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1. Security and Keeping Details Safe

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type) in. Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account.

You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

This way, even if you lose everything, you have immediate access your all important information. You can even email the details page of your passport to the embassy or consulate when applying for a new one. (Tip from a member)

2. Split up your valuables

Split up your bank cards, cash, travelers' cheques and credit cards as much as possible in different pockets, your bags and wallet when packing. In case you do get robbed, at least you won't be strapped for cash (unless you have all your bags AND your wallet stolen of course!).

3. Nalgene/Small Bottles

Use nalgene/small bottles to pack toiletries and other small items. There are several sturdy and (very nearly) waterproof ones, with clear/see through ones being preferable (easier for security purposes post August 2006). You can also use small bottles to repack shampoo or lotions so that you don't have to always carry a big bottle with you. This is especially useful if you normally take these items in your carry-on luggage, which as of early 2007 is much more restricted than before.

4. Backpack Tips

When you are packing things into a backpack, place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones on top. Your bag will feel lighter this way as the pack rests on your lower back. It is also smart to place the things you use the most on top. Dirty clothes are perfect to pack at the bottom of a backpack. If you are still trying to decide on the right backpack, have a look at Choosing the right Backpack on our Travel Unravelled blog.

5. Plastic Bags

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Not only does it counter any leaking, the bags can also come in useful to keep dirty clothes in, as garbage bags or even as a makeshift umbrella. Zip lock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

6. Pack in Plastic

Pack everything in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided into items e.g. underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before packing in your suitcase or backpack. One plastic bag for each type of clothing. This is extremely useful in various ways. When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want. So an overnight stay somewhere just means taking 1 item out of a bag - no rummaging!! In addition, if you have to unpack at customs etc, instead of having to disgorge all your clothing etc out in front of everybody, you can calmly take maybe 5/6 bags out, the contents of which can be clearly seen by the officials. To repack then is also dead easy. Just be sure not to leave your plastic bags lying around if you are traveling in nature! (Tip from a member)

7. Clothes

Pack only what you know you will use and if you are traveling for more than three weeks, plan to wash on the road.

8. Split up clothes when traveling with others

When you are flying somewhere and especially if you have a few stopovers, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn't arrive at the destination, they'll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don't compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours so this will save you money if it happens to you. (Tip from a member)

9. Separate Beach Bag

When packing to head to the beach consider pre-packing whatever you might need at the beach into a beach bag inside your backpack or suitcase. Especially if traveling with kids, this will prove a time saver!

10. Suitcase lovers

For those using suitcases without a divider. A piece of cardboard makes an excellent divider and helps keep your clothes organized and neat as you are able to lay them out flat on the cardboard. It also makes airport inspections a lot less of a hassle as you can lift out your divider with clothes on top easily.

Toiletries
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Contact lens equipment and spare glasses
Makeup (for business trips)
Razor
Hair care equipment (brushes, comb, blow dryer)

Business/calling cards

If you are traveling on business, the utility of business cards should be obvious. Small cards with your name and address can be very handy for tourists as well, to give to the people you make friends with along the way.

If you are doing a low-budget trip, you should also bring cleansing products:

Soap (in a plastic bag)
Shampoo (or shave your head and use bar soap)
Towel

If you will be looking at ceilings (like on a castle or church crawl), bring a small mirror so that you won't strain your neck.
Clothes
My rule of thumb is to take enough underwear for one week, or for the length of the trip plus two days, whichever is shorter.

If you are traveling on business, you can probably take two suits and rotate between them. Try to take different colors of shirts/blouses; mixing and matching might fool people into thinking you brought more clothes than you did.

If you are going on an extended trip, pick one color and stick with it. If you are part of Generation X, rejoice, as black travels very well. You can get horse slobber all over your black jeans, and as long as nobody stands too close, you'll look fine.

Plan on inclement weather. It will happen, and everybody there will say, "Oh, it almost never rains/snows/hails/blows/floods like this! This is very unusual weather." In particular, be prepared for it being colder than you expect. A polypropelene shirt is a wonderful thing to take traveling with you: it is light, very warm (even when wet), and dries quickly. Packing a Gore-Tex shell is another good way to save a vacation; Gore-Tex rain pants wouldn't hurt.

