20 Common Packing Mistakes of Inexperienced Travelers 

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Great stream!!! Thank you!! My $0.02 travel packing tip . . . pack a couple of empty ziploc baggies in a couple of sizes. You never know what may need to be segregated or protected from the rest of your suitcase for the trip home.

My checklist is more a reminder of things I need to DO, such as charging my electronics, notifying post office to hold mail, paying bills which may come due while gone, emptying fridge, etc.

These are all such good tips! And yes, I have to lay out everything in the spare bedroom I am going to pack!

Pack defensibly. Nothing ruins a trip faster than losing luggage or becoming a victim of theft by making rookie mistakes. Plan for safety so you don't have to be overly concerned during the trip. 1) If you have to check your bags, I highly suggest putting electronic tags/trackers (at least two different brands) in your luggage. I was taking a trip and the airlines put my checked bags on an earlier flight (totally unaware). I arrived at the airport luggage carousel and my luggage never showed up and I thought it was lost/stolen. Found out hours later it was being held somewhere else. Had the luggage been electronically tagged, I would have saved myself a ton of aggravation. 2) Pack your luggage a week early, set it aside and revisit your travel schedule (while slowly optimizing what to take/not to take). You can easily knock 20% out of your luggage with little sacrifice. 3) Expensive branded luggage is great if you are using private cars and services. In 2022, you highly run the risk of being a target for theft or worse using it on public transport. The online resale market is huge now and the criminals look for things they can easily sell (Rimowa, Louis Vuitton, etc.).

I laughed 😂 at the idea of taking throw away clothes that are at the end of life. Hilarious but very good idea.

This might sound odd, but I make a packing spreadsheet so I don’t forget anything. I have different tabs for different types of trips. I won’t need the same items or clothing for a beach trip that I’d need for a skiing trip. It’s saved me from forgetting important things! 🌺 Mary in Florida

I’ve never really traveled before, and this might sound cliche, but I think it’s very important to stay healthy in you daily life. Going somewhere where your body has to adjust to a different timezone, climate, food, air, body activity and more, might take a real toll on your body. Eat healthy, stay active, work on things like insomnia, get rid of stressors, strengthen your immune system, etc .. 😊

Big fan of packing cubes here. Thanks for your video content! 😊❤️✈️🚙🧳☕😁

When we went to Maui in 2017, one of the best tips I got was to pack my checked bag with as much non perishable food as possible (oatmeal packets, granola bars, dried fruit etc) eat while we were there and then use the extra space to pack our souvenirs in.

1)Folding in the Konmari method works even better than folding or rolling,mat least for me.

So many great tips! I've been to a lot of countries, and still learned a lot (or were at least given needed reminders) from this video... One tip for stink shoes: Dump half a box of baking soda in your shoes (remove the insoles, dump some in, put your insoles back in, and dump more) and leave in your shoes overnight. They won't stink for a LONG time after that.

If you are travelling in a family group make sure all luggage have the same coloured stickers or ribbons on them for easier identification on the carousel

Death Valley actually does have a store. And they sell really nice, appropriate desert clothing. At the Ranch. The Inn probably has a nice shop too.

"In places like Bangkok, Thailand, jeans equal death." 🤣Spoken by someone who knows. We stopped packing jeans many years ago. But I like my (toddler sized) pillow and blanket! Have you ever taken the pillow case off a pillow in an Airbnb? Makes me glad we travel with pillows! 🌺✈Heidi

We bring pillow when we can not fit all our stuff in the bag. Because pillow you can bring for free 😊 But nowadays since i travel at least once a month with budget airlines i am so much better with packing. I also have everything that is just for travelling and i dont use or wear in normal life so i can pack in 5 min.

