The Ultimate Travel Packing Guide
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When you start planning your next getaway, one of the most common questions you face is: How do I pack for the trip and what do I take with me? This is always overwhelming as there are so many things you want to bring on vacation, but there is only a limited space. I totally understand your emotions as I’ve been there. That is why I created this ultimate travel packing guide which will help to solve all these challenges and let you pack smart.
Packing is always an immense pain as we spend so much time thinking about what to pack for a trip. Most of the time, we overpack, and our travel list is getting longer and longer and the journey gets more complicated as we deal with extra fees, weight, or unnecessary items.
I’ve personally been in a situation like that as well. I overpacked, and my carry-on was too heavy because I hadn’t packed so smartly before. I used to pack clothes for the “maybe I will wear them” occasion, which never happened.
So, having learned from a few less-than-ideal experiences, I started a minimalist packing approach, carrying only the essential items for everyday use and keeping the trip checklist handy.
Now I only take the main packing essentials and travel with carry-on wheeled luggage and my backpack (or only a backpack). This allows me not to worry anymore about extra fees (especially for international flights) and a heavyweight.
Check out my ultimate packing travel guide to learn more.
The Ultimate Travel Packing Guide
Essential Tips For First-Time Flyers
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- Wear comfortable clothes: Opt for leggings, yoga pants, and sneakers to stay relaxed during your flight.
- Wear a hoodie or a jacket: Airplane cabins can be cold, so bring a hoodie or a jacket to stay warm.
- Wear compressed stockings: If you have problems with tired legs or veins, compressed stockings can improve circulation and reduce discomfort.
- Bring your headphones: Enjoy music, movies, or podcasts without disturbing others by bringing your headphones.
- Take your blanket/scarf: A cozy blanket or scarf can make a big difference in your comfort during the flight.
- Bring snacks and a water bottle: Keep hunger at bay with your favorite snacks and stay hydrated by refilling your water bottle.
- Take a travel pillow: A travel pillow can help you rest and support your neck during long flights. Choose inflatable ones, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
- Bring a hand sanitizer: Keep your hands clean and germ-free with a portable hand sanitizer.
- Arrive Early: Arriving at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight can help you navigate security checks and procedures without stress.
- Check Your Documents: Ensure you have your ID, passport, boarding pass, and any other necessary documents readily accessible.
- Pack Smart: Follow the airline’s guidelines for carry-on luggage and check baggage sizes and weight limits.
- Take Electronic Devices: Bring a portable charger for your phone and other electronic devices to keep them powered throughout your journey.
- Download Entertainment: Load your devices with movies, books, or podcasts to keep you entertained during the flight.
- Take Health Essentials: Pack any medications you might need during the flight and keep them in your carry-on bag.
- Do Not Forget About Personal Hygiene: Bring a small toiletry kit with items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wipes, and deodorant to stay fresh.
- Stay Hydrated: Airplane cabins can be very dry, so drink plenty of water throughout the flight to stay hydrated.
- Follow Security Guidelines: Be aware of TSA rules, especially concerning liquids, electronics, and prohibited items.
- Know the Airport Layout: Familiarize yourself with the layout of the departure and arrival airports to ease navigation.
- Plan for Layovers: If you have a layover, know the duration and facilities available at the layover airport to make the most of your time.
- Stretch and Move: Periodically stand up, stretch, and walk around the cabin to avoid stiffness and improve circulation.
- Download the Airline’s App: It can help you check-in, receive updates on your flight status, and access in-flight entertainment.
20 Tips For Packing a Light Carry-On
1. Make Sure Your Carry-On Luggage Size is Acceptable by the Airlines
Your carry-on bag should fit in the overhead bin. Most carry-on sizes are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters), including handles and wheels. However, check the rules directly with your airline, as they might be slightly different. When you confirm that your carry-on size is acceptable and meet all the requirements, you can officially start packing.
2. Pack the Heavy Stuff First
My heaviest items are always shoes, so I pack them at the bottom. That way, the heavy items don’t squish anything between the top and the bottom when you have your bag upright and rolling. Always pack your shoes in a separate bag to keep them away from your clean clothes. Pro tip: If you don’t have a dedicated bag for shoes, you can use the hotel shower cap as a DIY solution.
3. Always Pack Flip-Flops
This is especially important when staying in a hostel, where you will need them for use in common areas, which can get a bit dirty. Plus, they can provide relief for tired legs if you wear uncomfortable shoes all day.
4. Pack Clothes Without Wrinkles
To avoid wrinkles on your clothes, you can try to pack them in a few different ways:
1. Fold them. You can fold items individually or stack them together. However, I’ve noticed that despite folding, some clothes still end up with wrinkles when I unpack them. It’s better, but the wrinkles won’t be gone completely.
*I heard that if you put clothes in dry cleaning bags, they should be free of wrinkles, but I didn’t try it myself.
2. Consider utilizing vacuum-sealed bags to pack your clothes in layers. I do it myself when I travel internationally and I need to pack as many clothes as possible and it works out great. Additionally, you have the option to purchase a wrinkle-release spray for added convenience.
5. Check the Weather Before Your Trip
Checking the weather before you finalize your trip is crucial, as bad weather can ruin your trip completely.
Once, I went to Miami and checked the weather, but my friend who lives there told me there was no rain and said not to worry about it. So I thought, all right, she knows better. And what do you think happened? It rained continuously throughout the entire week I spent there.
So, make sure you are fully prepared, and checking the weather is on your list of things to do when planning your trip.
6. Pack a Travel Pillow
I never gave it much thought before, but now that I do, I see how much comfort I was sacrificing while flying. With this inflatable pillow, the entire flight became surprisingly smooth and comfortable, which pleased me.
