Most of us love travelling or going on (frequent) holidays. And it’s studied and documented. For example, in 2016 EU residents took over 1.2 million trips around Europe, according to Eurostat.
Booking plane tickets and accommodation can be tricky for the inexperienced ones, but there is always an activity that will be a pain in the ass for everybody: packing for travelling.
Packing for travelling can be stressful (if you leave it to the night before), heavy (if you overpack) and tiering (cleaning up all the mess you made while packing).
I previously wrote about tips and tricks for packing for travelling, but they are more general. This article is focused more on what you can do before you start de actual packing; it’s more like pre-packing planning. 🙂
As I mentioned before, I think that the key to living a less stressful life is planning ahead.
So, here’s what I found helped me a lot.
1. Toiletry Bag Ready-to-go
I mentioned this tip in one of my previous articles.
The tip is to have a make-up bag filled with (almost) all the things you usually take while travelling.
Related: Tips & Tricks for Packing While Travelling
If you travel quite often, this will help a lot. I gave up a long time ago taking the whole container of the beauty product with me. I have small glass containers and I fill them with eye cream, face cream, cleanser and so on.
Here are some things you can add to your toiletry bag ready to go:
- deodorant
- skin care products (cleansers, eye cream, toner, moisturizer, etc.) all in small containers
- Q tips
- cotton pads
- pads and tampons
- pills – if you need any or if know you are prone to certain sicknesses
- a couple of make-up brushes that you don’t use daily
- wet wipes
The list can look differently, based on your needs and habits.
But I think you got the main idea: keep a small bag filled with all toiletries you usually take when travelling. In this way, you can skip the step of packing toiletries every single time; you just pop the bag in the luggage.
Last, but not least, quickly check toiletries bag to see if you need something else. It will still take less than packing toiletries from zero.
2. Don’t Pack all the Toiletries
I know… I just told you to pack your toiletries in one bag to always have them on the go.
The thing is: it’s useful to take small amounts of shampoo and body wash if you’ll travel for a few days only. If you travel for several weeks, you’ll need more.
So to avoid some extra good grams to your luggage, don’t pack things that you can also buy where you will travel:
- body wash
- toothpaste
- shampoo
- deodorant
Most brands are available worldwide and prices are quite similar.
So, you don’t have to pack heavy and voluminous containers. In case you have special products designed for some skin problems, take them with you.
In my case, for example, I use a specific deodorant specially designed for sensitive and dry skin. It’s more like a medicine, so I’m not sure it’s available everywhere, so I usually take it with me.
3. Count, Count, Count
Another tip that I previously recommended, but that I still swear by.
Count the days you’ll be travelling.
For each day, plan an outfit and eventually add some night time outfits.
Choose clothes that can be combined. For example, a pair of trousers can be worn multiple times, while a T-shirt or a blouse, you’ll wear it most likely once.
Related: Tips & Tricks for Packing While Travelling: Clothes
Also, take an extra “for safety” outfit. An extra sweater in case of chilly, unexpected weather or an extra T-shirt in case you spill something on.
4. Take Photos
When you feel really inspired to create outfits, just do it!
Lay down different outfits that you plan to wear during your trip and take photos of them.
In this way, when you will start packing you can look at the photos and pack accordingly. The pics can also help you remember the outfits, in case you can’t remember which T-shirt goes with what jeans.
Pretty obvious, but take really good care of your smartphone; it’s the number one lost item while travelling.
5. Your go-to List of Things
We all have favourite things we like to use or wear.
In my case, I wouldn’t leave without my reusable water bottle, a pair of snickers and a comfy hoodie.
It can be beauty products, sunglasses or your own pillow.
Just keep a standard checklist on hand with all of these things. I personally use the Reminders app from my iPhone: I have an individual list of the things I have to take with me.
A good tip is to add the things that you usually keep forgetting. Like socks or phone charger in my case.
What are your favourite tips that make packing for travelling easier, do you use any of the above? Let me know in the comments below!
26 comments
I am so grateful for this article you’ve provided here. I have really been looking for a good traveler’s blog as good as yours. I must say, you’ve really made my day and I would definitely be revisiting your site for valuable information. I also think you should see an article i wrote about zamob and give me some feedback.
Great tips!! Were always travelling and I am always looking for hacks to make it easier! Lovee it!
Thanks for sharing these tips! I haven’t been traveling nearly as long as you but a lot of what you said really resonates. I love your 3rd & 4th point. I’m hoping to do some volunteering myself in my next spot. ?
Cheers
Danny
yes to all of this! I am getting ready to leave for a trip in a few days and you reminded me of a few things!
A go-to-list definitely makes everything easier for me especially that I want to bring my whole closet and bathroom with me. Lol! I love to travel, and these are all great time saving and packing tips!
YES, #1 is my go to tip that saves SO MUCH TIME. I always have two toiletry bags ready – one more compact and the other more expansive – and it’s such a timesaver!!
We always pack light. Now. Too many trips with over packing.
Nice blog! A comfy hoodie is always a go go!
I love your idea of taking pictures of the outfits. I always forget what I wanted to go with what. I went into this post thinking I’d already know the tips you were going to offer, but you actually gave very unique ones that I’m definitely going to use! These were great! My husband and I are going on to a cruise to Mexico in a few weeks and I’m definitely going to take another look at this post when we’re packing for our trip. Thanks!
I’m so glad you found it insightful, Coral! Hope you’ll enjoy your cruise to Mexico!
These are great tips! I always love to write down each day I’ll be traveling and write out the outfits I want to wear those days, it makes packing SOOO much easier 🙂 I love your toiletries tip, I need to keep them ready to go so when I’m traveling it makes packing those little things a lot simpler!
Kristen | http://www.sophisticatedgal.com
These are such great tips! I need to get better about having a toiletry bag put together.
I LOVE your idea of taking pix of outfits to wear! This is a good one (as are the other tips) for travel, for sure!
Great list! I’ll be using this for sure! Packing can be so tough!
I am getting ready to go to Ireland! It is my first international trip ever so I definitely am going to need to be counting and re-counting!
Hope you’ll enjoy Ireland, Kasey!
Tip number one is everything! I travel a lot and always have a default travel bag ready to go on short notice.
I always fold the outfits together. As I fold a pair of pants, I will slide a folded shirt in with it. I pack a few neutral colored outfits as extras as well, in case of accidents or spills, that can go with anything. That way, if I need just a different shirt, I can take it out and just wear it with the pants I already have on. I also tend to wear light layers during travels in case I need to change in the car or a rest stop.
Great tip with neural coloured outfits! I love wearing layere, too.
love the idea of taking pictures of your outfits!! makes it so much easier!
YES! counting is always so true for me ha i def need to bookmark this for later too!
Great travel tips! I definitely pack an outfit for each day but I actually only bring a few jeans because I dont like to overpack too much
I’m not a frequent traveler but I just returned from a 3 week trip and as I unpacked I decided to start a small travel kit for my next shorter journey so I won’t forget some necessities. For me that always includes a tweezers and an eyelash curler so I packed spare ones in my makeup bag.
Great idea! I usually don’t pack tweezers because I’m not sure if I’m allowed to have them in my hand cabin bag.
Great post!! I love travelling and I always start packing a few days ahead. makeup bag always first!! 🙂
As a frequent traveller, I couldn’t agree more! I will definitely bookmark this article so I remember the next time I pack!
Best
Kasey
http://www.thestylewright.com