Truly Cait

Life + Travel + Design

  • ALL POSTS
  • Books
  • Travel
    • Disney
    • England
    • France
    • Ireland
    • United States
  • Design
    • 1915 Row House
  • Recipe
  • Shop
  • About

Explore

  • About Caitlin
  • CONTACT

Connect

Blog, Lifestyle, Travel · 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: Blog, Lifestyle, Travel

Slow Cooker 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

  • Self Tanning For Beginners
  • Arugula Salad
  • The BEST Way To Pack For A Trip
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • February 2023 Book Review

STAY UPDATED

TOPICS

  • 1915 Row House
  • Beauty
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Design
  • Dessert
  • Disney
  • England
  • Entree
  • Florida
  • Holiday
  • Ireland
  • Lifestyle
  • Maryland
  • National Parks
  • Ohio
  • Organization
  • Pennsylvania
  • Recipe
  • Shop
  • Side Dish
  • Travel
  • United States
  • Virginia

CONNECT WITH ME

Archives

  • 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
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 Here’s a throwba Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 Here’s a throwback to us enjoying a whiskey tour at the Jameson Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. Sine metu!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Maybe one day we won’t Happy Valentine’s Day! Maybe one day we won’t celebrate this day on the opposite sides of the country! Love you 💗
Thanks for visiting, Isabelle 🧡 I hope you enjo Thanks for visiting, Isabelle 🧡 I hope you enjoyed Colorado
My little cuz is all grow’d up 🥹🤍 My little cuz is all grow’d up 🥹🤍
2,768 steps straight up a mountain! 🏔 Nothing 2,768 steps straight up a mountain! 🏔

Nothing quite as humbling as climbing (crawling) up those on a Saturday morning 😀 Pete and I may be smiling at the top but the 4th photo is how I actually felt. We even got to meet Crazy Bob! I was feeling defeated that he lapped me TWICE before I even got up to the top once. Turns out he had 5 more laps to go and holds a record for the incline. Pretty cool day😀
Let's go Cleveland! It isn't every day the Guardia Let's go Cleveland! It isn't every day the Guardians and Browns play on the same day! 🤘🏼
Colorado you are a beaut💛 Our first weekend he Colorado you are a beaut💛 
Our first weekend here!
Congratulations Chloe and Victor 🤍 Nothing quit Congratulations Chloe and Victor 🤍 Nothing quite like staying the weekend at a mansion. Seriously the most beautiful wedding venue I have ever seen!! Still can’t believe my little cousin is married! Not a dry eye in the house! 

Swipe for Pete’s favorite photo he got of me this weekend 😆 #suttontotalkabout
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 Truly Cait · Theme by 17th Avenue