Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Travel Prepare Tips: Packing Your Bags Advices

Lot of tourists always find some problems when they are packing their stuffs for wonderful trips. Everything seems to be important to carry along the journey before going but most of the things turn to be heavy while traveling. Here are a few of best packing tips for making our life easier;

1. Make sure that all of your bags come with wheels. If you're thinking of lugging an old suitcase around with you, forget it! Trade it in for a new, sportier model, because you never know how far you're going to have to carry your luggage.

2. A bit of forward thinking will save you the hassle of trying to remember if you packed your toothbrush or where your deodorant is. There's nothing worse than having to uproot the contents of a bag to find out that, yes, you did already pack that underwater disposable camera. Make a thorough list and check everything off as it goes in the bag. The list will also be useful if your luggage is lost.

3. If you're part of a family, as a general rule, aim for one medium-sized bag for each family member and a large bag for other bits and pieces. Children can become bemused by the whole packing process and if left unsupervised they may bring jars of peanut butter rather than clothes. Make a list for all family members, and don't forget the favorite teddy!

4. Packing clothes is always a gamble. Sometimes you'll end up only wearing half of what you take, wasting valuable space, while other times you'll run out of clothes after two days. Don't pack clothes "just in case." Take what you'll need, with a change for each day if you won't have access to washing facilities. Making a loose itinerary for your holiday will help when it comes to planning what clothes to pack.

5. Bag everything up. It's frustrating when you have to dig through mounds of trousers to find a pair of socks. Keep similar items in separate bags (lingerie, toiletries, etc.) so that everything is easily accessible. Color coded and textured coded bags will help you locate items quickly. Also pack everything you might need handy at the end, so you can just reach in and grab those sunglasses when you need them.

6. Most likely, we're adamant that rolling clothes is better than folding. The debate has been going on since man first discovered the virtues of taking a holiday. Rolling is better because it takes up less space and avoids those annoying wrinkles and creases that come with folding. No matter how neatly you fold that T-shirt, it'll still require ironing. Here's a quick tip: when rolling a T-shirt, lay it down flat and fold the sleeves in first; then roll it from the bottom up.

7. Don't forget to make copies of all essential documents and keep them with you. Photocopy your passport, visas, insurance documents, credit cards, flight tickets and hotel info. Make a copy for a friend back home as well, so that all your bases are covered. Also make a note of important phone numbers, such as credit card providers and banks.

8. There's a reason why travel-sized toiletries were invented. There's no need to carry around large bottles of shampoo or shower gel – you'll never finish them – so buy those cute, miniature toothpastes and gels and creams. And remember to put them all in a plastic zip bag in case there’s spillage.

9. Be careful with your carry-on. Try to avoid taking lots of electrical items (these can set off screening machines) and sharp objects. Keep all medication in its original bottle. If you get singled out for a search you'll have to go through the process of packing your bag again, so try not to get caught out. If you overpack then you might have a job getting everything back in. There are lots of rules about what you can and cannot carry on. For example, liquids and gels must be taken on in less than 3 oz. containers in a clear, zip-sealed bag. Consult the
TSA website if you’re traveling through the USA.

10. Many airlines will allow two bags, no more than 62 square inches and 50 lbs in weight, to be checked in. Carry-on luggage is often restricted to one bag of no more than 45 square inches and 40 lbs in weight. Check with your airline -- some allow far less than others.

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