I have spent a lot of time in the past three years travelling. In the process, I have learned a lot about navigating airports, packing suitcases, and saving money. Over the next few months, I’m hoping to share some of my tips with you so that you can benefit from the many trips I’ve made and will be making in the future. We’re going to start those tips off today with a little insight on how you can maximize your packing space.
Now that we’ve got the background and disclaimer out of the way, let’s jump into those packing tips that you’re going to love! Remember, these tips come from several years of travelling all over the United States.
Pick the right luggage.
Your luggage can help make your trip run smoothly or it can create more stress than you ever thought imaginable. Not all suitcases are made the same and not all suitcases work for every trip. This is why it can be helpful to have a luggage set that contains several pieces and can be used for different types of trips. I own a small luggage set and I rarely use all of the pieces at the same time. However, I do use all of the pieces that came with the set. When picking out best luggage set for yourself, I always recommend looking for the best deal. One place you can look for awesome deals is Groupon Goods. (Seriously check out their awesome deals!)
Identify your method of travel.
Will you be traveling by car, plane, train, bus, or boat? Believe it or not, your method of transportation impacts your packing the most. It’s important that you figure out how you’re getting from point A to point B and what the rules are for packing. Unless you’re traveling by car, there is probably going to be a size and bag limit for your method of transportation. This will help determine which suitcase will work best for you. Don’t have one that’s perfect? Check out these awesome deals on Groupon Goods that could help you pack more without spending a fortune.
Determine how long you’ll be staying.
This one is probably obvious. The longer your trip, the more clothes you’ll need – especially if you won’t have access to laundry facilities. (If you do have access, keep that in mind when packing. A little laundry never hurt anyone!) Utilize basic pieces that can be mixed and matched to create new outfits. This will help save a little space in your suitcase without compromising your wardrobe options. Pinterest is filled with ideas for picking the right pieces to pack.
Consider the nature of the trip.
Why are you travelling? Will your trip be filled with only business? Is it a social trip? Will there be any downtime? The purpose of your trip is important to keep in mind because it can affect your packing on the return trip. Consider any items that you might acquire during your travels (souvenirs, gifts, business items) and allow room for them in your suitcase. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with a new packing dilemma when you get ready to leave.
Look up the average temperatures for your destination.
Unless you’re travelling nearby, I highly recommend looking up the average temperatures for your destination. Just because it’s summer, that doesn’t mean that your destination will have scorching heat. Keep in mind any unusual weather that you might encounter including heat waves, rain, snow, and more. Educating yourself can help you when you’re packing and after you’ve arrived at your destination. No one wants to show up to a cold day in a sundress.
Identify your needs and wants.
What are the items you can’t travel without? For me, my laptop ranks towards the top of the list. However, I can leave my make up behind and it won’t upset me one bit. Things like medicine, toiletries, etc should be considered when making your need list. When you’re making your list, consider items that you might be able to buy or borrow upon arrival. For example, when I travel to see my family, I don’t bring any toiletries with me because I have a set to use there. Leaving unnecessary items off your packing list can free up a lot of suitcase space.
Use a few of these quick space saving (and money saving) tips.
- Organize all of your belongings.
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them.
- Use mini bottles of shampoo instead of full sized bottles.
- Wear your chunkiest clothing and shoes.
- Invest in ebooks to save space.
- Shop around for the best deal on luggage and other things to pack. (You could start by browsing online at Groupon Goods.)
- Don’t pack the kitchen sink. (In other words, don’t pack everything – be selective!)
What was the last trip you took? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
