Are you the type person who loves packing for a trip or do you dread the moment? Packing for trips can be fun, but you must do it properly. It can be a bit tricky for beginners who don’t have as much experience. Unless you’re always traveling, you probably have a little fear of packing.
Keep in mind that most people have staples they must bring along and this depends on the destination, nature of their trip as well as preferences and needs. For example, Max Kenyon of Clean That Floor always makes sure to pack his laptop. For you, this might be your tablet, a good book, or something else
So scroll down to learn the best packing tips for beginners and how to implement them right away.
Give yourself time
People often think that packing is stressful, but that’s usually because they rush it. You must give yourself enough time for the task, so try to avoid
This doesn’t mean you have to pack a week before, but it wouldn’t hurt to start thinking about it. The good idea is to pick up a pen and paper and to write down some of the essential items. Place the piece of paper on your desk and write things right away when you think of them. So, when the time comes to pack, you can just read the items on the list and check them off and starting a few days in advance can give you enough time to buy
Plan and organize
You don’t have an idea what to pack? The best tip is to think about your trip and the activities you’re planning to do. This allows you to plan clothes and items you’ll need for each occasion. One of the best ways to organize is by using packing cubes as they are practical, convenient, and make packing a breeze. Packing in these cubes allows you to know exactly where each item is, so you don’t waste time looking for any of them.
You should pack smart, and not overpack. Here are some of the basics you might need on your trip, so consider bringing them:
- Appropriate clothing you can layer
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Jackets and sweaters
- Tank tops and shirts
- Shorts, pants, skirts
- Socks, underwear
- Belt
- Comfortable shoes
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Sleepwear
- Jewelry
- Swimwear
- Travel pillow
- Eye mask and earplugs
- Phone, laptop and tablet chargers
- Electronic adapters
The list above is quite versatile, but don’t pack all of these items if you won’t need it. How to tell what you need? Simply think about the destination and nature of your trip and by thinking ahead, you won’t find yourself carrying a jacket to a country where the temperatures are always high.
Pack your toiletries
Some people like carrying their towels and pillowcases and it might be a good idea if you’re sketchy about the place where you’ll be staying at. It’s unlikely you need to bother with this if you’re staying at a five-star hotel.
Nonetheless, you should pack your toiletry bag with the utmost attention. Forgetting a few items isn’t a disaster since you can buy the rest wherever you’re going, but that can be a bit annoying. Keep in mind that there are rules about toiletry bags since they must be TSA-compliant. All your gels, creams, liquids, aerosols, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less. They also must be in a 1 quart-sized clear, plastic bag with a zip-top.
The essentials you should consider bringing are:
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, and floss
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush, ties, bobby pins
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Face lotion, moisturizer, sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
- Feminine hygiene products, pads, tampons
- Personal hygiene products
- Makeup and brushes
- Facewash
- Prescription medication with labels and scripts
These are the essentials though you might bring more or less depending on your preference and needs. Some of the extras you should consider are:
- Mini mirror
- Shaving kit and razors
- Perfume
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Scissors, tweezers, and clippers
- Detergent
- Towels
Health and medication
If you’re traveling to an international destination, you should check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to find out about comprehensive medicines, vaccines, and travel advice. This is something you should do a few months in advance if possible because most vaccinations require administration two months before the actual date of your trip.
Consider packing these few items:
- First aid kit
- Personal prescriptions
- Flu medicines
- Thermometer
- Pain relievers
- Allergy medication
- Multivitamins
- Diarrhea and laxative medication
- Sunburn relief
- Motion sickness
- Insect repellent
- Eye drops
- Pills for altitude sickness
- Medication and vaccinations that is specific to where you’re traveling to
This might seem like a lot, and the truth is, you probably don’t need each of these items but the list is to give you an idea of what you might need. Again, think about your trip and the activities you plan to do in order to cut the list.
Pack your carry-on
Your carry-on should have all the essentials you plan to have with you during the flight. You should consider packing an outfit and some toiletries in case your suitcase is lost. It should contain essentials to make your trip more cozy and bearable. Still, you should pack light since you’ll be carrying this bag around most of the time.
Don’t forget your documents
Collect your docs. of value in an organizer that keeps them neat and at hand. A good organizer should hold your ID, passport, documents, credit cards, boarding pass, and a pen. Make sure all your documents are valid since you won’t be able to use them if they’re expired. Also, consider packing your travel insurance information, health insurance, transportation tickets, emergency contacts, and guide books.