The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Travel Packing

In this fast-paced world, travel has become an essential part of our lives, from business trips to family vacations. Yet, packing can often be a stressful and overwhelming experience. The key to stress-free and easy travel is in the preparation, especially when it comes to packing. When it comes to preparing for travel, I’m a serious planner. I’ve found that the prepping and packing part of the trip, when done well, can leave me free to be much more serendipitous and spontaneous on the trip itself. Today, I’ll guide you through some essential tips and tricks I’ve found that help me to pack efficiently and effortlessly, so that I can enjoy the trip without worrying about what I may have left behind. Whether we’re staying at a hotel, cabin, or Airbnb, and whether my trip is for work or leisure (or both), it’s covered. You can follow this guide and say goodbye to packing stress.

Start with a List

When it comes to packing, it’s so easy to forget one or two essential items. That’s why making a list is crucial for a stress-free packing experience. Start by writing down all the essential items that you will need for your trip. I keep a list in Evernote, and it’s easy to add an item when I realize it should be on the list. There’s also a packing list app called PackPoint, but it had more features than I need for this purpose. The list may include your passport, travel documents, toiletries, medication, and electronics. Once you have a comprehensive list of all the things that you will need, you can then organize them based on priority.

Pack as Light as Possible

One of the biggest mistakes people make when packing is taking too much with them. Overpacking can be a hassle, as you have to worry about carrying heavy bags, airline baggage fees, and even losing your luggage. Therefore, the key to easy travel is to pack light. Only take what you need and avoid overpacking.

You can also save space and weight in your luggage by packing versatile items that can be worn or used in multiple ways. For example, you could pack a scarf that can double as a neck pillow or a jacket that can be worn as an extra layer or a stylish outfit.

Some people use compression bags or packing cubes to store your clothes and save space. They not only help you to organize your things but they also keep your belongings safe and protected. However, if you use a compression bag, you lose the compression when you open the bag, and unless you have some method to compress it again, you now have an un-compressed bag. I don’t use them.

For a weekend, my husband and I can share a duffel. For a full week, we each have a duffel. We could probably get away with less if we knew we’d be penalized in some way for extra bags, but most of our travel is ground travel in our own vehicle. I take one or two 13-gallon trash bags to put dirty laundry in so we know what’s been worn without having to do a smell test on it. On longer trips, you’ll probably be able to do some laundry, so it’s not a big deal to carry fewer clothes. You do want to check on that before you leave, though, and include laundry materials.

Organize your Packing

Packing organization not only saves space but also your time and sanity. When you arrive at your destination, you don’t have to spend hours rummaging through your messy luggage looking for that one item you need, wasting precious vacation time.

Consider dividing your packing into sections, such as clothes, toiletries, and electronics. Use compartments, cubes, or bags to separate items within your luggage. Opt for clear bags for liquids to avoid any spillage. You can also put smaller items into shoes or other larger items of clothing to maximize space.

Pro tip: Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space and avoid wrinkles. This packing technique can also help you save time when searching for clothes in your luggage.

When we’re sharing a duffel, all my husband’s clothes go into the right side of the duffel, and mine go into the left. Footwear, which we try to minimize, goes soles-up on top.

Packing for a Working Vacation

If you are going on a working vacation, it’s essential to pack wisely to ensure that you don’t forget any crucial work-related items. Consider dividing your packing into two sections: work-related and leisure items. This will help you avoid carrying unnecessary items to meetings or conferences. Also, make sure to pack your work accessories, such as chargers, adapters, and a power strip to have a charging station for all your devices.

Pro tip: Set aside a small bag or pouch to carry your work items so that they are easy to access and don’t get lost in your luggage. I also have a section on my packing list titled “If this is a working vacation:” with the items I only need in that case.

The Hotel/Cabin/Short-Term Rental Differential

Different types of accommodations offer unique challenges and require specific packing essentials. For example, if you are staying at a hotel, the basic toiletries may be provided. Still, you may need to carry some additional items like slippers or a bathrobe for comfort. If you opt to stay at a cabin or Airbnb, you may need to bring more supplies like linens, towels, and kitchen supplies, but I’ve never found that to be the case. Still, it’s essential to research and know what type of amenities and supplies are available before packing for your accommodation. When we stayed at a fishing cabin, we knew we needed to bring sheets, blankets, and towels, but we were told there’d be dishes and cookware supplied. Umm…well, there was a fork, and a tin saucepan.

Another time, we planned on staying at a cabin, but there was a freeze that burst the pipes, so we were in hotels for the whole trip. It wasn’t terrible, but I was anticipating that the cabin would have nice ceramic mugs for my UnCoffee (not its real name, it’s actually Pero). The hotels didn’t have nice ceramic mugs, so I went to a cheapo store and picked one up. It’s now in my permanent travel kit.

A Couple of Additional Tips

Print out a hard copy of your packing list. It gives you a way to check off what you pack, so you can take it with you.

Take a power strip for chargers: Use a power strip to charge multiple devices at one time, especially if your hotel room doesn’t have many outlets. You can’t always tell in advance what the outlet situation is. On one of our long weekend getaways, we stayed in a hotel built in 1970, before we needed to plug in eight different things before we went to bed. There were three outlets in the whole room, including in the dressing area. I carry a power strip that has a couple of USB slots. It’s also a good way to create a centralized charging station at a cabin or AirBnB so people don’t have to scramble hunting for their devices.

Rolling or Folding Clothes: Rolling and folding clothes can both save space, it’s up to your preference. I’ve found that rolling produces fewer wrinkles, but most places have ironing boards and irons anyway.

Avoid hotel room left-behinds: Make sure to check thoroughly before leaving your hotel room, double-check all the drawers, closets, and bathrooms for any left-behinds. If you take your printed list with the items checked off, you know what to make sure you have packed up before you walk out for the last time.

To Wrap It Up:

Packing for easy travel can be made simple by following these key tips:

– Make a list of essentials and prioritize accordingly

– Pack light and bring only what you need

– Organize your packing and use packing cubes or compression bags

– Pack wisely for working vacations and be prepared with chargers and other accessories

– Learn about your accommodation before packing

By implementing these tips, you can pack efficiently, stress-free, and make the most out of your travels.