How to Pack for a Trip

The way you pack your luggage significantly influences the success of your trip – if you've ever seen a suitcase ruined by a toothpaste tube bursting, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about! To pack properly, you need to organize everything you'll need away from home into your suitcase, maximizing space while avoiding liquid spills and other damages. Those traveling by air or train should be mindful of specific considerations when packing.

Create a checklist that includes all the items you'll need to pack for your trip. This list should include clothing, shoes, toiletries, documents, and possibly even maps, travel guides, reading materials, hotel or car rental information. The checklist will also help you when packing to return home, as you'll have a full list of everything you brought along.

• Items commonly forgotten include toothbrush/toothpaste, socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, sleepwear, razors, and deodorants.
• Never underestimate the capacity of your suitcase. Do you really need five pairs of shoes for three nights? And four coats? Consider the weather and activities you'll be participating in. You’ll want to check the weather forecast for your destination.

Plan your outfits ahead of time to avoid overpacking. Once you have a good idea of the weather, you can choose your clothes accordingly. If you're uncertain, opt for versatile pieces (like a cardigan or a light jacket that can pair with different shirts, or a few three-quarter sleeve shirts and jeans that can be rolled up) that allow you to adapt to varying weather conditions. Pack items you can wear multiple times. Layering is also an effective way to disguise worn clothes and helps you deal with fluctuating weather conditions.

• Expand your "travel wardrobe" by coordinating colors. When you ensure your clothes match, you create more outfit combinations.
• Bring a plastic bag for dirty clothes. If you can't do laundry, separating dirty clothes will prevent them from mixing with clean ones, and you won’t have to search for items each time you change.

Buy appropriately-sized toiletry containers for your trip, regardless of its duration. These items include toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, etc. Unless you're heading to a remote area for weeks, you can always purchase soap and toothpaste locally. If you're flying, be aware that there may be restrictions on the amount of liquids or gels you can bring, meaning you might have to choose between shampoo and toothpaste when passing through airport security. Be sure to read your airline's guidelines.

• Place all toiletries in a secure bag. You certainly don't want your toiletries to break or leak into your suitcase! Again, these items should be appropriately sized for travel.
• If you're staying in a hotel, once you arrive, you can skip bringing shampoo and conditioner and just use the hotel-provided products. (You can also buy essential toiletries like toothpaste at your destination.)

If you have to go through customs, check your suitcase before packing. Make sure your suitcase is completely empty before you start packing (especially if the suitcase isn't yours), as you'll be responsible for its contents when going through security. Suitcases typically have hidden zippers in the middle or sides. Open and check them thoroughly. Better safe than sorry.

• If you're traveling internationally, use luggage security products that detect tampering, so you can check if your luggage was compromised before clearing customs.

Place heavier items at the bottom of your bag, especially with upright suitcases or bags. Struggling with a suitcase that spins every time you change direction or tips over when you let go can be exhausting.

• When packing, mark the items you've already packed on your list. Be thorough, as you won't want to scramble through your suitcase to double-check for something.

Organize clothes using the traditional "rolling" technique. Stack a few shirts or pants on top of each other, flatten them out, then roll them up like a sleeping bag to save space and prevent wrinkles. For extra precaution, place a layer of toilet paper or packing paper between clothes before rolling them. Don't worry about wrinkle-prone items. Most hotels/inns/hostels have an iron and ironing board in the room for guest use, not to mention laundry services available at many hotels.

Pack sweaters, jackets, and undergarments in reusable vacuum bags to save an additional 75% space in your suitcase. These bags also help to keep odors in, so they can be used for dirty clothes as well. Vacuum bags are very effective, and you can purchase Ziploc bags. All you need to do is place your items in the bag, seal it, and then use a vacuum to extract the air through the one-way valve. It's that easy.

Wrap fragile items like jewelry or glassware in socks, then place them inside your shoes in the suitcase. This method will ensure maximum protection.

Buy large clothes hooks. You can find these hooks at major supermarkets. They resemble shower curtain rings and can be opened and hooked onto things. Clip important items like your passport holder onto your bag or carry-on, then hook them into your suitcase. Large bags that you have to set down while you're distracted can become targets for thieves. Keep documents, identification, money, and valuable items in a cross-body bag or hidden pouch (you can purchase discreet under-clothing pouches for thinner items), depending on the safety level of your destination. However, avoid storing items you'll need immediately.

Bring snacks in case you get hungry. Pack light snacks for short trips or places where food is readily available, and prepare more substantial meals for longer journeys by bus/plane/train/car. If you have allergies or health conditions that require specific foods (such as gluten-free or nut-free options), and you don't have many options while traveling (although airlines typically cater to these needs), bring extra snacks to keep you satisfied.

Bring entertainment to avoid boredom. A journal (and pen), travel-friendly games, a deck of cards, books, and mobile devices are great ways to keep entertained during long trips.

Remember, trips are meant to be fun and relaxing, not stressful! Don’t overthink the packing and planning. If everything starts to feel burdensome, consider letting a travel agency take care of the arrangements. Websites like tripadvisor.com and seatguru.com can help you find reviews for places, hotels, restaurants, and airlines, in addition to offering great flight deals and hot promotions.

Know what items cannot be taken onto an airplane. It's important to be aware of security regulations, baggage size and weight limits, and even food restrictions, as all these factors come with specific limits.

