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Ingrida Kurlinkute,

Editor (Travel)

 

More than a year ago, I flew to Italy for a three-month summer camp job. The first thing my boss told me was: “Wow, you’re first girl I’ve ever seen who arrived with only one small piece of luggage.” In the following three months, I proved him that despite my tiny luggage, I managed to pack everything I need.

Packing, so often an overlooked activity, is actually the most important thing on which depends all your happiness or sadness of the journey. So how to prepare as good as possible for your trip by packing everything you need in a tiny space?

First and foremost, think about suitcase! Check the baggage allowance of the airlines that you use frequently. For example, I enjoy cheap Ryanair European flights (despite the stewardesses trying to sell you everything they can on a plane). The cabin baggage maximum dimensions are 55 cm x 40 cm x 20mcm (just one piece) and  weighing up to 10 kg. So when I was buying my suitcase, I knew exactly what I wanted. In one luggage shop I saw a suitcase with a label which proudly states that it is ‘perfect for Ryanair cabin baggage, 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm’. This caught my eye, however, I did not buy it immediately. It is very important to check if the dimensions stated are actually correct. When I measured the suitcase, I realised that it was actually smaller than it stated on the label!

The second thing about suitcase is its weight. If you are aiming to buy a suitcase for checked luggage, you may want to buy a strong, heavy one to make sure none of your goods inside break in transit. However, if you are a cheap flight fan with only cabin suitcase like me, weight is crucial. Find a suitcase from a very light material — it does not have to be strong at all because no one will toss it; it will just calmly rest above you in the plane.

  1. So, now that I assume you have got your perfect suitcase, it is time to think how to fill it up in an efficient way! What I usually do first is gather all my documents, clothes, toiletries, medicines, electronics and everything else I intend to take with me. Then think carefully once again and try to put back about half of your stuff. Do you actually need it all? There is laundry service almost in every place all over the world!
  2. Decide what you will wear on your flight. Choose the heaviest, warmest clothes, layer them, wear the shawl, sunglasses, other accessories, tuck a camera and heavier things in your pockets. In this way at least half of the things you need to take will be already on you and will save a huge space in your suitcase!
  3. Equate the process of packing a suitcase with playing tetris; it is very much alike! Do not leave a single centimeter of the space unused. Roll or fold your clothes tightly, place your socks and smaller items in your shoes, exploit every single pocket your suitcase has to offer.
  4. If you are taking a laptop in your cabin luggage, be prepared to take it off from your suitcase before it will be scanned through the X-ray at TSA or customs. So the best idea is to pack it on top of your suitcase.
  5. A good thing to keep in mind is that some of your clothes may get dirty and you will not be able to immediately wash them. Therefore, take a couple of plastic grocery bags in which you could later lay your dirty laundry to prevent them from smelling-up clean ones.
  6. Finally, do not forget that in cabin luggage each of the liquid you have cannot be over 100 ml and no more than 1 l all together. Place them all in a transparent bag. I have seen so many people in the airports binning their exotic sauces or other liquids which they bring as souvenirs. So do not make this mistake; sauces, crèmes and everything what is not solid are considered to be liquids!

Image Courtesy: © Kristen Taylor | Flickr

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Ingrida Kurlinkute

Ingrida is currently a student at the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies at Cardiff University, United Kingdom. She is very curious about the world around her and is keen on sharing her opinion and knowledge with others. One of the biggest passions of Ingrida is travelling and therefore she heads the Travel Section on the website.