Arthur’s Air Travel Tips #2
Packing
A long time ago, I used to roll all my clothes when I packed them. Does anyone else do that? I think I had read that you can fit more in that way. Generally, I just find that it only makes all my clothes wrinkled. I don’t do that anymore…
Pack early. If you are in a rush to pack, you will forget something. And, it is likely that in packing you will realize that some shirt you want to take is in the laundry or you don’t have enough underwear. You don’t want to find this out when it is already too late. Why not pack early and get one thing off your to do list and lower your stress level?
Take less than you need. Yeah, people always say this – because it is true! I like to lay everything I am packing on the bed, then cut about 30%. Everyone over-packs. Two specific questions to ask yourself: will you be able to do laundry while you are gone, can you wear thing more than once? If you answer yes to either or both, TAKE LESS than you think you need.
Finally, when flying international, I like to take anything valuable (generally electronics) in my carry-on. I don’t take much else on the plane but a journal, maybe a book, and light toiletries. I prefer to watch movies and sleep. I used to bring work and several books. But I never got to them, so why add the weight to my carry-on?
Would love to hear your packing tips – both for checked and carry-on luggage.
Comments(2)
Okay, I disagree with one thing. If at all possible, pack everything in your carry-on and don’t check any luggage. You never know when your big bag will go AWOL. The main exceptions are: when you have too much stuff (e.g., traveling as a family) and when you have to bring items that are forbidden in carry-ons (e.g., all the liquids and sauces you’re bringing back from your trip home). In the second case, I’m tempted to check in a smaller bag just for the forbidden items, and keep the really important stuff with me.
Not having a huge suitcase also means a much faster trip through the airport and much easier travel in taxis and other rougher forms of local transportation.
Haha. I’ve LOVED your travel tips!
If its a small, internal flight I would agree with Andy. But for major international flights I try to carry as little in my hand luggage (carry-on) as possible as it becomes heavier and heavier for every bit of airport you cover. Especially if there are a few airports to cover across a number of countries, and if you may need to catch a few hours of sleep at an airport, the less in your hand the better. I still have a picture of myself jet-lagged in Sao Paulo on the way to Paraguay, for a twelve-hour layover, sleeping on top of my laptop and numerous other items of hand luggage, trying to protect them from potential thieves as I slept!
Packing less is good but has also back fired on me as I’ve sometimes ended up with very little (trying to make a lot of room for gifts!) and have then had to borrow clothes and toiletries from my hosts or fellow travelers (which I guess isn’t the end of the world!).