Looking for the top 5 travel tips for packing? Look no further! In this article, you will find the best hacks to learn to pack like a pro!
Packing light can be a struggle. You want to bring this pretty dress on your trip, but only this pair of shoes will look good with it. And what if it rains? What if it’s colder than expected? I know, I know… That’s where my top 5 travel tips for packing like an expert come in!
After reading this article, packing will become one of your favorite thing to do to prepare for a trip! No more migraines because of it! And to help you stay organized, don’t forget to download my Packing Check List at the end. Once you start using it, there is no coming back!
This blog post is all about making you an expert at packing thanks to these top 5 travel tips!
PACKING TIP NUMBER 1: CHOOSE YOUR LUGGAGE WISELY
First of this Top 5 travel tips for packing and probably the most important of them all…
You have to choose your luggage wisely. If you are going on a 3 days trip, don’t bring a check-in luggage. The more space you will have, the more things you will want to pack. Adapt the size of the luggage to the duration of your trip.
Sometimes, even a small backpack will be enough for a short trip. Remember that the lighter you pack, the more convenient for you. And it can also save you money if you are flying. That is a double win!
Here are some excellent small luggage that you can buy and that will last you a lifetime if you take care of them
Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Pack ($200 AND OVER)
I understand that this one might be out of budget for a lot of us ($200 for a backpack is a LOT!). But believe me when I say it is the best. I have seen it and tried it and not a single bag in the world is better than this one.
If you are a frequent traveler, it might be worth it to spend so much money. But if you are more of an occasional traveler, don’t worry…
I got some dupes coming for you that will fit in your budget!
eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (DISCOUNTED ITEMS)
At the time I am writing this article, this bag is on a 75% sale! It might be a sign for you to get it now before the price goes back to normal…
Ebags was acquired by the globally renowned company, Samsonite, in 2017.
We all know Samsonite for their high-quality items. So, if the quality of Ebags matches that of their parent organization, you shouldn’t worry about making this purchase. You’ll have a new bag that will last you a lifetime!
TOMTOC Travel Backpack 40L (LESS THAN $100)
Let me be completely honest with you. I had never heard of this brand before doing this research to find low-budget but high-quality backpacks for you.
After reading the reviews and doing some additional research, I can’t help but wonder why Tomtoc isn’t more popular among travelers. I absolutely love their simple and minimalist designs. The best part? You’ll be able to keep your bag forever without worrying about it going out of fashion.
Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack (LESS THAN $50)
After reading most of the reviews (thousands of them to be fair), I think that you can’t find a better value for money. The quality and performance you will get for less than $50 is insane!
Whether you are an avid traveler or just go on weekend trips a few time a year, this backpack seems to be perfect for small budgets!
TIP NUMBER 2 FOR PACKING WISELY: MAKE A CAPSULE WARDROBE
If you are a travel lover, or an organization freak, you’ve probably heard of the concept of capsule wardrobe before. If you haven’t, it is a really simple concept to understand, don’t worry!
A capsule wardrobe consists of a few clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits that can work for different occasions. The goal of the capsule wardrobe is to have a number of outfits that meet all your needs without having to pack an excessive amount of clothing items.
In other words, when packing for your next trip, don’t focus on individual clothing items, but rather on maximizing the number of outfits you can create from the smallest amount of items. Remember, you’ll probably be able to wash your clothes on your trip!
The easiest way of achieving this? Pack neutral items. A pair of jeans, a plain pair of shorts, a colorful pair of trousers that will match any plain colorful top…
Here are some IDEAS TO HELP YOU BUILD THE PERFECT CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR A WEEK-LONG TRIP
UNDERWEAR, NIGHTWEAR, AND SWIMMING CLOTHING
- Socks and panties: The same amount as the days of your trip.
- Bras: This depends on how often you change it. But two seems to be a reasonable amount.
- Swimming clothing: 1 or 2 (maximum) bathing suit will be enough.
- Pajama: 1 pajama set is all you require for a short trip.
BOTTOMS
- Shorts (for warm weather): 2 pairs of neutral short (jeans or plain color).
- Trousers: 2 pairs of trousers (jeans or lighter fabric depending on the weather), 1 legging or sweatpants to be comfortable.
- Skirts and dresses: 1 skirt and 1 dress (don’t forget to bring tights for colder weather)
TOPS
- Long and short sleeves top: The same amount as the days of your trip, but make sure they all match your bottoms.
- Layers: 1 or 2 sweaters is enough.
- Jackets: Just bring one! I know it is tempting to bring more, but just pick one that is suitable for the weather you are going to experience.
SHOES
- Sneakers: 1 pair that is comfortable enough to adventure all day.
- Flip flops or sandals: 1 pair for warm weather or if you don’t like to walk bare foot in your accommodation.
Pro tip: Wear the biggest items while traveling so it doesn’t take much space in your luggage.
TOP 5 TRAVEL TIPS, NUMBER 3: DON’T BRING FULL SIZE PRODUCTS
Firstly, if you are flying and not checking-in your luggage, your full size products will be confiscated at the airport. And second, nobody needs a full size bottle of shampoo or face cream to go on vacation.
But how can you do, you might ask? You have two options when it comes to packing your self-care and hygiene products.
- Buy travel-size products: Nowadays, a large amount of company sell full-size and travel size products. They are just the mini-version of your favorite items.
- Buy travel-size containers: That is what I would recommend you to do. They are reusable, and therefore more environment friendly. Just fill them up while packing for your trip and label them to make sure you don’t get confused. Nothing easier, and it will save you tons of space in your toiletry bag.
WE’RE ALMOST DONE… TIP NUMBER 4: FORGET THE “MAYBES”.
“Maybe it will rain, maybe it will be colder than expected, maybe I will finally start drawing and should bring some pens, maybe I will need a party dress and high heels…”
Just forget the “maybes”. If you really need something that you didn’t bring while on your vacation, there is a pretty big chance that you will be able to purchase it there. Unless you are going on a week-long trip in the jungle, and in this case you’ll better be prepared for everything!
And remember, some things can’t be prevented. The unexpected is also part of traveling!
FINAL AND ULTIMATE TIP FOR PACKING: MAKE A CHECKLIST
Making a checklist to make sure you are not forgetting anything while packing is THE ULTIMATE TIP.
It might seem a bit extreme, especially for short trips, but once you start using my checklist, you will never go back to your old packing-habits!
Take a look, and save it to plan your future trips!