Packing can be difficult, stressful or overwhelming. Learning how to pack well will help minimize the stress, maximize your suitcase space available, and (hopefully) make your trip more enjoyable. There really is an art to packing, in a fashion, that enables you to travel with minimal hassle and still look good. You will need to do a bit of research on where you are going and what activities you plan to partake in.
Regardless of where you are traveling to, there are a few simple questions to ask yourself:
- What will the climate be like?
- What activities am I likely to engage in?
- How long is my trip? Do I want to do laundry while traveling?
- What are some of the local cultural “norms” or etiquette that I should be aware of?
- Do I want just a carry-on bag, or would I prefer to check a bag?
- What documents do I need to take with me?
Climate (weather)
Will there be one or several climates on my trip? A common question asked is “How do I pack for multiple climates?” Traveling between two climates on the same trip happens more frequently than we think. Sometimes we visit two different countries or even varying elevations in the same destination. Another example is when your starting place is warm, but your destination is cold.
What is the projected weather going to be (hot, cold, rainy, windy, snow)? https://weather.com will give you a 10-day forecast. You can also Google, for example, “New York weather in December”, “what is the weather of Paris France like?”, or “when is the best time to travel to Peru?”.
Now that you have the projected weather, let us move on to the next question.
Activities
What activities will you (generally) be doing? For example, will you be city sightseeing (walking, tours, nightlife) or something more sporty (running, yoga, hiking, beach bum, scuba diving, skiing)? If you are taking a guided tour(s) or a package vacation, a good source of information is your itinerary. If more of an ad hoc vacation is your style, you can Google the type of activities you are interested in, such as “how to plan a scuba dive vacation in Hawaii”, “suggested itinerary of Italy”, or “things to see in England on vacation”.
Length of trip and laundry
Fear not, it is (generally) not the length of a trip that makes packing difficult – it is the various climates and what activities you want to partake in during your trip that makes packing a challenge.
Most vacations are roughly 7 to 10 days in length. Packing for 7-10 days is not that much different to pack for than a short weekend trip. You just need a few more items to stretch your clothing a few more days. You will want to pack clothing that you do not mind wearing a few times. Highly suggest NOT packing complete outfits, instead pack individual items. For example 3-5 shirts/tops (short/long sleeve tee, button up), 2-3 pairs of pants/skirt (chinos, denim, dressy), 1 outer layer (jacket/sweater), and 1-2 pairs of shoes (there are many styles that can be dressed up/down and or good for lots of walking/night out). From just these few items you can create many mix & match outfits. These examples would change a bit depending on the type of trip you are planning. Layering is a good way to stay warm. Layering also lets you adapt to changing temperatures during the day, as well as giving you options for different looks without packing extra clothing. Quick recap:
- Pack must haves and not what if/just in case items
- Avoid bulky items and pack layering pieces
If you need to bring something bulky, wear it on the plane vs. packing it - Bring no more than two pairs of shoes
- Choose the right fabrics (ex. smartwool for a warmer layer)
- Simplify your color palette (minimize multiple patterns or “one time” wear items, consider scarves and a couple jewelry statement pieces to “jazz” up something you can wear multiple times with a different look)
Next big question, are you open to doing laundry while on vacation? In all my travels I have done laundry a total of maybe five times (twice in the hotel sink (swimsuit and under garments/socks) and three times in an AirBnB). It is just not something I like to do. Having said that though, visit [this link] for laundry options whilst on travel.
Cultural “Norms” or Etiquette
Take a few moments prior to your trip to research some of the guidelines and customs of how one should dress/behave when traveling. In many parts of the world (and certainly when visiting places of religious observance) you will want to be covered (no shorts, bare arms, and in some cases a head scarf for women). Are you on a business trip or personal? If you dress too casually in certain cultures, for example the United Arab Emirates, your hosts may consider you disrespectful. Dark or bright color clothing? Different colors symbolize different things. Be sure to dress appropriately. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.
Carry-on or Check Baggage
This topic really is a post all unto itself, but to summarize…it really depends on what you feel comfortable doing. I personally prefer to only have carry-on. I do not like to wait 20 minutes or more for my luggage at my destination. Also, having worked for the airlines there is an additional degree of risk with checking a bag. For example, do I have a connecting flight? Is the time between my connecting flight short? The weather does factor into your connection time, potential delays or shortening connection times. My bag gets lost or does not make my connection. Baggage fees (enough said). You will however need to keep your airline’s baggage restrictions in mind when carrying on your baggage. European airlines are more restrictive (weight/size) than the U.S.. Checking a bag does allow you to pack liquids and be more hands free onboard.
Keep in mind your destination when deciding to carry-on or check a bag. You will have to lug it around, so the bigger your bag…not good. Many of the hotels in countries outside the U.S. have super small lifts (elevators) or no lifts at all. Planning a trip to the beautiful island of Santorini, Greece? Stairs, stairs, and more stairs. Does your trip include multiple modes of transportation? Trains and buses have limited space for luggage. If you are using the subway at your destination, you will encounter stairs in a large majority of stations.
Travel Documents – What is in your wallet?
What documents do I need to take with me? This will depend on if you are traveling domestically or internationally. When travelling close to home (country/state of residence), your wallet contents are most likely fine “As Is” (driver’s license, health/auto insurance card, money (cash/credit cards).
When travelling internationally there are a few additional items to consider. Passport, Visas, and vaccinations and their associated “paperwork”. Prior to travelling internationally you will need to do a bit of research on the country(ies) you will be going to. The U.S. State Department’s website (https://travel.state.gov) and country embassies are a solid starting place.
Research questions:
- Is there an empty passport page requirement from your destination country(ies)?
- Is there a passport expiration date requirement (e.g. you will need six (6) month of validation)?
- Will you be renting / driving a car? If yes, is an international drivers license required?
- Does your destination country(ies) require an entry/exit visa? If yes, what is required to obtain a visa? In some cases you will need to apply for a visa prior to departing for that country (this may take months). In other countries you may be able to purchase a visa upon entry (at the airport).
- Are there vaccine requirements for your destination? (https://www.who.int/travel-advice/vaccines) Always consult your medical provider. It is good practice to have your vaccines documented on an all inclusive card.
Vaccine Card (Amazon or Healthcare provider)
Travel Tip:
Whilst ATM/cash machines are generally plentiful, it does not hurt to have a small amount of your destinations currency in your wallet. I have arrived at my destination (Rome) in the wee hours of the morning to find nothing open and not a cash machine in sight. If you can get country currency from your bank prior to departure vs. the foreign exchange booths at the airport, please do so.
Final notes on international travel documents. This is a great opportunity to streamline (reduce) what is in your wallet. Make copies of your passport as well as documenting your credit card number and contact phone numbers (for outside your country of residence), in case they are lost or stolen.