How many times have you gone on a trip and arrived at the hotel ready to collapse face-first onto the bed, only to realize you forgot to pack pajamas? No one wants to have to rush out to the nearest store immediately upon arriving, but it’s so simple to let that one necessity slip your mind during packing. If you’re one of those travelers who forgets something vital every time you travel, it’s time to cut down on the hassle. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, these packing tips can help you save time and, hopefully, not forget what you need on your next trip.
Make a List
Yes, you’ve probably heard this advice before, but that’s because it’s important! Even if you write the list but never reference it again, the act of creating it in the first place can be instrumental in helping you remember more of the things you need to pack. We suggest starting your list at least a week before you need to begin packing. This way, you have a bit of time to add to the list as necessary before it comes time to actually use it. Making a list ahead of time also gives you time to research what weather conditions may be like, take the opportunity to schedule out your days so you can pack the appropriate garments, and shop for any items you might need.
Think Multi-Purpose
If you’ll be away from home for ten days, just as an example, the bulk from ten separate outfits plus accessories and shoes can fill up a suitcase quickly. With a bit of extra planning and some multi-purpose items, it’s easy enough to keep your load light while packing for multiple days. Start with staple items that will work with multiple different outfit configurations. This can include things like neutral pants and/or skirts and sweaters or jackets that will match multiple tops. That way you can pack fewer sets of pants and bulky jackets but mix and match with different tops and bottoms to create multiple complete outfits. Be sure to also think about how you’ll pack everything. A garment bag may make it easier to pack and carry on your suits, but that can take away from what you can carry on the plane to get work done. Foldable, difficult to wrinkle items like jersey dresses or knitwear will pack more easily so you can save your carry on bag for work or entertainment items.
Ditch the Dry-Clean Only Garments
In addition to things that pack nicely and don’t wrinkle, think about packing things you can easily throw in a washing machine. Especially if you’ll be gone for an extended trip, it will probably be easier to plan to wash your clothes partway through the trip rather than attempting to pack several different outfits. If you don’t want to use the hotel’s cleaning service, be sure you’re packing things you can easily toss in a washer and dryer. This will let you keep your load lighter—an important factor now that there are more stringent restrictions for carry-on luggage.
Organize Everything
Do you have a tendency to accidentally leave things behind every time you travel? If you’re going from one destination to the next, leaving your laptop charger behind can cause some pretty big problems. Find small containers or plastic baggies to help you group items together as appropriate. This can include things like a small zippered pouch for any jewelry you’re bringing or the thumb drives you need for work as well as larger pouches to keep all of your laptop cords and accessories in one place. This will make it easier to see at a glance if you’ve forgotten to repack anything when it’s time to go. It will also make it simpler to just toss everything into your luggage without worry that small items will get lost down the cracks.
Stay Connected
Whether you’re traveling for work or for fun, finding ways to stay in touch with everyone back home can be tricky. To begin with, keep your electronics fully charged when you’re on the go, but also invest in a portable battery pack, just in case of emergencies. This way, you can pull out your laptop or tablet and get some work done while you’re in transit, or use that downtime to compose emails to family in offline mode. And, for those that need an internet connection to work, know how you’ll get online before you go. Your smartphone may not be an option, and the hotel’s WiFi may not be free. A wireless internet hotspot like the Sapphire Mobile Hotspot can provide you with the best portable WiFi wherever your travels take you, so you don’t have to miss a moment due to spotty connections.
A wireless internet hotspot is a small, easily portable device about the size of a smartphone that generates a WiFi signal. Of course, you’ll want to choose your device carefully, since all internet hotspot devices are not created equal. Many devices will require a contract or a new SIM card for each country you visit. Sapphire Mobile Hotspot, however, gives you the option to select a plan or pay as you go, and our virtual SIM card technology means it will work easily just about anywhere your travels take you. Knowing you’ll be able to connect any time you need and anywhere you go can make your trip more enjoyable and effortless.
Learn more about the best portable WiFi device on the market; shop Sapphire Mobile Hotspot online today!