10 Packing tips for travellers
Pack as much as you need, and all of your important documents in your hand luggage!
1. Don't get a bag that's too big!
You’ll spend a lot of time carrying your backpack around. So the lighter it is, the better for you.
2. Do things by halves
When preparing for your trip, do a packing trial run. Pack your bag full of everything you think you’ll need, then unpack it all and half it. You’ll be very glad you did later.
3. Roll your clothes
You’ll be surprised how much space you save – and it helps to avoid creasing!
4. Bring Gaffer tape
The perfect tool for quickly fixing broken straps or holes in backpacks. And a million other things.
5. Pack some plastic bags
To keep wet swimwear, dirty shoes and leaky shower gels separate from the rest of your things. If you bring clear plastic bags, you’ll be able to stay super organised by separating out your clothes into categories (shorts/t-shorts/leggings etc) and packing them in separate bags. It will make things easier to find and will add another layer of waterproofing.
6. Bring a lock
Keep unwanted hands out of our backpack. A local will deter would-be thieves.
7. Save weight
Don’t take an entire Boots store in your backpack. Take a few essentials like sun cream, shampoo and toothpaste, but remember you will be able to buy these things in most of the world too, for a fraction of the UK price – you’re not falling off the end of the earth!
8. Don’t pack too many clothes
Here are 2 very good reasons why: 1) you will want to bring back souvenirs and buy more clothes when you’re away anyway so you need to make sure you have room and 2) you’ll probably end up wearing the same few pieces the whole time anyway!
9. Keep your important things with you.
Bags can get lost – it’s an unfortunate fact of life that we just have to accept if we want to travel. So just in case, make sure anything important/special to you gets packed in your hand luggage, just in case.
10. Make a list
Keep your final list with you so you can quickly refer to it when questioning whether you bought that thing you’re about to delve into your over-packed bag looking for… and then find that you didn’t even add in the first place.
