With the holiday season approaching us, many people’s minds are turning towards jetting off to exotic lands, spending quality time with their loved ones, and enjoying some time away from the office. But before all of that, you unfortunately have to go through the often frustrating task of packing. However, it doesn’t always have to be an ordeal — here are our top 10 packing tips to make it as hassle-free as possible.
Don’t try and take your entire wardrobe away with you
There aren’t many people who return from holiday without unworn clothes at the bottom of their suitcase. All of these items are just dead weight you’re dragging round — the last thing you want when lugging a suitcase around with you.
As a rule of thumb, pack what you think you need and then reduce it by at least a third. This will help you pack light and hopefully avoid having any unworn items at the end of the trip. Take clothes which match with each other so you can mix-and-match and pack lighter.
Use the ‘ranger roll’
Fit more into your case by utilising the ‘ranger roll’, a technique used by the US army to pack T-shirts as small as possible. Check out this guide from Instructables to find out how to do it.
Make sure you’ve packed for different weather
Few places in the world offer guaranteed sunshine every day, so make sure you pack at least one pair of jeans and a raincoat so you can still enjoy your plans if the heavens open.
Use Ziploc bags to keep electronics and wires separated
To avoid a jumbled mess of cables in the bottom of your suitcase, keep all of your electronics organised in Ziploc bags. As they’re transparent, they’ll also allow you to find what you’re looking for without opening them.
Make sure to weigh your suitcase
To avoid being caught by surprise and finding out your suitcase is too heavy at the airport, invest in a set of suitcase scales so you can weigh up before you leave. Argos stocks a wide range of suitcase scales that are all small enough to be slipped into your suitcase, so you can weigh up again for the return journey.
Invest in a good-quality suitcase
If you’re a frequent traveller, invest in a high-quality case that is sure to stand up to the rigours of travel. Samsonite are the leading brand in durable luggage, and you can’t go wrong with one of their cases, which you can buy from their online store.
Make your suitcase identifiable
To make your luggage easy to spot on the airport carousel, tie colourful shoelaces or ribbons to its handles, or even mark it with spray-paint. Alternatively, buy a colourful luggage tag, such as these from Farewell, which you can also write your address on.
Know what you can take in your hand luggage
Nowadays, there are strict regulations about what you can and can’t take on an aeroplane in your hand luggage, so make sure you’re clued up before you start packing. You can find the Government’s full regulations here.
Consider storage if you’re planning on long-term travel
If you’re planning on enjoying some long-term travel, you may need to think about where you’re going to store your things in the meantime. This is usually true for students who are planning on spending their summer travelling, but as they’re between accommodation, they don’t have anywhere to store their things. A good alternative is renting a self-storage unit in the city where you’re studying, especially if you can rent a space with a friend or two to keep the costs down. Pickfords offers storage for students in locations across the UK, which can be a great option for any student planning on travelling during their summer.
Wear your heaviest items while you travel
Always wear your heaviest clothes while travelling to save space in your suitcase, as well as making it lighter. While this may not be ideal if you’re travelling on a hot day, it’s better than your things not fitting in your case.
Keep these tips in mind when you’re packing for your next holiday and the process is sure to be as hassle-free as possible.
