Tips and Tricks For The Best Packing Experience Before Traveling

Packing creates two kinds of reactions from people: either it is a fun process that gets you excited for the journeys yet to come or it can be the bane of your life if you’re packing for an extended time. Either way, you must pack for the weather, activities and adventures you’ve planned, which can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. 

Remembering you forgot to pack your gym set right as you’re about to board the plane can be an annoying and stressful feeling. Therefore, it’s important to make a list and know what is essential to bring when embarking on your journey. 

The best way to pack is to save space. Mastering the art of folding can save you time and great turmoil in deciding which pair of shorts you must leave behind because, no matter how hard you try, you can’t close your luggage. Remember to pack heavy stuff at the bottom, roll up, and don’t fold; this will help to avoid creasing and space. For any items that seem risky, such as toothpaste, it’s best to seal them up in plastic zip-lock bags to avoid disappointment on day one. 

1. Passport 

This may appear to be the most obvious item to pack, but it is important to make sure it’s one of the first things you pack and keep safe, as you won’t get very far without it. Ensure your passport is up-to-date with at least 6 months left on it before it expires. 

A tip to ensure you never panic thinking “Oh no, where is my passport”, You need to keep it in the same zip pocket in the same bag every time. This will avoid any panic, and you will instantly feel more comfortable while you travel.

Every place will have different regulations and rules, which means some places will need to see some ID for certain activities. It’s best to keep your passport safely tucked away, so taking another option or taking a picture on your mobile phone will avoid any silly mistakes and is a much safer option, especially if you’re out during the evenings. 

2. Stay Charged 

We all know that sinking feeling when your phone runs out of battery when you’re out travelling, and with the world going from paper to digital, having a charge on your phone is crucial. 

Keep one step ahead by investing in a quality, lightweight portable charger. You shouldn’t run into a stressful situation running to find a charger in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, pack all your wires together in a separate bag to avoid losing or misplacing them in a bag full of clothes. 

This should remind you of how to charge the charger if only there was a universal plug, but unfortunately, adapters are a must for ever-travelling digital nomads. Stock up on at least two or three adapters so you have the freedom to style your hair while your phone is charging. 

3. Reusable Water Bottle 

This is perfect for those who are planning on doing a lot of exploring while travelling. Buying a compact or soft reusable water bottle will be convenient for those long hikes and save a lot of space in your luggage. 

There are options available for your bottle to hook onto your backpack or bag, therefore saving more space and being easily accessible. 

4. Waterproofs 

If you’re travelling for a long time, no matter if it is during the spring or summer, you’re bound to cross paths with some showers now and then; however, sticking to the schedule means the show must go on; therefore, being prepared for all kinds of weather is essential, and you shouldn’t assume it will be fine. 

Waterproof Jacket and Pants 

You may want to invest in some good waterproofs, as they will save you a lot of discomfort, and it is all worth it. 

Waterproof Shoes 

These shouldn’t even be a purchase for travelling but should be a staple and will save you so much time, discomfort and effort with a pair of waterproofs. It means you don’t have to cancel any plans to travel even if the weather is wet, as you won’t have to dry your feet or wait for your shoes to dry. You’re good to go. 

Backpack Cover

As you can’t always wait around for the weather to clear, it’s best to keep everything dry, so as an extra precaution, pack a cover for your backpack to keep all your belongings safe and dry through the rainy days. It’s lightweight, small and compact, perfect for travelling. 

5. Flip Flops

No one wants to be wearing closed-toe shoes when the weather is all sunshine and there is no sign of clouds, especially not on the beaches, so a pair of old, reliable flip-flops should be in every traveller’s luggage; they are thin and don’t take up a lot of space. 

However, if you ever misplace or lose your flip-flops during your travels, they are an affordable replacement. 

6. Monzo Card 

Although ensuring you have cash currency withdrawn, it’s best to have a Monzo card with some spending as a backup just in case. Monzo is a travel-friendly bank that doesn’t charge foreign currency transaction fees, and it can be used easily with a tap of your phone. 

7. Shampoo and Conditioner

Although this can be an easy purchase when you land, it’s easier and more affordable to use blocks of shampoo and conditioner. This means you have more uses for it compared to liquid shampoo, and it acts as the perfect backup and compact option, making it very travel-friendly. 

8. Sleeping 

Depending on how you’re travelling and living while you travel, this will determine how necessary or important these options are to take. 

 Earplugs

This would be perfect for those who want to get the most out of their travel money and stay as long as possible, This is where shared living and hostels come in. You never know what kind of people you’re sharing with; therefore, keeping a couple of earplugs to block out the noise will help you stay well-rested. 

Eye Mask 

An eye mask will be a lifesaver for those long travel days and help you turn a quick nap into a solid couple of hours. 

Travel pillow 

No matter if you’re travelling for 2 hours or 16, comfort should be a priority, and a travel pillow will come to your rescue every day.

9. Swimming Stuff 

A couple of bikinis or swimming shorts is essential while you’re travelling to get the most out of the beautiful sun and beaches places have to offer. As they don’t take up much space, ensure you bring enough so you don’t have to worry about running out of clean swimwear every other day. 

10. Pad Lock 

Leaving your luggage while you’re out exploring can be daunting and scary, but if you take the right safety precautions, there will be nothing to worry about. Investing in a 4-number code padlock will allow you to leave your things behind safely. 

11. Medicines 

Unfortunately for some, coming down with some sort of illness is inevitable, so keeping the classics or necessities at hand will ensure you are bedridden for the rest of your travels. 

12. Bathroom Essentials 

This may be obvious to some, but bring your bathroom essentials, such as face wash, moisturiser, suncream, after-sun, toothbrush, and toothpaste. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

Overall, making a list before packing can be a perfect guide to packing for a trip, although anything trivial you may forget can be purchased while you’re on your travels. To avoid any stress, pack the most important things first, such as your passport and chargers.