What are the do’s and don’ts of packing? Whether you’re going for a little weekend getaway or traveling for a vacation with your friends, this is a valid question. I don’t know about you, but I have been a victim of overpacking, which can be a hassle. Check out this quote from a survey that revealed the packing habits of the average American:
4 in 10 Americans intentionally overpack , which can lead to some wasted space in their luggage, as 40% admit to “often” or “always” returning home with clothes they never wore.
Upgraded points
This practice among Americans – common among people of other cultures – led to overpacking and extra baggage fees that nobody wanted. Over time using trial and error, I have learned the do’s and don’ts which I am thrilled to reveal in this blog. At the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you must do on your next trip to pack light and avoid underpacking. You will find these principles handy regardless of if you’re a frequent globe trotter/traveler, or a first-time traveler.
Do’s? Choose versatile clothes, bring essentials in your carry-on luggage, and roll your clothes to create more space in your luggage. Dont’s? Don’t ignore weather forecasts, don’t pack new items you haven’t tested, and don’t forget to check travel restrictions. More details in the next few paragraphs. Stay with me.
Without further ado, let’s get into the 5 Stupid-simple do’s and don’ts of packing.
What are the Do’s and Don’ts of Packing – 5 Do’s
1. Make a Packing List
It’s important to list things you need to include in your luggage, especially when you’re going on a long vacation. This ensures that you don’t forget any crucial belongings – your laptop charger will thank you for this. Research shows that travelers who cultivate the habit of making a packing list pack 20% lighter and avoid overpacking. Start making your list early – say one week before the day of your travel – so you have enough time to include all necessary items. Include ever ything in your list. Don’t assume you can’t forget an item and exclude it from your list.
Your list will save you lots of thinking time when you’re packing. All you need to do is pack and check items from that list. This proactive step will help you pack in a strategic manner such that you have everything you need without overpacking. Here’s a list I curated that you can utilize for your trip – The 8-category Travel Essential Cheat-sheet.
2. Choose Versatile Clothes
This rule has saved me lots of space in my luggage, ensuring that I travel light. Going for clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfit combinations will help you pack light. For instance, packing neutral-coloured black pants will save you lots of stress when it comes to matching with packet shirts or even tees. Select clothing pieces that can be worn on a formal, semi-formal, or informal occasion and fit different weather conditions. Some recommendations you can adopt include selecting neutral-coloured tops (black, white, brown, gray, beige), versatile bottoms (chinos pants, pencil skirt for ladies, leggings for ladies, dark wash jeans, black trousers, tailored shorts), and layering pieces (jackets, blazers, cardigans, scarves, scarves, vests). You will be prepared for any situation without overpacking.
3. Roll your Clothes
Rolling your clothes is one hack I recently got a hint on after several years of folding clothes and thinking I was doing it the right way. Rolling clothes ensures that you have more space in your luggage, unlike folding, which creates lines and wrinkles on your clothes, and takes up more space. Studies have shown that rolling clothes reduces wrinkles, particularly for soft clothing pieces like shirts and sorts. Also, rolling clothes make it easier to find clothes in your luggage without having to scatter your entire luggage. This keeps your outfits and luggage looking neat throughout your travel. This is especially beneficial if you won’t have access to a pressing iron at your destination.
4. Bring Essentials in your Carry-on
Do not pack items you’ll need during or immediately after you travel in your luggage. What happens when your luggage is far from you and you need that essential item? Your carry-on bag should contain essentials such as travel documents (passport and boarding passes), medications, toiletries, a phone charger, a power bank, and valuables. Having these items in your carry-on will give you access to them throughout your travel. This can come in handy particularly when your luggage gets lost or delayed which happens a lot.
5. Put Heavier Items at the bottom of your Luggage
This is an essential “do”. Heavier items such as shoes, electronic devices, etc, should be placed at the bottom of your luggage to make a stable base and evenly distribute your luggage’s weight. Have you ever packed for a trip and discovered that your luggage was weighed more towards one direction than the other? That’s what I’m talking about. Putting heavier items at the bottom will make your luggage balanced and easy to move around. Additionally, putting heavier items at the bottom will help you pack light ensuring you comply with travel baggage weight limits.
What are the Do’s and Don’ts of Packing – 5 Don’ts
1. Don’t Ignore Weather Forecasts
You must know the weather conditions of where you’re headed before packing. This will ensure you pack the right clothes for your travel. For instance, if it’s predicted that it will be rainy during your visit, ensure you pack an umbrella, a waterproof jacket, and shoes that fit rainy weather conditions. On the flip side, if the prediction is hot and sunny weather, include light clothing pieces, sunscreen, sunshades, and a bucket hat/face cap to ensure you’re comfortable throughout your trip. Also, don’t ignore unexpected weather situations that may come up. To ensure you’re always prepped, you can take a portable umbrella with you regardless of the weather conditions; they can be useful both in sunny and rainy conditions.
