One of the many lessons to learn while the COVID-19 pandemic rages on is the importance of preparation. It can’t be stressed enough that one should be able to spot potential problems and be resourceful enough to improvise on solutions, especially when it comes to traveling.
Travels may be limited at this time, but those who have important reasons for going elsewhere may as well plan efficiently to ensure their own safety. Items like face masks, disinfectant wipes, sanitizers, and medications are surely travel staples now, and it’s wise to bring only the essentials to avoid hassles at the airport.
Read on if you want to know more about traveling light.
Pack Items That Are Easily Mixed and Matched
First off, since you may have been planning this trip for quite some time now, you should already have a list of things to take with you. If you have a travel itinerary, it’s much easier for you to determine what what and how much to pack. Stick faithfully to your list, and have a travel scale with you for precise measurements. Use a small roller suitcase or a weekender bag so you’re not tempted to overpack.
It goes without saying, of course, that you should pack clothes made from light fabrics, such as cotton and linen, although the climate in your destination country may compel you to bring jackets and other heavy garments. If possible, you should wear the heaviest among the footwear you intend to bring and pack the lighter ones so they don’t take up too much space.
Choose clothes that are multipurpose. Having a capsule wardrobe makes your clothing choices quicker to manage, and you won’t need to lug around too many things. If you realize that you’ve bought so many unnecessary items for your travel, you may as well earn extra travel money by selling them through an online platform.
Use Packing Cubes and a Strategic Arrangement of Items
Packing cubes and similar items help you maximize hecking cubes and similar items help you maximize the limited space in your luggage. When you’re using packing cubes, make sure to group items according to their function so you know where to find them. Get a packing cube that has a mesh top so the contents are easily seen, and it should have two handles so you can easily reach for it. It should be made of stiff fabric so it’s not easily damaged during travel.
Roll clothes that are made of lighter fabric but are not prone to wrinkling, but fold clothes made of heavier material. It’s not a good idea to try compressing the contents of your luggage as you may still end up with a bulky haul.
You May Need to Do Your Laundry
Doing your own laundry removes the need for you to bring so many clothes. Don’t even worry about repeating your outfits, especially when you have your capsule wardrobe for mixing and matching. Also, you don’t want to carry an entire bag’s worth of dirty laundry, so you should wash your clothes before you leave for home.
Take Note
Think of travel restrictions in relation to safety and health protocols too. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has its own guidelines as to what are considered restricted items, and there may be additional guidelines now especially since touchless procedures are encouraged. Check your chosen airline’s website for more information on check-in and boarding procedures and other related details.
Don’t travel if you’re sick and you don’t know if your destination has a high number of active COVID-19 cases. Keep safe, and remember to practice social distancing and proper handwashing techniques.
What other travel hacks do you have? Tell us in the comments section.
