A. 12 Tips To Organize The Perfect Luggage
After you’ve booked your flight and accommodation, the most important thing to do is pack your suitcase before leaving for your destination. But we know that this process is not always easy. Sometimes deciding what to take with you can be a little tiring, and it’s easy to over- or under-pack when your packing skills are insufficient. This is especially true for travelers who wait until the last minute to organize their luggage.
Any trip can teach you about organizing, so it can never hurt to have expert advice on hand to further improve your packaging skills. Say goodbye to overcrowded suitcases with these 12 handy tips on how to organize the perfect luggage.
1. Study your travel destination in advance
The reason this tip tops the list is simple: once you know your destination and what activities to do there, it’s a lot easier to pack accordingly. Let’s explain. Before traveling, be sure to answer a few questions such as “What are the main activities this place offers?”, “What will the weather be like during my trip? should i know “. This will help you pack based on your location, not your current mood or intuition.
Here’s a practical example of how you can pack better as you learn more about your destination. Let’s imagine that you spend 15 days in Bali in December, for example. If you check the weather in advance you will find that this is the wettest time of year on the island. So take a rain jacket and a pair of rain boots with you. One of the must see attractions in Bali are the beautiful Hindu temples that you will want to visit for sure. But when it comes to local culture, visitors must adhere to specific dress codes, such as wearing clothes below the knee and covering the shoulders. Knowing this in advance will pack exactly what you need for the occasion.
2. Make a list
Now that you know more about your destination and top attractions, it’s time to make a list. Writing everything down – whether on paper or over the phone – will give you a better idea of what you are taking with you. Having a list to hand when packing is also the best way to make sure you don’t forget anything important or carry unnecessary items that will only weigh on your suitcase.
A good idea to make a list when packing your suitcases is to break it down into different sections. You can create a specific list for clothing, one for shoes, one for documents, and one for toiletries and cosmetics. This will make it even more difficult for you to forget something and give you a clear picture of what is missing.
3. Prepare the case according to your list
This may sound obvious, but it isn’t. Many are tempted to create a packing list and then ignore it when organizing their suitcases. When you’ve taken the time to make an organized list of what to bring with you, try to stick to it. But of course you may need to make some adjustments when packing for your trip.
You can start by putting the most important items on your packing list first, and then the non-essential items. If your suitcase is already full by this point, you can take a step back and consider what items to leave at home. If there is still space, avoid the temptation to add more items as you may want to buy souvenirs or even go shopping during your trip.
3. Bring a first aid kit
It’s always a good idea to have a small first aid kit with you, just in case. Especially if you have a health problem or need a certain medication, it can make sense to pack a compact first aid kit. But before organizing it, be sure to check the official information on medicines in the country you are traveling to to avoid unpleasant surprises. If you are undergoing medical treatment, it is advisable to make an appointment in advance as you may need a letter from your doctor confirming treatment. This document should be able to justify the number of medications you are taking.
Once you’ve learned how to legally travel with medicines, it’s time to pack them up. Keep them in the original packaging and put them in a clear plastic bag. Always take medication with you in hand luggage.
4. Enter your contact details on the luggage tags
Almost all bags come with labels for filling. Be sure to include your contact details in case you or the airline ever lose your baggage. Don’t just publish your mailing address. If you change your address, your details will not work. It would be a good idea to include your username on the social network you use most often as it may be the fastest way to get in touch with you.
5. Be aware of baggage restrictions when packing
For example, if the airline allows 50 pounds, that’s the maximum you can carry. Always check the airline’s official website, as conditions can change at any time and you won’t get any nasty surprises when you arrive at the airport. Try to weigh your luggage with a scale or luggage scale before leaving the house as there may be a discrepancy between your scale and the airport. When creating your baggage list, it is a good idea to include this luggage scale as well. This is also a great way to weigh your luggage before returning home from your trip. This avoids additional weight.
6. Avoid wearing too many shoes
Shoes are one of the most important things for the traveler. After all, depending on your destination, you will likely be walking a lot, so your shoes should be comfortable. Because of this, it is important to consider the type of destination, how long you plan to stay and what activities you plan to do. A three-day break in Barcelona, for example, is not the same as crossing Russia with the Trans-Siberian. Thus, the destination of your trip determines the type and number of pairs that you carry in your suitcase.
However, regardless of your location, avoid taking off too many shoes. Try to choose 2 or 3 pairs that are suitable for many different occasions and you can switch between them. Shoes take up space in your luggage, so don’t overload them.
7. Wrap your clothes
Some travelers will disagree, but we strongly believe that rolling up clothes is a great space-saving practice and prevents creases on most clothing. There are sync technique videos on Youtube that you can watch before packing. And if rolling up clothes is not your preferred organizational technique, you can choose the one that suits you best.
8. Use packing cubes
Another good idea to organize your belongings in your luggage while packing is to use packing cubes. They are basically cloth bags that are used to divide the contents of your bag. Packing cubes can help you keep your suitcase organized and also save space as the items are all kept in one room. And there are many ways that Cube packaging can be used, such as packing certain clothes or sorting clothes by activity and occasion.