2. Don’t Include Items you haven’t used Previously
New items should be tested before you travel to confirm if you’re comfortable with them. Including items you’re not familiar with in your luggage may lead to discomfort during your trip. For instance, you bought a nice blouse from Amazon and didn’t test it before including it in your luggage only to find out it’s tight when you put it on during your travel. Trust me, you don’t want to be in this situation. The way to avoid this is to either test new items before packing them in your luggage or don’t pack them.
3. Don’t Pack Affordable Items You Can Purchase at the Destination
You can always get some items at your destination such as toothpaste, shampoo, clothing items like hats or swimsuits, and so on. The point here is to prioritize space for essentials. If there’s enough space to accommodate these items, they can come along. If not, you can always get them at your destinations. By excluding affordable non-essentials in your luggage, you can pack lighter.
“The first rule of travel is that you should always pack light.”
William Dalrymple
4. Don’t Forget to Check Travel Restrictions
A very important “don’t” is ignoring travel restrictions. Airlines and trains usually have luggage restrictions in terms of weight, size, and other prohibited items that should not be included in your luggage. Ensure you review these restrictions before you begin packing your luggage. In many instances, failure to comply with restrictions results in additional fees and worse, these items being confiscated by the authorities. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring travel restrictions.
5. Don’t Forget to Leave Space for Souvenirs
Don’t forget to leave room in your luggage for those items you’ll bring back from your travel. In most cases, you’ll return from your travel with more items than what you packed when leaving home. Leaving room for souvenirs means that you won’t have to return with an extra bag. All packing do’s and don’ts shared so far are to ensure that you pack light and you have enough room in your luggage for souvenirs.
Too long, didn’t read (TLDR)? Here are our 5 packing do’s and don’ts in summary:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Make a packing list | Don’t ignore weather forecasts |
| Choose versatile clothes | Don’t include items you haven’t used before |
| Roll your clothes | Don’t pack affordable items you can get at your destination |
| Bring essentials in your carry-on | Don’t forget to check travel restrictions |
| Put heavier items at the bottom of your luggage | Don’t forget to leave space for souvenirs |
Carry on Luggage Size Requirements
Another thing to note is ensuring your travel luggage meets the requirements set by your chosen mode of transportation. While following the do’s and dont’s of packing, ensure your luggage meets the standard 22 x 14 x 9 inches requirement for airlines. This represents the height, width, and depth of your luggage, and also includes the handle and wheels of your luggage. Before you buy a carry on luggage, verify the dimensions to avoid any issues at the airport.
For trains and buses, carry on luggage size may vary depending on the transportation company. Many train companies advise that passengers can bring up to two luggage with a restriction of 85cm in length however, this is not a general rule for all trains. I recommend that you check in with the train or bus company to ensure you comply with their carry-on luggage policies.
What are Essential Travel Items?
Are you traveling for the first time or do you happen to be someone that forgets essential travel items? Here’s a checklist of essential items that you MUST not forget on your next trip:
- Travel documents: Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, flight ticket, other important travel documents.
- Health and Safety: Small first aid kit (pain relievers, antiseptic, bandage), face mask, hand sanitizer, health insurance card.
- Travel gear: Neck pillow for lengthy trips, reusable water bottle, padlock.
- Gadgets and electronics: Phone power bank, portable laptop (especially if you work online), adapters, earbuds, camera.
- Clothes: Flip flops, sneakers, PJs, swimwear, comfortable clothes for outings, underwear, and socks (thick long, or short depending on weather forecasts).
- Personal care: Deodorant (for sure lol), sunscreen, toothbrush, and paste, hairbrush, towel, shampoo, and conditioner.
- Miscellaneous: Snacks, your favourite book, travel guide, map, journal, or diary
Packing for a trip can be a hassle, so I recommend the 54321 packing rule to help you pack light and never underpack or overpack.
What are You Not Allowed to Pack?
Items you are not allowed to pack include aerosols, fireworks, flares, hand grenades, blasting caps, dynamics, and replicas of explosives. These items are hazardous and are not allowed by most travel regulations. This is why one of our don’ts is “don’t forget to check travel restrictions”.
What is the Rule of Packing?
There are several packing rules but if I was going to call one of them “the rule”, it would be the 54321 packing rule. This packing rule states that you only need 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses, 3 shoes, 2 swimsuits, 2 bags, and 1 piece of accessory including a hat, wristwatch, earring, sunshades, and other accessories. Other packing rules include the 3-1-1 rule and the 80-20 rule for traveling
To wrap it up, complying with these do’s and don’t of traveling will ensure that you have a hassle-free travel experience. Also, I don’t know everything so if there’s anything that you have learned from experience regarding this topic, I encourage you to comment below. Safe travels!
