Packing for anywhere, like a trip or a picnic, whether international packing or adventure packing, can often feel overwhelming. We think we should keep everything that fits in there and is necessary, but that can sometimes be overpacking, and it can be an issue mainly when we are going on a long plane trip, which causes us extra baggage fees at the airport, so tension not.
In this article, we’ll guide you Smart Packing Tips for travel and what to pack Instead, helping you save space, stay organized, and travel smarter.
1.Avoid Neck Pillows
As we know in our travel journey, the neck pillow is essential for a long, but if you notice, neck pillows come with some disadvantages. If we talk about the disadvantages, first of all, they are very bulky, and also challenging to pack sometimes, and the only benefit is providing neck support during flights and other journeys like a train or a long bus journey. If you arrive at your destination, that’s it. They become nothing more than extra weight in your luggage. So the main issue is while you are traveling, you have to attach them to the outside of your backpack or inside, which looks like a very inconvenient carry-on item, but lots of people still use this because they don’t know the other options. Let us discuss that!
What to Bring Instead?
For the Smart Packing Tips It is better than carrying a dedicated neck pillow; you can go for a multipurpose rolled-up scarf, sweater, or jacket. Hear me out. These can provide neck support, sometimes better than a pillow while traveling, and these are not just your neck supporter but also keep you warm in cold weather. For those who cannot sleep without a neck pillow, you can go for inflatable neck pillows. They take very minimal space in your bag and provide the same comfort as a neck pillow.
2.Guidebooks
We all know traditional guidebooks seem like a handy resource for travelers but hear me out; there are several disadvantages. Traditional guidebooks are heavy and take up much space in your luggage. It may not seem like they take up much space, but these books actually occupy most of it. Many guidebooks are also outdated, and the information inside might no longer be relevant. In this digital world, everything you need to know about a destination is available at your fingertips. So you don’t need to carry those bulky books when your smartphone can provide all the information.
What to Bring Instead?
It is best, instead of packing a physical guidebook, to use a digital version. You can use any travel apps that provide up-to-date recommendations and maps. Here are the top travel apps that you can use for free:
- Google Maps: This app is very popular. The biggest advantage it offers is offline maps and navigation, making it very easy to find your way when you are out of signal or any Wi-Fi near you.
- TripAdvisor: This is the best as it provides real traveler reviews, so you don’t fall for any traps about a place. You will get genuine reviews from people who have been there. It is also great for restaurant recommendations and activity suggestions.
- Lonely Planet: For beginners, this is the best. Its feature provides expert travel guides and unique tips from experienced travelers.
- Maps.me: Another excellent offline map application that provides you with offline routes.
These are some of the best digital resources; you can also use them offline. They will save you a lot of space in your luggage to pack more important things instead of old bulky guidebooks.
3. Hairdryers
To be honest, hair dryers are one of the most packed travel items. While traveling, it may be tempting to bring this hair dryer along with your journey, but they are bulky and take up very valuable space in your luggage. But these days, most hotels, hostels, and Airbnb accommodations already provide hair dryers. And if you traveling internationally, a long journey bringing your hair dryer is also a challenge. The common issue with hair dryers is the voltage difference. Many hair dryers are designed for specific countries, and it is a little bit dangerous to use in another country. It may not work properly, or it could even get damaged because of the different voltage levels.
What to Bring Instead?
So before traveling anywhere while booking your hostel hotel or wherever you are staying, just check with your accommodations to see if a hair dryer is available. In most cases, you will find that, and you don’t need to bring your own, but if you don’t see any, you will buy a compact travel-sized hair dryer with dual voltage capabilities. These hair dryers are designed to be lightweight and work in multiple countries without the risk of burning your hair or damaging the hair dryer.
An alternative option would be to use a microfiber towel, which helps absorb excess water and speeds up the drying process without the need for heat styling. It is also good for hair.
4.Excess Cash
International trips or a local trip, carrying in hand a large amount of cash can be very risky these days because theft’s are well-polished with their skill’s and with new methods, especially when you are traveling heavily crowded or famous places (tourist-heavy areas); these are well-known for pickpockets and scams. So losing a very large amount of money can ruin your trip to an unknown or not native location where you are only your hope, no friends, no family, and with the language barrier these things ruin your whole trip. More than that, carrying too much money also makes it difficult to exchange currency. Some of them charge high fees, and traveling with a huge amount of money makes you an easy target for theft.
What to Bring Instead?
Instead of carrying lots of cash, use both digital payment and minimal local currency. Here are some smart tips :
Credit Cards with no International fees: Many travel credit cards, such as those from Visa and Mastercard, offer no foreign transaction fees, making them a great alternative to carrying cash.
ATM Withdrawals: It is best to withdraw local money from ATMs at your destination rather than exchange money with locals. With this, you will get better exchange rates.
Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): this is very important when you are using your credit card abroad. Always choose to be charged in a local currency rather than your home currency. This method prevents hidden fees and very poor rates as well.
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By relying on digital transactions and withdrawing only small amounts of cash when needed, youβll reduce your risk of theft and make your financial transactions more secure.
5.Expensive International Phone Plans
Many of us go for international phone plans, which are provided by our home network providers, but have you ever thought about how expensive these plans are? These can be extremely costly. Some providers charge $10 per day for international data, which can easily impact your travel trip. If your trip is a week or longer, you could end up spending/wasting lots of money just on phone service rather than on actual experiences.
What to Bring Instead?
eSims: there are some companies like Airalo and Holafly that offer eSIM options that provide very cheap and affordable data in over 180 countries, which is good. The main benefit of eSim is that you can activate a data plan without needing a physical SIM card.
Local SIM cards: you can also go for a local SIM card. You can purchase a prepaid SIM card upon arrival at your destination. It often provides better data plans at a very low cost of international roaming.
Wi-Fi hotspot: So where you are staying and visiting, like a hostel cafe or public space, they offer free Wi-Fi these days. So, if you don’t need constant connectivity, it is better to use Wi-Fi whenever possible in these places. It can help save on data costs.
Final Thoughts
Packing for what you need is essential, but while packing them, optionally pack everything that we don’t need: bulky, outdated, or unnecessary items. By following these smart packing tips we pack mindfully, we can actually free up space in our luggage and make our trip more enjoyable. Instead of carrying old heavy guidebooks, oversized neck pillows, and also very costly phone plans, these are not smart traveling; always opt for an innovative travel alternative so that you can save space, reduce cost, and enhance your travel experience. These Smart Packing Tips will ensure you stay organized and avoid common travel mistakes.
So next time, wherever you are going, keep these tips in your mind and bring only the essentials in your backpack or luggage.
What are your top smart packing tips? Share your thoughts in the comments π¬ below and letβs help each other travel smarter! Happy journey βοΈ
