Packing a suitcase may be stressful for those who do it wrong. You can end up cleaning up messy spills, losing valuables, or paying overweight baggage fees. Whether you pack for a weekend beach trip or a two-week business trip, it’s essential to know how to pack a suitcase the right way. Here is some advice to have a happier holiday with stress-free packing.
Making a Packing List
You should make a packing list a few days before your trip, so you have time to pick up any last-minute items. Make a detailed list on the computer and print it out or write on a sheet of notebook paper what you need for your trip. No matter where you go, or how long your trip is, you can easily make the mistake of over-packing.
Below are some suggestions of the absolute musts you need to pack for every trip:
Clothing: Do some little researches about the weather, where you will visit, and who you will meet when you arrive at your destination. This action will save you time when choosing clothes to bring with you on your trip. The best way to pack a suitcase is by rolling your clothes tightly. This way can avoid wrinkles, and it also fits more easily into the little corners around your bag to save more space.
Carry-on:
- A pair of shoes
- Sunglasses
- A backpack or a clutch
- Sunscreen
- Vitamin and prescription medication
- Electronic chargers
- Travel documents: passport, identification card, etc.
- Headphones
- A separate toiletry kit for traveling
Choosing a Suitable Suitcase
You should select the suitcase after you make a packing list. The reason is if you pick the bag first and then decide which stuffs you want to bring, you will fill it up no matter how big your bag is. Everyone has a different definition of the right suitcase, but one simple rule is never to choose a suitcase just because it is your favorite one. It must be suitable for the trip and have enough space to contain all of your belongings.
Here are some recommendations to help you choose a suitable suitcase:
Hard or soft shell suitcase: If you need to check your bag usually, you might prefer a hard shell suitcase. It is durable enough to stand up and usually has stronger protection to the items inside than the soft one. While soft-side bags tend to have a couple of external pockets for you to keep small things like sunglasses or your toiletry kit.
Two-wheeled or four-wheeled suitcase: You can drag a two-wheeled bag behind you in a straight line while four-wheeled bags rotate 360 degrees which makes them move a little easier. However, this means that the wheels are more likely to be broken.
Pay attention to the airport size and weight limits: Make sure your suitcase is tall enough to fit into the airlines’ luggage compartment. Remember to include the wheels into the actual height of your suitcase. Moreover, it’s always a good idea to weigh your suitcase at home before leaving. Packing too much can make you pay a high cost in overweight baggage fees.
