We found these great packing tips on Trip Adviser * and wanted to share them with you straight away. These are especially handy if you are planning a short haul trip where the luggage allowances are so tight. Budget airlines are great for last minute getaways but the fees can be very expensive if you go slightly over the rather meagre weight allowance. The below tips will give some great ideas for ways to beat the fees.
Pack light to travel light. If you can manage with a carry-on, do it. Try taking half of the things you need and twice the money. You can make buying a few new items a fun part of the adventure.
We like this one… Pack a sleep mask and ear plugs. These can come in handy on a plane, train or in your hotel room. We use these a lot, especially the ear plugs!
Capitalise on empty suitcase space. Roll your clothes, instead of folding them. Stuff socks, underwear, and accessories inside of shoes. Leave no space unused.
Keep a sarong or pashmina in your carry-on. They can be used as a blanket on the plane, a scarf if it’s cold or a shawl on an evening out.
Bag it. Kitchen sandwich bags can be used to hold your accessories, vacuum pack bags can be space savers, and bin bags have multiple uses (laundry bag, shoe covers).
Skip airport snacks and bring your own. You can save yourself a bit of money and keep your hunger at bay in case you have a delayed flight.
Create compartments. Two words: packing cube. If you are visiting more than one city during your trip, packing cubes will keep your suitcase organised and save you from having to pack and unpack.
Share your packing space. Travelling as a couple? Split your clothes between two suitcases on the off chance one of them gets lost during the flight.
Bring a multi-socket extension cord. Although newer hotels have USB ports in rooms, it’s best to have an extra outlet to charge all of your electronics at once.
Make photocopies before leaving home. If you’re travelling out of the country, make two photocopies of your passport. Use your smartphone to take pictures of your car in the airport’s car park and do the same for your luggage and its contents in case it gets lost.
Wear as many of your outer clothes as you can comfortably manage to save on space in your case. Don’t forget that a jacket with deep pockets is also perfect for popping smaller items into like socks, books or phone chargers etc..
Once you are there, remember that if you have forgotten any travel essentials (like toothbrushes, toothpaste or razors) then many hotel receptions offer complimentary emergency toiletries if you ask.
Also don’t forget if you are swimming to rinse out your swimsuits before hanging up to dry as chlorine from the swimming pool and salt from the sea (if you are lucky enough to be swimming in the sea ) can damage the delicate lycra fabrics that costumes and bikinis are made from.
So all that’s left to say now is “have a fantastic trip!!”
