Easy Packing For A Long Trip

Packing for an extended vacation or business trip comes with different rules. Since airlines have made many restrictions on size and weight of luggage, you must now pack differently for a long trip. Begin by checking with your airline for their new rules and regulations. Some will allow 50 lbs, while others allow 70 lbs. They also have different charges for overage, so be sure to find out if and how much you will have to pay. Most allow two cases per person, along with one carryon and one personal bag. Four pieces can hold a great deal of clothing and other travel necessities without extra charges. Try to insure that you will be able to handle the lightweight luggage yourself. It's handy when the suitcases stack or can be piggybacked with each other. You will not need to secure a luggage cart or find a baggage handler if you can do it yourself. After checking with your particular airline, you can begin to make plans to pack. Plan to wear clothing that will coordinate and stick to one or two color schemes. That will limit the amount of shoes and travel accessories you will need to pack. A travel steamer can freshen clothing so that you can wear the same thing more than once. Travel laundry kits are available if you need to wash something out.

Being organized will reduce the amount of things you'll pack, and make the trip easier. It also simplifies packing and unpacking if you use the packing cubes designed for travel. This way, underwear and sweaters are packed in one case and go directly into the hotel drawers. If security needs to check your bags, it means your clothing will not be overly disorganized. Jewelry can be kept in a travel jewel roll or case. Medications and skin care products can be packed in a travel cosmetic case or shaving kit. These items also make ideal corporate gifts. Shoes can be placed in shoe mittens or socks. Cotton shirts can be packed in shirt cases that reduce wrinkling. Tie cases are designed to eliminate wrinkling. Vitamins can be kept in travel pill cases. Larger amounts of cosmetics can be transferred into plastic bottles and jars. Soap detergent can be purchased in travel-sized pouches. Umbrellas and raincoats are available in lightweight compact sizes. There are tiny hairdryers and irons that are powerful and take up little or no space. Folding laundry bags are ideal for worn clothing.

Since liquids and gels are packed in your discount luggage, many people are finding packing shoes in their carry on will help to eliminate those charges for overweight luggage. Hairdryers and irons, and any other items that have weight to them can now be placed in your carryon. You'll want to be sure that your carryon has wheels, so you won't be overwhelmed by trying to carry too heavy a bag. If you feel it may simplify your travel plans, some things can be sent ahead to your hotel. Keep in mind that many hotels now have a service charge or storage charge for storing briefcases and other items.

Be sure that your luggage is easily identifiable. Do not leave old baggage tags on your luggage. Make sure you have a tag with your name and address printed. For your protection, the address is usually hidden with the name only showing. Since upright luggage has two handles, it's a good idea to use two luggage tags. TSA locks are the only locks you can use to close the zippers on luggage. These locks have a master key that security personnel can use should they need to get into your case. Monograms and other identifying materials are a very good idea. There are handle wraps made to personalize your luggage, and bright colored straps and locks, all designed to make your luggage look like "yours." Be sure to have your personal information printed inside the luggage in addition to the tags on the outside. Use leather goods designed as travel wallets to hold your passport, photo identification and boarding pass. This case should be readily available to show at all security areas. You'll want to have a handy pocket to keep this information safely tucked away in. There are ID Express cases that you can wear around your neck that hold all of this information.

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