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Travel Packing Tips
So you have a trip coming-up and are procrastinating packing until the last minute as usual, right? Well not any more. We'll teach you how to pack like a pro so you can spend more time dreaming about your trip rather than having nightmares about packing for it! So what are the cardinal rules of packing? The first thing understand about packing is that it depends on the type of transportation you are taking as well as how you plan to spend your trip. If you are staying in the same hotel for two weeks it might be okay to bring a heavy bag of clothes. If, on the other-hand you are traveling around Europe staying a max of a day or two at each hotel then you'll have to pack more efficiently. The easiest way to explain packing is by each method of transportation. Packing for a Flight When packing for a flight you really have to ask yourself one all-important question. Do you want to travel with checked baggage? Checked baggage means one or more of your bags are too big to bring on the airplane so must go underneath. This can add time and frustration to a trip waiting for your bags at your destination. The worst is of course when your bags are lost and you must make do with what you brought in your carry-on bag. The easiest way to fly is by bringing all carry-on bags. This might seem impossible for long trips but it's not. The secret to packing is remembering that you can wash your clothes throughout the trip. Thus, if you're going away for two weeks - you only need to pack five or six days worth of clothes. It is this kind of thinking that can help you pack for three weeks of travel in the same bag you do for one week - because you'll be brining the same amount of clothes. Finding a washer and dryer shouldn't be hard and if you want to spend a few extra bucks the hotel will do your laundry for you. If you absolutely must put bags under the airplane try to make sure you have at least a change of clothes and some essentials in your carry-on bags. Should your bags get lost you'll feel better knowing you can still brush your teeth and put on clean socks in the morning. This might not seem like a big deal but with all the hassle that can come with travel, it's the little things that make a big difference. Want to know the secret to getting VIP treatment for you bag? Join an airline reward program and start earning miles. Once you reach the base-level for their rewards program you can usually check-in at the First Class counter. This counter has a habit for rolling-out the red carpet for your bags and you'll usually find yours to be the first off the airplane. Packing for a Train Packing for a train is a big different than a flight. The key differences between these forms of transportation is storage room. Trains have a lot more space than airplanes since they don't have to leave the ground. This means you can be a bit more relaxed when packing for a train. This doesn't mean you should dump all your clothes into two huge suitcases that you manage to stuff in the compartment above your head. Instead this simply means that you can park a bit smarter. Use a duffle bag or similar so you can squish your clothes into whatever size space they might need to fit. Using a rigid-cased bag could lead to you and your bag being separated if it doesn't fit right above your seat. Also trains will often stop letting passengers off and new passengers on. This means that the chance of having your bag stolen dramatically increases over that of an airplane. Keep locks on your bag and make sure you can see it. Should you take a nap, make sure to wake-up periodically and make sure it's still there. Final Points Over time you will learn what works for you and what doesn't. The important thing to always remember is to continue to learn from your own mistakes. If a trip goes particularly bad due to a packing disaster - write it down. Post it on the fridge to remind you for your next trip. Through learning from your mistakes you can develop a packing technique that is truly your own. The satisfaction of a well-packed bag is the perfect note to start-off your next adventure - happy travels!
Morgan Linton
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