Bon Voyage: Packing and Traveling Tips
Doing any traveling over April vacation? Have an upcoming business trip?
Here are some general tips for organized packing and traveling:
· If shoe space is limited, take a multi-use pair of shoes plus a pair of sneakers (or wear the sneakers while traveling so you have them upon arrival)
· Consider wearing items multiple times -- try packing clothes that won't need to be ironed, can be mixed and matched, and will stand up to a few days' wearing without needing to be washed.
· To conserve space, try packing items as flat and wide as you can, one on top of another (the weight of layers will avoid wrinkles)
· Store socks and underwear inside of shoes
· Use vacuum storage bags (specifically for suitcases) to flatten bulky items
· Take the time to find out what the weather will be like in your destination and consider the range of activities you’ll be doing when you plan what to bring.
· Try to limit yourself to carry-on bags whenever possible. Not only does this make it much easier to check in for flights and get out of the airport quickly once the plane lands, it also limits the amount of stuff to lug around once you’ve arrived. It's not always possible to go the carry-on only route, of course; sometimes, checking bags is more convenient, necessary, or both. It’s worth aiming to pack light anyway. You'll have less to deal with, less to worry about, and less to lose.
· "Containerizing" your clothes, shoes, accessories, and toiletries can go a long way toward keeping your suitcase from descending into chaos, and can also make it easier to find what you need when you unpack.
· Keep valuables in a bag you'll have with you at all times. Think before you pack your valuables; as a general rule of thumb, it's a good idea to leave at home anything that's irreplaceable or that you'd be devastated to lose.
· Carry on those items that you must have if your luggage doesn't arrive with you. This might include prescriptions, eyeglasses, travel itinerary, confirmations, directions, tickets, and something to entertain yourself with (assuming that passport, visa, and photo identification, credit cards, traveler's checks, and money are in your purse, women). Pack a change of clothes in a carry-on in a Ziploc bag. If your flight is delayed or your luggage is lost, at least you have another change of clothes.
· Consider wearing items multiple times -- try packing clothes that won't need to be ironed, can be mixed and matched, and will stand up to a few days' wearing without needing to be washed.
· To conserve space, try packing items as flat and wide as you can, one on top of another (the weight of layers will avoid wrinkles)
· Store socks and underwear inside of shoes
· Use vacuum storage bags (specifically for suitcases) to flatten bulky items
· Take the time to find out what the weather will be like in your destination and consider the range of activities you’ll be doing when you plan what to bring.
· Try to limit yourself to carry-on bags whenever possible. Not only does this make it much easier to check in for flights and get out of the airport quickly once the plane lands, it also limits the amount of stuff to lug around once you’ve arrived. It's not always possible to go the carry-on only route, of course; sometimes, checking bags is more convenient, necessary, or both. It’s worth aiming to pack light anyway. You'll have less to deal with, less to worry about, and less to lose.
· "Containerizing" your clothes, shoes, accessories, and toiletries can go a long way toward keeping your suitcase from descending into chaos, and can also make it easier to find what you need when you unpack.· Keep valuables in a bag you'll have with you at all times. Think before you pack your valuables; as a general rule of thumb, it's a good idea to leave at home anything that's irreplaceable or that you'd be devastated to lose.
· Carry on those items that you must have if your luggage doesn't arrive with you. This might include prescriptions, eyeglasses, travel itinerary, confirmations, directions, tickets, and something to entertain yourself with (assuming that passport, visa, and photo identification, credit cards, traveler's checks, and money are in your purse, women). Pack a change of clothes in a carry-on in a Ziploc bag. If your flight is delayed or your luggage is lost, at least you have another change of clothes.
