Trips are fun and always exciting to go on. But not always is the trip fun if you constantly have to carry heavy luggage and search for stuff. Personally, I have always been someone who always packs too much but never finds anything when needed.
That is when I decided I needed to find a solution for this. Naturally, I searched on the internet but found no curated and organised answers to my problems. However, over a year of experience from travelling, I learnt packing tips for travel that are still like a rule book for me. Here is a gist of Packing tips for travel.
Why is packing important
When the obvious answer is that we need things if we travel, packing isn’t just about carrying things. It is about organising and taking the right things. Packing is basically like organising all the clothes and essentials rather than just dumping them into the suitcase. This makes the entire trip feel organised and makes it easy. While packing, we have a lot of choices, but we specifically choose to take a few items.
How to pack better
The basics of packing better are understanding the purpose. Yes, if you have no idea where you are going and what the place demands, then packing becomes chaos. For instance, if you’re planning a trekking trip, then you would need lightweight trekking gear and a multi-purpose bag.
Every travel destination has its own need which have to be catered to while packing. Understands the purpose to give clarity and helps avoid overpacking. Despite this basic principle, packing doesn’t become an easy task; it still feels like a burden. So, here is a breakdown of packing tips for travel:
Packing tips for travel
These are tried and tested tips that I personally recommend using:
Create a Packing Checklist Before You Start:
Imagine you have a trip to go on and a bunch of stuff to carry. You do not make a list of items and simply start packing, which results in overpacking. This often leads to forgetting essentials. I faced this several times, but then I started making a list of things I want, and that made a difference. Now I feel more organised and less panicked.
Choose the Right Luggage:
While you are making a checklist, you have to make sure to pack accordingly. If you want, you can take as many things as possible, but you have to understand what is required. Unless you do that, you will end up dragging suitcases rather than enjoying the trip.
Based on where and how long the trip would be, we have to smart pack.
There are plenty of types of luggage to choose from, but you need to understand which one is good for a long trip. However, I would recommend that you get the best backpack for a long trip that can carry more items than a luggage. And while travelling, carry them here, and there will be easy.
Pack closets smartly:
Clothes are always a major problem, especially due to Instagram trends. Everyone wants to change outfits for every place they visit during the trip. Even though you will choose clothes for the entire trip based on the number of days you will stay, it still requires some time. Tips like rolling Clothes Instead of Folding can make a huge difference and save space.
Pack According to the Weather:
If you are travelling in India, you can experience diverse weather conditions; therefore, we require planning according to the location. For instance, if you are travelling to the Western Ghats for trekking, then a poncho or raincoat is non-negotiable. Similarly, every place has its own weather conditions and essentials.
Use Packing Cubes for Organisation:
These packing cubes are small zippered organisers that help keep your luggage neat and clutter-free. You can separate clothes, toiletries, and electronics into different cubes. It makes items easier to find. They also maximise space, organise essentials, and unpacking becomes easier. Multiple brands offer packing cubes at an affordable price. Amazon Basics and BAGSMART are personal favourites.
Limit Bulky Items:
Many times, we feel certain essentials are necessary and tend to carry them even if they are bulky. This happens with trekkers quite often. Several trekking tools are bulky but essential, so we have to decide which ones to carry. It’s better to purchase a lightweight essential if it is non-negotiable.
Keep Travel Documents Accessible:
Travelling to many places in India often requires important documentation. This makes it essential to keep these items easily accessible. Store tickets, identification cards, and other travel papers in a single waterproof folder. This keeps everything organised, protected from damage, and readily available whenever needed during your journey.
Carry Essential Toiletries in Travel Sizes:
Toilet seats in full-size bottles are difficult to carry and use. They also occupy a lot of space in luggage. Therefore, always carry toiletries like shampoos, body wash, and other essentials in their mini sizes. If you don’t want to always spend regularly on mini-sized toiletries, you can buy mini bottles. These are usually refillable and available in a complete kit.
Pack a Small Emergency Kit:
Travelling can be quite unpredictable, and it is important to be on safe ground. As they say, prevention is better than a cure. It is always better to carry a safety kit or a mini first aid kit. It can contain basic first aid like bandages, antiseptics, and ORS. Also, keep it accessible, as an emergency can be unexpected.
Leave Some Extra Space:
Exploring new places is not just about visiting attractions but also about discovering local products and unique handicrafts. Many travellers end up shopping during their trips. To accommodate these purchases without any hassle, always leave some extra space in your suitcase. This simple habit makes your return journey much easier and more organised.
Avoid Overpacking:
This is a non-negotiable tip and cannot be compromised. I do understand you want to pack and be ready for the trip, but most of the items are not really needed. If ever the need to buy an item arises, you can always head out to local stores and purchase. To enjoy the trip, try to pack the essentials only and not anything beyond that.
summing up
We often forget that trips are about travelling and experiencing, not worrying about luggage. Following these Packing tips for travel, we can save time and be more organised. This makes the trip fun and smooth.