I like the tip about packing a few things you can afford to leave behind. Another tip is to plan to hit the thrift shop for t-shirts or pants or whatever. If you end up not wanting to take it home, you can leave it with the thrift shop before you leave the area. It's very like 'renting' clothes. I do a 3-step packing ritual: -1. Collect everything I'm thinking of taking -2. Pack/unpack to edit the quantity down -3. Final pack That 'editing step' is crucial. I don't see the point of camping or bedroom pillows, not even flight pillows. Back when I used to camp, I always just put clothes inside a sweatshirt for a pillow. Next month I'm flying across country; my flight pillow will be a long cotton scarf wrapped around a plush jacket. My flight blanket will be a large shawl, which will double as a dressing gown and triple as a warm covering over a sundress. Small kitchens do best avoiding 'uni-tasker' kitchen gadgets, travelers do best with capsule wardrobes; blend the concept and have every item of apparel serve multiple purposes. No one-wear articles of clothing. I prefer a large-coverage umbrella, but I also prefer an umbrella that folds compactly. Finding those two conditions in one umbrella is very difficult. It's near impossible to find a good one in any random city you pass through. So I ALWAYS carry one with me from home. And I keep at least three at home. I always take a comfortable pair of shoes even if I bring new shoes with me. New shoes are usually bought for some special occasion transpiring during the trip. For instance, I suspect I may be seeing a lawyer during next month's trip, so I just bought new loafers. I managed to find a pair made of soft leather, but will be taking them to be stretched in the next few days. They feel just fine worn on are feet, but I want to wear socks with them so they need a little stretching. But I also bought them enough ahead of time that I have a few weeks to break them in. I also packed moleskin in my toiletries bag. I always thought purses/shoulderbags/daybags should be used as packing cubes...

My tips, * Merino tees for the win * Backpacks in europe, especially in Portugal where there alot of cobblestones. * Light weight, quick dry trousers/skirts/ dresses * Do use carry on if possible, i just did a 24 day camino walk with only a 35L backpack. * There are shops in Europe, no need to pack items you think you might need but not sure about.. Only pack things you will need, and buy extra items later.

My day bag is a small Tumi backpack that folds into its pocket

My packing cubes are a vacation traveling life saver. Rolling clothes really does work! When I worked as a flight attendant super important. and take only what you need, not what I might need. Keep it light as possible.

Considering the current situation with delays, staffing issues and lost luggage, anyone travelling this summer should consider carry-on only if it's at all possible even if they don't usually do so. Re: #17, in addition to the luggage, I'm also a big fan of getting super weird or colourful cases for your laptop/phone/tablet/ereader, etc. For instance, if your tablet is neon green, way less likely for you to accidentally leave it on the bed or something before you leave the hotel. Also, Rick Steves points out that most luggage thieves will just steal the bag at a point they can escape with it quickly and deal with opening it later. Your lock on your bag won't only fail to deter a thief, but ironically might make your bag look more appealing to them because a lock suggests something valuable is in it.

"Buy underwear there"... But do first check your destination. As an Aussie size 16 it can be near impossible for me to buy underwear when travelling in Asia. If I'm heading to the US though, bring on an excuse to visit Walmart ;-) An old pillow can be a good way to bulk out your case at the start of a trip (our cases are usually only half full outbound), gives you a pillow you're used to when sleeping in strange beds, and as you buy more you can pull it apart to pack around fragile items (we once brought home a whole unboxed dinner setting, those pillows sure came in handy). A sarong or large pashmina/scarf can be used as a wrap, a scarf, a blanket (or a sheet for those hotels that only have a quilt or blanket), a towel (albeit not the most effective), a cover-up (if visiting a temple or church), a picnic rug - all manner of uses.

I always make a list of what I think I might need to pack.

LOL. I take my tempurpedic travel pillow everywhere I go. I also always bring a 2nd set of shoes and a couple other comfort items i could probably do without. Perhaps I could carry less but I feel I travel comfortably with my system (packing cubes, tech pouch, dipp kit etc.) and I still get it all in a carry on max size suitcase.

I take my end of life socks and undies with me. I also often wear an end of life t-shirt/tank top for flight day, too.

One time I checked a bag for a flight to Toronto from Atlanta and I had brought a half full bottle of liquid spray leave in conditioner, which I placed inside a plastic bag inside my luggage. When I got off the plane, the spray conditioner had changed consistencies and it was a cream-like consistency, more like that of a traditional conditioner. I still don’t know why it happened but it was pretty cool! 😮

I am packing for a month long trip in 6 months from now. We are cruising in alaska for 2 weeks and then going t Vega to visit family fr 2 weeks. I always keep my list of things to pack in my computer. As I pack these things, I bold them on my list to see what is still missing! It lets me know what I still need to buy as well. I will officially repack a week before we go just for a double check! thanks for all your tips!

My dry cleaner folds and puts a paper sheet in each garment for us. It helps so much. For packing, I do make a list of clothes/ items that I want to bring with me. About a month prior to travel day, I start gathering my clothes and keep them in a section in my closet. Two day prior, I put everything in my suitcase and cross off the packing list. This way I will know if I am missing any items. I use lot of packing cubes, and I organize my clothes by type per packing cube (casual/ formal/ PJs, etc). This organization helps me so much when I arrive at destination.

