Truly Cait

Life + Travel + Design

  • ALL POSTS
  • Life
    • Holiday
    • Beauty
    • Home Design
    • Organization
  • Travel
    • Disney
    • England
    • Europe
    • France
    • Ireland
    • United States
    • Travel Preparation
  • Pregnancy
  • Books
    • Top Books
    • 2023 Reviews
    • 2022 Reviews
    • All Books
  • Recipe
    • Entree
    • Side Dish
    • Dessert
  • About

Explore

  • About Caitlin
  • CONTACT

Connect

All Posts, Life, Organization, Travel, Travel Preparation · March 6, 2023

The BEST Way To Pack For A Trip

packing list

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:

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…

packing cubes

 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! 

beach bag

Posted By: trulycait1@gmail.com · In: All Posts, Life, Organization, Travel, Travel Preparation

Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Soup
Arugula Salad

You’ll Also Love

Spring Break Packing List
London, England: Day 4 & 5
LONDON ENGLANDLondon, England: Day 2 & 3

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About

About Photo
Welcome to Truly Cait, where you'll see bits and pieces of my life including book reviews, travel plans, gift guides, and so much more!

Recent Posts

  • Paris, France: Day 3 & 4
  • Corn and Bean Summer Salsa
  • Paris and Disneyland, France: Day 1 & 2
  • The Best Bacon Baked Beans
  • July Book Review

STAY UPDATED

TOPICS

  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2023 Reviews
  • All Books
  • All Posts
  • Appetizer
  • Beauty
  • Books
  • Dessert
  • Disney
  • England
  • Entree
  • Europe
  • France
  • Holiday
  • Home Design
  • Ireland
  • Life
  • Organization
  • Pregnancy
  • Recipe
  • Side Dish
  • Top Books
  • Travel
  • Travel Preparation
  • United States

CONNECT WITH ME

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
🐻 🐻
A road-trip with a newborn ain’t easy but if you A road-trip with a newborn ain’t easy but if you accidentally take them to loud restaurants then other people can’t hear them cry #parentingtips
Thanks for the visit, Grandpa ā™„ļø Henry misses Thanks for the visit, Grandpa ā™„ļø Henry misses you already
A few days behind but happy one month of life, Hen A few days behind but happy one month of life, Henry šŸ’›
Happy birthday Pete ā™„ļø You truly amaze me wit Happy birthday Pete ā™„ļø

You truly amaze me with how great of a husband and father you are. Henry already loves you so much and I can’t wait for all the memories the three of us will create. We love you so much 🄰🄰
Life is quite a bit slower these days but my view Life is quite a bit slower these days but my view has gotten a whole lot cuter ā˜ŗļø
Henry Jude LeMaster ā™„ļø Our sweet little boy Henry Jude LeMaster ā™„ļø 

Our sweet little boy joined us on July 21st at 1:47 AM weighing 6 lbs. 15 oz. and 19.5 inches long. We couldn’t be more in love 🄰
It’s crazy how different life can look one year It’s crazy how different life can look one year later šŸ’› This time last year, Pete and I were country hopping throughout Europe. Now, we are patiently waiting for the arrival of Baby LeMaster 🧸 #38weeks
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 Truly Cait · Theme by 17th Avenue