Summer always means opportunities to travel and explore! There's nothing I love more than heading out to take in new cities and different scenery. I was once the typical over-packer (What? I like having options, ok??), but over the years and trips, I've learned to streamline the packing process and the items I've brought which really alleviates the stress of travel prep. Heading out on a trip soon? Here's a few of my best tips to help you get ready to go in no time!
1. Use packing cubes or compression bags.
Some people have an allegiance to one or the other, but, if you're not using either of them already, this should be an immediate purchase. Here's some good ones that I like. These will change your life--ok, perhaps that's a little dramatic, but they will save you a TON of space in your suitcase so you can bring home a few extra souvenirs or gifts.
2. Roll your clothing.
Speaking of saving space, this technique will also give you far more wiggle room to add that extra pair of shoes or a jacket last minute. A good friend of mine who does lots of international travel showed me how to properly roll everything instead of folding, and I've been a devotee to this method ever since. Seriously, it works so well! Even something simple like socks can be rolled and tucked inside your shoes to save space. Oh, and one more note on clothing, try to pack by outfit instead of throwing a bunch of random pieces into your bag. This will save you the "what do I wear??" question once you arrive to your destination, and, chances are, you'll probably end up bringing far less this way! My suggestions is to pack pieces that you can mix and match to create multiple outfits. I even try them all on and take a photo of the outfits on my phone for quick reference when I'm on the go.
3. Pack an in-flight essentials bag for your carry-on.
This is something that has always been helpful, especially when flights are almost always full and overhead space is limited. Instead of hunting through your carry-on for your headphones, book, snacks, face mask, hand wipes, water, etc., have everything you'll need already packed into a separate pouch or small bag inside your carry-on. Once you board, simply grab the bag, and tuck your carry-on into the overhead compartment until arrival. More space for you, less hassle for everyone else boarding, and everything is organized in one place! You're welcome ;)
4. Bring an empty water bottle.
It's easy to get dehydrated during a long day of travel, and when you're spending a lot of time in the air, it's extra important to drink lots of water. Instead of paying for overpriced water bottles in the airport, tuck an empty water bottle into your carry on and fill up after security. Having a water bottle on your travels will also keep you hydrated while exploring; you never know when you'll want some water on a hike or a long drive through the mountains. My pick is usually a stainless steel option that makes for easy hot/cold use, durability, and cleaning while traveling.
5. Pack a change of clothing into your carry-on.
This has been so helpful to me over the years. Usually when we travel, we're dressing for comfort or perhaps we're wearing our heaviest pieces to save space and weight in the bag; however, those outfits may not be appropriate or comfortable for your final destination. Also, at the end of the travel day, it's easy to feel a little stale, and the feeling of fresh, clean clothes is the perfect pick-me-up! I typically change clothes before we begin our final descent or right when I arrive at the airport. Even if you're not wanting to change clothing right away, having an extra outfit in your carry-on is smart planning in the instance that your bags are lost or don't arrive on time.
Happy adventuring!
Have any travel or packing tips? I'd love to hear! Let me know which is your go-to method to make packing and traveling a breeze.
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