10 Ways to Smart Travel Pack

Everything about traveling is exciting, even packing for it! While some people enjoy the process of packing so much that they at times forget to carry the essentials,  others overpack! And those who don’t like to pack, feel as if they are living their worst nightmare! 

Packing a suitcase even for a 2-day trip can also be a challenging task for these travelers as it is easy to make a list of the essentials but difficult to eliminate them. A well-organized and neatly packed bag is not a utopian concept, it comes with experience! 

Packing a bag for vacation or a small trip is not at all a cakewalk, doing it right and doing it on time is a result of the right planning, perfect execution, and an example of good management skills.

10 Tips to Pack Smart For Vacation

Here we have listed a few tips and tricks that can help you in packing light and packing smart!

1. Cut Down on Clothes 

For a 2-day trip pack just one pair of denim and two tops or 2 one-piece dresses or a shirt or a jacket. This way you can use the extra space for storing other utilities. One may even use it to pack the local fruits, chocolates, or souvenirs on the way back. It’s not necessary to pack until you overstuff it, so if there is a little space left, let it be!

Travel Tip: Use different color packing cubes/sleeves to identify which color holds what or whose essentials. This way you don’t have to open every sleeve every time to find out what it carries.

2. Focus on Essentials

Thinking that you might need this or you might need that will leave you confused till the last moment. The only way out is to find out what you will definitely need! Keep an eye on the weather forecast of the place you are visiting and pack clothes accordingly. Carry a mini first-aid box with band-aids, regular medicines/supplements, and antiseptic cream.

Travel Tip: Keep the first aid box in the side pockets or in the handbag, so that you can access it immediately. Don’t stuff it inside the luggage.

3. Wear the Heavy and Pack the Light

Time to travel smart! If you are traveling to a cold place then wear your heavy boots and jackets while traveling to that place, packing them in luggage is a big no! Woolen jackets are heavy and consume a lot of space hence the smart way is to wear them on the way to the destination and on the way back.

Travel Tip: Do not guess the weight of your suitcase because if you have guessed it wrong then you are in trouble! Buy a weighing scale or borrow it from someone in advance to be sure of the weight.

Also Read: The Must-Have Travel Essentials In Your Backpack

4. Roll it up!

Folding clothes consumes a lot of space, so do what smart travelers do, roll them! Roll the T-shirts, trousers, denim, jackets, and dresses, this way you would be able to pack more stuff. Also rolling will not cause wrinkles to the dresses.

Travel Tip: The rolling trick works perfectly fine with Silk and other similar free-falling fabrics, but it’s not a good idea with cotton. If you are packing cotton clothes for your trip then folding is the right way to pack them.

5. Carry Extra Ziplock Packets, Shower Caps, and Totes

Don’t forget to carry extra ziplock bags or tote bags to pack wet swimwear and dirty clothes. You may also use these extra bags to carry the stuff you have shopped from the local market. If you don’t have a ziplock bag or tote you may also use a pillowcase to pack the tiny utility stuff.

Travel Tip: This one is especially for girls. Carry a single makeup palette that has an eye shadow, highlighter, contour, and blush and 2 lipstick shades, one light and one dark. 

6. Carry Miniature Sized Toiletries 

Next time when you visit the local grocery store pick the samples or miniature-sized perfumes, moisturizers, face washes, hand sanitizers, and shampoo sachets. Pick unisex toiletries that you both can share.

Travel Tip: Don’t forget to keep vaseline or beeswax to cure chapped lips, shoe bite, and rough zipper.

Also Read: 12 Amazing Packing Tips That Travel Experts Swear By

7. Pick the right Bag 

Selecting the right bag is half the battle won! Make sure to select a bag that is sturdy, durable, and waterproof because you never know when the rain gods will shower their love on you!

Travel Tip: Keep a few paperclips and safety pins. Sometimes the zipper comes out and it's difficult to open and close the bag with the leftover portion. Place the U-shaped paper clip/safety pin in that and you are good to go!

8. Carry accessories for every day, not an entire wardrobe

If you don’t wish to carry heavy luggage or don’t wish to pay extra bucks for extra luggage then set your creative mind free! One thing that you can do is carry a lot of accessories, they can be jewelry, shrugs, hats, and scarves. You can pair them with your dress in different ways and stay stylish, and lightweight!

Travel Tip: Store your jewelry in small ziplock packets and put them in your shoes, after all, it’s another space that you can use.

9. Ditch the Heels and if you can’t then stick to Basics 

Wearing heels on a vacation is not a good idea, especially if you don’t have a party or special occasion to attend. But if you can’t live without your heels, then pack a pair of basic black or nude heels that can compliment any look.

Travel Tip: Always keep a mini liquid adhesive to stick broken footwear or the strap of your handbag or backpack.

10. Gather all the things but pack exactly half of it

This is the secret to packing right! Gather everything that you feel you will and might need during the trip and then make it a rule to pack exactly half of it. It sounds bizarre but it works!

Travel Tip: Get a dedicated compartment or packing cube for electronic devices and cables. Pack the power extension board, tablets, cameras, etc. in it.

Your luggage is an extension of your personality so don’t shove the essentials in it just like that! Pack your luggage with a little attention and planning as it will add convenience to your vacation and will save you from unnecessary clutter. HAPPY PACKING!