7 Genius Packing Hacks for Your Next Trip

Are you going on a vacation? Excited, huh? Why are you here then? Shouldn’t you be making an itinerary right now?

Oh! It’s your bag, right?

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No matter how excited we are for our vacation, packing can make it all go away instantly. It gives you the anxiety to pick the outfits you want to take because your bag won’t allow you to take them all. Although you can buy a giant suitcase, it’s not always the solution. You have to fix how you pack your stuff if you want to use your bag for a long time and don’t want to spend any extra bucks buying a new one.

When packing for a vacation, you have to make sure all the essentials are there. Packing too much puts a load on your back, and you end up paying pricey airline baggage fees. Contrastingly, if you pack too little, you might freeze from the cold weather or end up with fewer pictures because you’re wearing the same outfit everywhere.

So, why not today revisit the most basic and most helpful packing rules for your next trip? Here are some fundamental bag packing strategies that every traveler should learn:

Roll Your Clothes

The most common mistake we all make while packing our clothes for a vacation is folding them instead of rolling. The travel experts, who stuff about a month’s stuff into a small backpack, agree that rolling is better than folding. If your folded clothes are not in place, use a rubber band to tighten them up because tightly rolled clothes take less space and are less prone to getting wrinkles from fold creases.

You can also put some clothes inside of your favorite water bottle that you’re going to use on the trip. If you don’t find it attractive enough to carry, change its look using decorative bottles ideas.

Learn About Baggage Fees

If you want to do budget-minded packing, figure out your airline’s tricky and befuddling baggage fee policy. While most airlines allow travelers to check at least one bag on international flights, some charge extra bucks for bags checked on domestic flights.

So, before you begin packing for the trip, please look at your airline’s website to determine its baggage policy. Doing this is especially important if you are going on an extended vacation and carrying a bag or two with you.

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Remember the 3-1-1 Rule

Indeed, following the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 rule is essential for carry-on luggage. Some people prefer carrying shampoo bottles and deodorants with themselves, but when you go through the security line, the TSA will likely confiscate all your stuff, holding you up in the process. So, to avoid getting caught in such circumstances, it is best to get familiar with this rule.

If you are bringing any liquid on the plane, use a 3.4-ounce glass bottle. But this is not as simple as it sounds because several items such as peanut butter, pudding, mashed potatoes, lip gloss, mascara, and aerosol items are classified as gels. So, be careful about taking them with you.

Make a Packing List

Not making a packing list is one big mistake because you would not know what to take and what not to. A packing list helps in keeping track of the essential and non-essential items. It also lets you see what you have already packed and what you have to pack. So, if you’re a procrastinator, you might fall short in packing.

The packing process should begin weeks ahead of your departure date as it gives you enough time to craft a complete list. Plus, it lets you know if you need to purchase any additional items and ensures you do not forget anything important.

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Wash on the Road

Vacation rentals with laundry facilities are the best because then you can pack less and repeat the outfit. If you know your accommodation has a laundry facility, you can take just a handful of clothes for the duration of even very long trips. So, before you start packing, call the hotel you are staying-in in advance to find out if they offer laundry services and how much they cost.

You can also pack a travel-size packet of laundry detergent and a sink stopper to clean your clothes while on the road. That’s how you will fit everything in a carry-on bag!

Never Check Essential Items

Essential items include your mobile phone, wallet, ID card, passport, money, jewelry, and other valuables you need now and then. When packing for a vacation, make sure not to keep these valuables in the checked luggage instead of a carry-on bag. It’s obvious why you should keep these valuables with you and not send them to the airline. Moreover, you don’t want to stow your expensive iPad in a checked bag because the airline may lose it.

Layer! Layer! Layer!

This packing advice is two-fold – pack in layers and wear layers. If you’re going to the mountains for a vacation, you are obviously going to layer your clothes. In this way, you can wear the same clothes again and again. For your on-the-road wardrobe, pack plenty of layers to keep yourself jet-set through changing weather in style and comfort. Also, the items in your bag should be in neat layers for easy screening.

Pack your items in layers – footwear in one layer, clothes in another, electronics, skincare, and so on. It will also assist the security agent in screening your bag to get a clear picture of what’s inside. The faster the agent screens your stuff, the quicker you will get through the security line to enjoy your vacation.

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Final Words

If you’re trying to cram the cutest outfit into your suitcase, worry no more because now you can pack many things. Whether you’re someone who starts packing a week ahead or waits until the last moment, these savvy tips will ensure that your favorite dress doesn’t get wrinkled and you have a lot of space for souvenirs.