15 packing hacks - not only for backpackers

Summer time is here and I bet you are all waiting for holidays to start. I believe most of you faces the same problem as I used to have – what to pack for holidays?  As I browsed the  Internet in search for packing tutorials I noticed that they are rather disappointing. Basically they all came down to a bizarre piece of advice : pack only essentials. 

And if you are too lazy to continiue reading here is my ultimate travel checklist. Help yourself!

But what are these essentials? I think I have cracked that code since I pack often and this process  no longer scares me. I will share my newly acquired wisdom hoping you will find it useful. 

Travelling for a long period of time has taught me that we need less things than we believe we do. No matter if we are packing for two weeks vacation or two months trip we need basically the same things. And as long as we have access to water and detergent to do the laundry the number of clothes we pack can be limited. Therefore we can pack for 2 months just as we would pack for 2 weeks.

I like to travel light, and most of the time I travel with my carry on luggage only. I don’t like to waste my time on check-in luggage and risk that it is going to get lost on the way. Usually I travel with low cost airlines so by travelling with hand luggage only I pay less for the ticket. And as I travel alone and move from one place to another pretty often I always have in mind that the less I take the less I will have to carry.  

By the way, small luggage doesn’t mean you have to look like a hobo, wearing sweat pants and old t-shirt. I like nice clothes and I can assure you can look neat and nice despite the size of your luggage. Just pack the freaking essentials ;)

These  are my "essntials"I took with me for my 6 months trip. The cosmetics bag is almost empty so the only things I added were some beauty products. But that is basically it - it was enough to travel for a long period of time. On the way I bought some warm clothes and souvernirs but still was able to pack it in my pink bagpack.

EQUIPMENT

I prefer a bagpack as it is lighter than a suitcase. Plus you could be very surprised how capacious it is. (I also noticed that on the airports they almost never check the size and weight of the bagpack - you just have to look confident or at least pretend that what is on your back is as light as the feather). I bought mine 50l pink bagpack in Decathlon and it was not only pretty cheap but also surprisingly robust. What is important it zips also horizontaly so the access to the content is easy.

Another 'must have' are the packing cubes (I bought mine in Ikea) that allow you to organize your stuff. As they usually have different sizes and colors it makes it easier to remember where you keep certain items.

The streets of Philadelphia and me :)

HOW TO PACK?

1. Preparation is the key - check the weather, plan what you are going to do. Then stick to it. Weather forecast and your itinerary will define what you should pack. Give it a thought. You can even make a list ;)

2.  Plan your outfit ahead  - I usually pack one set of clothing for every day of the week  and then 2-3 extra sets just in case I spill coffee over me (cause this happens often). 

3. Pick the safe length of your clothes - I love to wear mini but when I am on the way I wear skirts and dresses with medium lenght. It is comfortable and safe. I can also enter temples and communities without any troubles.

4. Buy yourself a nice dress - If you like dresses consider wearing them often because they make you fully dressed with only one piece of clothing.

5. Make it simple - Packing one-color, no-pattern tops helps to mix and match your outfits.

6. Let’s roll, baby - Roll your clothes to avoid wrinkles and fit more into your luggage.  Let the YT guide you how to roll properly. Let me just say it is awesome and rolling your clothes in combination with packing cubes is the best packing tip ever. Place the rolled clothes in the packing cubes (one next to the other,as tightly as possible) then zip it and you are ready to go!

7. Make it comfortable  – Forget about the new shoes for the trip, pack the good, old pair of sandals, sneakers or trainers. When you travel blisters on your feet are the last thing you want to experience. Trust me. 

8. Remember to take a first aid kit – Polish people take a lot of drugs and the pharmacies are located on almost every corner. But it is not always this way. When I was travelling I had difficulties with buying ibuprofen in Israel or Italy, and I also paid a lot of money for pills when my throat sore in USA (air conditioning is a blessing and a curse at the same time). Long story short, take the medicines that you know work for you.  In my case I always take some painkillers, anti-inflamatory pills and something for my weak throat. If I travel for a longer period of time I also take multivitamin as I am not always able to eat healthy ;) 

9. An important tip for women –Reduce the waste and minimize the size of your bag by taking menstrual cup.  Trust me, it is a game changer.

10. In case of rain - Try to find a Pocket Parka (I bought mine in Primark). It is a raincoat/parka that you can fit into a its own pocket (if you turn the pocket inside out, the whole parka can be stuffed inside). It is small and you can carry it in a handbag. 

11. Remember about your documents - Get a copy of your documents, tickets, passport etc. and store it on your mail. Just in case…

12. Get a beach shawl – this is the master of multitasking. You can wear it, lay down on it, cover yourself with it in case of rain and wind. And it can look pretty good too ;) 

13. Quick-drying towel is a must. Go get it!

14. Wear your bulky clothes for the the airport and plane journey so you stay warm (for me air-conditioning is usually to strong). Plus you get to safe a lot of space in your bag!

15. Don’t panic – unless you are  going to the jungle you can always buy the things you forget to pack. So take it easy and enjoy not only the trip itself but also the preparation. It is also a part of an adventure. 

My favourite travel outfit: comfortable shoes ,medium-lenght dress and a one-colour t-shirt. The hat is mandatory in hot and sunny places as my head aches when I forget it. Bangkok, 2017

Again: comfortable,light and with a hat. Turkey, 2018 

Good,old days in Olso - and my pocket parka in action. It is light and protects from the wind and rain.
Norway 2015

My ultimate travel packing checklist. You can download it and use it anytime you are about to go exploring the world ;)