When it comes to packing for a trip, it’s never an enjoyable job and comes with more effort than it seems. Whether you have a few business trips ahead, condensing your packing time to a bare minimum is essential, but also making sure you don’t forget anything, getting the most out of the space you have, and keeping your clothes remotely crease-free is something that needs to be learned, whether you’re travelling to Bali or Barcelona.
While this might sound like a lot of packing time and stress, it does save you money in the future and is so worth it. If you require some guidance and don’t know where to start, then look no further; we’ve got you covered from start to finish.
How To Pack for A Business/Weekend Trip
Business trips tend to be short stays; therefore, you want to make sure you can fit everything you will need in your bags and keep it light. Not every trip might come with the luxury of checking in your bag; therefore, you could be left with limited packing space to work with.
When packing in a small space, you want to make sure you are choosing the right bag, if you prefer a case, then stick with the guidelines given by the airlines. A small suitcase can give you the opportunity to carry a small bag as well, so you can utilise that and put all the important things, such as documents, a passport, money, and even some products, in it to allow you to freshen up on the journey.
In the suitcase, be sure to do the rolling trick; this will save you if, by chance, you are put in a room where there is no iron. It is always better to be safe than sorry, because if you have your suit all packed and you need to present it shortly after you arrive, you want your clothes to look fresh, clean and presentable. Folding can create risks with creasing and make you look scruffy, which is not what you want to be at any business meeting.
They do offer travel bags that allow you to pack your clothes on a hanger and fold them into a bag and some even come with separate compartments just for shoes, which is the perfect solution for crease-free travel. There are many different options for you to choose from when you want to maintain a smart and professional look during short business journeys.
If you want to avoid all the risks of a creased suit, I’d also recommend you wear your suit on the plane. As long as you know there is no risk of damage or dirt during your journey, this could be an option to consider to save space. Just be sure to pack a spare shirt and cologne. When it comes to packing for short stays, it’s pretty simple; you just need your business clothes, a casual outfit, underwear, spare tops/shirts and toiletries; the rest you might be able to pick up while you are there.
How To Pack for a Week-Long Holiday
When it comes to packing for a holiday, whether it is with family, friends or for work, you will usually need a good mixture of things. What helps me pack is usually to have a rough idea of what I will be doing on the trip and where exactly I am going. For example, this might be obvious, but if you are going on a beach holiday, the majority will be shorts, vests and the odd nice outfit for meals at night.
So let’s give a run-through of what you will need for a summer holiday for a week, under the impression that you are staying somewhere without a washing machine.
- 5 pairs of swimming shorts.
- 4/6 nighttime outfits (aim for mix and match things).
- 5 day-time outfits (if you know most days you are at the beach, reduce).
- 1 travel outfit (you can wear this too and from).
- All your toiletries.
- Check where you’re staying for things like hair dryers.
- Passport, money, bum bag/cross body bag.
- All your socks and underwear for each day.
- Adapters, chargers, and other tech things you might need.
It’s best if, if you are an indecisive person or are going with the flow on holiday, you bring things that are versatile and can be used day or night. That’s the beauty of sunny holidays; you only need a couple of pairs of shorts and a range of tops. If you are unsure, make sure you are getting a bag to check. In this way, you can pack as much as you like (as long as it’s within the weight guidelines).
Be sure to make a checklist before you pack and tick things off along the way to avoid any silly mistakes. It also helps you figure out what you are over packing and underpacking with because I’ve been there where I’ve packed a million tps and not enough bottoms. If you are more visual, try laying your things out on the floor to get a better idea and to avoid packing things you won’t wear.
The same holds true if you are going on a city break or cold trip. Of course, for winter, you’d be packing more things, much thicker items and more, so keep that in mind when paying for a luggage size.
Travel Packing Top Tips
If you want to make the most of your money, time and space, follow these few tips to make the packing experience that much easier.
Don’t Bring Your Whole Wardrobe
It can be hard not to panic, pack and shove everything you can fit into a case and hope for the best. For example, try to pack things that all go together to avoid buying seven pairs of shoes and 8 different pants. You need to work as best you can with the space you’ve got so this is where taking that bit of time to plan your outfits as best you can or sticking with neutrals gives you a better chance to mix and match some outfits.
This might be easier for summer holidays as the clothes are thinner and lighter but when it comes to winter, a staple jumper or two should do the trick, as you are usually buried in your jacket anyway.
Wear It If You Cant Fit It In
One of the most important and commonly used airport hacks is to wear as much as possible before you board the plane. When it comes to thick items like jumpers and coats, you want to have them out of the case to not only free up space but also avoid the big fine you are left with if the bag is overweight.
Try and wear all the heavy stuff to save yourself, and you’ll be grateful.
Roll, Don’t Fold
When it comes to packing, you want to have a crease free journey so always fold your clothes and never fold. Its the best of both worlds, as it’s easier to find things in your case and they are ready to be worn straight out of there.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to packing efficiently, there are loads of tips and tricks you’ll find online, video examples and friendly advice. One of the most important things to remember is your passport so as long as you have that, you can replace other things in the airport or while you are there. Be sure to fold properly to save space and time, but also keep all your essentials in a separate bag, like your headphones, passport, velo pouches, cash, phone and everything else you need to board your flight.