Why is it that packing is such a dreaded task?? It‘s always so hard to decide what to pack and if you‘re anything like me, you‘re trying to avoid overpacking. I used to be the most insane over-packer, but after 5 years of nearly constant travel, I have learned a few tips to make it easier.
Now, I‘m not the person to help you pack for a month-long trip in a backpack (I can‘t even fathom how?!) but I am here to help you minimize your luggage and help you avoid a checked bag.
Organization is key for smooth travel. This is true for not only your reservations and travel documents, but also for your clothes and other items. Keep reading for advice on how to get organized, packed and ready for your next trip!
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Packing Tip 1: Invest in a quality backpack
I have always been a big backpack fan. I think they are one of the best travel items you can purchase. Not only are they great a great personal item on the plane but they are so useful for day trips or simply walking around the city.
A few key features you should look for in your backpack:
- quality fabric, preferably waterproof
- high-quality zippers (read reviews and test them in person)
- secret passport pouch
- water bottle holder
- a few different zipper compartments, based on your needs
- keep the size around 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 36 x 20 cm)
I say keep the size *around* the above dimensions because typically flight attendants are most concerned about the size & weight of your carry-on bag. Backpacks/personal items tend to slide a bit under the radar. This is just my personal experience, so I’m not telling you that you absolutely won’t have problems if you’re backpack is a smidge too large…push the size limits at your own risk 😉
If you plan to also use your backpack for daily adventures while traveling, it is also important that it feels comfortable on your shoulders when wearing for hours at a time.
Packing Tip 2: Don’t check a bag
Full disclosure: I do still check bags on occasion. For example, if I am traveling somewhere for weeks and plan to stay in the same accommodation, then I will often check a bag. This is because if my bag is a day or two delayed, it’s not a big deal. Also, I won’t be packing/unpacking all my items multiple times.
However, for weekend and week-long trips I try my best to stick to carry-ons. This is for a few reasons:
- Saves time at the airport when departing & arriving
- Less stuff to deal with when bouncing from place to place
- Less expensive
- Don’t have to worry about the airline losing my bag
If you invest in a good backpack and carry-on bag, I think you would be surprised by how you don’t usually need a checked bag. If you’re anything like me, you will fill every bag you bring so the way to pack less is to have less luggage.
Packing Tip 3: Choose your Carry-On Bag Carefully
This brings me to the importance of your carry-on bag. The way I see it, there are 2 different ways to pack a carry-on bag and I use both, just depends on my airline/overall trip plans.
- Roller Bag
- Large Backpack or Duffel Bag
Roller Bag:
- More comfortable because it allows you to wear your backpack or even put your backpack on top and wheel everything!
- Can be difficult on some European cobblestone streets
- Beware: some European airlines will often check the size of your roller bag and it’s not unheard of to weigh the bag either. Not every time but compared to the US, it’s definitely more common
Large Backpack or Duffle Bag:
- Easy to travel around because you aren’t dragging a bag around…you can wear everything!
- Less likely to be checked for size/weight by the airlines because it is easier to squeeze a backpack or duffle bag into the overhead compartment than it is a roller bag
Whether you choose a Roller Bag or a Large Backpack, you want to make sure that it is well divided so you can keep your clothes and items organized. For this reason I love the following brands:
- My favorite Roller Bag: Away Larger Carry-On
- My favorite Large Backpack: Cotopaxi Alpa 35L Travel Pack
Packing Tip 4: Packing Cubes are your Best Friend
Before there were packing cubes, I was packing my travel outfits in gallon ziplock bags! Obviously, I was thrilled when I could ditch the wasteful plastic and upgrade to packing cubes. Over the first 3 years of my European travels I went through a few different sets from Amazon. I loved the concept but the zippers just didn’t stand the test of time. Almost 3 years ago, I invested in packing cubes from Away and it was the best decision ever!