Other than for socks and underwear, I personally find packing cubes superfluous. Just another thing to unzip and take up space and try to Tetris into your suitcase. Rolling and fitting items into cracks and crevices of my suitcase works much better, imo.

Also with plastic wrap, cut in smaller squares over the opening of a liquid product (ex: Shampoo) then screw the product top. This plastic seal helps with leakage tremendously!

I'm from a warm country and not very familiar with different winter conditions. Our idea of winter is always snow, but some countries that experience winter, it does not always mean snow. We packed too many clothes for a winter destination that is not too cold or snowy, so our bags were heavier and we didn't use all that we packed. We could have used the bag space for something else.

New Zealander here - can confirm we don't have Neosporin, and we don't have Tylenol or Pepto Bismol here either, and a load of other things!!! We have different painkillers here and I assumed they actually were the same active ingredients... but they aren't! Just found this interesting :)

Awesome! Thanks for nice info and sharing! Have a great weekend

Bringing things you can toss.... I am not a minimalist. And I've started my solo traveling packing way, way too much (in my defense, I was on a month long trip that included being above the Arctic circle and down into Rome and Islands off Spain in global heat wave...that's a packing nightmare!). But as I packed to go to the next phase... if I could dump stuff and lighten the load... I did. Thank goodness I chose layers and not my first thought of a winter coat... which I planned to ship home. But yes, the shipping would have happened!

Thanks for the very valuable info / tips.

I used to travel without enough clothing for myself! When it's between seasons here in Canada, I have to remember to bring clothing for both. Nothing is worse than freezing when the weather changed even though I've checked the forecast. Yes with medications. I always tell people to go to pharmacy and get a printout of the meds you are on! (free) Be sure to bring 'just in case meds' for your family. My kids, when teens, couldn't believe I brought meds for diarrhea, nausea, headaches etc. Let me tell you, as a nurse, we were all thankful when we ended up with montezuma's revenge. It was HORRIBLE! I will bring a few pair of adult diapers (don't laugh) next time in case someone is being sick in the bathroom and you can't get in. Don't bring jewelry with you or expensive purses etc. Even with fakes, you will be targeted! I now pack an outfit and put it together or two shirts with one or jeans etc. Plan your entire time out and go over it twice! Don't forget ladies to bring the correct coloured bras/panties-got stuck with black and a white pr of pants. 🤣 Nude always works with everything. Don't forget your shoes and put in a separate shoe bag or shower cap. Crocs for slippers - yuck-don't walk in the hotel floors!

Hello Chris thanks for great advices..... you are the best you tuber.... I watch your channel by chance and I love it!

Re. mistake nr 17 : Take a photo of your luggage ! I learnt it the hard way when after my flight from Toulouse, France, my big suitcase full of presents & lovely clothes for my one week stay at super friends in Porthleven, UK, got lost. I'll never forget the disdainful look from the Bristol Airport Lost Luggage Officer : " Oh, super ! So it's a black Samsonite ? How very helpful ! " It served me a cruel lesson ! Next time I flew I can tell you my luggage could be spotted at one mile ! With LOADS of funny yellow & red polka-dot straps, and glitter-covered stickers ! By the way, my first luggage, after going back to Toulouse, then back to Bristol, eventaully arrived in Porthleven ... the night before I left ! So at least I was able to give my beloved friends all the presents; but it was in such a disgusting state, covered in black stains and bruised all over... Now I just send over by post some essentials plus the presents and blissfully travel with just a ... handbag, all the more since I counted: one's got to walk 8,000 steps, Bristol's one of the longest ever. Love yr videos.

I'm proud to say I've never brought new shoes on a holiday, except the exact same model of Tevas I had before. I could be reasonably sure that would be not need breaking in.

15:00 - Same Here - I have a designated knapsack and mini duffel pre-packed. I do re-check for completeness, and fine-tune the contents a day or two before departure, but otherwise, the two bags are always "ready to go." It's convenient, it guarantees never forgetting anything, and sends a subliminal identify signal to myself that "I AM a traveler."

Bummed I miss this one live, but happy to be here in the archive.

I defend the idea of taking my own bedding. But, only when I travel by car. I used to travel all the time for work (180+ hotel nights/year), so I got bored with travel. Nothing like waking up and thinking you are still at home. My own comforter gives me that idea. Also, those hotel bedspreads/comforters are disgusting! They are rarely washed.

