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13 Packing Tips To Make You A Traveling Pro

Because the best time to travel is now.

Hailie Dion

Jun 17, 2018

Rhode Island College

149

pexels.com

With summer officially around the corner, that means it's also one of the busiest times of the year for travel. Thus, that means if you're anything like me, you'll be making packing lists and researching all the tips and tricks to pack everything you need for your vacation while being within the 50-pound weight limit, or squeezing everything into that carryon.

But leave the research to me, and continue reading. Here, I have compiled everything I've learned whilst traveling, along with tips and tricks I intend to use on my own future vacations into one place for you to save you a headache, get you all packed up and ready to go on your next adventure. Where are YOU going next?

1. Make a packing list

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Packing-List

It might be pretty obvious to most, but making a packing list is essential to packing for any trip. Not only does it ensure that you will not forget anything, but it also helps with prioritizing, and packing exactly what you need to be below those weight limits and size restrictions.

2. Put your outfits together first

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/06/how-to-have-a-sucessful-road-trip-with-young-children-be-organized-when-packing.html

Planning outfits ahead of time prevents from the chronic over-packing habit that we all subconsciously have.

3. Pack neutral colors

https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/packing-tips-for-carry-on-suitcases-from-flight-attendants/

Packing neutral colors makes matching outfits on vacation so much easier. So if you don't have the time to plan outfits out ahead of time, packing neutrals is your next best option!

4. Roll your clothes

https://getaway.10best.com/12783059/how-to-roll-clothes-for-packing

This one is a rule followed by every seasoned travel... ROLL YOUR CLOTHES. Not only does it make packing easier, but it allows you to fit more clothes into your suitcase in a smaller amount of space. Meaning, you can probably fit everything into that carry on!

5. Use binder clips to your advantage

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/560768591075513595/

Binder clips are your friend while you're traveling. Not only do they protect you from things like the sharp blades of your razor, but they also keep headphones tangle free and just overall help you organize your suitcase that much more!

6. Use a dryer sheet

https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/travel/29-packing-tips-tricks-every-traveler-should-know

This one might sound a bit crazy, but especially once you have dirty clothes in your suitcase, you'll be wishing you packed that dryer sheet. Not only does it keep your clothes smelling fresh on the way to your trip, but it also helps hide the dirty clothes odor on the trip home.

7. Pack a laundry bag

http://www.hashtagbylily.com/traveling-kikkerland-american-tourister/kikkerland-map-laundry-bag/

Another one that many people overlook because it essentially "takes up space". However, personally, once I sweat in something all day, I definitely do not want it living anywhere near my nice clean clothes. I'd much rather have it in a separate bag all on its own. This also helps with any additional odors if dryer sheets aren't used!

8. Utilize the space in your carry on

watch

With most airlines, carry on items are free. Or if anything—— much cheaper than checking a bag. So use that option to your advantage! You can't fit something in your suitcase? Is it a liquid? If it's not, throw it in your carry on! Personally I always try to make sure I have at least one outfit in my carry on, as well as some smaller toiletries for the sole chance of the airline possibly losing my luggage. Better safe than sorry!

9. Pack liquids/toiletries in a Ziploc bag

https://travel-made-simple.com/packing-light-checked-luggage/

Nothing is worse than opening up your suitcase after a long flight and finding that your shampoo exploded all over your clothes. So take the initiative and put any liquids you want to travel with in a ziplock or plastic bag. That way, if something is to explode, it explodes inside the bag and not over all your clothes. Same thing goes for toiletries, no one wants a suitcase covered in toothpaste!

10. Use shower caps for your shoes

https://www.onecrazyhouse.com/ways-to-use-shower-caps/

Packing shoes in a suitcase has always been a weird thing for me. I hate the idea of the dirty bottoms of my shoes touching all of my clean clothes— so to help with that, I put my shoes inside shower caps! This way the bottoms of my shoes are not physically touching anything besides the inside of the hair cap, and my clean clothes aren't getting all dirty!

11. Use packing cubes

https://www.chiletravel.website/product/packing-cubes-travel-organizing-bags/

Now, if you're a serious overpacking culprit, there are things like packing cubes to help with that! They help with organizing and downsizing even the worst overpacker!

12. Research ahead of time

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht207492

Nothing is worse than getting to your destination with a suitcase full of shorts and bathing suits to only find that the temperature and weather is nothing to what you expected. So research ahead of time! Nothing is worse than being unprepared on vacation-- so even if that means packing a sweater and a pair of jeans, make sure you check the weather before boarding the plane!

13. Get a passport wallet

https://www.amazon.com/Passport-ACdream-Protective-Premium-Blocking/dp/B06X3X2GPD

And last but not least, if you are traveling internationally, I highly suggest a passport wallet. It might sound "extra" but honestly, it's a lifesaver. Because now, you can keep everything-- including your passport, credit cards, money, and boarding pass all in one place! Which if you're anything like me, minimizes your chances of misplacing any important documents.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

13 Packing Tips To Make You A Traveling Pro

Because the best time to travel is now.

1. Make a packing list

2. Put your outfits together first

3. Pack neutral colors

4. Roll your clothes

5. Use binder clips to your advantage

6. Use a dryer sheet

7. Pack a laundry bag

8. Utilize the space in your carry on

9. Pack liquids/toiletries in a Ziploc bag

10. Use shower caps for your shoes

11. Use packing cubes

12. Research ahead of time

13. Get a passport wallet

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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