Planning your weekend get-a-way? A full-blown vacation? You should consider using a carry-on.
I know what it feels like when it comes to packing and it can be scary, the thought of leaving something behind.
When I first started traveling by airplane I would pack everything in a checked bag and expect to find it waiting for me at the carrousel when I got off of the plane. Until one year I stepped off the plane and no baggage. The airlines said they would have it for me within a day. I thought to myself I can make it a day without my stuff, but that one day turned into a week. By the endo of that week I started buying what I needed to get to make it though my vacation with minimal clothes, makeup and other necessities.
My luggage never arrived until I was home a month and I found out my luggage took a travel around the world while I was waiting for it in Connecticut. This is why I only travel with a carry-on bag, unless it is absolutely necessary for me to check a bag.
With these 5 easy tips you rest assured that you will have everything you need, all packed in a carry-on; clothes included. You can enjoy yourself without all the worry that comes with thoughts of lost luggage.
1. Be sure to include medications
Place your medications all together in a plastic zip lock bag and store it in a pocket on the outside of your carry-on for easy access during your flight. Make sure you now include hand sanitizer and face masks, since you never know when the mask wearing mandates may change and if traveling to a different country you will want to have this handy. I usually have a few in a couple of different places.
2. Clothes and passport
Make sure you roll up your clothes. This makes more room in your carry on. I keep at minimum two days worth of clothing in my carry on, more if I am not bringing a checked bag. I have been able to have a three week vacation with just a carry on bag!
Along with a set of clean clothes, if you are traveling abroad be sure to bring your passport. I keep my passport in a special sleeve in my purse when traveling.
You should keep your passport with you at all times because if it’s stolen then that could cause problems when going through security or leaving the country.
I also make a copy of it and keep that in my bag in the hotel room. In addition I email myself a copy of it just incase it is needed.
I also keep my emergency contact list with my passport as well as on my phone just incase.
3. Make sure you have the correct electrical plug
In Europe the different countries use different plugs. Look ahead of time and be sure you have the correct converter for that country. Make sure you have enough for all your electrical equipment, hair dryer, phone, and lap top just to name a few.
In addition to having the correct electrical plug, make sure you change the voltage on your hair dryers and straighteners when in Europe. In the United States our standard voltage is 120v. In Europe it is 220v.
The electrical item will have a printed range on it, or on the plug (for example “110-220”), you will be okay in Europe. Just be sure to switch to the correct voltage as you pack for your trip.
4. Extra cords
Losing a charging cord for your phone or lap top can be irritating and then time consuming when you try and find someplace to buy one. I would much rather have extra cords with me than to waste my vacation time shopping for the right cord for my lap top.
5. Use Google Maps
Google Maps is an amazing tool! Did you know you can use it offline? My daughter taught me this little gem when we were exploring an area that had no cell service. She had to foresight to download the a map of the area we were going to before we left the hotel. When we were walking around we had no trouble navigating between places, use Google Maps’ offline mode. It’ll still give you directions and useful information like the distance to your destination, what streets to take, and how long it’ll take to get there.
You can also download a map of your places of interest ahead of time, we did this when we visited Ljubljana Slovenia! Amazing!
The added bonus is, you now have freed up space in your carry on for more clothes or trinkets to bring home!
Following these simple tips, you will know what to expect, where your passport is at all times, and most importantly, that you are ready in case of lost luggage.
What are some of your own best traveling hacks? Share them with us below!
Happy Traveling!