18 Tips On How To Pack For Vacation

1. Security and Keeping Details Safe

Scan your passport, passport photos and documents. Store them (in an email) in your web based email account.

You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based 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 your all important information. You can even email the

details page of your passport to the embassy or consulate when applying for a new one.

Make two copies of your passport, take the original and one copy with you and leave one at home where someone can access it, if needed.

2. Split up your valuables

Split up your bank cards, cash, travelers' checks and credit cards as much as possible in different pockets, on different

persons, and hidden document/wallet holders.

3. Small Bottles

Use small bottles to pack toiletries and other liquids. There are travel size containers available that are waterproof with

clear/see through ones being preferable. Determine if toiletries are complimentary at your resort or cruise ship. Check your

airlines website for the latest size and number restrictions for domestic and/or international flights.

4. Backpack Tips

When 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 as the pack rests on your lower back. It is also smart to place the things you use the most on top.

Dirty clothes are perfect to pack at the bottom of a backpack.

5. Plastic Bags

Not only does it counter any leaking but is required by security to use for your liquids in your carry on. Zip lock bags are

the best and must be quart sized and limited to one in carry on.. Carry large trash bags for emergency rain gear and to use as

dirty laundry bags. Check your airlines website for the latest size and number restrictions for domestic and/or international

flights.

6. Pack in Plastic

Pack everything in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided into items such as underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before

packing in your suitcase or backpack. One plastic bag for each type of clothing. This is extremely useful in various ways.

When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want. So an overnight

stay somewhere just means taking 1 item out of a bag - no rummaging!! In addition, if you have to unpack at customs etc,

instead of having to disgorge all your clothing etc out in front of everybody, you can calmly take maybe 5/6 bags out, the

contents of which can be clearly seen by the officials. To repack then is also easy.

7. Clothes

Pack only what you know you will use and if you are traveling for more than two weeks, plan to wash on the road. Pack

clothing that will dry quickly. Bring a few clothes pins to hang clothing to dry. Bring two bathing suits per person if water

sports are involved.

8. Split up clothes when traveling with others

When you are flying somewhere and especially if you have a few stopovers, divide the clothes between different

suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If some of your luggage doesn't arrive at the destination, you'll still have clean clothes.

9. Separate Beach Bag

When packing to head to the beach consider packing whatever you might need at the beach into a beach bag inside your

backpack or suitcase. Especially if traveling with kids, this will prove a time saver!

10. Suitcase lovers

For those using suitcases without a divider. A piece of cardboard makes an excellent divider and helps keep your clothes

organized and neat as you are able to lay them out flat on the cardboard. It also makes airport inspections a lot less of a

hassle as you can lift out your divider with clothes on top easily.

11. Gifts

While it is a good idea to take some small gifts with you while traveling, wrapping them can be a waste of time if you are

flying and your bags are opened.

12. Flashlights/Small Electronics

When packing a flashlight or any other item with batteries turn the batteries around so that if the item is accidentally turned

on, you won't empty the batteries.

13. Diaper Bag

If you are traveling with babies, then the diaper bag is an excellent place to hide some valuables. This most likely will not

be the first thing to be stolen.

14. Shoes

If you want to make sure everything else in your bags stays clean and odor free, place the shoes inside old socks and then

inside airtight plastic bags (zip lock).

15. Carry-On

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. On long flights with multiple stopovers (especially if

flying via major airports), packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul,

multiple stop 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.

16. Roll Technique

Somehow it seems that bags will hold more if the clothes are rolled rather than folded. If you roll in tissue paper, the clothes

will also get less wrinkled.

17. Traveling to warm destinations?

If you appreciate cold drinks think of using a six-pack cooler as a toiletry bag. Once you arrive at your destination and

unload your toiletries your 'toiletry bag' guarantees cheap cold drinks on the beach, no matter how remote.

18. Planning on carrying a lot of luggage?

Check with your airline and limo services for costs and restrictions.