The Travel Teacher

Travel Packing Tips from a Pro

May 6, 2008 · 1 Comment

It’s time to pack, call the Butler.

 

What??  You don’t have a Butler?  Neither do I, so let me share a few ideas I have learned as traveler.  And if you want to share your tips, please do.

 

  •       Bottled water.  Take 3 or 4 bottles with you in your packed luggage.  This will tide you over until you can find a local source.
  •       3 oz. paper cups.  Use these with bottled water for brushing your teeth.  No matter how SAFE the location, don’t trust the water.  If you mistakenly wash your tooth brush under a faucet, throw it away.  A tiny sip of bad water can ruin a trip.
  •       Small umbrella.  For rain?  No, for a door on a bathroom that doesn’t have one
  •       Rain ponchos for rain.  The less you carry on your shoulder, the less pain.
  •       Money pouch or wallet with strap to go under your clothes.  KEEP IN THERE.  Never put valuables in a back pack or bag over your shoulder
  •       Make copies of every document you take – credit cards, passports, medical cards, etc.  Take one set and leave a set at home with someone.
  •       Red eye flights.  Those airline pillows are worthless.  Take an old down pillow, cut it in half and take it in your carry one for a good night sleep.
  •       Eagle Creek cubes, half cubes and quarter cubes are the best for corralling groups of things.  Such as, all your electronic charges and cords; medicines and vitamins;  mosquito repellent and sun screen; shaving gear; socks; underwear and a multitude of other items that tend to get scattered all over the suitcase.
  •       Eagle Creek dress shirt packing folders.  Keeps shirts and blouses folded.
  •       “Pack it” compression bags.  Put that down pillow in one, roll it up and squish the air out to put it in your carry on.  Also good for underwear, sweaters, sweatshirts and any other bulky things that can be wrinkled and still usable.
  •       Syringes.  In some countries, needing a shot can give you a concern.  So take your own in a paper towel roll and tape shut the ends. 

 

Those should give you some ideas.  Do I ever get packed right?  No, but maybe someday!!!

 

Categories: Packing and Suitcase Options
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1 response so far ↓

  • Betsy Talbot // May 6, 2008 at 5:00 pm | Reply

    Sharon, I leave copies of my passport and itinerary with my mom before I go on trips, but since she is the last person in America to not have a cell phone I sometimes worry she will not be available if I need her to send me that info urgently.

    I now save those documents electronically in my online backup storage account. If all else fails, I can access the info I need from any computer with internet access.

    (Be sure to not store this in regular email as it is not secure.)

    Great travel tips – can’t wait to read more!

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