As much as I love traveling, especially going on Indo surf trips, packing has always been something that I hate. It’s just that thing that you HAVE to do before you leave. It feels like a chore. On the other hand, shitty packing without paying much attention and just quickly throwing some random stuff you might need on a pile is a sure way to lots of nervous moments when you realize that you forgot this and that… On the other hand taking everything you might need, all the million things you “can’t do without” is also a road to disaster since your space is limited and traveling comfortably and fast is so much easier without a huge pile of luggage.
Sit tight as this article brings you expert tips from frequent flyers that will turn your packing in to a daydream (haha).
Find more useful tips to pack your luggage on LuggageSetsGiant.com.
1. Make a Packing List
This may sound basic, but the impact a packing list has is unmatched. Start preparing a list about a week in advance so that every time you remember something vital, you jot it down. We tend to forget that little thing, which ends up costing us valuable vacation money.
After preparing the list Cut the number of items there by two. You probably won’t use all that stuff you think you will need anyway. Cross-check the lust after packing to make sure everything is there, or the essence of the desire would be lost.
2. Carry a Spare Bag
70% of people make purchasing decisions on impulse. It’s therefore essential to carry an additional tote bag or carry on for anything cute you want to buy during your journey. It will be such a shame to have to purchase bags at stores for you to carry your impulse/souvenir shopping in as that is an extra cost you can easily avoid.
People also tend to forget laundry bags or bags to keep your soiled shoes in when you get to your destination. Bags hardly weigh anything, and most will definitely come to your rescue one way or another.
3. Carry Dryer Sheets and Tissue Paper
Dryer sheets are handy for long haul journeys. I’m sure you hate the musty smell your clothes get when they have been in the suitcase for a long while. Dryer sheets will ensure your clothes remain smelling fresh hence saving you the hustle of drowning in strong perfumes.
Tissue paper, on the other hand, prevents your clothes from getting wrinkled. All you have to do is place sheets of the tissue paper between each layer, and you good to go. It will apparently reduce friction, which in turn causes clothes to wrinkle.
4. Research on Your Airline’s Baggage Policies
Baggage fees can be so high they end up competing with the ticket price. The last thing you need is to be stranded at the airport with pending charges. So before you start packing, please search for the airline’s website and read through their baggage policies. This is especially if you plan on carrying a suitcase.
You will hardly ever be stopped to weigh your bag if you have a carry on or a small suitcase. If you know how to utilize small spaces, you can get away with carrying heavy bags without paying fees.
Two extra tips for surfers. Since surfboards are prone to damage and we all know how luggage is handled at airports travel dings are common. How to pack your surfboards to make them travel as safe as possible? And secondly, traveling with surfboards means more often than not paying excess baggage fees. Check this article to find out which companies will even let you get away with surfboards for free.
5. Roll Clothes Instead of Folding
If you aren’t already rolling your clothes instead of folding, then you are doing everything wrong. This tip saves you a lot of space. If you want to make the most out of it, using packing aids like reusable vacuum zip locks or cubicles.
6. Coordinate Your Clothes
We all want to look stylish at wherever we are traveling to, but this can prove a challenge as you can’t ship your whole closet. Try coordinating all your outfits to match each other and the jewelry too. This way, you can alternate the pieces for different outfits while not looking like you are repeating clothes.
7. Pick Your Bags Carefully
Depending on where you are going you might need some really rugged and weatherproof luggage. If not then at least opt for colorful or embroidered suitcases for easier identification on the baggage claim ramp. The last thing you need is standing for almost half an hour waiting to spot your bag among the many black and grey bags, as is the norm.
Also, try going for unique designs to help prevent robberies. There are frequent cases of fellow flyers stealing each other’s suitcases under the pretense that they confused it with theirs. The last thing you need is to get to your vacation villa without clothing.
8. Extra Tip – Where to Store Your Luggage if You Don’t Need It for a While?
No matter how efficient your packing was and how small your luggage is, it is always way easier to move around without your bags. So if you have time to spare between your flights, if you want to go for a walk around the city, if you are carrying some sport equipment that you will only use later in the trip etc… There are loads moments where dropping your bags off for a while is really useful. Now, lots of times it’s possible to leave your bags at the place where you have been or will be staying, but there are plenty of occasions when this is not possible. So here is the extra tip :)! If you were not aware, there is a service that helps you find places where you can safely drop of your bags, leave them there and pick them up when you need them. It is called Stasher and it is one of the more useful things that I have come across lately. If this is something that you think might come in handy, check them out!
Even with these tips, I won’t say packing is fun, but at least the chance of screwing up will be way lower. And please remember to pack all your documents and phone chargers in your carry on. Delays can be unnerving if you do not have those within reach.