Proper Packing Tips for Solo Traveller

Packing for a holiday is an over-boosting and at the same time a brain wracking chore. But, proper packing before going for a holiday is a very very dominant & deciding factor, if done correctly, it’s only travel you get to think of throughout your tour, but if not, well, what can I say, It can be like having a warm beer by the scorching beach!

Well, let’s not think about the ‘Oh Noo!’ part, the glass should always be half full and ready to drink, right? Taking me for an instance, I am a forcefully turned into a well mannered packer, thanks to my Mum for this, of course! So let me share some useful and practical packing tips with you, so that you can think of other far important things while on a holiday, which is about your #travelFun!!

A. It’s a lot of stress to think then re-think again and again as to what all to pack before every vacation, hence the utmost important suggestion would be make a long lasting written LIST (which is maintaining a diary or note book provided you don’t lose it). So, whenever you are packing for a holiday, you just have to run, re-run the same list again and again, and it’s super simple. You can’t miss a thing. You know what? Just like first impression is the last, same way, a proper packing is the key to a happy holiday.

** As I mostly Travel alone these days, let me share my own packing strategies with you, and accordingly couples, families can list out their necessities, only exception will be mothers I guess, who are travelling with their cute & tiny toothless cubs, they won’t need MY advise at least.

B. Size of Travel Bag(s): Being a solo-traveller, It’s very important for me to decide on the number of bags to be carried. Please carry as much as you can manage easily by yourself. Like if it’s a week long trip or more, for sure I will take a small/ medium size suitcase and a backpack (so it’s only 1+1). I always carry only 2 piece of baggage at the most, otherwise I won’t be able to handle them and it’s not okay to scramble with your own luggage. You need to be comfortable with the weight you will carry.

C. Now filling your suitcase up. Again going back to the listing, divide your packing items into some category, like cloths, daily necessities, bath essentials, foot wear etc.

i. Lets talk about easy one first. Clothing. You know where you are going and what the temperature will be like, if there is any social restriction (a little research on internet may help), accordingly plan the type of clothes to be carried. In all these make sure to chose comfortable clothes, which is very important. If the tour is more of religious purpose, of-course cloths have to be more skin wrapping and if its beach just get your best swimsuits and sundresses etc. Also, when packing clothes, don’t just think of only daily activities you will go for, we also need some casual house wear or night suits, socks, inner wear (very important) etc.

*** Segmentation: You know what kind of trips you go for, accordingly create segments like Hill station/ Beach/ Ski resort/ Trekking etc.. So you know exactly what sort of cloths, accessories you need to chose and carry with you.

ii. Next is Daily Essentials. For this, think of all the things you do from morning till going to bed at night, and accordingly start listing every single thing, like brush, toothpaste, toiletries, towel, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, sunscreen, moisturizer, lip gloss, make up, deodorant, face-wash and all that you use. Every person will have different requirements when it comes to packing their daily necessities. Now one thing to mention, once you are done with the list, transfer the big bottles of shampoo/ Conditioner/ Body lotion/ Creams etc. in a small containers (this will save a lot of space and they are very easy to carry) or now a days there are miniature packs or travel packs available for many products in the market or do a little youtube search for more ideas (easy packing hacks/ easy packing for holidays– such search engines may help).

** Did you see I mention towel, if you are a hygiene freak like me, do carry your own towel and slippers.

iii. I also tend to carry small packets of liquid wash/ detergent, few cloth clips, extra safety pins, bandage, extra slippers/ sneakers (either one of them), rubber bands, a torch at times, some news paper, pocket knife (in the luggage not in hand bag), some small shopping bags (just dump them at the front pocket of the suitcase or at the unnecessary small sections of your back-pack), my required medicines and sometimes some extras like for fever, cold, stomach upset, even electral powder for dehydration, pain relief spray etc.

*** A small pack of first aid should be carried, containing nothing more than few bandage, antiseptic cream and few cotton balls.

*** For Ladies, doesn’t matter if your monthly cycle is due or not, do carry some tampon/ pad or menstrual cup for just in case, along with any medicine if you take for Period cramp. You never know what turns out when.

iv. Coming to backpack part. Apart form the laptop, camera, sanitizer (very important to carry/ even disinfect tissue if you want**), hanky, pocket tissues, international plug (for foreign trip) pen and a note book, a story book or kindle, I also keep a lot of space for my another favourite necessity, food. If there is a long layover I tend to carry some home made food (like sandwiches, Paratha rolls etc.. you also do it right!), though airports/stations has good food courts, but better to have some thing with you. I also carry dry foods like biscuits, dry roasted nuts, energy bars, fruits (if possible). Also whenever I am going for sightseeing, I tend to keep a pack of biscuits in my bag and I also prefer my ecological sipper bottle to carry water wherever I’m going. Also as I feel cold in the slightest of temperature fall, a travel blanket or a light jacket (during summer) is safe to keep with a neck pillow.

**** One very important thing to remember here: Keep an extra set of clothes along with your inner-wear in the bag-pack.. You never know if your check in baggage goes for a toss in the airport!!

v. Another point to mention, even after making the list, there are couple of things which are left for last moment because we can’t keep them packed inside the bag as we need it daily basis. Which is of course phone, charger, cooked foods which is kept inside the refrigerator, water bottle, house keys etc. For all these, I keep a small sticky note on the fridge or at a place from where it’s easily noticeable, and that’s how I can’t forget any of those can’t live/leave without things.

vi. I am not saying anything about flight ticket/ train ticket/ passports/ currency/ ID Proof/ print out of travel plan etc, because you know you won’t be allowed inside the airport or to board the train without them right?? It’s so child-like to be discussed, isn’t it? … I know!!

vii. Lastly, always try to keep a little empty space in your luggage for your travel shopping. They need some space to stay till you reach home and distribute or settle them somewhere in the house.

That’s my way of packing for my holidays. Hope these way-too elaborate tips were helpful, do share your packing tricks or traumas with me, I would love to know about them.

** P.S. BlogchatterA2Z 2019