30 Travel Packing Tips from Your Fellow Travellers

Travel Packing Tips from Your Fellow Travellers

Let’s face it, packing for a vacation is never easy. With so many factors to take into consideration, it’s easy to overpack or underpack, especially if you like to leave it to the last minute, just like me. Not to worry though, while I can’t do the packing for you, these useful travel hacks will sure make your packing easier.

These are some of the best travel packing tips from TripAdvisor community to help you travel like a pro.

Pack Smart

Go light on the luggage

1. Use packing cubes

These bags allow you to group similar items and pack them together in one cube. This makes for easy unpacking, repacking, and finding the items you need.

2. Roll, don’t fold

I usually like to rolled-up clothes when I pack for my trip. It not only take up less space but also help prevent wrinkling. However, for heavier clothing like winter jackets, you’ll save more space by folding them or laying them flat at the bottom of your suitcase.

3. Place the heaviest item at the bottom

Always pack your heaviest items at the bottom of the suitcase. A top-heavy suitcase runs the risk of toppling over. Another trick that frequent budget airline fliers use to shrink their luggage is to wear the bulkiest clothing on the plane.

Be ready for worst-case scenarios

4. Pack an extra set of clothes in your carry-on

While lost luggage is pretty rare these days, baggage delays are still common, even if your flight is short and direct. If you want to freshen up during layover, the trick is to pack an extra set of clothes (like a change of socks and underwear in your carry-on.

5. Share suitcases if you’re traveling as a family

One of the travel packing tips shared was to make sure you have each person’s essentials in every suitcase, in case some bags get delayed or go missing.

6. Bring a socket extension

For those traveling with someone, or with family, the last thing you’ll need is to fight over the limited number of charging points in the hotel room. Bring along a socket extension so that you can charge up multiple devices in one go.

Pack for the season

Packing for winter

7. Pack layers for cold weather

Instead of one bulky winter jacket, go for lightweight layers that won’t weigh down your suitcase. A thermal shirt will keep you warm when layered with other pieces of clothing, including scarves. You can always add or remove layers depending on how cold it gets outside.

8. Choose down over wool

Skip the fashionable wool coat and go with a puffy down jacket. You can stuff your jacket into your daypack as an extra layer of warmth on super cold days, use it as a pillow on the flight or roll it into a little pouch to save space.

Packing for spring

9. Look out for pollen season

Pollen particles rise with warm air on midday afternoons and shower down again when the air cools at night. While outdoors, keep a small tube of Vaseline handy to spread on the inside of the bottom of your nose, which can act as a trap for some pollen particles. A good pair of shades can also keep the pollen out of your eyes.

10. Bring clothing for changing weather conditions

Traveling in spring can be especially tricky—your destination can be chilly, warm, wet or dry, or even all four in a single day. Your best bet? Bring clothing that is breathable, insulating, sweat-absorbing and quick-drying to prepare you for those abrupt weather changes (merino wool clothing is a good choice).

Packing for summer

11. Use resealable bags to keep out the bedbugs

Apart from your usual insect repellent, bring along a few resealable bags when visiting the tropics to prevent bedbugs (it’s peak season!) from hitching a ride in your luggage. Use these bags to stash your dirty clothes, and wash them in hot water the moment you arrive at your next hotel.

12. Use spray bottles to beat the humidity

Humid countries (think many parts of Southeast Asia) can get you feeling hot and sticky within minutes. If you can’t park yourself in front of an A/C unit, the next best thing is to bring a water spray bottle to mist your face while exploring under the hot sun.

Packing for fall

13. Pack for erratic weather

Fall weather can sometimes seem unpredictable, with its sunny days, chilly evenings and the occasional afternoon downpour. Make sure you pack a loose-fitting waterproof rain jacket or windbreaker that you can take off or tie around your waist when needed along with a few pairs of woolen socks.

Pack for different activities

Packing for beach days

14. Find clever ways to stash your cash

Keeping your valuables safe is crucial to having a great day at the beach. If you’re leaving anything unattended, consider stashing your cash in a conspicuous beach towel with a hidden pocket, and leave it near the lifeguard if possible.

15. Bring talcum powder to get rid of lingering sand

Say goodbye to pesky sand residue after beach day by chucking a bottle of talcum powder in your duffel. Before hopping into your car or walking back to your hotel room, sprinkle some talcum powder all over yourself to take the moisture off your skin and hair, and let the beach sand fall off easily.

