need to pack hiking gear.

Know Your Destination's Climate.

This might be an obvious one, but you need to know your destination's climate. You certainly don't want to pack countless amounts of shorts and tank tops for your trip, only to be surprised that, at your trip’s location, it is winter and freezing! A couple of days before your trip, find out your destination's weather so you get an approximate idea of what kind of clothes you need to pack.

Make a List

Make a list with all the items that you want to take on the trip. Write down pants, jackets, t-shirts, and any other clothing you might need. Go over the list a few times to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Add all the items that are commonly forgotten, such as toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, razors, and a phone charger. Make sure you bring the list with you on the trip; this will be a lifesaver when it's time to go home because it will help you make sure you haven’t left anything behind.

Don't Over-Pack

Go over your list of items one more time and make sure that you will need every item on that list. Will you really need 6 different pairs of shoes, and four different coats on your one week stay? Probably not. Pick items that you can mix-and-match for different outfits. That way you can have a different look every day without bring 5 different suitcases.

Buy Travel-Size Toiletries

It doesn't matter how long your trip is, you should always buy travel size toiletries for your shampoo, toothpaste, etc. This is extremely important if you are flying because some airlines have a strict limit on how much liquid or gel you can bring on a plane. Remember, there will most likely be a general store where you can buy more toiletries if you run out. Put all of your toiletries into a plastic bag to prevent any explosions while travelling.

Know Your Airlines Rules and Restrictions

Know the limit to how much luggage you can bring. Know what your luggage dimensions should be. If you are not sure about any of these, go on your airline’s website to find more information. Also, if you will be going through borders or customs, you need to be extra careful not to break any of their rules. Trust me, you do not want to mess with them!

The Rules of Packing

So, you've done all of the steps above. Now comes the hard part: fitting all of your items into your suticase.

1. Place all of your hard and heavy items on the bottom of your luggage.
2. Use the "roll technique" for packing clothes. Lay two or three items on top of one another, smooth them to flatten them, and then roll them like you would a sleeping bag to prevent wrinkling and save space.
3. Once you pack something, check it off your list to make sure you did not forget to pack anything.
4. Place all of your bulky items like sweaters and jackets into reusable compression bags. They’re super easy to use and save loads of space in your luggage.
5. Put shoes in the corners of the suitcase and wear the bulkiest shoes, like sneakers, on the flight.

Bring Food and Entertainment

If it's a long flight, or a long drive to the destination, make sure you bring snacks so you are not hungry while traveling. Again, if you are flying, you have to make sure you know all of the airline's rules and regulations about what kind of food they allow you on the plane. Don't forget to bring something to do in case you get bored. My favorite items to bring are my MP3 player and iPad.

Don't stress out to much before the trip. Make sure that you have a good time, because vacations are meant to be relaxing, and stress-free!