Travel Tips

How to Pack for Your Trip

Experienced explorers say that the measure of a good traveler is how light he travels. Packing can be a tricky business--some stuff two weeks' worth of outfits in their bags for a long weekend, while others forget essential things like passports.

Here are some tips from Travel Unlimited to help you pack for your next trip:


Keep Your Details Safe
Scan your passport and paper tickets and store these in your web-based email account. It's also wise to store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen. This way, even if you lose everything, you have immediate access to all important information.

2. Roll Your Clothes
This method is tried and tested among backpackers. Rolling clothes works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay your clothes face down, fold back the sleeves, then roll from the bottom up.

3. Light to Heavy
If you are packing things into a backpack, place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones on top. Your bag will feel lighter this way since the pack rests on your lower back.

4. Consider Multi-Purpose
Pack only what you know you will use and if you are travelling for more than two weeks, plan to wash on the road. You can cut back on the number of clothes items by packing multi-purpose clothing, for example items that can both be worn during the day and as sleepwear.

5. Shoes
If you want to make sure everything else in your bags stays clean and odor-free, place your shoes inside airtight plastic or ziplock bags.

6. Carry-On
Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. Sometimes, bags can get delayed or lost on flights. You don't want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

7. List
A week before your trip, create your own must-pack list and make sure to have everything ready a few days before you travel.
Remember, packing well is vital for you to fully enjoy your trip. Take care and good luck!