I agree with your point on 4 wheel suitcases being superior over 2 wheel suitcases but I would suggest people test their 4 wheel suitcase by dragging it in 2 wheeled mode. I have found that some designs cause the bottom of the back to scrape on the ground unless held at a certain angle. 2 wheeled mode is sometimes handy when the floor isn't a hard surface like some carpets in hotels and it slows you down when pushing your suitcase in 4 wheel mode

thanks

Collapsible cup and a spork, some tea bags gave me a lot of pleasure on my last trip.

A travel tip from someone who’s always on the go and walks a lot: Use 100% merino wool socks and say goodbye to blisters. As always an informative and entertaining content, Chris. Sorry I wasn’t able to be here for the Live. Thanks for sharing.

Hello Chris, thank you! Your channel has helped pass the time while I'm recovering from a stingray attack and has provided useful info in using points to fund my next trip. I looked up the website where you got your latest suitcase. Wanted to point out a lot of the reviews on it looked fake. Doesn't mean the luggage is junk but it's not a good sign.

Your umbrella might fit in those size 14 cool shoes!

I really like your advice about the folding duffel for your laundry and to carry souvenirs in my travel back pack.

Great Video - I always use hot pink or lime green luggage. These colors are often on sale. Have had a lot of things leak even if they are in a plastic bag and lost a lot valuable cosmetics like foundation but it is to be expected sometimes....

Hey chris, this was an excellent stream. I have never made these mistakes before, and probably never will

Thanks!

I have had lost luggage only once. I was flying a three stop flight from Western Canada to Bangkok. I arrived my checked backpack did not. Checking with the airline they determined that my back had been sent to Poland instead Bangkok. Two days later my backpack was delivered to my accommodation

Great advice Chris! Your red one got double 4 so 8 wheels. Those with only 4 are not good. I also got a cheap one once in Big W. I had to throw it to the bin and buy a good one before I returned.

We used duct tape on our suitcases (the real duct tape that is silver color and never comes off) put 12" or more with you name on it, you can see it far away and no one uses it 😊

For UK airlines luggage is charged by weight. I prefer a small or medium case for commuting with but one that's expandable for returning with souvenirs. Big cases are heavier so that takes from your allowance. By a cheap scale and bring it with you. If your over weight, prepay for the extra became at check in you pay per KG.

Great topic. ❣ make more. Look forward. ❤

Totally over packed weekend trip to Houston a few weeks ago learning a lot flight packing videos. I’ll get a way with one carry on doubt I’ll need big checked luggage and save on the fee.

I routinely travel with my family of 4, and I do everything on here, my bed is a mess the day I pack our suitcases! I keep double of all my hygiene in my hygiene bag, a full med container, qtips, hairbrush, hairties, I mean everything!

Which RFID crossbody bag do you recommend

I walk with a cane so wearing a packable waterproof rain poncho, which is large enough to cover my backpack, is my go-to option in lieu of using an umbrella. Highly recommend rain pinchos instead!

I’ve traveled extensively and still packed new tennis shoes for South Korea last month. You walk a lot in Korea, their metro is great but serious steps.

16:17 correction you wear size 14 boats

Which International electric converter do you recommend?

I start to check the weather on my destination, months in advance 😂😂😂😂, in order to understand a bit better the weather I’ll be facing on my trip!

I’ve never really traveled before, but all those things seem so logical to me? Guess I’m destined to be a traveler 😎

Great content Chris! I appreciate the props as well🤙

Just was delayed 2 nights on flight home. Unfortunately my bag was even more delayed. I only had carryon which I had failed to put a change of clothes😳 3 days in same clothes. Was in a location where I couldn’t get new clothes for change. Never again…

Have a nice weekend Chris.

Oh my mercy suitcase rule is true where you buy and kind you buy. Cobblestones are not a good time with a suitcase! Some hotels or air b&b don’t have lifts. Carry on for life.

Worst thing I’ve done is buy 4 wheel luggage that has an overhang in front. When you fill the front, it tips over. So aggravating as luggage won’t stand on it’s own. Cheap luggage I think. The

I think hardsided with zippers will still get soaked because the zipper will leak. I also tried paint marker, and it doesn't work that well on the nylon, but it shows up well on the plastic parts.

