Going on holiday is one of the best feelings in the world. Whether you’re travelling to a far off country or staying a little closer to home, there will be new sights to see, new foods to taste, and new things to experience. Trying to cram all of your clothes into a suitcase, however, isn’t anywhere near as enjoyable. Pack too much, and you end up disorganised and burdened with heavy bags, but pack too little, and you’ll have to scramble to the nearest store when you arrive at your destination. To make packing a much easier process, here are seven tips you should know. 

1. Make A Packing List

Packing is a stressful task and one that most people do in a rush. If you leave this until the very last minute, then you’ll probably forget something important. This can cause disruption to your trip, so it’s crucial that you’re well prepared. Before you even get out your suitcase, you should write a list of what you need to take with you on your trip. Include everything that you can think of, including the most obvious items. With this, you can check that you haven’t forgotten anything. Also, most people with medical conditions need to check the requirements of each airline for medical equipment they can carry on to a plane. For example, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements don’t allow travellers to bring their oxygen cylinders or liquid oxygen. However, people with medical conditions can carry Department of Transportation approved battery-powered portable oxygen concentrator, and you can find them also on The Oxygen Store website. Another good tip is to double-check the country you travel to requirements of foods you can bring onboard or in your suitcase whether you travel by car or boat. You can face huge fines if you caught with them, so read carefully instructions on their government sites. Of course if you are planning to rent a car abroad, you need to check if the country requires an international driver’s permit. 

2. Tailor To Your Trip

A huge mistake that many travellers make is packing the exact same clothes no matter where you go. Although there are sure to be certain items that you always need to take with you, like underwear and sneakers, most others will depend on your destination and type of holiday. If you’re heading on a skiing trip, for example, then you’ll need warm clothes, instead of the dresses you pack for the beach. You don’t need your whole wardrobe, so don’t take it with you.

3. Roll Up The Clothes

The very best way to put clothes into your suitcase is by rolling them up. Although folding might be the traditional method of packing, rolling prevents creasing. This means that you won’t have to spend the first few hours of your holiday ironing everything that you bought with you. Tightly rolled clothes also take up a lot less space than folded ones, allowing you to fit more into your suitcase. If you want a little more extra space, then place your clothes inside vacuum compression bags. 

4. Leave Some Extra Space

As tempting as it can be to fill your entire suitcase, you really should avoid doing this. After all, even if you swore to yourself that you wouldn’t, you are probably going to buy souvenirs while you’re away. The worst feeling in the world is falling in love with something, but not having the room to bring it home. Make sure that you have space in your case for a small shopping bag. If you choose not to buy anything, all this means is that you’ve had less to carry around with you.

5. Wear Your Bulkiest Items

Boots and coats are very heavy items. Although you’ll probably need to take them with you on holiday, you should avoid putting them in your bag. Not only could they push the weight of your suitcase over the baggage limits, but they will also take up a lot of space. Instead, wear them for the flight. This may not be an ideal situation, but it is usually the best solution. You can always take these items off once you get past the security so that you’re not uncomfortable on the plane. 

6. Colour In The Case

Losing your luggage is one of the worst things that can happen on holiday. Even if you’re eventually reunited with your bags, the hours or days that you have to spend without them are both frustrating and stressful. You’ll find that there are thousands of bags at the airport that look just like yours. To avoid someone taking your bag by mistake, you should personalise it. You can do this by adding brightly coloured ribbons and stickers. It also helps to have your name on there. 

7. Pack Good Hand Luggage

No matter how well you decorate your suitcase, the unthinkable could still happen. Because of this, it’s vital that you pack your hand luggage well. Make sure that all of your valuables are stored safely in there, along with a spare change of clothes. This means that you won’t have to rush to buy new ones the moment you get to the airport. If you’re travelling with friends or relatives, you should all pack a change of clothes in each other’s suitcases too. 

Packing is an important task, so make sure that you do it right by following the tips above.