It’s not very often that the average person takes an international flight. It’s difficult to know what you need to pack. It may seem self-explanatory, but there are some points that you may otherwise forget. If you do happen to embark on a journey that requires a longer flight, there are some things you need to know.
1. Pack only the essentials
It may seem like you need all of your toiletries and clothes but you don’t. Believe it or not, other countries do sell hair care products, toiletries, and clothing. You can buy all of that when you get there. If you can afford to buy the product there, leave it out. Weight adds up fast, especially with these types of products. Pack only clothes that you need. You most likely will be able to do laundry so don’t overpack. Make sure you know the country or states weather patterns for the time of year you are traveling. You don’t want to pack all bulky sweaters if it is going to be 75 and sunny all the time. You can find all the information online by looking up average weather conditions during that season of the year.
2. Weigh your luggage
Don’t forget to weigh your luggage before you get to the airport. Check the weight limit for your bags online. Each airline has different requirements for weight. If your baggage is over the required weight you could be paying a high fee. Airlines will charge between 50-200 dollars for luggage that is overweight. That’s if you’re lucky of course. Some international flights will deny your bag entirely. By weighing your bag ahead of time you avoid tearing open your bags and frantically trying to switch stuff around to other bags.
3.Pack in an organized manner
I have found that rolling clothing works best. If you roll all of your shirts, pants, etc. you’ll have more space. When packing liquids remember the golden rule: no more than three ounces per bottle is allowed in your carry on. All other liquids are to go in your checked baggage. Buy gallon sized plastic bags ahead of time to pack any liquids and aerosol cans. This will prevent leaking and spills in your luggage. Nothing can ruin your vacation quite like all of your clothes being ruined.
4. Pack in a timely manner
Stress can cultivate quickly if you don’t leave yourself enough time to pack. By packing ahead of time, you leave yourself room to double check your baggage. The last thing you want to do is leave feeling rushed, unprepared or like you’re forgetting something. Don’t pack too far in advance because you may still need some of your belongings. A few days before your flight start packing away things you don’t need up until the day of the flight. I would suggest being fully packed two days before your flight. At that point you give yourself an extra day to double check that everything is there that you may need. If you are forgetting anything or you need to buy some other items to bring, you will know from packing ahead of time. Make a list of anything you may need to pack still.
5.Pack Accordingly
If you have any medications make sure that they are in your carry-on bag. If your luggage happened to get lost, you don’t want to be without your medications. Anything that is overly valuable to you should be packed in your carry-on as well. I tend to bring my camera and laptop in my carry on so that it does not get broken or lost. You also know where they are at all times if you have them with you. Pack an extra outfit or two in your carry-on as well. It doesn’t happen often, but if your luggage gets lost you would at least have an extra outfit.
6. Rule of thumb
Use this rule of thumb: If it would ruin your trip to lose it, don’t bring it. Don’t pack anything that you can’t live without. I’m not saying don’t bring your camera to take photos, just be careful and limit the number of belongings you bring. The less you bring the less you are likely to lose or have stolen.
7.Don’t pack a lot of expensive items
Don’t bring any expensive jewelry or family heirlooms. This goes along the lines of the rule of thumb. In addition, if you bring a lot of expensive items you will become a target for thieves. If you are flaunting your expensive items they will be more likely to pick pocket or rob you of your belongings. Air on the safe side and leave more at home.
8.Pack, then Repack
You will always pack more your first time around. Make sure you take it all out and repack. I know it seems like a lot of work but it is well worth it. You are more likely to take things out that you don’t need this way. The first time packing you will overcompensate. The second time you will realize that all of your items are not a necessity. You’ll realize that the twenty shirts that you packed for your 2-week trip are not needed and can cut down space and weight.
9. Leave extra room
Leave extra room in your baggage for anything you purchase. You will most likely want souvenirs to bring home. If you fill your bag completely for your trip there you will not have room for souvenirs on the way home. This will also help for weight as well. If you pack too much you will not have any weight allowance to purchase souvenirs and bring them home.
There’s so much to think about when packing for a long flight. These tips also work for domestic short flights as well. Take advantage of the fool proof plans to avoid the stress of packing. Your trip doesn’t need to start with stress and frustration, make the best of this experience.
Safe Travels and Happy Packing!