Packing for hiking or camping trips

16. Distribute your backpack weight evenly

Organizing your backpack well can help you hike comfortably for longer periods. Start by packing compressible items like your sleeping bag or nightwear at the bottom of your backpack, which acts as shock absorption and lumbar support. Then, place bulkier food and cooking items towards the midsection, padding them with tent fabrics or spare clothes to prevent them from digging into your back. Lastly, keep the top layer of your backpack for items that you’ll need most frequently while on the hike, like your insulated windbreaker, waterproof layers, toilet supplies and first aid kit.

17. Bring an emergency kit

Cuts, scrapes, blisters and unexpected serious injuries could always happen while you’re out there, so make sure you’re fully prepared for every scenario. Prep an emergency kit loaded with essentials including a lightweight 1L water bottle, water purification tablets, ready meal kits, box matches, a waterproof flashlight with backup batteries, flares, a multi-tool, and first aid supplies like antiseptic wipes, medical tape, and allergy medication like antihistamines. Depending on how remote your hike will be, you might even want to bring signal equipment like a satellite radio, signaling mirrors, flares, or survival whistles.

18. Protect your gear from moisture

If you’re planning a trip during the wet season, line the inside of your backpack with a heavy-duty plastic bag before placing all of your items in it to keep them safe from the rain.

Packing for roadtrips

19. Keep the food and trash organized

Keep the car cleaner for longer with designated snack and trash compartments. Pack clips or clothing pegs to seal unfinished snack bags. For disposables, line a spare cereal or cookie box with a trash bag and tuck it between the car seats for chucking used napkins or sweet wrappers.

20. Don’t forget the cooler box

A great cooler box is one luxury you’ll thank yourself for. Other TripAdvisor members have even found creative ways to keep their drinks cool, from using bottles of frozen water to lining the interior of the box with frozen vegetables.

Packing for ski trips

21. Prioritize ski gear that you can’t rent

Unless you’re willing to splurge on extra baggage allowance, it’s generally a good idea to only pack ski gear you won’t be able to rent at the ski resort. Leave bulkier items like skis and boards at home.

22. Use tea bags as a deodorizer

Slip tea bags into your musty ski boots to absorb the stench and keep your hotel room odor-free. Hot tea bags can also be applied to newly formed blisters to keep them from bubbling up.

23. Bring lip balm

Aside from protecting and healing damaged lips, you can also apply lip balm to your face to prevent windburn, or rub some on the inside of your nostrils to keep them from sgoing dry and irritated. Lip balm can also be used to lubricate the zipper teeth on your coat if they get stuck.

Travel Packing Tip for Desert expeditions

24. Pack for warm days and cold nights

Even on the hottest days in the desert, temperatures can drop dramatically when the sun sets. If your itinerary includes a desert safari, long-sleeved tops and pants are a must to protect you from the sun while keeping you warm at night. A shawl is also a great multi-functional item that can keep the dust away from your face.

Pack for different traveler types

Packing for young kids

25. Choose coloring sheets over bulky toys

Leave the train sets at home and pack simple card games like Uno or crayons and coloring sheets to keep the children busy on long flights or road trips.

26. Don’t pack extra shoes for the kids

One pair of all-purpose shoes (usually sneakers) is all they’ll need on a city getaway. On beach vacations, ditch the sneakers for a pair of sandals.

27. Pack lots of snacks

Pack healthy snacks to set the little ones in a good mood on long journeys. Lollipops can help ease the ear pressure during flight take-offs, while sugar-free chewable treats like gummies can help calm hyperactive kids.

Packing for a solo trip

28. Take a piece of home with you

If there’s one thing you need when you’re traveling alone, it’s an item that brings you comfort. Solo trips can get lonely, so bring along a little treat from home—whether it’s your go-to snack, your favorite worn-out sweater, or episodes of your favorite show to rewatch on your phone when you feel homesick.

Prepare for a safe trip

Traveling again can seem daunting at first, especially as domestic and international border restrictions change with the evolving Covid-19 pandemic. If you’re taking the leap (and all the precautions too), here are some additional things you should pack to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Taking precautions

29. Keep up with local regulations

Entry requirements vary from place to place, so check the official government sites for the latest restrictions and requirements for the country you’re visiting. Is quarantine or a pre-departure test mandatory, or do you have to show any type of documentation on your way back?

Some tour groups, activities, and accommodations require travelers to produce both a proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test, so be sure to do your homework and make preparations in advance.

30. Bring additional disinfecting supplies

Bottled hand sanitizer is useful when soap and water aren’t available, and disinfecting wipes come in handy for wiping down airplane seats, toilet seats and sanitizing your hotel room upon arrival. Some airlines and places may be stricter on the type of masks you’re supposed to wear, so make sure to carry some extra surgical masks with you even if you prefer wearing fabric ones.

Originally posted at TripAdvisor

Read also: 15 Coolest Travel Hacks for a Smart Traveller