Travel Smart--Packing Tips

Rule #1 (Actually it's the ONLY packing rule!) – Pack light! In general, you can have one checked bag and two carry-on bags, but I don’t recommend any large suitcases because you have to porter your own luggage during the tour. You should plan on one average size suitcase (rolling is your best bet) and a backpack or under the airplane seat size bag. I do not plan to check my bag but use the smaller size and carry on both bags…your call.

BAGGAGE:

--United Airlines baggage policy

--British Airways baggage policy

As required by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, baggage service charges for your entire itinerary are determined by the marketing carrier for the first segment of your itinerary. Your originating marketing carrier is the airline whose flight number is assigned to the first segment of your itinerary.

If you plan to check a bag, it must not weigh over 50 pounds.  Anything over that will impose an

Dimensions for a carry on bag

overweight fee.  If you check a bag, one carry on bag such as a backpack or bag whose total dimensions do not exceed 45 inches (length + height  + width, such as 9x14x22 and can be stowed in the overhead bin) AND one personal item such as a purse or laptop not to exceed 36 inches (9x10x17 and can be stored under the seat).

A coat or jacket, reading material, and food bought in the airport do not count towards carry on.

If you decide not to check a bag, then your purse or laptop must be stowed in one of the two carry on bags and the same dimensions apply.  You may be surprised at what you can pack in a smaller bag and what you can live without for a short travel time!

Consider packing a day bag in your luggage, something a bit smaller to carry just the essentials you need for the day (camera, water, itinerary, notes, tissues, etc.)  You won’t want to carry a backpack full of all your toiletries and extra items around all day as all that will be stowed in the bus baggage compartment.

PACKING TIPS:

Roll clothes to save space

--roll clothes to prevent wrinkles and save space or put a day’s set of clothes in 2-1/2 gallon Ziploc bags and squeeze out the air before sealing.
--consider wearing slacks twice with different shirts each day to save space. Then 2 days clothes can be packed in one of those large Ziploc bags.

--put toiletries, camera, and a change of clothes in your carry on…going and coming.
--pack extra camera batteries and memory cards.
--prescriptions need to be in original bottles. Ask your pharmacy if they can provide you with smaller bottles with labels.  If not, transfer complete labels on larger containers to smaller ones.
--pack some extra garbage bags for dirty or wet clothes. Pack extra different sizes of Ziploc bags for a variety of reasons.
--pack easy traveling snacks (not ones that crumble or melt). Sometimes dinner or lunch is late depending on the schedule.

--consider collapsible refillable water bottles.
--keep your actual passport inside your clothes in a neck or waist pouch.  Also keep the majority of your money in this same safe place. Just take out the daily amount of cash. Also watch out for pickpockets!  Read these practical reviews on wearing neck or waist (and other) pouches.
--make sure that any day visiting a religious site that shoulders and knees should be covered (if you’re in shorts, wrap a shawl around your waist or slip on wind pants)

3-1-1 rule for carry on liquids

--always carry an umbrella or a breathable, waterproof rain jacket.
--toiletries should be packed 3-1-1….gels, aerosols, liquids in containers of no more than 3.4 ounces in only one bag that is no larger than one quart. Try to get as many in travel size as possible. This bag will need to be out and go through the security scan outside your luggage. Too many toiletries or health and beauty aids in too large sizes is the number one way to take up a lot of space in luggage.  And you only need to put liquids in this 3-1-1 bag.  Other toiletries can be packed in a separate bag in your luggage.

--wear comfortable shoes!! Don’t bring new ones you haven’t broken in yet—UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.  I don’t care how cute they look with that new jacket! Bring a spare pair in case a strap breaks or they get wet. I like Teva brand, and I've bought them on clearance racks, Ross at a discount, and on Amazon.
--pack a journal and write, write, write. Remember the fun!
--bring a light jacket…expect some cool weather.

--might even pack some light weight gloves and scarf.  Evenings could be cool.

--expect unpredictable weather…layer, layer, layer…it could be warm to downright cold—all in the same day!

--prepare for both kinds of weather and bring sunscreen also.
--avoid packing valuable jewelry. Less is more.

British type plug adaptor

--will need an electric voltage converter and a plug adaptor for the countries we are visiting as European electrical outlets are different from US. They are 220v instead of 110v. I recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit available at Walmart or Target. View more information about plug and socket types for various countries.
--pack a travel alarm or make sure the one on your phone works. There are wake up calls, but sometimes they don’t always go through.

--wear a watch or use a phone clock to make sure you are where you need to be on time.
--share some things with roomies (i.e. hair dryer, curling irons, etc.) and save space.
--wear your most bulky shoes and pack the lighter ones.
--It’s an overnight flight so try to get sleep in flight. A neck pillow really helps! There are inflatable ones that save space in luggage and those comfy, cushy ones that I just drape on the outside of my luggage handle and don't pack.
--throw in a fabric softener sheet to keep your suitcase fresh.
--pack a flat duffel or backpack that you could use as a second carry on to hold souvenirs on the return flight if you check your larger bag.
--always have some tissue in your pocket…just in case there is no toilet paper at a pit stop.

--bring your own washcloths or bath sponges.  European hotels typically do not provide washcloths.  Or you could use those disposable dish cloths and just throw them away after each use.
--don’t forget your passport, driver’s license (for another form of ID), travel documents/flight information, copies of passports (in both bags, one at home and email to yourself), and any insurance paperwork other than EF.

--information on this blog is meant to be printed and used as your travel guide, so you only need to print the parts you want. However, if you want a published guide, I recommend the Dorling-Kindersley Eyewitness Travel Guides. They are detailed, lots of pictures and diagrams, and my favorite...but they are heavy! If you are buying used travel guides, make sure the copyright date is the most current as they are updated regularly.  Here are the most recent for Scotland and Ireland.

--checked bags should not be locked for possible security checks, so use a twist tie on the flight. You can lock them during the trip. Also if you check your bag, tell the airport check-in attendant to check your bag all the way to our final destination..and then make sure the tag they attach says so BEFORE they put it on the conveyer belt!

Here are a few tips that some of you contributed:

--wear support stockings on both plane trips for circulation.  [Note: we have had a lot of people who have had problems with swollen legs and ankles.  Maybe this will help.]

--wear a comfortable OLD dress or slacks on the plane and leave at the first hotel freeing up packing space.  Spring is the time to clean out your closets!  I have had a traveler who packed all old clothes she planned to discard and just left them behind at each hotel.  She came home with a suitcase full of souvenirs!

--since it is rainy much of the time at our destinations, packing pocket disposable raincoats takes up no space and costs a $1 at the dollar store.  Toss them when you are through.  [Note: I wouldn’t leave your regular rain jacket at home, but it wouldn’t hurt to have one or two for emergencies in your backpack.]

--pack a travel size Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray.  [Note: I have had more than one person tell me it works, although I have not tried it myself.]

For additional information on packing, refer to a previous blog posting that I wrote after having a meeting for a previous tour.  It has detailed information about packing light and other tips.  You might pick up a few more packing tips from this earlier blog posting too.

Although these three Rick Steves European Travel Skills videos cover a lot more than packing, they give a lot of practical travel tips and are worth watching.  And be sure to check out Rick Steves suggested packing list.

Part 1 (24:57)

Part 2 (24:57)

Part 3 (24:57)

Here are some interesting Pinterest boards on packing:

Pinterest: Packing Ideas
Pinterest: Packing Tips and Inspiration
Pinterest: Travel Packing (How and What)
Pinterest: Packing Ideas

Or better yet, repin your favorites on your own Pinterest board.