It is a truth universally acknowledged, that anyone who has ever been long-term travelling or even on holiday dreads packing! The fear that creeps over us as we debate what to pack and how to pack it. Which toiletries should we buy? Which shoes will be the most versatile? How many pairs of underwear will we need?
Follow these packing tips and you’ll never have to worry about packing again!
Do your research
This is where packing smart starts! Firstly, find out what the weather is going to be like when you are away. Then, think about which activities or excursions you might want to do. Will your accommodation provide hair dryers or clothes washing facilities? What medicines and First Aid equipment might you need and can you buy them in-country? All of this information can help you focus and prioritise your packing list and minimise the risk of bringing something along that you just won’t need.
Versatility is key
With the rise of hand luggage only budget airlines, learning how to pack light is essential! One key way to achieve this is to make sure that every item of clothing you bring has more than one use. Clothes that you can mix and match into multiple outfits are the winner! Also, packing clothes that you can wear both during the day and night is a great idea.
One of the best pieces of advice we were ever given was to bring a statement piece of jewelry when travelling. Add in some smoky eyes and a dash of red lipstick and voilà, your average day outfit is now a glamorous night look.
Get comfortable
Don’t forget the little things that will make a big difference to how much you enjoy your trip. Allowing a little bit of space for items like eye masks and earplugs will help you get a good night’s sleep, especially if you need to sleep on the plane and are trying to adjust to a new time zone.
Moreover, no one likes getting bitten by bugs or being covered in itchy bites. If you know that insects might be a problem at your destination, it is essential to pack something to keep them away. One brilliant and versatile solution is to wear anti-insect clothing and sleepwear that safeguards against insects like mosquitoes, bed bugs, midges, and ants.
Roll up, roll up
If you haven’t tried this old packing hack already, where have you been?! It’s super easy and not only saves you space, but helps you organise your bag too. Instead of laying your clothes flat in your luggage, roll them up to make more space in your bag. You can even use compression bags or packing cubes to maximise your space even more. There are also great lightweight, packable day bags available which roll up or fold down in to the size of a square, giving you extra space to bring presents home!
A place for everything, and everything in its place
Packing is stressful and it’s even more stressful when you’re already abroad and then can’t find what you’re looking for!
Don’t just put everything in your bag where there is space for it to fit. Before you pack, organise your items into different piles and pack them in their own spaces so you know where to find them later. For example, all your underwear is in the netted mesh section, your toiletry bag is at the bottom of your bag (it’s almost always the heaviest item, so your bag won’t fall over!), and your medication and anti-bacterial gel is in the side pocket of your day bag for easy access. If you know where you packed it, you’ll be able to find it easily.