I also recommend bringing a pair of flip-flops (also called thongs or shower slippers). Not only can they come between you and the strange things that are growing in the bathroom of the scummy dive you ended up in, but if your shoes get wet, this gives you something that you can wear while they dry.

Miscellaneous
Day pack

If you are doing any sort of sight-seeing, take some sort of small backpack or fanny pack. You will want to carry maps and perhaps phrase books, guidebooks, water bottles, sunglasses, and so on.

Neck wallet or money belt

This is especially important on the hostel/train circuit. Keep most of your money hidden away underneath your clothes. If you are as paranoid as I am, you might even want to go to a two- or three-level system: keep passport, airline tickets, and the bulk of your money in a money belt, about US$50-100 in a neck wallet, and about US$5-10 in your jeans pockets.

Tiny flashlight

This is optional, but you can get really tiny flashlights, and they can come in very handy.

Tape and magic marker

This is very useful if you are shipping a bicycle or anything else in a box.

Earplugs, waterbottle (with water!), chewing gum, food

These can make your plane trip much more enjoyable. Aside from being noisy and prone to pressure changes, airplane cabins are very dry, and you will tend to dehydrate if left in one long enough. The gum helps with depressurization, and airline food is, well, about as good as airline food.

Phone Numbers

Imagine that you got rerouted to Omaha, Nebraska because of the weather, and then got all the runways were iced over. You really want to have the number of Aunt Martha, who lives in Omaha. You won't care that you haven't seen Aunt Martha for seventeen years - anyplace with a bed is better than the airport floor.

Passport

Even if you are inside the country, it is a good idea to take your passport with you. It is light and you never know when your company is going to want to send you to China, the Feds (or Mafia) are going to catch up with you, you're going to fall in love with a sexy Italian, or your rich great-uncle in Ghana is going to die. At a trade show in Dallas, I bumped into some former colleagues who asked if I'd like a quick contract that would involve leaving for Paris the next day. Had I had my passport with me, I would have gone.

Passports can also act as identification if your wallet gets lost or stolen.

Watch with alarm

A cheap digital watch with an alarm is small, light, and very useful.

Outside Your Country
Phone beeper

If you have an answering machine or voicemail to check while abroad, you will probably need a small electrical device to generate the appropriate phone tones for your country. (In the US, you can get these devices cheaply at Radio Shack.)

Electrical transformers/plug adaptors

Most places in the world have different plugs and different power supplies. If you want to use your computer/modem/electric razor/alarm clock abroad, you will need to get equipment to translate from "your power" to "their power".

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Hi guys

# Remember that Hawaii has a tropical climate. The temperatures vary only about 10 degrees. If you are visiting the windward side of the islands you will see some rain so plan accordingly.
# Evenings can be cool especially if there is a breeze. Be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket.
# If you plan to explore the higher elevations such as Haleakala or Mauna Kea, you may wish to bring a warm sweater and windbreaker also. Temperatures at the summits can drop to the low 30’s.
# Swimsuits are a must as are shorts, short-sleeved shirts, light dresses, sandals, thongs and some good walking shoes. If you plan on riding horseback, be sure to bring some jeans and heavy shoes.
# There is no real need for a suit in Hawaii. Even at most fancy restaurants and night spots a nice shirt and pair of khaki’s or Dockers will do just fine. A sports jacket is only needed at the most upscale restaurants.

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Hi

Here are more tips....

1. Create a Packing List – Before you start filling up your suitcase, sit down and create a packing list to ensure you pack everything you will need.

2. Plastic Bags – Pack everything into clear plastic bags (think Ziploc) divided by items, such as underwear, toiletries, etc. This way, your luggage will stay organized if you need to unpack at customs or airport security searches it. Also, it will keep any liquids, creams, or lotions that may leak or open while your traveling away from everything else.

3. Split up Valuables – From your passport to jewelry and cash, split up your valuables as much as you can in different pockets throughout your luggage, wallet, and purse.

4. Don’t Over Pack Clothes – When it comes to clothes, it can be easy to over pack so only pack what you know you will wear and if you will be gone for more than a week, plan on doing laundry at some point.

5. Pack a Light Carry-on – Pack an extra pair of clothes and anything else you would need over night in your carry-on bag; that way, if you get stuck on a layover or your luggage is lost en route, you’ll have clean clothes to use in the meantime.

6. Packing Gifts – Don’t bother pre-wrapping gifts; airport security will likely unwrap them.

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