Travel Safely: Packing Tips & Essentials

Ready, jet-set, and go with these handy travel packing tips!

● Write your packing list in advance. Waiting til the last minute increases the chance of forgetting items.

● Pack all the essentials first. If you run out of suitcase space, it is better to let go of a few luxuries than important items.

● Rolling clothes is often more efficient than folding them so use your space wisely.

● Wear bulky items to save packing space.

● Keep your passport, travel documents, phone and wallet in a separate bag so you don't lose them.

● Stay safe and stock up on alcohol, face masks, and wet wipes.

What you need when you’re going on vacation ultimately depends on the type of vacation you’re having. But whether it’s a relaxing beach trip or an international balot na balot visit, there are some universal items you definitely need on any travel packing list. Make sure you have these essentials and keep these packing tips in mind to help make sure you fit everything in your suitcase! Make sure you have a little extra space left after packing. Try not to pack your suitcase completely full or you won’t be able to bring any pasalubong back with you!

Account for a little space when you’re drawing up your travel packing list. Try not to pack your suitcase completely full or you won’t be able to bring any gifts back with you!

Travel packing checklist: the essentials you should pack

You can divide your packing into essentials and luxuries. Pack the essentials first, then start adding things you would like to have but don’t necessarily need. Of course, what’s essential varies between people but here’s a packing list for the basics.

Clothing:

● Socks and underwear

● Enough outfits to see you through the duration of your stay, taking into account how easily you’ll be able to wash them at your destination

● Swimwear, if you’re expecting to use it. Similarly, winter clothes, walking boots, or other weather-dependent clothing as needed

● Comfy nightwear. But don’t worry, most hotels will provide gowns and slippers

● Appropriate shoes. If you’re planning to walk extensively, or will be in adverse weather, you’ll probably find walking boots useful. If, on the other hand, you’re planning to spend most of your holiday at the beach, you might prefer to bring sandals

Toiletries:

• Face masks

• Alcohol

• Wet wipes

• Enough medication for your entire stay.

• Speak to your doctor or pharmacist in advance to get the right dose.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Any haircare or skincare products you think you’ll need

• Shaving equipment, if needed

• Sanitary pads/tampons if you or your teenager need it

• Sunscreen

• Towels

You’ll be able to pick up toothpaste, sanitary products, shampoo and other toiletries at most destinations, so you don’t necessarily need to bring all of the above. Airlines have restrictions on the quantity of liquids you can carry with you so this may affect your decision. While mini toothpaste tubes and shampoo bottles are convenient, they aren't always the best value for money. If you do want to pack your own toiletries, buy refillable bottles and top them up from your full-sized bottles at home.

Other essentials:

• Your phone and charger, along with chargers for any other electronics you’re taking.

• Adaptors if you’re traveling to a country with a different style of plug socket.

• All necessary travel documents. Do you need a visa? Do you have overseas health insurance?

• Your passport if you’re crossing borders.

• Your travel tickets.

• A print out of the booking details for anywhere you’ve arranged to stay.

• Money. Carry some of the currency of your destination with you to cover any immediate costs like transfers from your airport or a quick snack and drink after landing.

Travel packing tips: how to pack a suitcase easily

A few travel packing hacks can mean the difference between a successful holiday and one that’s best forgotten. Here are the best suitcase packing tips we have to offer.

• Make a packing checklist. The above can serve as a start but you’ll have other things you’ll want to bring on holiday. Write them down so you don’t forget when it’s actually time to pack.

• If you’re travelling by plane, remember to check the baggage allowance for your airline before you start packing. It can scupper all your plans if you show up at the airport and get told that your suitcase is too big.

• In advance of your holiday, check whether there are laundering facilities at or near the place you’re staying. You can save on space if you have a convenient way to clean your clothes, particularly if you’re planning a long stay. Just don't forget to take some of your favourite detergent, like Breeze, if you're not sure if you can buy it locally.

• If you’re struggling to close your suitcase, think about whether you can cut back on clothes. A lot of us get a little too cautious when we’re packing. You don’t need five pairs of jeans for a two-week holiday. Unless you’re planning on tramping through mud, you can usually get away with wearing the same pair for a week straight!

• It seems counterintuitive but rolling your clothes rather than folding them can actually save space when you’re packing.

• Look for nooks and crannies you can take advantage of. If you’ve packed a pair of boots, there’s empty space inside them that you could cram more socks into.

• If you’re wearing clothes, you don’t have to find space for them in your luggage. You’ll regret trying to wear three coats on top of each other but you can at least choose your bulkier clothes for the journey.

• A lot of essential toiletries are in liquid or gel form. If you’re taking a flight, there will probably be restrictions on how much liquid you can take into the cabin. Make sure your bathroom bag is in your checked luggage, rather than carry-on, if you can.

• It’s discouraging to open your suitcase on the first day of your holiday and be hit with a wave of mildew. To make sure your clothes are smelling their best before you pack them, check our advice on how to make laundry smell good.

Hopefully these luggage packing tips will help ensure that you have all the essentials with you on your holiday, so you can focus on relaxing. Have a great time!

Do you want to learn which household cleaning tasks cause the most stress?  Then read our Heated Household data analysis.