Travel

[World Traveler]

This short article was published online by Reader’s Digest Online on 11/1/2016. What tips do you have?

START WITH THE RIGHT-SIZED SUITCASE

For a short trip, a small carry-on bag is ideal, and with skill it's possible to cram all your essentials in there. But if you can't travel light, it's best to choose a bag that can easily accommodate everything you need. Trying to force a bulging suitcase to shut is a waste of time and energy, especially since you may return with even more stuff, if you like to buy souvenirs. When deciding which is the best suitcase for you, take a moment to assess your needs for this trip.

GET THE RIGHT GEAR

To make your packing as speedy as possible, have a few convenience items pre-prepared and ready to go at all times. That includes a dedicated toiletry bag, preferably something plastic and waterproof, that you can toss into your suitcase at a moment's notice. Buy sample-size containers of your favorite shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, body wash and moisturizer, or decant the full-size products into small, TSA-approved travel bottles.

Have similar travel-friendly containers set up for jewelry and accessories if possible. Store them in a clear box with compartments, so you can see all the items clearly and prevent them from getting tangled. If you can't create these pre-prepared packs of toiletries and accessories, keep a packing list on your phone for a quick reminder of the essentials you need to gather.

COORDINATE YOUR WARDROBE

It may sound obvious, but plan an outfit for each day to make sure you're covered. If you know exactly what you need to accompany each outfit, you can limit the amount of stuff you're taking. Try to mix and match outfits—wear the same pair of pants with different tops, for example—to cut down on bulky extras.

As a general rule, three pairs of shoes are all you need for a business trip: a casual pair, a professional pair, and a comfortable or snazzy pair for evenings, depending on the nature of your business. Neutral colors are best as they'll coordinate well with multiple outfits, but don't hesitate to toss in a pair of showstoppers if that's what the occasion calls for.

For a vacation, three pairs of casual shoes should be ample, especially if you'll be doing a lot of walking. What you don't bring can be just as important, so resist the urge to include things just in case. If necessary, you can buy many essential items, such as socks and flip flops, at your destination.

LAY EVERYTHING OUT BEFORE STARTING

Lay everything you're taking out on the bed, so you can see exactly what you need to pack and spot any missing items promptly. Then fold or roll each item of clothing according to the best method. For folded items, putting layers of tissue between each item will cut down on wrinkles.

Don't forget all the additional accouterments, such as phone chargers, hair straighteners, or electric shavers. Get everything ready before you start the actual.

PACK YOUR SUITCASE IN LAYERS

Begin by putting rolled items in a layer at the bottom of your suitcase. Cushion fragile items (like perfume bottles) in the middle and plan to put items you need on arrival (like your PJs and toothbrush) at the top end of the case, so you can find them easily.

Next, put the folded items in a layer, alternating the neck and hem of tops to minimize the amount of bulk and keep the layer even, which makes it much easier to zip closed. Place shoes heel-to-toe and brace each pair around the inner shell of the suitcase.

Fill the shoes with smaller items such as socks, sunglasses, or trinkets. There are lots of ingenious hacks for packing small items that will save both space and time. Add an empty waterproof bag for dirty items. This will keep your clean clothes smelling fresh and your laundry organized.

Roll-able vacuum-style bags (that squeeze out the air), take up less space. Pack electrical charging cables in one small bag or in an outside pocket—they'll be easy to find when you need them, and if you're diligent about replacing them immediately after use, you're less likely to leave them in the hotel room.

FINISH WITH A LARGE TOP LAYER

Lastly, lay a large item like a towel or beach sarong over the tops and tuck it in around the sides. This will keep everything in place and stop items from sliding around during the journey. It's much easier to close the zipper if you don't have fiddly items like belts or laces poking out.

[gacat123]

@World Traveler  

FABULOUS!  Thank you for posting this informative article.  Great suggestions!  <G>

You have suggested placing a 13gallon white trash bag on the very top and tuck. 

