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Travel Tips for Packing for a Trip

Here are travel tips that I've collected over the past decade or more. I've done a lot of packing for travel, and the more I travel, the better I get at packing light. You will, too! Beach front deck chairs and palm trees Cancun Mexico

When I go on a trip now, I know what to pack, and why, I know what size suitcase and backpack I need, I know what medications to take with me, I know how to work with my itinerary so I pack the right clothes, and I know how to avoid many of the pitfalls, like running short of money on the road.

Bonus! You'll have a lighter suitcase to carry up 5 flights of stairs when the elevator isn't working, you won't run out of money when the banks are closed, know what to do if you lose your passport, have a flashlight when the lights go out, and a snack in your pack when your flight is delayed.

Sit back for 5-10 minutes, and read through my travel tips pages. Some tips you may already know. And if you have a tip that's not mentioned here, please post a comment at the bottom of the page. Plan ahead, and enjoy your trip!

Packing for a long trip? Going to places with limited shops? You may want to get a complete trip planner note book to track your travel supplies and wardrobe, like this Simple Travel Planning Kit on Amazon.com.

Here are my Travel Tips pages:

For What Clothes to Pack, see each Item starting with the largest, bulkiest things first:

Pants * Skirts * Shirts, Tops * Shoes, Sandals, Socks * Bathing Suits

Underwear * Sleepwear * Rainwear, Ponchos, Jackets

For hot climate, or resort destinations (Costa Rica, Mexico, Caribbean, etc) see Holidays to Dominican Republic.

China Travel clothing -- China travel suggested wardrobe, with tips of time of year you will be traveling, and to which parts of China.

What to Pack for a trip to Haiti has tips on what to wear and what to take with you to leave behind. This list also applies to other international aid countries such as Ethiopia.

Travel to more temperate Mediterranean climates falls under travel wardrobe Algarve Portugal.

More than travel clothes: All the other travel things to pack.

Once you have decided what type and how many items of clothing you need to take on yor trip, check out tips for other essential travel items and documents:




Got a question or a tip?

Feel free to comment. To be notified when your comment is online, please include your email.

  • Kit Wilson - January 26, 2009, 12:52 am
    Thanks for this site, Karen: excellent for its good sense and concise clarity.

    I was a much travelled person in my long-ago youth and hope to become one again, so it's great to have your tips to get me organized at the outset.

    All the best to you.
  • Karen - January 26, 2009, 12:55 am
    Thanks, Kit!

    I try my best :-)
    I hope this means you are getting on the road again!
    Let me know if you have a travel tip to share.

    Karen
  • Kit - May 25, 2009, 3:17 pm
    Recently returned from six weeks far away, I am glad your tips came my way before I left, Karen!

    Even removing over half of what I thought I'd need, and ending up with one small valise and a carry-on, I started with too much Stuff. But with nothing too precious to ditch, I left shoes & sweaters here and there en route, and donated two items that never got used.

    It was easy to wrangle the bags myself, a cool feat for a senior solo traveller with a total of 12 flights to take! Two airport check-in reps complimented me on my light load of luggage.

    I did roll my clothes and pack 'em like sausages in plastic bags: a real space & time saver. True that a variety of garments is NOT necessary on the road. Took very little jewelry, but needed less; two silk scarves got a lot of use, as did a pair of cheap gloves and an acrylic cosy scarf in unexpectedly cold weather.

    Your advice re money proved invaluable, and it was well worth it to travel with the four different currencies already in my pouch.

    Ditto with the documents recommendations, and the tips re daily medications. Having packed a flat-folding spare bag was great: a cinch to expand into while driving, then to stow away again for flying.

    Also stored luggage at two airports for a reasonable fee during side trips needing only the overnight bag. And got very used to the security check routines, including emptying my water bottle and refilling it once passed.

    Using luggage locks that security staff can easily open proved smart, too.

    Thanks again for posting your info -- did much to ease my wonderful adventure!

    Kit
  • Did it Again! Same wardrobe for Costa Rica!
    Karen - January 23, 2010, 1:03 pm
    Just back from a trip to Costa Rica, and even though flight delayed 36 hours on return trip, meaning one (free!!) extra day at hotel, I still had enough clean clothes!

    I followed the same basic wardrobe, a bit of the China one and a bit of the DR one, as I knew I'd be away from the hotel for day trips.

    And Costa Rica day trips can take you from the central district at 3400 feet to sea level on the Pacific to 11,000 feet on Volcan Irazu. Let me tell you, it's pretty chilly at 11K altitude!

    And at La Paz volcano, at Poas, elevation 7800 feet, you're right at the cloud deck and on a mountain top, so it's windy, foggy, rainy and really chilly!

    I had my rain jacket, and a light jacket to go under it - they all layered beautifully, and folded up small in my day pack.

    On the free extra day at the pool, and on the Pacific at Punta Leona, I wore my black travel pants by Patagonia as they are lightweight, and the legs can be rolled up and fastened at capri level, so perfect for the resort or the beach!

    Packing light, coordinating outfits, etc DOES work well. I never had to do laundry, and still had a few clean things even on the longer trip.

    So be firm, people! You CAN pack light, and believe me, after being on a bus with the entire delayed flight back and forth from the hotel, we were all thinking dire thoughts about the group who'd dragged along their golf clubs.

    Such a hassle for the other travelers, and the drivers! Smaller is better when it comes to travel. Really!
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