Tagged With "packing"

I bought in-suitcase bags from e-bags last year. I love them. And I wish I had them the one time that the airline broke my suitcase and took it from me at the airport to fix.

I know what Marilyn means about not overpacking...I recently found a picture of us with our luggage on a 2-person trip to France 20 years ago: a pair of 32" suitcases and a flotilla of small ones around them. Of course, now that we pack Kindle instead of books, that's one down...and overall, we're down to not much luggage. Another useful packing tool is gallon and 2-gallon ZipLoc-type bags (there are even larger sizes available!). Their big plus, aside from compression and sealing is that...

I have packing cubes too. Makes things so much easier to find when you are shifting from hotel to hotel or apartment to apartment. I still over pack. I just need to remember how much I love my jeans and t-shirts when I'm on the go. I never bring jewelry except cheap earrings. Simple style feels best on a trip.

Very useful reminders Marilyn, thanks. Absolutely agree with "don't over-pack" (I still do and get cross with myself when I have unused items at the end of the trip. And yes, Kindles, packing cubes and ZipLoc bags have made great additions to my bag in recent years. Two other thoughts occur: 1) fast drying travel clothing (wash and wear overnight) helps lighten the load 2) don't pack every last item of shampoo, tea bags, snacks etc etc in the belief that you can't possibly buy x x x-thing in...

Adding to Mac's point. A big turning point for us was when we started packing for 7 days, no matter how much longer the trip. Usually we have a washer in the apartments we rent, but when not, there's always a laundromat nearby, and usually one that will wash and fold while we tour. We don't often enough change locations to want to keep everything packed (and anyway, I'm a compulsive unpacker) so some of the tools are less useful to us...but I do remind everyone that shoes are actually...

Great tips! PHeymont's suggestion of using a laundromat is really useful and the cost is usually just a little bit more than what a luggage locker would be anyway. I have noticed that carry-on bags people are taking are getting smaller and much easier to handle.

An excellent and useful post, Marilyn! Part of how I pack depends on where I'm traveling. For example, if I'm on a road trip with a car that has a large trunk, I don't really need to economize with my packing. I can take everything along that I might need and not have to deal with the hassle of laundry and such while on the road. If I'm on a trip of a week or less, I never take more than a carry-on bag and my laptop bag. Longer trips get a little trickier because often I need special...

Just a note of caution, if, as PHeymont suggests, the airport mall tempts you to pick up holiday cheer and other liquids, don't forget connections and possible second trips through security. Just because you bought it at the airport doesn't mean they won't snag it if you have to leave airside to get to your connection. I can imagine very well supplied TSA holiday parties courtesy of some chagrined passengers.

PM is right, and the caution applies especially to liquids. There are some exceptions for duty-free items sealed in special bags, but not always.

Thanks for the good information. I would not have thought about the airport mall, Amazon Locker or the big box stores. Those are terrific ideas. I have given up on gift wrapping and just toss a few colorful gift bags and some tissue paper into my luggage. Later, I put the gifts in the bags for the big "reveal" for the recipient.

Excellent advice! I would add if bringing gifts for family or friends,give them the whole big suitcase too so you don't need to lug it around or back home.I've done this now on several occasions.

A nicely written piece, PHeymont, with lots of good tips in it. I generally have two packing philosophies 1) Road trip (North America0. If I've got a large car trunk, then I'll take a lot of stuff along just not to have to bother with stuff like laundry. Might even throw in a heavy tripod and good pair of hiking boots, as well as a fishing rod, etc. 2) Overseas plane trip. Lighter is definitely better. A carry-on size bag like you and your wife use is idea. Especially if you will be...

    Of everything involved with travel, packing can be one of the most stressful. I take two to three trips a month including weekend getaways, road trips and international journeys, so you’d think I’d have it down pat. ...

An overnight hike is an interesting and exciting experience. Whether its a group of friends or some unknown fellows, you get to learn so much from such trips. First hikes are always the difficult ones and when it is about packing the right hiking gear and essentials then it gets really tough to figure out what to pack and what not.Well, it basically depends upon the situation. Are you going to the forest or just near the roads? What are the dangers that you can face there? How many days does...

  Every time I travel, I marvel at the number of people with two—or even three—large suitcases setting out on what looks like migration, not a vacation. You’ve seen them…pushing the bags through the check-in line,...

Traveling for Christmas? With presents? You’ll want to read on for some good advice. A couple of weeks ago, TravelGumbo offered advice on “flying through the airport.” We weren’t referring to the old Hertz commercials with...

Marilyn Jones was in Finland recently on a trip that changed some of her views on checked vs. carry-on. She offers her thoughts and some suggestions.

Everyone has a favorite space-saving packing tip...but this may be the most amazing of all...

Marilyn. I fear your application of intelligence to packing is way beyond the average man. Maybe a guy who's had training in the armed services. I struggle with keeping my sock draw in matched pairs. But I take my hat of to you - for your wonderful magical skills. Maybe a few weeks packing at the check out in Wal Mart would teach me some skills.

While we all wait for when we can travel freely again, PHeymont shares some tips on how to keep the freely light.

Excellent article with great tips!! For international trips I always take one suitcase and pack a duffel for the return trip. That way I can put my dirty clothes in the duffel making it my second checked bag on the return trip and have plenty of secure space in my suitcase for souvenirs. I also swear by packing cubes. One more plus about packing light -- no overweight fees which are very pricey!

Packing for your next trip can be a tedious task, but it will be worth it when you're zipping around the world with all of your belongings in one neat little travel bag. Whether you're going on an extended vacation or just taking a quick weekend getaway, these tips and tricks are sure to help you out. 1. Know the Weight Limit Gone are the days of going to the airport with an overstuffed and overweight bag. For their legal reasons, Airlines have strict limits on how much you can bring on...

There are many "rules" regarding flying today, and sadly it's getting worse, but, here is Samantha's list of 10 Smart Things to Pack in Your Carry-On.

That's all very good advice, Samantha. BTW, there have been well documented cases of TSA screeners stealing from your carry-on bags as they move them down the X-ray machines ramp, so I keep my carryon locked unless they want to check it, in which case I unlock it and watch what they are doing. For folks who wear eyeglasses, it's a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses packed in case yours break. Recently while in Morocco, this was a godsend, as my frame broke. Without my spare glasses,...

I don't carry spare glasses, but I do keep a copy of my prescription in a gmail message i can get to. Also a small roll of duct tape, a mini-vial of crazy glue and a plastic coffee cone. The cone takes up no space when filled with socks, etc., and it's my insurance against cranky or unpleasant coffee makers. One sheet of paper towel as a filter and I'm off to a good start!