Packing for a short trip sounds like an easy task but most of us end up cramming far too many unnecessary items into our bag “just in case'' — and then usually end up forgetting something essential (a bathing suit, sunglasses, first-aid kit and so on).
So when you're going away, whether for a minibreak of three days or a two-week holiday, how do you get it right?
Write a packing list
Before you do anything, draw up a packing list. This can be done weeks in advance. The advantage of this is that as you get closer to your departure date, you can modify the list so that you're sure to include absolutely everything you need — but nothing more.
Remember that you may not be able to pick up some key items in a foreign country or you just may not have the time. And if you are camping or planning to be out of reach of modern conveniences, it's a good idea to double your packing list in case you are leaving something out.
Once you've filled your suitcase, slip a copy of your packing list in your hand luggage. If the unthinkable happens and your suitcase is lost, you'll have a record of what is missing.
This will come in handy when you are replacing the items or filing an insurance claim for lost property.
Choosing the right case
Be clever about the bag you choose to take on your break; the best-looking one isn't necessarily the most practical.
Make sure you can lift your bag if you need to carry it down some steps or store it in an overhead compartment on a train or an aircraft. Remember: If you're struggling to lift the suitcase when it's empty, you certainly won't be able to pick it up once it's full.
Choose a bag with wheels. Almost all kinds come on rollers nowadays. Before leaving the house, make sure your personal information is on your bag on a luggage tag as well as inside your bag somewhere. If your luggage looks similar to bags other travellers are carrying, you might want to tie a colourful ribbon on the handle so you'll have an easier time spotting it at the baggage claim.
Hand luggage
If you are travelling by air, make sure you know what size bag the airline will permit and how many pieces of handheld luggage a passenger is allowed to have.
Make sure you carry anything that is irreplaceable in your hand luggage so that you won't have to worry about being without it. Examples:
- Medical items
- Money and travel documents (visa, passport, driver's licence and bank and credit cards)
- Itinerary
- Emergency numbers and addresses
- Keys
- Journal
- Mobile phone
- Light change of clothes
When in doubt, leave it out
The best packing is simple packing. Ask yourself “do I really need this?'' before you put it in your suitcase. Unless you are going on an extended holiday, most travellers get by with two small bags or one 24-inch suitcase.
While this may sound impossible, there are a few great tricks to make the most of your packing.
Plan ahead
Before you lay out your clothing, research your destination and check out the weather forecast for the period of time you'll be away. Make sure to include a raincoat if you're going to England and don't forget the sun hat if you are headed to a warm climate.
It's also a good idea to call ahead to your accommodations to find out if there are irons available for last-minute touch-ups if you'll be going for a swanky night out (same goes for hairdryers). Or maybe you'll learn that the tropical island you'll be staying on gets chilly at night, so you'll want at least one light jacket or pashmina at hand.
The art of packing a suitcase
Think of packing in terms of layers. It's an easy concept: The heavy, bulky items go at the bottom, then the non-wrinkle items (swimwear, underwear) and then outerwear and more delicate clothing on top.
Other tips:
- Use your shoes as compartments — fill them with small items such as socks.
- Roll smaller garments so they won't wrinkle. They'll also take up less space.
- Make sure your travel wardrobe is mix-and-match and that every top matches every skirt or pair of trousers.
- Plan on wearing each item of clothing at least twice.
- Pack a travel-size bottle of laundry detergent so you can rinse things out in a sink or tub.
- Buy travel-size toiletries and seal in a plastic bag to protect against leaks.
How to avoid overpacking
Although most of us love to read a book when we're away, limit yourself to taking only one or two in your case — and preferably hardback.
If you want to take sporting equipment on your trip but don't think you have enough room in your suitcase, consider sending it ahead.
Just be sure to get the confirmation number from the post office so that you can follow up to be sure the package has arrived at the right destination.
When the time comes to head back home, you may find that the souvenirs you have bought while on holiday won't fit in your overflowing suitcase.
If that's the case, remove some of your clothing and send it home through the mail.
Pack the more breakable items in your suitcase, protecting them with soft items such as T-shirts and socks.
Travel light with top tips
Whether you're packing for a summer holiday, a business trip or a weekend getaway, consider a few ideas for lightening your load:
- Even if you'll be gone more than a week, only pack one week's worth of clothes. You can wash your essentials in hotel sinks or at local launderettes or utilise your hotel's laundry service.
- Mix-and-match and layer clothes. Pack wrinkle-free items where possible.
- Pack toiletries in small containers. While air travel requires you to pack only one-quart bag of three-ounce containers of liquids in carry-on baggage, bringing smaller bottles on any kind of trip means less weight and bulk in your bag.
- Forget workout clothes. Visiting cities and amusement parks means you'll do a lot of walking, which will give you enough exercise to skip that morning jog.
- Minimise books and electronics. Copy or tear out guidebook pages you'll need, use multitasking electronics and limit your reading to paperbacks or books you buy while travelling.
— Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service
What the trends say
Explore asked Mandy Kouwenberg, front office manager, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, about the packing habits of guests.
Do people tend to overpack?
It depends on the guests. Some underpack, which can be an issue!
What are the main items people forget to pack and ask for?
Toothbrush, toothpaste, mobile phone charger, sunscreen lotion, adapter, perfume, books, sunglasses, a camera, etc.
Do some nationalities tend to pack more luggage than others?
Some of our GCC guests tend to bring more luggage than the others.
Do women bring more things than men?
For sure!
What other trends have you noticed?
A lot of corporate guests, obviously frequent travellers, make use of the luggage tags that airlines supply. This is obviously to avoid mishaps.
