Travel Packing Tips

Just as over packing for a trip can be a curse, not packing the right items can also be annoying and costly. While packing too much means that you have to lug around extra weight and maybe not even have room for souvenirs, if you don't pack some basic essentials, you may have to buy them abroad where you will likely pay a lot more for them, especially if you are in a high-traffic tourist region.

As a result, you will need to pack as efficiently as possible while still taking along some items for possible contingencies. For example, if the weather should turn chilly in your destination, you will want to have at least one warm sweater.

However, effective packing strategies don't only involve packing the right items. The best packing also needs to be organized so that you can immediately find whatever you need. Here are some general guidelines on how to pack:

• Bring extra plastic bags in case you have to pack wet clothing or soiled shoes.
• If you have very little time to fold and stack, roll items (such as shirts and slacks) around sweaters. This prevents them from wrinkling and saves time when you're packing at the last minute.
• Pack plenty of clothing around fragile items.
• Put liquids (e.g. shampoo, sunscreen, perfume) together in zippered plastic bags so potential leaks don't contaminate other items in your suitcase.
• Research your destination. For example, packing thick sweaters for a trip to Las Vegas in the summer would be foolish.
• Store jewelry in rigid containers. Place these containers in the sturdiest part of your suitcase to prevent them from being crushed.
• Use travel sizes for toiletries to save room.

Although the specifics of what you pack depends on where you are traveling, there are some standard items to pack. The following is a list of essentials to pack for international trips:

• Airplane and train tickets
• Credit cards, as well as some local currency to help you get around immediately
• Medical insurance cards
• Medications and other prescriptions (such as contact lenses) that you need
• Passports.

In this section, we will give you tips on how to pack for various types of travel. Our articles will help you minimize the stress of traveling so that you can have the time of your life on your next vacation.

Luggage Choices

Before you even begin to pack, you will need to pick out the right suitcase for your needs. Choose your suitcase based on how long you plan on being away, as well as the bulk of items you intend to pack. For example, a suitcase for a three-day business trip should be significantly smaller than what you would bring for a three-week trip to the Alps.

As you are selecting the right luggage for your trip, examine how many different pockets and/or compartments your suitcase has. If you plan on bringing home a number of souvenirs, you will want a suitcase with more pockets. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the right luggage for your trip.

Beach Vacation

Packing for a beach or tropical vacation requires that you pack some specific items. Along with a few bathing suits, you will also need to bring protective gear to prevent sunburns. Some of the essentials include sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and light clothing.

Similarly, if you are taking children to the beach, bringing along toys and safety gear (such as arm floaties) is important. Read on to learn more about how to pack for a beach vacation.

Backpack Packing

Packing for a backpacking trip is another unique packing situation. It calls for you to be extremely efficient because you will be carrying around all of your possessions as you backpack. As a result, try to pack items that you can use for many different situations.

For example, two durable pairs of jeans, along with a few shirts, can have you outfitted for about a week in the right climate. Keep reading to learn more tips about how to pack for a backpacking trip.