Traveling can be fun and daunting at the same time because you have no idea what to pack. Often you might realize that all you have is your sunglasses and a small carry-on bag that are not sufficient. Whether traveling for a couple of days or a few weeks, you need to figure out what to pack. Often you get overwhelmed and feel like you are under-packed when you have carried more than you need in an actual sense. Here is an elaborate packing list for you to ensure this does not happen.
Length of your trip
Before you start packing, you will need to keep a couple of things in mind. The most important thing is the length of your trip. If you plan on going for weeks on end, then chances are you will need to pack more. On the other hand, you can always get a carry-on if you plan to travel for a few days. Figuring out the length of your trip will greatly determine the size of back you plan on using, which determines how many clothes you carry. It is recommended to carry a bag just the right size to avoid overpacking or under-packing.
Write out a list in different categories
One of the mistakes you can make when packing for travel is throwing everything together. You need to develop a list that will ensure you have everything you need. That way you will not miss anything. Here is a group of the things you need to ensure you pack for your trip.
- Clothes
- Accessories
- Travel essentials
- Toiletries
- Carry-on
Organizing your traveling lust like this will ensure that you have everything you need. Once you have these categories, go ahead and fill them up with the items. Here are some of the things you can put in these categories.
Clothes
The most important thing you need to get when traveling is clothes. The thing with this category is, it will depend on the area you are traveling to. If you plan to go to the tropics, you might have a lighter bag than if you are going to colder areas. If you plan to stay longer, you might also decide not to carry clothes and instead buy them at your travel destination. Some countries sell clothes at a low price, which will move around with heavy luggage. Here are some of the clothes you need to pack for your trip:
- Underwear
- Bras
- Tops
- Pants
- Dresses
- Socks
- Swimsuits (depending on your destination)
- Pajamas
- Scarf or sarong to cover up if you go to a conservative country
Accessories
There are a couple of accessories you also need to get if you want to be comfortable:
- Shoes
- Ties
- Jewelry
- Belts
- Purses
- Document holders
Travel essential
Another thing you need to ensure you carry is your travel essentials. Without them, you cannot travel safely. Always have them with you before you leave the house:
- Passport and ID
- Wallet
- Pen
- Notebook
- Plane ticket
- Travel pillow
- Headphones
- Phone
- Camera
- Charger
- Adapter
- Trave blanket
The travel essentials will ensure that you have no sues at birders or airports. It also ensures you stay comfortable in case there is a layover.
Toiletries
Before you start shopping in your new destination, you will need to have some toiletries with you. While you might not carry your whole shampoo bottle, you can always get some small refillable containers and fill them up with your favorite shampoo or lotion. Here are some of the things you need to carry in your toiletry bag:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Bathing soap
- Lotion
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hair oil
- Styling brush
- Makeup
- Shaving supplies
- Birth control and medication
- First aid items
- Insect repellant
- Pain medication
- Period products
- Sunscreen
You can always refill these when you get to your destination, but you should get some from home with you. The good thing with these products is that they do not take up a lot of space, so you get to pack everything you need alongside them.
Carry-on
If you are taking a short trip, all you need is to carry on. On the other hand, if you are going to be gone for longer, you will need to bring a carry-on alongside your other luggage. That way, you can move around comfortably. Here are some of the things you need to put in your carry-on bag.
- Books
- Insurance and credit cards
- Everything on your travel essential list
- Disinfecting wipes
- Masks
- Empty water bottle
Ensure that what is in your carry-on bag can be allowed on the airplane since many things get confiscated. Different airlines have different rules so look those up before you pack your carry-on.
Learn how to organize your things
While you might have everything you need, there is a likelihood that things will look out of place if you do not organize them well. You need to take the time and ensure that everything you pack is in place and does not get tangled up. Here are some things you need to do when packing to get everything in the right place.
- Pack early. The only way to ensure that everything is well packed is to start early. Packing early will ensure that you do not throw things around, and you can sit down and fold them without an issue.
- Figure out what you want to pack first. The other thing you need to do is get everything you need to pack before you start putting them in the bag. That way, you can shed off excess clothes and stuff that you might not need.
- Have your checklist. Before starting the packing, ensure you have your checklist with you. A checklist ensures you do not miss out on the things you need to carry with you. You can also cross out anything you plan on getting when you land, so you do not forget to get it once you are there.
With the tips above, you get to pack things in a way that they fit well. You will not walk around with a bulky bag because everything is in its rightful place. You can also move things around until you have the perfect fit since you have the time to do so.
More tips for travel packing
Many people love traveling but hate packing. For this reason, having some packing tips will ensure that you get everything you need for the trip and do not struggle packing it. Here are the top tips for packing for travel:
- Pack foldable clothes so that they do not crease during your trip
- Pack for the weather of the place you plan on visiting to ensure you have all you need
- Keep in mind the limits on your luggage weight when you travel
- Look at the specifications on the dressing code of the place you plan on visiting. Find out if they are conservative and pack according to that
- Put your jewelry in a zip lock bag before you add them to the rest of your luggage
Summing Up
The tips above will ensure that you are travel-ready and will not struggle on your trip. If you are traveling alone, you need to find a way to survive the wild alone. The first step is ensuring that you have packed all the right products. However, if you’re traveling with your baby, remember to carry diaper bag essentials to ensure you maintain a checklist of all baby requirements. The tips above will ensure that you do not do that. Once you have everything you need, you are on your way to having a good trip.
