Here are just a few of the wonderful packing tips we've received so far! Thank you to everyone who has sent us their tips and advice. Keep them coming!
"We put all of our small items in a mesh laundry bag. Then we can pull it out and can see everything that is in it. We place small items that go together in plastic quart bags inside the mesh laundry bag. The mesh bag flattens out nicely in our luggage. Then small items do not get all over your luggage." - Ralph, Longview, TX
"When packing your carry-on, pack a smaller bag inside that contains all your must-have items in the plane seat. Make sure the smaller bag has a thin hook or loop to hang on the tray hook, and fill it with your book, MP3 player and headphones, snack, kleenex, gum, etc. This eliminates the need to frequently access the overhead bin and most importantly, is easy to carry on in the event you are required to check your bag at the gate." - Ellen
"To prevent thin necklace chains from tangling, slide each one through a plastic straw then fasten the clasp. The straw adds no extra weight, but certainly takes away a lot of frustration once I’ve arrived at my destination! I’ve even done this with all my necklaces at home." - Cheryl, Aspen, CO
"Place copies of your current itinerary and tickets, ID, passports, credit cards, important phone numbers and email addresses, on an encrypted tiny 'thumb drive'. ALSO, take a photo of your suit case(s) AND their contents (eg spread out before packing) and put it on the drive. If your luggage is stolen or delayed / lost, you can actually show/refer to the photo while filing for it's return. You'd also have the pics of included items to estimate cost or for insurance. I pack one 'thumb drive' hidden in my shaving kit, and carry another in my wallet." - David, Stevens Point, WI
"My husband does not like the very casual travel wear for our many trips that include cosmopolitan destinations. So, about 12 years ago he took his favorite sports jacket to a tailor and had a special, very deep, buttoned flap pocket created on the inside left side of the jacket. He now carries passports, tickets, and other essential travel documents, easily accessible on his person, and the jacket becomes the indispensable multi-use jacket for the trip (warmth, dress casual, dress for evening, etc). The jacket still looks great...he wears it on at least 2 trips a year...more than worth the small investment." - Patty, Bainbridge Island, WA
"I always take my small down parka or down sweater and in the pocket, a large square silk scarf. Especially when traveling from cold place to warm place, but also for out west when the nights may be chilly even though hot in the day. I wear the parka on the plane, then when seated, place scarf on my lap, remove jacket, fold the arms in and make a square pillow. Take one diagonal pair of scarf ends, tie in knot. Do same with other ends. You now have an enviable travel pillow or lumbar cushion. An additional comfort is knowing that no matter what, you can be cozy and warm in any situation." - Diana
"Roll small items like socks and underwear. Stuff them inside shoes and in gaps between clothing. This will help keep the shape of your shoes and use wasted space in the suitcase." - Marissa, Chicago, IL
"My wife and I always pack a small, stove-top-size count down timer with at least a 24 hour range to use as our alarm clock. It allows for very precise timing of your wake up call (not the ‘whenever’ of a front desk) and is very useful to remind you when to get ready for a departure during the day, prepare for going to a meal or to meet someone, taking a siesta or nap when you have to awaken by a set time, or similar situations." - Martin, San Leandro, CA
"Take a small washcloth (Japanese ones are thin & dry quickly) and put it in a ziplock bag. After washing your hands, if there is nothing to dry your hands on, you can use the washcloth. I also always take a lightweight pack towel in case housekeeping hasn't given me fresh towels. In one case I used it because the hotel towels smelled of smoke so badly I wouldn't use them (in a 5 star hotel, no less!)." - Gretchen, Yuba City, CA
"My husband and I pack all of our clothes using 2 gallon ziplock bags. Large enough to pack one outfit or three shirts. Place items in bag and squeeze air out as you zip up. Voila! Stack neatly in your bag and clothes don't wrinkle as they are shifted around. Plus, TSA loves this method of packing. They told us so! " - Sharon
"One of my favorite packing tips is regarding digital cameras. I recommend taking the 1st photograph on each media card of your business card or your home address label and phone number. I accidentally lost my brand-new digital camera on a Florida vacation. Amazingly, someone found my camera, reviewed the photos, saw my name & phone number, and returned the camera to me with all of my great vacation photos intact!" - Terri, Appleton, WI
"I usually like to pack a few dryer sheets in my luggage....they come in handy if i'm doing laundry at laundromat... I dont have to buy them If I don't do laundry, they keep my luggage from having an overwhelming odor when I open it upon returning home. There is also a 3rd use for them: rub them on your body as a highly effective mosquito repellant!" - Pat, San Jose, CA
"Rather than just fold clothes, role them. It compresses them more and actually reduces ironing." - Bob
"Next time list: I carry a small notebook whenever I travel. Anytime I think of something I wish I had done before leaving, or wish I had brought with me, or wish I'd left at home, I write it down. I do keep a packing list which I update after every trip using this information. I find it as important to write down how many of something were actually needed, as it is to remember to bring them." - Ralph, Arlington, VA
"I take a lightweight plastic hanger, place several tops, jackets, and slacks over one another on it, then cover the entire ensemble with a plastic dry cleaning bag and fold it in half and place in my suitcase. The plastic keeps the items from wrinkling, in addition, the hang up items are conveniently all together to pull out and hang directly into a hotel closet! " - Terri
"Because security personnel randomly go through suitcases, I put personal clothes items such as underwear in compression bags. Security personnel can see through the bag; and my personal items are kept untouched." - Chris
"Stuff souveniers into your shoes that are packed in your luggage. The shoes protect the items from damage and they take up no additional space. A bottle of wine fit nicely into a men's size 11! " - Terri, Pennsville, NJ
"I know packing food for trips takes so much space, to save space, prep time and the possibility of broken eggs. I premix the scrambled eggs in a recycled cleaned out 1/2 gallon or gallon jug." - Ada, Fort Myers, FL
"I always take along Zip Lock Freezer Baggies... (They're thicker and stronger than regular Zip Locks). I use them to store liquids and things I don't want to 'spread'. They are great to put your bar of soap, or that still damp face towel. Use them as a 'doggie bag' when you didn't finish breakfast or dinner to enjoy later as well as packing up your picnic lunch that you got at the store. Anything damp, or anything that you want to keep clean, or anything that will dirty up everything else!" - Richard, Reedsport, OR
"I always tuck a couple granola or energy bars in the outer pocket of my carry-on in case the on-board snacks are undesirable, inadequate, or expensive. In the same pocket are my daily meds, a few cough drops, and a small first aid kit with a few Bandaids, Tylenol, antacids, etc. " - Rodney
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