Are you planning to take a vacation this year? Whether you’re flying somewhere, driving, or even taking a train, there are ways to improve your vacation through your packing. You don’t have to own expensive luggage or spend a lot of money with our tips.
If you are still in the process of planning a vacation, we suggest checking out our post about planning a vacation on a budget.
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Packing Tips
Each of these packing tips are simple things that you can do to better prepare yourself for an awesome vacation!
Packing Tip #1
If you are taking any extra pairs of shoes in your suitcase, stuff your socks and underwear inside your shoes to save space.
Packing Tip #2
If you are planning to fly, decide whether or not to check your bag or have a carry-on. Depending on the airline, you may have to pay extra to have a carry-on or you may not.
You could definitely fit a week’s worth of stuff in a carry-on bag to save yourself money.
Keep in mind that checked bags have the potential of getting lost. We tend to not check our bags if we have stops on our flights.
Packing Tip #3
If you are checking your bag, have one outfit, medicines, and anything else important in your personal item (which can be a large purse or backpack usually).
You don’t want to have all your clothing in a checked bag because there is always the chance that it could get lost.
Packing Tip #4
If checking a bag, consider having two people share a suitcase to save yourself money.
Checked bags can be much larger than carry-on bags.
On one of our recent vacations, it was cheaper for the six of us to take three checked bags instead of six carry-on bags.
Packing Tip #5
When packing for your trip, it is a good idea to leave some space in your suitcase for souvenirs (This is really important if you are flying to your destination).
If you don’t have enough space, consider packing a flattened cardboard box and a mini roll of tape. You can use this to send items home in the mail if you don’t have enough room in your suitcase.
Consider the cost of shipping items through the mail versus paying money to check more items on the return flight.
Packing Tip #6
In case of an emergency or if you can’t get service on your phone, it is a good idea to have printed copies of your flight, hotel, and car rental information packed in your personal item.
Packing Tip #7
Look ahead of time through your airline to see what sizes your personal item, carry-on bag, and checked bags can be if you are flying.
If you are checking a bag, it is a good idea to weigh it ahead of time to make sure that it’s not over the weight limit.
A personal item can actually be a decent sized backpack, tote bag, or purse. Use this to your advantage since it is free to have a personal item.
Your personal item needs to fit under the seat in front of you. It should have any important documents in it as well as medications you may have and your money.
Packing Tip #8
Bring Ziploc and grocery store bags to use for wet towels or swimsuits whether you’re driving or flying.
You can also use them to bring home seashells, extra food, etc.
You can easily store them in the flat zippered areas of suitcases.
Packing Tip #9
If you’re flying, bring an empty water bottle to fill after you have been through security at the airport.
This will save you from having to purchase anything to drink at the airport or on the plane.
Packing Tip #10
Whether you’re flying or driving, you should bring some snacks to eat instead of spending lots of money on fast food, airport food, or airplane food.
You can take snacks like chips, crackers, beef jerky, nuts, etc. on an airplane. Put them in your personal item for easy access.
Packing Tip #11
To keep any of your liquids like shampoo from leaking, place a small piece of saran wrap between the liquid and the cap.
Packing Tip #12
To make sure that you don’t forget to pack anything, make a list of all the items that you want to take.
Check them off as you pack them, so you don’t forget anything.
We usually also have a small list of items that can’t be packed until the last minute.
Packing Tip #13
If you will have access to a washer and dryer where you will be staying, you can take less clothes.
This will save you space in your suitcases.
Just make sure that you pack some laundry detergent tablets in a Ziploc bag. It’s a lot easier than taking powdered or liquid laundry detergent.
Plus, if you take laundry pods, you don’t have to buy a whole box or bottle of laundry detergent once you get there and have to either take the leftover detergent home or throw it out.
We like these affordable laundry detergent packs by Arm & Hammer. They work well and they aren’t liquid, so you don’t have to worry about having too much liquid in a carry-on bag.
Packing Tip #14
If the weather at your destination is not hot or cold and requires both short and long sleeves, take short sleeve shirts and one jacket.
That will save room in your suitcase for other things.
Packing Tip #15
If you have a hard time sleeping in quiet hotel rooms, you can pack a small personal fan.
It will help drown out noise outside of your room, and it can help if you are in a room with someone who snores.
Packing Tip #16
If you have kids, you can have them pack a small blanket in their suitcase to keep them warm on the airplane or in the car.
Packing Tip #17
When traveling with kids, let each child have a backpack as their personal item on a plane or just to have in the car.
They can fill it (with adult help) with books and toys to entertain themselves.
Packing Tip #18
Pack a small drawstring backpack or bag to use once you reach your destination.
It will be lightweight to take to museums, zoos, and other attractions.
Packing Tip #19
Carry a map with you even if you have a GPS and/or a phone in case you have problems with your technology.
It would be bad to get stuck somewhere without phone service and have no way of figuring out where to go.
Packing Tip #20
Take at least some cash money on your trip even if you usually use a credit or debit card.
This will help you be prepared in case your card is denied or the credit card machine is down somewhere.
Do not keep all of your cash in one place but instead split it up between different suitcases, purses, etc.
Also, if you will be driving on any toll roads, take some change so that you can get through the booth quickly.
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What are your best packing tips?
What do you always take with you on vacation? Comment down below!
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