Due to its small size and lightweight, it is very convenient to pack and you can even get some restful sleep on the plane. I recommend it.
7. Stick to a Few Outfits Only
Opt for a minimal wardrobe selection because you won’t wear everything anyway. For my trips, I usually bring 3-5 tops and a few bottoms, such as a pair of jeans, shorts, and a skirt. I can mix and match different tops with the exact bottom in this way.
This strategy is referred to as a capsule wardrobe. A reversible skirt is a great alternative if you have one because it instantly doubles your number of wardrobe possibilities. The same idea works great for swimwear.
8. Stuck Socks in the Shoes
Store your socks inside your shoes when packing. This saves your luggage space, keeps your socks organized, and ensures you can easily find them.
9. Pack the Belt Along With Clothes
To save room in your suitcase, pack your belt along with your clothing. Use a strap to keep your garment closed after folding it squarely.
10. Keep Your Clothes Fresh and Clean
Put a dryer sheet with your clothing in your suitcase to keep them smelling good.
11. Carry an Extra Bag for Your Laundry
It’s important to keep your clean clothes separate from dirty ones. If you don’t have a bag, you can use a shower cap as a substitute in this case, too.
12. Never Take Full-Size Liquids On the Board
There are a few reasons for that.
- They won’t be accepted by TSA security as there are specific liquid rules which should be 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters, including drinks, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols.
- You will never use the whole bottle of whatever you take (only if you travel for a long time, but in that case, it’s better to buy it on the spot).
- They will take up more space in your bag. So always stick with travel sizes. They are very affordable and easy to find.
Pro-tip: To avoid them from a spill, it is safer to put them in zip bags.
13. Take an Extra Battery For Your Phone
One of the most important things to remember to pack is the portable travel mobile charger. I bought mine from Amazon and it is very lightweight but efficient, allowing me to recharge my phone twice before needing another full charge.
14. Pack Regular Chargers in the Bag
Take Regular Chargers for Your Devices (phone, tablet, laptop, etc) and keep them separate (in a small case or bag) so you have them handy.
15. Swap Shave Cream For Hair Conditioner
Don’t Take the Shave Cream/Gel with you; use the hair conditioner instead. It will work the same way and save you space in the luggage.
16. Protect Your Razor
Use a binder clip to protect your razer and fingers. It will keep it from dirt, and you won’t be injured by accident while looking for it in your luggage.
17. Pack the Most Needed Items on the Top
Make sure your important items are easy to reach, so you don’t waste time searching when you need them in a hurry.
18. Avoid Buying Detergent in the Hotel/Hostel
If you plan to do your laundry while traveling, many accommodations have laundry machines, but you will have to buy detergent, which can be costly, or the machines might only operate with cash, which you might not have. Instead, bring Tide Pods or detergent sheets with you. They are super light and compact.
19. Bring Adapters For International Destinations
It’s important to bring adapters for international destinations to ensure your devices can be used and charged without any issues. Before buying the adapter, make sure it will work in the country you are going to, as they might be different based on the destination. I highly suggest buying the universal one which has all, so you can use it whenever you go without worrying if it will work there or not.
20. Weigh Your Carry-on Luggage at Home
Weighing your carry-on luggage at home helps avoid surprises and potential extra charges at the airport. Tip: don’t buy the digital luggage scale in any physical store, instead buy it online as the same one (from the store) going to cost you a lot. For example, I saw one in Target for $20 and bought the same from eBay for $5.
What Not to Pack in Carry-On
Take a glance at this list, and ensure your carry-on doesn’t contain any prohibited items. Hopefully, you don’t have a single item from the list in your carry-on pack, which is a no-no.
As policies are subject to modification, it is advised to check the TSA website of your intended destination for the most recent information if you have questions about an item’s admissibility in your carry-on.
Pro-tip: Keep your documents with you all the time (I usually have my backpack and my small purse, where I keep all my important stuff). Don’t put them in the overhead bin.
Once, my friend had her passport in an overhead bin, and it slipped out during turbulence, causing her to panic when she needed it on the plane to fill out the forms. After hours of searching, she finally found it, but she still can’t forget this frustrating experience which could not happen if she kept it in her purse instead.
What to Pack in Your Backpack
1. Travel Pillow
An inflatable travel pillow can be a lifesaver on long flights or bus rides. I have an inflatable one that I carry in one of my backpack’s side pockets all the time. It’s compact and easy to inflate when needed, providing comfort and support for your neck.
2. Personal belongings
Make sure to pack essential personal items for your trip. These might include a toothbrush and toothpaste, medicine, contact lenses (if you wear them), makeup, makeup remover wipes, hand sanitizer, an iPad/tablet/laptop/book, a hairbrush, some light clothes (like a t-shirt to change into after the plane and socks), chargers, personal headsets (as you might have to buy them on the plane if you don’t have your own), snacks, an empty bottle for water, a pen (if you fly internationally, you will need it to fill out the border form), hand cream, and SPF cream.
When creating your packing list for travel, you should take into consideration the length of your stay, the place you are going to, and weather conditions. Here is my small BONUS for you the printable travel packing checklist.
Final Thoughts
Packing is always stressful and time-consuming. Good packing is essential for our trips. The importance of packing light shouldn’t be under-evaluated as it is one factor in having happy travel.
Prepping your luggage and packing list for travel shouldn’t cause you any more stress after you know these valuable tips and can implement them on your next trip. I hope this packing guide was useful and thank you for stopping by.
Happy light packing 🙂
Look at this Carry-on Luggage Size Chart for 57 Major Airlines
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