International Travel Hacks

That's me circa 2010 in Gleneagles, Scotland :)

International travel is an absolute blast. In fact, I actually prefer international flights over domestic ones (one of the many reasons being a guaranteed selection of movies depending on your airline).

I've blogged about international travel/packing tips before, but in this post, I want to round up some of the best ones - a collection of travel hacks, if you will - that I've come across over the years since I first flew overseas about 10 years ago (!!!). I'm dividing them up into categories, too.

With that said, let's get right to it. :)

Before You Start Packing

• Make sure your suitcase meets regulation weight. You don't want to have to pay extra for your suitcase to board the plane with you, or worse, have to leave things behind. Check out your airline's website for more specific details.
• On that note, check your phone carrier, bank, and other important places like that to let them know that you'll be leaving the country and to set any international modes/alerts.
• Make sure you purchase the correct adaptors for your country, and that you double-check to make sure they're the right ones you need.
• As far as your actual suitcase goes, make sure you bring one that's easy to spot at baggage claim (and won't get easily stolen), like one in a bright color or anything other than black. (EVERYONE carries a black suitcase.) Or, if you do have a black suitcase, just add bright belts or ribbons, or a pom-pom. :) The possibilities are endless. Also, ones that spin on four wheels are great to carry into larger airports.

Packing

• Roll. up. your. clothes. I can't stress this one enough. Rolling reduces wrinkles and frees up TONS of space for more items, especially if you want to leave room for souvenirs. This works best for lighter items (T-Shirts, dresses, light shorts/pants, leggings). I would fold up jeans and heavier clothing, like raincoats.
• Along those same lines, tiny rubber bands go well around rolled clothes in thinner material so they don't slip. This is purely optional, though.
• I learned about packing cubes last year, and they're another great way to compartmentalize and further organize your travel gear. Amazon has a great selection.
• Want to pack things flatter? Try two-gallon zip-loc bags. Pack/roll your items, stick them in the bag; zip up the bag until there's about an inch and a half-two inches open, then sit on the bag to let all the air out before zipping it fully closed. You've just created your own DIY vacuum-sealed bags.
• Pack an extra change of clothes in your carry-on bag (whether or not you decide to pack checked luggage). You want to be prepared in case your bag gets delayed in transit or stolen.
• Pack a copy of your passport to put in your suitcase, then carry your actual passport on your person. This is a safety regulation no matter where you fly outside the country.
• Consolidate as much as you can. This means going for electronic books or a Kindle instead of bringing individual paperbacks, bringing things you can re-wear and/or wash, etc.
• Make sure all of your liquids and gels are either packed in your checked luggage and/or all packed in a quart-sized zip-loc bag. If you're pressed for space, remember that you can buy a lot of your toiletries when you get to your destination, depending on where you're going. With that in mind, you'll be able to pack just the absolute necessities (like any medicines) and save a lot of room.
• Plan on wearing your bulkiest items on the plane, like heavier shoes. This is another easy way to free up space.

Plane Travel

• Don't bring any beverages into the airport (because they'll toss them at security), but it's a good idea to bring your favorite dry snacks from home. Otherwise, you can buy drinks and snacks after you get through security to bring on board. Airplane meals only happen twice, depending on how long your flight is, and you may want to snack on something you enjoy in the meantime.
• This works for all plane travel, but bring or buy chewing gum if your ears tend to pop/you get headaches easily on planes.
• Bring fuzzy socks to wear at your seat on the plane. The vents can get really, really cold, and you don't want frozen feet when you're trying to relax on a long flight.
• I've said it before on this blog, and I'll say it again: scarves make great pillows or blankets on long flights. The same also applies to light sweaters or cardigans.
• Other things I like to make sure I bring on the plane include:
• Headphones (noise-canceling or not)
• A book of some kind (usually my iPad so I can load up Kindle books for an entire trip)
• LOTS of great music
• Other things to do (work, getting a head-start on travel journaling, etc.)

When You Get There

• If you're in need of buying toiletries (toothpaste and/or other liquid items), pharmacies are your friend (at least in Europe).
• If you take underground transportation, take your time and read signs carefully to make sure you get where you need to go. This also applies to airports and train stations.
• Make sure you have your camera, because you're going to want to take all the pictures and enjoy every second of your adventure, even after you come home. :)
• Don't forget to document your trip! A journal is a great idea, and you can even use a glue stick to adhere business cards, programs, brochures, 

I hope these tips helped you out if you're planning on traveling internationally! :) Do you have any other tips? Let me know in the comments.

Some Packing Secrets

I consider packing an art form sometimes. It takes time and energy to really get your suitcase ready for upcoming adventures, especially if it's a long trip or if you'll be visiting places with multiple climate changes.

Because packing can be a challenge, I've picked up and learned secrets over the years that have made my packing for trips so much easier. Today, I want to share those tips with you. :)


1. Write out your packing list in advance.

Planning out what you're going to pack can be tedious, but the sooner you plan things out, the better, especially if you're traveling internationally. Plus, if you think of something else, you can quickly jot it down on paper or your phone to remember for later (or pick up at the store).

The best help I've had with creating packing lists (especially with destinations I've never visited) has come from lurking Pinterest. If you search "[Insert Place Here] Packing", chances are good that you'll be able to find a packing list specific to the place you're going.

As far as what to pack is concerned, some people create a color scheme of clothes to wear; others pack by planning each outfit for each day. Pack in the way that's easiest for you. (I've created some packing lists on this blog, too, if you need ideas! :] )

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your packing list:

• How many days you'll be staying
• What the weather will be like in your destination
• What activities you'll be participating in (especially if you're going to a conference, workshop, or doing any sort of physical activity)
• If you need to dress up for any reason (Church, nice dinner, etc.)

2. Roll your clothes instead of folding them.

This is an old trick that I've been using for a LONG time (probably since I went to England for the first time when I was 13 years old. I'm 23 now).

All you do is fold your clothes longways, then literally roll them up. The finished product should resemble a cinnamon roll. You can then stick your rolled-up clothing items into your suitcase. Rolling your clothes can free up a TON of space in your suitcase; you can set them on top of folded larger items, or be able to double your space by packing lightweight shirts, dresses, and knit items.

If you want to take it a step further and make sure your clothes don't come undone, you can wrap tiny rubber bands around the rolls. (You can find tiny bands in the hair and beauty section of drugstores or larger stores, like Target.)


3. Compartmentalize if possible (especially your smaller or fragile items).

Compartmentalizing is a great idea if you want to be as organized as possible. The idea is that you place items into bags, then place those bags into your suitcase or carry-on for easy access.

Here are some ideas for compartmentalizing:

• Packing cubes for thinner clothing items or underclothes
• Cosmetic bags or zip-loc bags for jewelry and (of course) cosmetics
• Individual pouches or zip-loc bags for larger pieces of jewelry or necklaces that tangle easily
• Tote bags for pairs of shoes
• Quarter-sized zip-loc bags for toiletries (especially if you're carrying them on)

How do you like to pack for trips? Do you have any specific ways to make packing easier for you? Let me know! :)