IT depends on how long I am going for if I go for longer than I roll if I go for 7-9 then I will be fine with folding it 😊❤

I like to pack in advance of travel. Taking into consideration the destination(s) and different activities I anticipate I will undertake. Then I lay everything out and then question myself “do I actually need this” also “will I use it enough to justify taking it” “ if I need something can I get it at the destination? I tend to take trips of 3-5 months and when I return I go through everything I took on that trip and determine if I used it enough to justify taking it. If the answer is no then it probably doesn’t go on future trips. Some stuff I take on every trip I store all together then it quick to get those items together for the next trip and less likely to forget items I like to take.

My very first trip where I flew they lost my luggage. At the time, I was 27 and severely underweight. I wore a size 10 in girls and it was really hard to find adult-looking clothes in the children's section. Luckily, they found my luggage and delivered it to me a couple of days later. Another airline broke my husband's hard-sided Samsonite luggage. I now only use a carry-on. I don't even own an umbrella.

I am guilty of overpacking! I'll admit it!

i make a packing list of everything im bringing and check it off as i go so that way i can look at it a know is there and a check if things that need to be done on the day of departure ie keys stashed ice maker off (iphone notes )

A few things I have learned is that if you are traveling for a week or more is to only pack 8 days worth of outfits and at least 2 days more than you need in sox. You never know what is going to happen when you will need more sox or an extra change of clothes. In defense of cheapish luggage, I bought a check in sized piece of luggage from Carrefour in Poland five years ago and its still going with maybe one crack in the plastic. I bought it for 180 Polish Zloty, I remember it being about $60 USD. I will say that I am pretty anti carry on luggage. It just gums up the work for those of us that want to get off the plane to use the bathroom or do something else. The rate of baggage getting mishandled (lost, damaged, delayed) is 1 in 250. But do carry a backpack onto the plane with at least one T shirt and a change of underwear just in case.

i have printed a small tree for our upcoming trip to Japan. I care bout environment and try to avoid printing stuff, but in a foreign country i just refuse to trust in my phone not bugging out at a crucial point

Very good advise, thanks. Especially point 16 is something I hadn't considered on my own yet. I come from a dumb family where umbrellas weren't a thing. "You think you are made of sugar and will dissolve in a little rain?" was something I heard often. The attitude I was raised in was: Sometimes it rains, then you get wet. No big deal. You'll get dry again. I'm in my 40s now and never owned an umbrella. They seem rather inconvenient to me, having to carry around that cumbersome "tent on a stick" and having to find a place for it when I enter a building. I know, I'm the weirdo, but I'm not alone. Where I live (Germany) it isn't as if umbrellas were unknown, but they are rather rare. I guess it just doesn't rain that much here.

I brought the $3 Hong Kong umbrella (about $20 HK), but it was so cheap, I didn't have much confidence it would survive the trip! So in Japan, I found THE best tiny umbrella in a supermarket. It is the world's best travel umbrella. And it's much smaller than your yellow one.

What's with carrying umbrellas?? Blown away in a stiff breeze....one hand always occupied making it easier for thieves. A lightweight jacket is fine

For my girly girls. In addition to setting out the clothes you want to wear, I think of my make up routine in my head and organized/pack my make up/toiletry products that way.

I try very hard not to look like a tourist so as to avoid people that prey on tourists. Backpacks are a dead give away. Athleasure outfits are a dead give away outside North America.

can you take liquids along?

What kind/brand of travel plug adapter do you use? I'm going on a cruise and the ship cabin has only ONE (!!) US outlet and three European. One US plug will not cut it. By the way, great tips! I see myself in a few of these...LOL

If your a plus size person and wear 100% cotton shirts ( not t-shirts) rolling diesels work.

Did you listen to music on your phone

What about kid sized pillows? Have stayed in lots of hotels where they offer a variety of pillows, none of which are kid sized :/

#11 instead of an umbrella, I pack a hat (cap). It covers my glasses, which is all I really care about! If heavy rain, I wear a light spray-jacket: much more practical than holding an umbrella as you move around.

Packing cubes add extra weight. Use ziplocs

Would love to hear more about your level 8 luggage. Is it worth it? It’s a good price but is it good in quality as well?

Big feet, big shoes and big socks 😅

😂 sticker!

Any chance you chose the smiley stickers in honor of Stephen King's The Stand? Yeah, I'm a nerd & now I must find smiley for my check-in 🙂

Spenco soles just the plain ones for a lot of walking Big 5 has them!

What is an airtag

Put an airtag in your luggage to be able to track it.

It’s so hard to pack for Big Bear because you need so many jackets it’s cold in the winter and snows so you better than snow boots

How long does it good that you keep your lock on your luggage Keep the latch on you’re on your suitcase the la