When it comes to packing, it’s always a struggle. If you are like us, it’s definitely the low point of any vacation. It is much more than just putting away a suitcase and for us it is time consuming, kind of stressful and literally takes hours out of our day. But packing your bag is necessary and fortunately, it was never that easy like today to plan and pack. The process has become a bit easier over the years. We have traveled to some countries, and below we are sharing with you some of our packing tips and how to make everything easier and faster. In this article we will show you some products that we love and use on all our trips, as well as a comprehensive packing checklist to help prepare you for your next adventure abroad.
Let’s say, a backpack is one of the most important items on any trip. Whether it’s a world trip, a city break or a vacation in the mountains, having the right backpack is essential. Of course, the first questions you should ask yourself are: what do I need a backpack for and what are my plans? If you’re planning a world trip, for example, you should get a large backpack with plenty of room. If you enjoy hiking, it should be light and comfortable. We always take a regular, a small and a camera backpack with us on our trips.
When we travel, we never really pack our backpacks to capacity. It’s important not to overpack and only take the essentials. Of course, it also depends on the type and length of your trip and the time of year. For us, comfort and compartments are definitely the most important things in a backpack. If you’re traveling for a long time and have an uncomfortable backpack, then it’s game over. We chose these two backpacks (pictured below) because they fit us well and are ideal for everyday travel.
We’ve often asked ourselves which items are truly essential and which are superfluous. Aside from a large backpack and the technical equipment, we definitely recommend keeping these items with you at all times:
For stress-free travel and relaxed preparation, we recommend creating a packing list with the things you want to take with you. We’ve had the problem of forgetting important things and not packing them ourselves a few times. A packing checklist is key and an absolute tip and game changer for your next trip. There’s nothing worse than worrying before departure whether you’ve packed everything or left something behind. Often it’s the little things you forget, and it’s no shock when you arrive at a destination and realize you forgot something. Maybe it’s a camera battery, documents or even something more important. So that’s why it’s good to have something that could have been avoided with a simple packing list.
Create a perfect packing list for yourself with every single item that goes into your bags on your next big trip. We could share our packing list with you here, but that probably wouldn’t help you much, because everyone is different and takes different things and items with them on their trip. It’s best to download a packing list online (for example, from Canva) or simply write one yourself.
Packing cubes are a real game-changer when it comes to packing your suitcase. They help you organize your luggage, optimize the space in your suitcase, and compress clothes and other items. Packing cubes also make it easier to find items, and you can use them to separate clean and dirty laundry. You also don’t have to rummage through your entire luggage; you can simply and easily pull out your organizer and the rest stays where it belongs. We would definitely recommend packing cubes and organizers, as they’re incredibly practical, weigh next to nothing, and simply make packing and unpacking easier.
A small first-aid kit is always essential when traveling. It’s also important to keep things to a minimum. Take only what you think might be most important for you so you can treat minor emergencies, problems and ailments yourself. Common vacation ailments are usually headaches, nausea, colds, aches, and pains, as well as stomach and intestinal problems. It’s also important to note that in 95% of cases, you can get very affordable and good medication locally. Therefore, only take the essentials, or rather, the basics. It’s best to buy medication and creams for sunburn or insect bites locally, although these products can usually be a bit more expensive than at home.
When it comes to documents and papers, it’s best to always take a photo of everything you have on your phone. Whether it’s your ID, visa, or driver’s license, you’re always on the safe side if you have a photo of your documents with you (just in case you lose them). If you’re traveling with someone, you should pack so that not one person has all the credit cards or all the documents in their backpack or suitcase. If you’re traveling for a longer period of time, we even recommend taking a passport photo. It’s also a good idea to make copies of your papers (such as visas or international driver’s licenses) and other documents you’re carrying with you, especially on long-term trips.
You should always take a carry-on bag with you. Whether it’s a short trip or a long-term journey, it’s always a good idea and can be very helpful. It’s a no-brainer, then there’s always a chance of baggage loss or delay by the airline. It’s always good to pack a few things like clothes, shoes, underwear and toiletries in your carry on bag.
That way you will have a few essentials, in case your large luggage with all your stuff doesn’t arrive. It can also be helpful if you have excess baggage in your large suitcase and can then pack some clothes in your carry-on bag. We also love it because you can easily take it with you on board the plane.
Guys, an absolute game-changer and very, very important when traveling! Noise-cancelling earplugs are small, light, inexpensive and make a huge difference when traveling. Alternatively, you can also buy noise-cancelling headphones, but these are more expensive and you can’t use them for sleeping.
We’ve often found ourselves in situations where it was very loud and stressful in some places. It can also get loud in some hotels, especially if you’re somewhere in the middle of the city. Noise-cancelling earplugs make a huge difference in that case and should therefore always be in your travel bag.
Travel and tourism generate enormous amounts of waste every year, and unfortunately, it’s often difficult to completely avoid using plastic when packing. However, there are now various ways to significantly minimize the use of single-use plastic. These products require minimal investment, save costs in the long run and are good for the environment. Here are some important tips to keep in mind for your next trip and travel preparation to reduce single-use plastic and travel more sustainably.
When packing your suitcase, always try to make full use of the space. For example, if you have a handbag or tote, fill it with socks, underwear, a couple of tank tops or shirts. Or if you’re bringing a cap, hat, or even a hat, simply stuff it with a few bikinis, tops, or other items of clothing. This will also stuff the hat and protect it from getting smashed.
