Happy Monday! I don’t know about you, but I am crawling to our spring break trip. Unfortunately, we are still a few weeks away. We both need some serious relaxation, so I cannot wait! My husband and I hardly take beach focused trips, so I am trying to stay ahead in preparation for our trip.
Last week, I talked about my Spring Break Packing List, plus a printable packing list you can fill in on your own! Today, I am going in-depth on 9 easy tips on how to organize packing cubes and each suitcase.
First, if you missed my Spring Break Packing List:
The BEST Way To Pack For A Trip:
1. Check your itinerary and the upcoming forecast
My favorite way to keep track of my travel itinerary is through the TripIt app by Concur! I am obsessed with this app. It can connect to your email, automatically populating an itinerary based on hotel, plane, events, and dinner reservations through emailed confirmations. You can even manually add in items that may not have a ticket. It was a lifesaver when we took our trip to Europe last summer. You can use it with or without wifi, and I love looking back on previous trips.
2. Make a list
I will sound like Santa Clause but make a list and check it twice! Seriously, write down everything you need to pack because I know with all the other things going on in my brain when I prepare for a trip, I am bound to forget something if it’s not written down. If you need a place to start, see my packing list.
3. Lay everything out on your bed
When I can see everything I need to pack, I can quickly check my list, grab any forgotten items, and plan what I will wear each day. I am such a visual person, and this process works perfectly for me.
4. Determine how many suitcases you need and what items you want in your carry on/personal item
Double check your airline’s rules on how many bags you can bring, weight limits, and liquid policy.
5. Packing cubes
I will sound like a broken record, but packing cubes changed my life regarding travel. I have one color, while my husband has a different color. If you travel with kids, I recommend that they have their own color as well. Our exact packing cubes can be found HERE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Prep your packing cubes by days rather than by clothing category.
For example, my first cube will have everything I need for days one and two. This will include shirts, bottoms, undergarments, socks, belts, jackets, etc. If you travel with a spouse or children, have them do the same thing. I will explain my reasoning further in the next step…
6. Pack the suitcases
THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Pack your suitcases by days rather than per person.
Let’s say it’s just my husband and I traveling together for an 8 day trip. I will pack all of my cubes labeled days 1-4 in one suitcase AND all of his cubes labeled days 1-4 in that same suitcase. In the other suitcase, I will pack all of my days 5-8 and all of his days 5-8 cubes into that second suitcase. The idea is to have half of everyone’s clothes in one bag and the other half in the second. Then, the same concept to those bulky items you may not want in a cube, such as shoes. If you have kids, follow the same process.
WHY DOES THIS WORK:
- If one suitcase gets lost during transit, then each of you can survive a few days before your luggage arrives.
- If TSA needs to search your bag, your items will stay organized.
- Many hotel rooms are small. With this packing system, you only need to open one suitcase at a time. By the end of the first suitcase, you can put all your dirty clothes back into that first case and swap it out for the fresh one.
- If each of you has your own packing cube color, you can quickly identify whose items belong to whom.
7. Pack your carry on/personal item
Typically, this is where I pack my makeup, toiletries, and electronics. Be cautious of your airline and the country you are flying in and out of because their liquids policies may differ. I had to toss some expensive toiletries while flying through Paris because I didn’t check their policy beforehand.
8. Double check that you have your ID and your passport (if needed) is not within 6 months of expiring
At this point, I double check my airline details and set my alarms for the morning.
9. Leave out your travel outfit
My favorite thing to wear is something comfy but cute. I’ll wear a black jumpsuit with a jean jacket and sneakers. That way, I am comfortable on the plane but like my outfit once we arrive at our destination.
That wraps up my Packing List and How to Pack Your Suitcase for spring break. To see all of the previous trips we have taken, click here!
If you are searching for a giant family bag, the PERFECT BEACH BAG is still 50% off! That’s a fantastic deal for how high quality this bag is!
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