Travel Packing Tips every traveller must know

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Packing tips for international travel
3. packing a carryon for international travel
4. Packing tips for international travel for a week
5. Packing luggage for international flights for students
6. Packing for 3-4 weeks
7. 5-4-3-2-1 packing method

Travelling and exploring the world is fun and one of the most fulfilling experiences, but one of the most tedious aspects of travel is preparation before the trip itself. What do I need? What clothes should I pack? Heels or boots? And so many other questions linger in the minds of many. 

Whether you’re an avid traveller or just starting your adventure quest, the task of packing for any trip can seem daunting. But once you understand the basics of packing, everything else is a total breeze! That’s why we’re here with the ultimate packing guide to help assist you on your travels. 

Packing tips for international travel

When packing for trips, a general rule is to know the weather of the place you are headed. That will influence the majority of your clothing choices. Once you know this, the next steps for packing are:

1. Roll and not fold: Rolling your clothes instead of folding them saves space and avoids wrinkles. This hack makes your clothes look like they just got pressed.
2. Packing cubes: These are great for neatly organising clothes and keeping items from getting lost. If you need to search for an item, using packing cubes helps locate it quicker.
3. Clothing versatility: You will do well to pack clothes that are versatile enough and can be worn for multiple locations and occasions. It helps save space and avoid packing lots of stuff, especially if you are looking at maximising your luggage. 

Packing a carry-on for international travel 

The most important thing to note when packing a carry-on bag is adhering to airline regulations, utilising restricted space, and then having your most essential items. This could include your travel wallet, passport holder, toiletry bag, TSA-approved liquids bag and compliant containers, prescription medications, luggage tag, hand sanitizer, lip balm, wired earbuds or headphones, e-reader or a great book, eye mask, power bank, travel adapter or converter, travel first-aid kit, reusable water bottle, and foldable tote. These items are all essentials that you’ll need most of the time on your journey. 

Packing tips for international travel for a week

1. Reduce the number of shoes: Taking a limited number of shoes seems like a given, but you’d be surprised at how a lot of people are often confused about which footwear to bring along. To help you, you could wear a boot when on the flight to save space, and then aim for only two or three pairs that can complement multiple outfit styles. 
2. Multi-purpose Accessories: This is such a time and space saver as well as a top fashion choice. Include accessories, such as scarves or jewellery, that can enhance the appearance of different outfits. 

Packing luggage for international flights for students

Packing as a student going to further studies is often a challenging thing for a lot of people. Students frequently encounter distinct obstacles when preparing for overseas trips. To address these challenges, we have come up with some tips to assist you on your next trip. 

Minimal physical textbooks: When travelling, we have seen some decide to take along a number of physical textbooks, which contributes to a large chunk of their luggage space. Reduce the number of physical textbooks and opt for e-books or online resources to save space and weight, allowing for your essential items to be packed. 

There are also student discounts available when you purchase travel gear and accessories. Take advantage of these to save money. You might also want to bring along snacks for hunger during extended layovers or unforeseen delays. Not taking lots of clothes is also important. If you are travelling to a country with an intense cold, you could go along with a sweater or two and shop once you get there. 

Check out our previous article on Staying comfortable on flights

Packing for 3-4 weeks

Be open to doing laundry. Prepare to handle your laundry while travelling by considering quick-drying clothing options, and always remember that some accommodations may provide laundry amenities or services, so checking before you book rooms is also important. 

Plan for a week, then wash and repeat: To help with packing, you could adopt the one-week packing approach. Do your laundry weekly to help with your clothing selection without carrying excessive luggage.

Be familiar with local customs and culture. Gain insight into the culture of the place you are headed to ensure your outfits align with cultural expectations, which helps in packing efficiently while showing consideration for customs and traditions.

5-4-3-2-1 packing method

The details of the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method may be different depending on which site or expert you seek an opinion from. On Apartment Therapy, a writer claims she was able to travel around Europe for three weeks by packing only: 

Five tops

Four bottoms

Three dresses or rompers and three pairs of shoes

Two swimsuits and two bags

One hat, one watch, and one pair of sunglasses

Looking at The New York Times’ ‘How to Pack a Suitcase’ guide, they claim you can get through a week away with only “five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes, and one hat.” Irrespective, the article allows adjustment to the method to suit your needs by throwing in “a swimsuit and exercise gear or a suit jacket and dress if you’ll need them.”

Mental Floss’ guide to packing light is more friendly to people who don’t wear dresses or jumpsuits. Its version of the 5-4-3-2-1 method includes “five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit,” though like the Times, this method allows you to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.