Are you one of those people who packs all the creature comforts of home into your luggage when you travel? Do you need someone to sit on your suitcase just so you can zip it up? No matter the reason for your travel- business, pleasure or otherwise- and no matter the destination- whether it be in corporate housing San Diego or a motel in Tallahassee, these tips are sure to help you pack and travel with ease.

  1. Be safe and smart. This one sounds simple, and it is, but it is also the most important. Scan a copy of your passport, passport photos and paper tickets and store them in a secure email folder in your web-based email account. You should also store the details of your emergency telephone numbers and bank contact information in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.
  2. Split up your valuables. Don’t put all your bank cards, cash, travellers’ cheques and credit cards in the same location when travelling. This makes it much easier for thieves to rob you. Try to split them up as much as possible in different pockets, bags and your wallet when packing. If you are travelling with a diaper bag, this can be a good place to hide valuables as well.
  3. Pack travel-size bottles. Use small bottles to pack toiletries and other small items. Nowadays, there are several sturdy and very nearly waterproof packages available. Clear and see through ones are preferred for security purposes. Rather than carry your entire shampoo or lotion bottles with you, condense them into smaller, easy-to-carry bottles.
  4. Pack your backpack correctly. When you are packing things into a backpack, you may think to pack heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones at the top, but this is actually not very practical. Place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones on top. This way, your bag will feel lighter because the pack rests on your lower back. Also keep in mind to place the things you use the most on top. Dirty clothes are perfect to pack at the bottom of a backpack.
  5. Use Plastic Bags. You never know what you might need them for and they are easy to bring along. It is always handy to have a few plastic bags protecting possible leaky items like toiletries. Throughout your trip you can use them to keep dirty clothes in, as garbage bags or even as a makeshift umbrella. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best. It can also be helpful to pack your clothing in clear plastic bags (again, preferably zip lock), divided into items like underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before packing them in your suitcase or backpack. This will help you avoid rummaging through your bag. It is also extremely helpful if you have to unpack at customs. Instead of having to take all your clothing out in front of everybody, you can calmly take a couple of plastic bags out, the contents of which can be clearly seen by the officials.
  6. Don’t pack excess clothes. Pack only what you know you will use and if you are travelling for more than three weeks, plan to wash your clothes while travelling. Cut back on the amount of clothes by packing multi-purpose clothing, like items that can both be worn during the day and as sleepwear.
  7. Split up clothes between suitcases. When you are flying with a companion, divide your clothes between different suitcases. This way, if one person’s luggage doesn’t arrive at the destination, they’ll still have clean clothes available. Airlines can take up to 24-48 hours to compensate lost luggage, so this will save you money.
  8. Update your suitcase. For those using suitcases without a divider, a piece of cardboard makes an excellent divider and helps keep your clothes organized and neat. It also makes airport inspections a lot less of a hassle as you can lift out your divider with the clothes on top easily.
  9. Don’t pack wrapped gifts. Choose to either ship your gifts or pack them unwrapped because pre-wrapping them can be a waste of time if you are flying and your bags are opened.
  10. Conserve your batteries. When packing a flashlight, electric toothbrush or any other item that uses batteries, turn the batteries around or remove them completely so that if the item is accidentally turned on while flying, you won’t drain the batteries.
  11. Avoid shoe odor in your bag. Stinky shoes are inevitable, but keeping your clothes from inheriting the stench is not. If you want to make sure everything else in your bags stays clean and odor free, place your shoes inside old socks and then inside airtight plastic bags like ziplocks.
  12. Keep important documents and medications in your carry-on. On long flights with multiple stopovers, packing a fresh change of clothes is also a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don’t want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.
  13. Roll your clothes to save room. Somehow it seems that bags will hold more if your clothes are rolled rather than folded and rolling them in tissue paper helps to avoid wrinkles.
  14. Get advice from local tourism offices. The best source of information is usually local. Check out the tourism offices at your destination to find unbiased feedback on the best accommodations to suit your needs.
  15. Minimize on toiletries and use solid options when possible. Take only half a tube of toothpaste rolled up tight, store shampoo in small containers, and if bringing toilet paper with you for emergencies, only take half a roll and crush it so the middle is folded. Buy solid shampoo bars and tooth powders instead of paste, both of which can be easily located on the Internet and are allowed for carry-on travel.

We hope these tips help you travel smoothly and safely this holiday season!