If you’re going on a trip, you know how important it is to be prepared. Nothing’s worse than arriving at your destination and finding that you’ve packed the wrong clothes. You also don’t want to be caught without enough money to cover baggage fees if you’re flying, especially if you’ve packed more clothes and toys than you really need. In this article, we’ll talk about a few packing tips that will help you pack only what you need and be prepared for things like airline baggage fees.
Check the weather forecast for your destination
Image via Flickr by CHeitz
Nothing’s worse than going to Florida during winter thinking it’s going to be sunny, and you get hit with a rainstorm or freak snowstorm. Checking the weather will help you pack the correct clothes. It’s always good to have at least one outfit for unexpected weather.
Make a list of things you need for your trip
Where are you going and what do you plan to do while you’re there? Make sure you make a list of things you’ll need to take on your trip. Outside of clothes and underwear, this could include things like:
- Any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’ll need. Depending on the time of year, you might want to take allergy or cold medication in case your allergies act up or you start coming down with a cold while you’re on vacation.
- Anything you think you might want to have during any downtime on your vacation. This could include things like magazines, games, or e-books to keep yourself or other travelers occupied.
- Anything you’re going to need when you’re on the way to your destination. If you’re traveling on a plane for a long time, be sure to take ear plugs to block out engine noise, and maybe take a travel pillow with you.
If you’re flying, check baggage fees for the airline you’re using
Be sure to check the baggage fees for your chosen airline. You want to make sure you have enough to cover them — if you don’t, you might want to look at ways to reduce what you’re taking so all you need is a carry-on bag.
Pick out what you think you’ll need and reduce it to the essentials
It may sound insane, but when you reduce what you’re taking to the absolute essentials, you’ll save a lot of space and a lot of money. There are a lot of things you can buy once you reach your destination.
Use packing cubes or Ziploc bags
Packing cubes can help save a lot of space in your suitcase. Be sure to buy a good set so they last a long time. If you can’t afford packing cubes, you could always use large Ziploc bags instead.
These are just a few tips that will help you on your next trip. Following them will ensure that you don’t pack too much, that you have space in your suitcases for anything you might get while you’re on vacation, and that you don’t pay too much for airline baggage fees.