I spent three months living out of a small, ratty backpack in Costa Rica, and it was the best travel decision I made.
When two of my travel buddies had their brand new packs stolen, mine was safe because it was old-looking and ugly. The size of my backpack forced me to pack light, and every time I used public transportation I was grateful.
My friends would drag their huge packs onto crowded buses and take out people in the aisles, but my pack kept me nimble and friendly with the locals.
Maybe you’re not the traveler that overpacks. Maybe you’re the one who leaves the most important items at home. To avoid this, pack at least five to seven days in advance. Don’t wait until the day before.
Why? When you pack in advance, you allow yourself time to notice the items you’ve forgotten. Packing in advance can save you the stress of worrying and rid you of that “I feel like I forgot something but I don’t know what” feeling.
Bonus: taking several days to pack also increases excitement for your adventure!
Blocking the aisle during boarding while you dig for gum, a book, a hand-held computer game, disinfecting wipes, or earphones will annoy your fellow passengers — and can delay the departure of your plane.
To avoid this, pack these small must-haves in a resealable gallon-size bag (or any small, easily grabbed “day bag”) and place it near the top of your carry-on bag. This will make the bag and its contents easy to retrieve as you take your seat.
Bonus: you’ll have a convenient place to stow these necessities during flight and reduce your chances of leaving something behind.
If you’re traveling with your family, make it a point to put a small power strip into your suitcase.
Many hotel rooms leave families facing a dire shortage of outlets. With the need to charge cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, and other gadgets, a power strip can prevent battles over whose turn it is to plug in their cherished device.
Moreover, when traveling alone, sometimes the outlet is too far from where you may want to work to be convenient, and a power strip can help solve this.
I always pack dryer sheets when I travel, for several reasons: