Packing used to be the bane of my existence. Once a chronic overpacker, I wasted so much time deciding what to take, taking fourteen outfits on a seven-day trip and worrying about overweight luggage fees. Lugging an enormous suitcase around after me was no joke, and I certainly didn’t use or wear everything I brought with me. Nowadays I am a much smarter, more minimalist packer. In this post, I’d like to share my all-time best packing tips, so you can learn from my mistakes and poor decision-making!
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â—† Pack light. Really, really light – as in 50% of the clothes you think you’ll need. If you’re going to a hot country, you are probably going to spend the majority of your time in shorts and swimwear anyway. Nowadays I try to bring as little as possible with me. It is so much easier, more practical and better for my joints. I also save money by taking my bag on board as hand luggage, rather than checked baggage.
â—† Decide on a colour scheme. I suggest packing neutral colours and versatile items, so you can mix and match easily. Classic black, white, grey and denim is a good base to start with. You can throw together a wider range of outfits using fewer items. You can add splashes of colour with accessories and jewellery.
â—† Consider using a backpack instead of a suitcase. I have this Osprey backpack and it is ideal. Comfortable, practical, surprisingly spacious and full of useful compartments. Another perk – it’s not black like 99% of the backpacks out there, which makes it easy to spot at airports and in luggage storage rooms. It’s amazing how much you can fit in a backpack, they free up your hands (for taking photos, checking directions and making payments) and it means you won’t dislocate your shoulder dragging a suitcase over hills and crooked pavements.
â—† Bring comfortable shoes. Especially if you are visiting a city with cobbled stones – those really aren’t fun to navigate in heels or wedges. If you’re going to a beach with rocks and stones, pack some rubber water shoes. They look a bit silly, but they will save you from so many bumps, scrapes and stubbed toes.
â—† Make sure your clothes are appropriate for where you’re going. It’s important to do some research before you travel to understand how traditional/conservative/modest the locals may be when it comes to clothing. A lot of religious and spiritual sites have strict dress codes as well. You don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb or have your outfit be the reason you can’t visit a certain location.
â—† Wear your heaviest and bulkiest clothes on the plane. You may be a bit sweaty on arrival, but it saves a lot of luggage space. You can also use your coat or jacket as a makeshift blanket, or use a scarf to support your lower back during a long flight.
â—† Buy your toiletries on arrival. With many international pharmacies and cosmetic stores popping up around the world, you can pick up almost everything you need on arrival. Whatever you bring from home, pack creams, liquids and lotions in plastic Ziploc bags. No matter how secure you think the packing is, you don’t want to end up with cosmetic soup all over your belongings!
◆ Bring your prescription medicine with you. If you need to take specific meds, bring them with you as local pharmacies might not have what you need in stock. Learn from my mistakes and bring suntan lotion / sunscreen from home, as it can be very expensive abroad. It’s also a good idea to bring painkillers, anti-diarrhea tablets and a simple First Aid kit.
â—† Bring a scarf. They are really useful for covering your head, shoulders and chest if you are visiting a conservative country. Plus it means you’ve got a lightweight sun protector and something to keep you warm during breezy nights.
â—† Keep your valuables in your hand luggage. Never put them in your checked luggage, they should always be within reach. Also throw a spare top, swimwear and some underwear into your carry-on, in case your checked luggage goes missing (it happened to me once – very annoying!).
â—† Write a detailed packing list. Make a note of exactly what you are taking with you. When you are changing accommodation during the trip, the list will help make sure everything accompanies you to the next place. The list will also help you remember to bring everything home at the end of your trip.
â—† Pack ear plugs and an eye mask. Essential if you’re staying at a hostel or on a noisy street. I have this eye mask which is very soft, silky and blocks out any rays of light that might try to sneak in.
â—† Bring a reusable water bottle with you. I travel with my WaterWell Water Filter Bottle (get 10% off your first order) which filters out chlorine, impurities, microplastics and other nasties. An added bonus, it reduces the number of plastic bottles I need to buy.
â—† Use packing cubes to organize your luggage. I have a mix of small, medium and large cubes, like these. They are a practical way to categorize your things and save time rifling through luggage. For example, you can group T-shirts and underwear into one cube, and shorts or skirts into another. The cubes can be compressed, which means you can fit more into your suitcase or backpack.
I hope these tips have been useful! If you’re backpacking on an upcoming trip, check out my Backpacking Packing List: How to Pack Light and Travel Smart. Now I’d love to hear from you! What are some of your travel essentials that you couldn’t leave home without?
Ciao for now
Izzie, the Curious Sparrow