• Each country has its own safety rules, but they all include regulations on dangerous items that are easy to identify (e.g., knives in carry-on bags, flammable liquids in general luggage), less obvious dangerous items (such as nail clippers or nail files in carry-on luggage), and certain inexplicable items (like an unopened bottle of water on flights within the U.S. - unless you purchase the bottle after passing through security).
• Baggage size and weight limits depend on the airline, so be sure to check their website for details. Most medium-sized and carry-on bags, marketed as checked luggage, can still be taken into the cabin.
• Avoid bringing peanuts onto the plane as they can trigger allergic reactions in other passengers.
• If crossing borders, refrain from bringing agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, nuts), meat, or dairy products. While you might be able to bring these into some countries, many have restrictions to prevent the spread of diseases and invasive species.

Keep liquids separate from the rest of your carry-on items. Liquids should be placed in an easily accessible spot so you can remove them when going through security. In the United States, liquid and gel regulations are as follows:

• You are allowed to carry up to 100 ml of liquid/gel in each container (not total). For instance, you can bring a 60 ml bottle of shampoo, a 60 ml toothpaste, and 100 ml of facial cleanser.
• All liquid containers must be placed together in a resealable bag with a capacity of 1 liter (you will be provided with a bag at security). Before your luggage goes through the scanner, ensure that the liquid bag is placed on the conveyor belt for inspection if needed.
• To avoid the hassle of packing and storing liquids separately, bring solid toiletries (such as solid deodorant, stick concealer, etc.). You can also carry liquids in your carry-on luggage.
• These liquid regulations generally don’t apply to prescription medications (as long as you have accompanying documentation), formula food, breast milk, and similar liquids. Just ensure these are stored separately from other liquids and inform the staff that you have such items.

Avoid checking in luggage if possible. Many airlines earn a significant amount from checked baggage fees. Even if you're willing to pay extra, waiting for your checked baggage to be processed and returned after arriving can take an additional 30 minutes or more at the airport. Plus, if your luggage gets lost, it may take a long time before you get it back. If traveling with children, make sure each person can bring as much luggage as possible within the allowed limits (if possible); this way, when traveling in a group, you can bring more carry-on luggage. Wear your heaviest clothes (such as jeans, running shoes/sneakers, sweaters) when traveling to save space in your luggage. Consider replacing jeans with lighter pants for travel as they take up less space and dry faster.

Consider purchasing a laptop bag approved by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If you're flying to or through the U.S. and your laptop is packed with other items in your luggage, you'll need to remove it for X-ray inspection. This process can cause delays for passengers behind you and may even create chaos if the inspection isn't efficiently managed. When looking for a bag, you’ll want one designed to streamline this step—typically, these bags have a separate compartment for the laptop that opens separately, allowing the laptop to go through the X-ray without being removed from the bag.

Keep your most essential items in the smallest bag you carry. Most airlines allow you to bring one small carry-on and one larger item, such as a purse or diaper bag. You'll likely need to stow the larger bag in the overhead compartment, so avoid placing items you'll need during the flight (like a sweater, books, or snacks) in there. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself standing in the aisle, rummaging through your bag mid-flight.

Distribute heavy items evenly across bags. Trains allow you to carry large amounts of luggage, making them an excellent alternative to flying in some cases. Similar to air travel, your items will be stored in overhead compartments, but because your luggage may be larger, lifting it can be challenging. Be sure not to pack anything too heavy, or you’ll find yourself stuck in the aisle, struggling with a bag that’s too heavy to lift and possibly needing help from strangers to get it down.

Keep valuable items with you at all times. Storing your luggage in the overhead compartment might make you think of it like being in an airplane, and that your important belongings will be safe up there. However, the train staff doesn't monitor luggage, and passengers frequently come and go. Always carry your valuables with you, especially if you plan to walk around, grab snacks, or take a nap.

Ensure that snacks are available on the train before deciding not to prepare your own food. Most trains offer snacks for sale (or stop at stations where vendors can board and quickly sell you items), but if you're traveling in a country where you’re unfamiliar with train customs or procedures, make sure not to board an 18-hour overnight train without any food or drink.

• Don’t leave packing for the last minute. Doing so will only add stress, and you’re likely to forget your most important items.
• Always leave 10-20% of your suitcase empty for souvenirs, gifts, or items you buy during your trip.
• Always bring your prescription medications with you. Some countries have strict regulations on the sale of drugs.
• Ensure your socks are clean before packing jewelry and glass items.
• If you wear makeup, consider bringing multitasking products like concealer, foundation, setting powder, eyeliner, lipstick, lip gloss, and blush. These will save space in your luggage.
• Traveling abroad? Bring a copy of your passport and keep it separate from the original. If you lose your passport, having a copy will speed up the replacement process.
• Ask the person planning your trip about any specific items you need to bring.
• Make sure your luggage stands out or is tagged with a bright luggage tag.
• Use toilet paper rolls to organize charging cables and other cords when packing.
• Don’t forget your swim goggles, swim cap, and swimsuit if your accommodation has a pool.

• Be aware of luggage inspections. Always check your bags before entering a country to ensure they are intact.
• Make sure your medications and other important items are packed in your carry-on, not in checked luggage. If your checked baggage gets lost, you’ll still have these essential items with you.
• In some countries, you’re not allowed to bring certain foods, and violating this could lead to fines or arrest. Double-check what you’re allowed to bring into your destination country.
• Remember that the TSA's airport security measures in the U.S. prohibit many items from being carried into the cabin, including folding razor blades, scissors, and matches (which can ignite when they come into contact with any surface). To see the full list of prohibited and permitted items in the U.S., check the TSA website here. For a list of prohibited and permitted items in Vietnam, check the relevant documents on the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam website.