Vacations are meant to be fun and worry-free, but sometimes overpacking can take away from the overall traveling experience. Travelers tend to overestimate many of the essentials we bring along for our trip. According to the Huffington Post, fifty-five percent of surveyed participants admitted to not wearing everything they packed on their trip. Instead of dragging your extra bags around your destination, take some time to plan your trip and which essentials you will need from day-to-day. Here are some tips to help you avoid overpacking for your next vacation!

Much like the time you set aside to plan your trip, you should also put aside some time to pack. The first step is to create a checklist of all the travel essentials you will need and determine which of those are the most important to bring along. Making a checklist will not only help you in the planning process, but also leave you some time to remember the little things you may otherwise forget while packing on a time crunch. 

The bigger the suitcase, the more tempted you are to overpack your bags with filler items which can negatively impact your traveling experience if you must transport various bags from one hotel to the next. You should first check how much luggage is allowed by the airlines and then determine which size of bag would be appropriate for the duration of your stay. The ideal size for a vacation is one carry-on suitcase, but you may need larger suitcases for longer trips.

 

Although we would like to carry all of our toiletries to feel as if we are back home, it is not a suitable option for traveling. Not only will it weigh your luggage down, but the airport’s TSA checkpoint will also stop you and ask for you to abide by their guidelines. Before heading to the airport, double check that your liquids are under the 3.4 ounces (100mL) limit and fit into a one-quart clear plastic bag or can be checked into your luggage. 
 

In addition to confining your luggage into the right size bag, you should also strive to find the best way to maximize the bag space. A few things that may help you maximize your bag space are packing cubes which can keep your bag organized, using pill boxes to pack your jewelry so it does not end up tangled, sample-size beauty products as you will most likely not use everything, pack flexible clothes that can be worn interchangeably, and use the rolling method for your clothes to create less wrinkles.

 

Check the weather and plan your outfits before departing for your trip. You can count how many days you’ll be on vacation and break that day up into terms of events and activities you will be participating in. Make sure to pack a comfortable pair of shoes that can withstand all temperatures and long walks along with a pair of open-toe flip flops you can wear to the pool or beach. Once you figure out which clothing articles you will need, save the bulkiest for your plane ride to save space in your suitcase while traveling.
 

If you are traveling more than 100 miles for your vacation, download the Global Travel Plus Mobile App. With just a tap of a button, you can be connected to our 24/7 Operations Team. Check the app for many features that may be helpful during your travels such as Pre-Trip Information, U.S. Pharmacy Locator, and Global Embassy Locator.