Ultimate Travel Packing Guide In Best How To Steps

by | Nov 19, 2020 | BLOG | 0 comments

packing luggage
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Easy tips to get you packing with ease.

Packing can be stressful, do not wait until the last minute to pack your bags, start organizing, and use my packing list to mark things off as you decide what you’re taking. Depending on your type of trip you will need to tailor what you pack to your destination. (beach, hiking, adventurous, relaxed, winter/snow, summer, city break).

Try to avoid overpacking and paying excess luggage fees at the airport, or find it hard to lug your heavy bag around on a few occasions; I have had to put layers of clothes on just to avoid paying fees; so not overpacking is a big one too often we see people rummaging through their bags at the airport to avoid paying fees and can leave you feeling embarrassed, stressed and rushed to check-in, all before you have even left for your holiday.

Who wants to go on a holiday stressed and possibly fewer funds to spend on their trip? No one.

Remember what you may forget or leave behind you can always buy it at the destination you are going to; most places in Europe have pretty good and cheap markets, and Asia is low cost to get extras. 

 Most hotels provide shampoo, conditioner and body wash, some include toothbrush/toothpaste and have hairdryers to use, this can save you space in your luggage if staying in hotels and even some apartment rentals if you are not staying at these types of accommodation you can always buy them at a local store.

Depending on how long you are traveling; you can purchase smaller travel-sized toiletries; most of these are easy to refill to use again; you can get these from most shops or buy empty travel-size containers and fill them up before you leave.

Remember taking liquids as carry-on luggage there are regulations on how much you can take on a flight, but travel-sized containers are the way to go for carry-on.

The excitement of going on a holiday gets me packing in the week ahead; packing makes it feel more real that soon we will be leaving. I often put our things out on a space not used much (for us this is our spare bedroom), then I can triple check the items on my list and the item on the bed before I finally pack it into our suitcases.

It is surprising how much you may take away or add to this pile as the days go past. I generally pack clothes that I can mix with other outfits then I pack less and do not feel as though I am always wearing the same thing.

maps packing
airport luggage packing
Packing

Packing lists and apps

You can use my packing list or other printable packing lists to help you mark off the items you have packed and write extra’s what I have not included. 

You can also find packing apps you can download like: PackPoint, among other Apps, I prefer using paper and pen, but if you are more of a techy person these apps may work for you.

The same goes for your trip itineraries, carrying a paper copy or use apps like TripIt that can import your travel details such as hotel, flight, rental car, other reservations/confirmations, and more and an easy app to use.

Important to check with the airline what size bag you can take on board, carry-on, and checked luggage; it can vary between airlines, you do not want to be stuck with the costly fees for oversized bags.

Ensure you pack your valuables in your carry-on bag like; passport, ID, wallet (cash & cards), boarding pass, travel documents (hotel/car bookings), camera, laptop, phone, prescription glasses, and so on.

I pack a change of clothes in my carry-on in case I or my kids spill a drink or my luggage gets held up or lost; this goes for packing for younger kids they generally tend to need a change of clothes, and a packet of baby wipes is handy to carry to help clean that unexpected mess.

Packing Tip: To save space put your smaller items into your shoes (like socks, gloves, things that can roll up). Place your toiletries that can leak into a plastic bag/ Ziplock bag.

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Packing list

Essentials

  • Passport
  • Visa’s
  • Driver’s Licence/ ID
  • Travel documents (Boarding pass)
  • Important documents (Travel Insurance, Confirmations for bookings, emergency details- allergies, ED Contact)
  • Wallet/Purse
  • Money & credit cards
  • Mobile phone & charger
  • Keys (House & suitcase lock)
  • Prescription glasses / contacts & solution
  • Regular medications / Vitamins

Electronics

Toiletries & Beauty

  • Hanging Toiletry Bag
  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Dental floss /mouthwash
  • Razor’s & shaving cream
  • Shampoo & Conditioner (or shampoo bar, avoid carrying the weight of a bottle)
  • Shower cap
  • Body Wash
  • Body lotion/cream
  • Deodorant/ body spray
  • Hairbrush/ comb & hair ties & clips
  • Travel Hairdryer & hair straightener
  • Hair products (Gels, mousse)
  • Makeup/ Lip Balm
  • Perfume/ Cologne
  • Nail care Kit (nail polish, filer, clippers)
  • Feminine items (pads, tampons)
  • Tweezers
  • Tissues/ cotton buds
  • Hand sanitizer/ wipes
  • Birth Control/ Condoms
  • Tissues/ Cotton buds/balls
  • Hand Sanitizer/ Hand Wipes
  • Sunscreen/ After sun care
  • Insect repellent/ bug spray
  • First aid kit
  • Contact lenses/ solution

Extra’s

Clothes to pack

  • T-Shirts & Long sleeve shirts
  • Singlets
  • Dresses
  • Sweater/Jacket
  • Trousers/ Jeans/ Leggings
  • Shorts & Skirts
  • Underwear/ Socks & Bra
  • Sleepwear
  • Swimsuit and swimsuit cover-up
  • Active Wear
  • Thermal Wear

Shoes

  • Dress shoes/ Heels
  • Flat shoes
  • Flip-flops/ Sandals
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water Shoes

Accessories

  • Sunglasses
  • Hat /Scarf/ Gloves
  • Belt’s
  • Accessories (Jewellery)
  • Smartwatch/ Wristwatch
  • Swim Goggles

Baby/ Toddler Extra’s   

  • Stroller
  • Diaper Bag Backpack
  • Diapers bags for dirty nappies
  • Diapers & baby wipes
  • Baby powder/ rash cream
  • Change Mat
  • Baby Carrier/ sling
  • Baby Shampoo/ conditioner
  • Baby body wash/ lotion
  • Formula & Formula separator container
  • Bottles & Baby food/ utensils
  • Feeding Bibs
  • Pacifier/ Dummy
  • Comfort blanket/ teddy
  • Baby toys
  • Night light
  • Floaties
  • Breast Pump

Over 20 years of traveling, you learn to pack savvier pack less is the trick; you can always find somewhere to wash your clothes or wash by hand; you can buy cheaper clothes at your destination if you found you forgot something.

If you are going on a relaxing beach holiday, spend the day in your swimwear with a light dress/ swimwear cover-up, this saves a lot of space in your bag and is easy to wash and dry.


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