There are lots of positive things about traveling abroad, but there are also a few less pleasant tasks to do before you set off for your destination, including packing your luggage. If you’re headed overseas, your flight carrier will most likely have certain restrictions on how much luggage you can take with you, so it’s usually a priority to pack light. Not only will it avoid you getting any fines or extra charges, but it will also make your trip easier. We’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help you pack your bags simply yet smartly. We can also help you access fantastic savings with a summer FloridaTix promotional deal so you can grab a bargain on international travel.
Make a List
One of the first things you can do before you actually start packing is to make a list of the essential items you need to take with you. This way, you’ll be able to ensure that you don’t forget anything important, and packing these items first will help you assess how much space you’ll have left for other less essential items.
Roll Your Clothing
Rolling your clothes, instead of folding them in a regular way is a great idea if you want to save on space, but will also mean that your clothes arrive less wrinkled and creased so you can leave that travel iron at home improvment! Add heavier clothes first and then put lighter ones on top to make the most out of the room you have. If you want to compress your clothes, even more, you could go one step further and use vacuum bags so that you can fit more in.
Don’t Pack Things You Can Buy
Depending on where you’re going, you can save on weight if you don’t pack your luggage certain items that you can easily purchase at your destination. Think about things like toiletries that can be heavy and bulky and can even leak and damage your clothes, documents, and electronics. If you’re visiting a popular tourist destination, there will almost certainly be shops, supermarkets, and pharmacies within easy reach so you can pick up anything you may need and you could also take advantage of duty-free shopping at the airport too!
Use Scales
Unless you’re an expert, it’s pretty impossible to accurately guess the weight of your cases just by picking them up. It’s really worth investing in a set of travel scales so you don’t have to wait until you get to the airport to find out if you’ve exceeded the limit. Plus, they’re small enough that you can pop them in your bag and use them again when you pack your luggage for your return flight.
Plan Your Outfits
Thinking in advance about what you want to wear while you’re away can also be helpful. If you’re a regular traveller, you’ll know from experience how often you’ve returned from your trip and your case is half full of things you haven’t even worn. You don’t have to be too strict but if you pack clothes and accessories that are versatile, you can mix and match your outfits so that you need to take less stuff. Put a limit on the number of shoes that you pack by choosing pairs that can be used for various activities and this will also help.
As a final suggestion, to make sure you pack the things you need and leave out the things you won’t use, it’s always a good idea to do a bit of research about your destination. Knowing what to expect will be the best way to pack accordingly, so check out the expert advice and travel guides at Lonely Planet and you’ll be up to date.