Good for bringing soiled clothes home and keep separate from other packed items.  

I will often pack clean undies/delicates in a clear zipper lock gallon bag in case of a gloved search by gloves that were just in dirty laundry?   just think about it....  (wrinkle nose) 

I also like to pack a few plastic hangers and clothespins which come in quite handy.  

If  I am going on a 2-3 night  trip I put my outfits on hangers and just hang up in closet. 

** I keep a large light cotton PURPLE Sarong in my tote which is good for wrapping up in plane or car.  Good to use at the pool too!  I like to pack multi-use items.   

Keep Calm and Travel On, 

CAT

Keep Calm and Travel On,  

[World Traveler]

@gacat123 Actually, the 13-gallon plastic wastebasket bag I bring along was originally because of a bad experience in Cairo, Egypt. There was a group of us who were on a bus when it started to rain. You have to realize that it only rains in Cairo about once every ten years, as we were told. So they have almost nothing in the way of proper drainage in the city.

The bus was going downhill in an area that was much lower for that area than normal. The wheels got stuck in the mud that all the rain was producing. We couldn't move! The wheels just kept spinning. ha!

The water level rose to higher than the wheels and everyone's luggage underneath the bus got soaked with not only water but mud creeping into the baggage area that was not sealed very well. It took an hour before several vehicles came to rescue us and our things.

Some of the more seasoned Egypt travelers had covered their clothes in the suitcase with a plastic 13-gallon bag, out of habit for anywhere they went. Their clothes were the only ones not affected by the mud when it seeped into the suitcase. But the rest of us had to wash every single item in our suitcase. That was so long ago, I don't remember which luggage I was using, but the soft clothed luggage definitely couldn't withstand the seepage. 

We were trying to get to the boat to sail down the Nile River for several days. Once we all hit the boat, we rushed to be the first one to get our clothes to the laundry people. They were overwhelmed with so many clothes needing cleaned in a short period of time. Many of us wore the same clothes for a couple of days that we had on while in the bus.

Fun experience! ha!  But I learned from that. Whether it is rain, mud, or just wanting to ensure that the things in your luggage don't tumble out once you open it up, I put the 13-gallon plastic bag on top of my clothes before cinching them in, and tuck it all around the sides of the suitcase. Just a habit I have gotten into.

And, you are correct, I also have another plastic bag for my dirty clothes

[Carmie]

Good ideas, but one TSA agent can go through your bag in seconds and tear it all apart. I always pack with cubes and envelopes where I can.

They keep dirty TSA agent hands and eye off of my intimates and my suitcase can be dumped out and repacked in a minute and nothing is wrinkled.  They also keep my clothing clean and dry if something leaks.  Yes, I have had items leak from bottles in plastic bags. 

Once on a trip to Hawaii, my luggage was sitting outside at the airport while it was pouring down rain.  I could see it from the window of the plane.  The rain soaked through, but the packing cubes protected most of my things.

i like the plastic bag suggestion too.  It only takes one time to get water in your suitcase and you prepare so it doesn't happen again,

[gacat123]

@World Traveler 

Well my goodness? should we just pack a white trash bag and then place into the suitcase?   Your  Mud Flood makes me wonder!  ??  

I do think a few plastic bags can come in handy.  DH had a small can of shave cream that needed to be contained for a plane trip and a plastic zipper lock bag worked.  <G> 

Have you used  *Packing Cubes* ??   Opinions, Comments? 

Keep Calm and Travel On, 

CAT

[World Traveler]

@gacat123 I forgot to mention that our lovely Egyptian guide felt so badly about what we went thru. When we finally made it to the boat for the Nile cruise and she saw what condition the luggage was in, she passed the word around that she would personally pay for our clothes to be cleaned. That was before she and the rest of us realized that all of our suitcases were totally saturated with the water, sand, debris, etc., inside and out.

