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There's a lot of excitement surrounding upcoming trips. Travel is one of the best parts of life. You get to jump into someplace new and experience things you'd never try if you stayed at home. It's why upcoming trips stay in the back of your mind, keeping you excited right up until the moment you leave for the vacation.
Trips are fun-filled getaways, but before they can happen, some heavy planning needs to happen. You have to settle on a destination, choose where you'll stay, map out restaurants and note any attractions you'd like to see while you're there.
For some people, the planning process before a vacation can equal the excitement of actually going. You get to finally make your dreams a reality, as long as you can get there with everything you'll need. That means strategizing how you'll pack your suitcase.
With the right tips, you'll set off with everything you need and not waste vacation time second guessing if you forgot anything. Read on to learn five ways you can pack your suitcase more efficiently.
1. Zip Everything Up
When in doubt, grab a Ziploc bag and seal everything up. Gallon-sized Ziploc bags will be a major lifesaver in your suitcase. They keep shoes from getting dirt and bacteria all over your clean clothes. They can seal up your predetermined outfits so you can grab one and go in the morning.
They'll also keep your bathroom necessities safe from spilling, protecting your entire suitcase from being ruined. They're also reusable!
Want a more eco-friendly alternative? Packing cubes are great for dividing clothes, toiletries, and other items.
2. Invest in Tiny Gear
Anything that can be smaller should be smaller. That means investing in tiny toiletries, preferably ones you can reuse on future trips. The key to getting the best tiny gear is to do your research and purchase high-quality products. You'll reuse the shampoo bottles, soap containers and toothbrush holders well into the future. They should hold up over the test of time.
3. Research Travel Space
Proper packing means knowing what suitcases you can bring with you. That will affect how much you pack, what clothes you bring and what you'll use from home while you're there. Traditional travel like airplanes will tell you how many bags you can bring and what size, but modern day travelers use other methods to get where they're going.
Ride-sharing is something you might already do in your daily life, so why not use it on your trip? It can be cheaper and more reliable than other available transportation, but it can come with restrictions on luggage. Check with specific apps to see if they list what bags you can bring. Take the time to research bus luggage storage if you plan to travel by bus. Everyone will handle passenger suitcases differently, so don't get stuck with transportation that can't handle the bags you need to take with you.
Another new feature to consider is the storage space where you stay. If staying in a guest suite at a stranger's home, set-up through a rental service, you may only have a place with a bed and a lamp. Not every rental spot will have a closet, dresser and other ways to store your things, in addition to your empty suitcases. This is another great thing to learn more about before you leave for your trip. Contact your hosts to find out more specifics on your stay.
4. Wear the Bulkiest Items
You may need to pack a heavy coat and boots for your destination, but those things can be bulky. Will you have the option to wear them while you travel? Even if it means you rearrange your plans for what outfits you'll wear on which days, wearing the bulkiest items while you travel will save room in your suitcases.
This also means you may have to wear a purse or a backpack as a carry on instead of keeping them in your suitcase. It may add extra bulk to carry while you're on the road, but it'll make it worthwhile when you can fit everything you need into your suitcase.
5. Write Everything Down
Travelers often forget what they packed, getting caught up in the rush of traveling and settling at their destination. Keeping track of outfits and the jewelry you threw in your toiletry bag will fall from the top of your mind. Before you zip up your suitcase and head out, write down what you packed.
Take pictures of outfits you put together to help remember what you planned to wear on what days. It's much easier to slide through photos of clothing than attempt to match them up again. Write down where you put your socks and other tiny valuables that you likely packed into the nooks and crannies of your suitcase. It's a little step that goes a long way for your travel organization.
Time to Get Packing!
Packing your suitcase doesn't have to be a mystery, even for the longest trips. You should never feel burdened by the idea of packing for any trip since you're supposed to celebrate them! Use your getaway for well-deserved fun, not a wrestling match with your suitcase.
Strategize your outfits, pack liquids in a ziplock bag, and research travel storage space ahead of time. Don't forget to help future you by investing in reusable travel gear too.
