Most people’s least favourite part of getting ready to go on holiday is packing. Figuring out what to bring and vice versa can be quite intimidating, especially if you are visiting somewhere which is very different to where you have been before. We have a few useful tips when it comes to packing that have helped us to manage some very complicated holidays.
Firstly get a checklist, this can be as simple as a google spreadsheet that indicates both numbers of items and types of item. Only add a number to the list once you have actually put it in a bag. That way you never have to ask if you have remembered to pack anything since if it is packed it is on the list. Doing this with passports is also good since you never have to worry if you have your passports on the way to the airport. Put them in your carry on luggage a week before your trip and add it to your packing list.
I have included an example packing list below, feel free to use it if you want.
Secondly use compression packing cubes. These are luggage organisers that come in a range of size and allow you to efficiently pack clothes. The main advantage of these is that they remove the need to do lots of unpacking since the location of all your clothes is straightforward. You can have cubes for each person so that clothes don’t get mixed up and the compression ensures that your bags are not too bulky whilst adding minimal weight.
Thirdly, use flexible luggage, whilst hard cases can offer the most protection for your items, they often do not allow you to carry items of a non-standard shape. My favourite type of suitcase at the moment is the rugged trolley bag which is both very light and flexible allowing you to travel with longer items like scuba fins. They often have lower sections where you can store more delicate items ensuring that they arrive in one piece. They are not as easy to move around an airport as a spinner suitcase but we have managed to break spinner wheels trying to drag one up a hill.
Fourthly pack according to what you are intending to do which sounds obvious but should be kept in mind. If you are not planning on going out to dinner much there is going to be much less need to have more formal clothing. Likewise if you are intending to visit one of the grand opera houses of Europe, you probably don’t want to turn up with shorts and a t-shirt. You may be able to rent clothes when you get to your location but this is going to take time away from what you actually want to do.
Fifthly, if you are going on a long flight, pack two sets of spare clothes in your carry on luggage. This can help with any lost baggage situations which has happened to us twice. This is also very useful in case you have any spillages or just feel like freshening up after travelling for a while and you can find access to a shower.
Lastly figure out whether you want to get laundry done on holiday or not. Lots of travellers to South East Asia do this and it works very well, but you may decide that you like wearing lots of clothes on holiday. It also makes sense to figure out prior to leaving how much laundry will cost and how accessible it will be from your location
Hopefully these tips will help with your packing and you will have a much smoother holiday experience. I know they have helped us.