When we opened our suitcases, we all had this terrible stench rising up. Since we were in a hot country, many of us had packed thin clothing, light in color. It just made everything a huge mess. We tried to rinse some of the clothes out in the sink, but they were stained. There was no way any of us could wear a thing that had gone thru that long of being soaked in mud.

Big black garbage bags were handed out to each of us, but she had no idea that they would all be filled, busting at the tops where we tied the bags together. She was nearly in tears when she saw all of us coming with the bags full. She thought some of us might have a couple of things ruined.

True to her word, she did pay for it, but we all gave her way more money in tips than we had originally planned. She was not only an excellent guide in explaining things we saw in Egypt, but she wanted so badly for us to remember our experience in her beloved country to be a good one, and that is why she did that.

I kept in touch with her over the years, particularly when there was conflict in Egypt, asking how she and her family were doing. She said she would never forget our group, because it hadn't rained in Cairo for years and years, and it just happened to have the huge downpour at a time when we were driving thru an area that couldn't handle the runoff. It was memorable to her and to us. 

It is things like that event that make traveling so interesting. You have stories to tell for years and years. A boss of mine at that time shook his head and said that every place I go to, something unusual happens. Tsunami hit when I was in Thailand, volcano erupting right before I went to Iceland, etc. He laughed and said every time he reads about a "natural" activity going on, he figures I must have been visiting or about to visit, and that countries should pay me to stay away from them! ha!

[Yahooey]

I always keep a very detailed list of what I'm going to bring on a trip. I have a standard list for different occasions that I keep on file.

Camping - includes towels, lantern, shampoo - everything but the kitfchen sink

Florida/beach - includes fins, snorkel, mask 

I find that a list down to the exact top and bottoms I'm brining helps a lot. No sense looking into a cavernous suitcase and think, what should I wear? I pack light and the tops and bottoms mix and match. I have gone on a 12 day to Europe taking my TravelPro  that fits overhead (not expanded). I dont know how big that is in inches. The bag was expanded and checked. I saw others on the same tour with practically trunks. I guess I'm more casual. 

I love my suitcase. It has a section for a garment bag. I use 1 hanger and layer all my tops in there (less creases). The large opening contains my other stuff and there is a toiletry kit that snaps over the top (4 corners) of the opening so everything stays in place.

I'm gong to Vancouver this weekend for a week and the list includes binoculars and walking sticks since I plan to hike and bike.

ETA - it is TravelPro and not Travelon

[LindaSal]

These are great tips!   I consider myself a seasoned traveler but I still love to learn new tricks!  I use packing cubes all the time and have to say I love them!  Keeps me organized and it's easy to keep clean items away from dirty items.  I also usually help myself to the laundry bag that the hotel provides.  Plastic bags really do come in handy at times.   Efficient packing really helps, however I cannot see myself packing in less than 30 minutes!!   ( LOL )  My problem is deciding which outifts to bring!!

Happy travels!!

[bonnielu]

@Yahooey  Just curious the brand or version of your suitcase that has a garment bag inside or a place for the garment bag.

I always check my luggage. I know everyone uses a carry on bag but I just don't like to have to stuff something under my seat or reach up high (only 5 feet tall) and then pray there is room. 

When I travel I take a wheeled garment bag and a suitcase and then some sort of wheeled extra small bag that looks like a duffle. 

[Yahooey]

@bonnielu

When i research my bag, I noticed that I wrote Travelon and not TravelPro which I just corrected. 

I bought my TravelPro over 10 years ago and I didn't pay that much for it. Here is a pic that best ressembles what I have. This is what I have found on their site. The garment bag fits in the zip around on the inside case lid. My toiletry kit is removable and it was the full size of the opening. I can't tell if this removes on completely or just opens in the center.

I'm 5'1" and I have to hoist it on momentum onto the top. I guess that's why I travel light so it isn't so heavy. lol

hth