If you are an occasional travel, then I’m sure a cheap set from Amazon will be just fine. But if you frequently find yourself on the move, then I highly recommend investing in a high-quality set, like the ones from Away.
The most important thing is that you start using packing cubes! They will keep your clothes organized even as you bounce from place to place on your travels. I typically divide my clothes by category: socks, dresses, pants, etc. This strategy is best if you are traveling to one or maybe two locations on your trip.
Another option is to plan your outfits by city and use one packing cube per city. For this option, I will put all the clothes I plan to wear in one city in its own packing cube. When I get to each spot, I simply have to pull out that one cube and EVERYTHING else can stay in my bag. This is a game changer when it comes to packing/unpacking during your trip.
Packing Tip 5: Charging Cord Organizer
Thanks to Apple and other electronic companies, you probably have a number of different charging cords. Combine this with any converter/adapters or portable batteries, and you have a lot different charging items. My tip is to find a charging cord organizer that best fits your needs. This will help you keep your cords organized and untangled during your travels.
Packing Tip 6: Buy a second set of your toiletries
If you travel once per year, then this tip is not for you. But for my frequent travelers, trust me when I say it is worth the cost to buy a second set of your toiletries! Or, purchase travel size containers to fill with your products. Either way, keep all these items ready to go in your toiletry bag. Eliminating this step every time you pack (and unpack) will be worth it!
Personally, I’m a big fan of this Hanging Toiletry Bag from Away because it is large enough to fit all of my items but also has a removable clear plastic pouch for TSA. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of Away because the products are such high quality. I’ve had some of their items for nearly 6 years and they are holding up so well!
Packing Tip 7: Roll Your Clothes
Not only does rolling your clothes make them more compact (so you can pack more:) ) but it also keeps them from getting wrinkled. It’s even better if you roll your clothes INSIDE a packing cube!
Rolling your clothes is so easy and FREE! Which is why I think it’s probably the most practical packing tip I can give you.
If it’s critical that your clothes aren‘t wrinkled, then purchase a portable steamer. These have come a long way and now you can find some that are extremely compact and still get the job done. I pack mine everywhere I go!
Packing Tip 8: Use a Pill Organizer
Even if you don’t take medication on a daily basis, it is still smart to pack a pill organizer. These are so compact that you will hardly notice them in your luggage but if you find yourself feeling ill on your trip, you’ll be prepared! Finding basic over-the-counter medications can be difficult to find in a foreign country, which is why I think packing a pill organizer is absolutely worth it!
Packing Tip 9: Capsule Wardrobe
Something I’ve worked on during these past 5 years of nearly full-time travel is using a take on a capsule wardrobe. What does this mean? Well, a capsule wardrobe is when you have a minimal amount of clothes that can be combined together in different ways. This way, you have less clothes but still have a variety of outfits.
My take on this is to pick a color scheme/vibe for all the clothes I pack on a trip. I usually try to pack according to the vibe of the city or country as well. For example, if I’m going to Greece for a week I could pack all white, blue and beige clothes. I even take patterns into account, maybe with a focus on stripes or solids. This way I can easily mix and match my clothes, to maximize the number of different outfits I have.
I am not a minimalist so I can’t say I’m a true capsule wardrobe person, but this take on it definitely helps me pack less than I used to! Between this and actually planning EACH and EVERY outfit, I have dramatically downsized the amount of clothes I bring when I travel. I no longer return home with a ton of unworn clothes…has that ever happened to you before? Try this strategy!
Packing Tip 10: Trade your hardcover books for a Kindle
Okay, this was probably the hardest tip for me to embrace. In fact, it’s the one I’ve most recently implemented and it’s because I simply LOVE a hardcover book. The reading experience is so much nicer when I can actually hold the book and turn the pages. BUT the amount of space I’ve wasted on books was getting ridiculous. I finally bit the bullet and bought a Kindle….and yes, it is worth the switch. It is so small and light and I can have multiple books downloaded on it!!
For the record: I still read hardcover books at home 🙂