8. Pack a basic set of clothes in your handbag
Hand luggage is basically for the essential, necessary or important. We’ve already talked about medication, but there’s one more thing you shouldn’t forget in your handbag: a change of clothes. Many things can happen while traveling, and unfortunately one of them is losing your checked baggage. So make sure you have at least one pair of underwear and a t-shirt to change.
Another important thing to pack in your hand luggage is a compact set of essential toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes. You can also pack some skin care items like facial cleanser, facial moisturizer, and lip balm. However, to avoid nasty surprises, you should first check the airline’s regulations as you can take a certain amount of liquids with you.
9. Put the most important things on top
We know we’re asking you to put the most important items on your packing list in your bag first. But here’s a trick: when you’ve got everything packed, it’s more convenient to rearrange things and make small adjustments. A great packaging idea is to keep the most important items above the rest. But why? Well, in case you need them, they are useful and easy to get. Let’s say you are at the airport with something important in your luggage. Placing this must-have on top of other less important items will make it easier for you to find it and not have to unpack your entire suitcase in the middle of the airport.
10. Don’t forget the adapter
Few things are more uncomfortable than arriving at your destination only to find that you cannot use or carry any of the electronic devices you brought with you. To avoid this annoyance, you should definitely include the necessary plug-in adapters in your packing list and of course in your suitcase. You can also do a quick overview of electrical outlets and voltages at your travel destination, especially if you are traveling internationally. In that case, it’s a good idea to buy a universal plug adapter, which is usually small and allows you to charge your electronics anywhere.
And since we’re talking about charging electronics, a power bank is a great item to add to your luggage while packing. When traveling, people tend to use their smartphones a lot, and some apps like Google Maps and Instagram use a lot of battery. With a power bank in your pocket, you can charge your phone anywhere.
B. Best Organization Tips For Travel And Packing A Suitcase
As you may have guessed, DH and I are preparing for our next big boating adventure. This requires that I be very organized. There will be no room for wasted space or extra luggage which means I have to be very organized. When it comes to packing a suitcase, it’s a tough job my friends! I use affiliate links so you can find what I used.
- Small cube – 3 swimsuits, 1 cape, 1 UVP shorts, 1 UVP long-sleeved top
- Medium cube – 3 short shorts and 5 tops with room to think about
- Big Cube – 1 PR pants, 5 summer dresses, 1 shirt, wrist bag, 2 scarves, jewelry pouch, sunglasses with space to think about
I also use another smaller cube for my delicacies. This is more clothing than I need and there is room to add a few more items. I have the complete EzPacking package set in two colors which is perfect for DH and me. They also offer a starter set or the option to build your own set of packing cubes. Below is an exclusive discount for H2OBungalow readers.
Aside from the enormous space savings, my other favorite features of these packaging cubes? They’re really heavy and transparent so it’s easy to find what I’m looking for. The folding boards made it easier to fold my clothes to fit snugly into each of the larger cube sizes. Clothes don’t wrinkle because cubes don’t lose their shape and objects don’t get thrown around when someone is looking for something in the bottom of a neat suitcase.
1. Plan ahead when preparing for a trip
Start a stack of packaging. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your bags. Start your packing batch a week or more in advance. Put the items you think you need on top of the pile while you think about them, especially special items that you don’t use often. You can eliminate at any time what you no longer need later.
- Check the weather conditions for your travel destination. It’s no fun packing warm clothes and it’s hot or cold outside because all you have in your suitcase is shorts and t-shirts.
- Make a list of your events. List your events by day so you know what clothes to pack. For example Monday – beach in the morning, dinner in the afternoon.
- Do tasks ahead of time: Deliver laundry and items that need changing at least a week or two before the trip. Do other vital tasks like populating prescriptions, approving pet and house sitters, or interrupting mail delivery.
- Without paper. Download your airline’s app to check in and get updates for your return flight.
- Take a picture of your luggage to identify if it is lost.
2. Maximize space when packing
- Don’t overpack. Organize clothes along with accessories. Pack 2-3 tops per bottom or an upscale casual dress with accessories. Eliminate what you don’t need.
- Use all of the available space. Roll or fold items neatly, which prevents creases and also maximizes suitcase space. Wrap socks in shoes, put toiletries in smaller containers. Place strange items in extra rooms that are left over after packing your main items.
- Have a consistent packaging system and adhere to it. Pack clothes by day, event or the like. Use a color system for different people who share a suitcase.
- Put a bag or a drying towel next to your clothes to keep them smelling fresh.
3. Stay organized while traveling
- Keep the clothes clean. Store clean and used clothing separately. Schedule the laundry by packing a laundry bag.
- Use shoe bags to protect clothing.
- Be prepared for the unexpected. Take an extra bag like this practical folding backpack with you. You never know when you will come for a day trip, some unexpected shopping …
- The tips above are my favorite travel and packing organization tips. If I am well organized at the beginning, I forget less, stress less and enjoy my free time. Even if it’s a business trip, such as going to Nordhaus for a new round of home improvement projects, do it yourself.