10 Essential Travel Tips + Free Printable Packing Checklist
Today I have 10 travel tips and packing hacks to share with you that I have discovered over the past few years. I’ve even included a free printable packing checklist to help keep you organized! Yay!
It’s no secret that I love to travel. It is so fun to explore new places and discover new areas while traveling. One of my goals this summer is to travel to a new place each month with the kids. We have so many fun spots just an hour or two from our home and I can’t wait to discover new towns, museums, parks, and restaurants.
One of my favorite cities to travel to is NYC. I recently went there for a quick work trip and I discovered the tiniest hole in the wall bakery called Levain Bakery. We waited in line for nearly an hour and they were definitely worth the wait. Holy cow! So good. Just look at all that chocolate. Next time you’re getting ready for your trip, try using my top 10 travel tips below 🙂
Tip 1: Roll your clothes (instead of folding), so you’ll be able to fit a lot more in your suit case!
Tip 2: Fill a pill case with any medicines you might need and label them (I just used a 1-inch circle sticker) for trip emergencies.
Tip 3: Use a contact case to store smaller items like earrings. It also works great to fill with makeup (like foundation) so you don’t need to bring the whole container.
Tip 4: Place a garbage sack in your suitcase to fill with dirty clothes.
Tip 5: Place your necklaces between two pieces of sticky wrap, so they don’t get tangled.
Tip 6: Fill travel containers with shampoo and lotions. Then keep them in a bag in your suit case so it’s already packed.
Tip 7: Place a fabric softener sheet in your suitcase to keep everything smelling fresh and clean.
Tip 8: Download new movies, books, music and podcasts before your trip so they’re ready to go.
Tip 9: Place your shoes in a zip top bag to prevent dirt from getting on your clothes.
Tip 10: Place your favorite snacks and a good book inside inside your carry-on bag so you always have a tasty and healthy snack. I also love to pack an empty water bottle so you can fill it up on your trip and save money on water bottles.
More helpful travel tips:
- Get TSA pre-check certified so you can walk through security faster and don’t need to take off your shoes or jackets.
- Download your airlines app for flight info and to download your boarding pass to your phone.
- Book your flight on a Tuesday or Wednesday for cheaper flights.
- Add a luggage tag so you can quickly identify your bag.
- Keep a travel diary to remember your favorite places you visited and memories from your trip.
- Eat at restaurant recommended by a local. Most times the hole in the wall restaurants are the best!
- Get lost and discover new places along the way. Some of the best memories are the unplanned and spontaneous ones.
- Pack less. Do you really need it?
Free printable packing checklist
Bonus tip: Print out a packing list to keep track of everything. I’ve even got the free printable for you below. Simply download it to your computer and then print it out to create your list 🙂
Comment below with any travel tips you might have 🙂
Love this post! Seriously, so many things are new to me. Sticky wrap, why didn’t I think of that?!
Jamielyn,
Your packing tips have helped us have a better trip every time. I espcially love the jewerly and tech tips, and the packing list has saved LOTS of hassles.
Thanks!
I love all the tips! Where did you get that adorable pink suitcase?
Thank you! It’s made by Steamline Luggage. This is something very similar!
Just had to pin this post – awesome tips!! I love that black and white stripped carry-on tote! Where did you get it, if you don’t mind me asking?
It’s Kate Spade, and it’s really great for traveling. 🙂
Love your tips and cute bags. Bottles I pack with shampoo, conditioner, etc I usually put sticky wrap or plastic wrap to cover opening and then put lid. Keeps them from leaking. I also like to wrap lid and bottle in the sticky wrap especially if it is a press top lid.
I prefer disposable shower caps for shoes (hotel freebies and dollar store). Flats go in together in one, sneakers need one per shoe. I used to be a zip close bag user, and have found shower caps make shoes more “packable”. You are the first blogger I’m aware of to suggest downloading media (Tip 8). Well done! In addition to your media suggestions I make sure I have the most recent e-magazine issues, and save Google maps of my destination to be available offline. Great list!
Hi there,
How old/recent is the striped tote and do you think you could share a link? I searched online but I couldn’t find it. 🙁
Thank you!
It’s Kate Spade, and it’s really great for traveling. 🙂
I also pack my undies and socks/tights or swimwear in Ziploc bags, makes them easier to find 🙂
If we go to a sun destination, I always have one swimsuit, one small bottle of sunscreen and flip-flops in my carry-on – just in case!
We download new episodes or games on the iPad for the kids, and always pack ‘surprises’ for the flight: snacks, little games (magnetic bingo), a small figurine, a new colouring book (and it’s much cheaper than buying those at the airport or on location)…
Thanks for sharing your tips, I’ll definitely keep this list handy!
Brilliant ideas. Thanks
To bring an empty water bottle so when you pass immigration you fill it up at the nearest fountain or water dispenser
Or t freeze the water solid
And to always bring face cream makeup remover wipes and hand cream and maybe aa scarf because the airplane can get really cold and dry
And not to wear jewelry
And to wear your heavY items
Not to wear jewelry
Wear comfy clothes
Make sure you have the currency of the place you are going
It is easier to buy the shampoo conditioner body wash or lotion there
Or to use the ones in the hotel or borrow one from the person you are staying with
Check with the hotel if they have some styling tools
Like hairdryers and curling iron and flat iron
All great tips with the exception of the pill case for meds. While this is great for weekend trips at home, it’s not a good idea for international travel. Original containers are best. Also, check your destination for a list of banned meds. Sudafed is a banned meds in Mexico.
Thanks for your comment Maureen! Those are great tips. 🙂
Before traveling, we should do the packing well and while traveling, we should take whatever things are important for us in Traveling. Your blog gives a lot of information regarding travel tips. Your travel tips are very helpful. Thanks for such post and please keep it up.
My husband and I always put one of our outfits in the other’s suitcase. We check our luggage, so in the event that a bag goes missing (it’s always mine), neither of us will be stranded without clothes. I spent the first 3 days of a trip to Italy without my suitcase. This tip saved me.
The other tip that I have is that I always bring a gallon size ziplock bag. The TV remote is the dirtiest thing in a hotel room, and NO, your disinfectant wipes aren’t enough to clean it. Just slip it into the ziplock instead.
That clothing tip is genius! Thanks for sharing! 🙂