Ten tips for packing for trips

Know the airline baggage-free policy

Ah, the dreaded airline baggage fees. So many airlines introduce “basic economy” fares, which are only the most basic service of transporting you from place to place. Your seat assignment, itinerary charges and cancellations, on-board amenities, and room for your carry-on bag cost extra money. 

, one of the first things you should always find out is their baggage-free policy. In this internet age, you have no excuse to be ignorant of such information. During international journeys, you can be permitted to carry a big bag, but for domestic flights, it may be a different story.

Note that before you begin packing, study your airline’s website and understand the baggage policy. You can even do this before you buy the plane ticket, especially if you want to bring on a checked bag or two.

Before leaving home, one of the best secret weapons to use: weigh your bags before going to the airport – avoid incidents of getting the shock of your life by being charged unnecessary baggage fees. Purchase some luggage scales and weigh your bags on both legs of your travels to see if you are close to the weight limits. If you are very close to the limit, you can quickly offload some of your heavier items or reduce what you are packing altogether.

Wash clothes while on the road

If you are staying in rentals or hotels, one of the best things of staying there is the laundry facilities. Take advantage of this opportunity and wash a handful of outfits, especially if you are going on long trips.

If you sleep at a hotel, find out if they have laundry services, as well how much they cost. If you are going to travel in cruise ships for instance, you can just wash your clothes in the sink and hang them out to dry – this is because they tend to bill you high fees for laundry services. Make sure to carry a travel size packet of detergent and a sink stopper. A useful hack is buying portable hanging lines from travel-supply shops, which attach to showers through suction cups.