Exploring the world is an invigorating experience. There’s a lot to learn about the natural world all around us, cultures, and the people that populate this planet. You’ll return home feeling a unique sense of peace and connection, but you won’t achieve that feeling without a little frustration at first.
That’s because traveling can be a nightmare!
There’s a lot you can’t change about your experience at the airport. When it comes to your luggage, there are things you can do to cut back on the stress, so you can enjoy getting there almost as much as the destination itself.
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Find a Place to Store Your Luggage When You Arrive
The best place to store your luggage is in your hotel room. It just makes sense. However, if you’ve done your fair share of traveling, you know that keeping your luggage in your room isn’t always an option. If your plane lands before you are allowed to check in, or if you have a late flight hours after you check out, you will have to figure out what to do with your stuff.
You have more options than lugging your bags around while you sightsee. In some cases, the hotel will store your luggage, but you may also be able to store your luggage in a secure location that you can rent by the hour. This option is often more convenient, because you may be able to find a location that’s closer to the airport than your hotel.
Skip the Checked Bag
There are some cases where you may not be able to avoid checking a bag, but if you can, you should keep the bulky luggage at home. Instead, you should travel light with a carry on only.
When you pack a carry-on, you won’t have to worry about losing your luggage. If you miss a connecting flight, you don’t have to worry about whether or not your luggage made it to your final destination. Not to mention, you’ll skip all the time you would otherwise spend waiting in line to check your bag and receive it from the luggage carousel.
Know What to Pack and Where
If you’re just packing a carry on, everything has to go inside one bag. If you do have to check a bag, you have to know what to pack and where.
There are some things that have to go in your carry on, just in case, something happens to your checked bag. Getting stuck at your destination without important items can be a nightmare!
A few of the smartest things you can pack in your carry on include:
- Medication
- Electronics
- Chargers
- Important documents
- Valuables
- Change of underwear
- Location-appropriate clothing
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Wet wipes
Whether you’re heading to or from a cold climate, never pack your sweatshirt or jacket in your carry on or your luggage. Wear it or drape it over your arm at the airport and use the limited space in your luggage for more important things.
Choose Lightweight Luggage
Whether you’re lugging around a carry on, a traditional suitcase, or both, you would do well to choose lightweight luggage.
Wheeled suitcases are great, but by making sure your suitcase is lightweight, you don’t have to huff and puff lifting it in an overhead bin. When it comes to carry on bags, the smaller the better. Although most airlines will take rolling suitcases, you may want to consider a shoulder bag or backpack that is easy to carry and can easily be placed under the seat on the airplane.
Know the Best Way to Pack Your Stuff
No matter what your bags or what you’re packing, you have to know how to pack it.
Packing a suitcase effectively means thinking carefully about how you place every item. If you pack things a little differently, you can fit more in your bags.
Packing tips include things like:
- Roll shirts to free up space in your bag
- Consider bundling as a way to keep clothes from getting wrinkly
- Compression packs can help you pack bulky items
- Packing cubes are great for loose items
Traveling will provide you with memories you will never forget. Unfortunately, dealing with your luggage can leave you with negative memories that can overshadow your trip. Your luggage doesn’t have to ruin your adventure! With the tips on this list, you can lessen the impact your luggage has on your trip so you can fully enjoy your destination.
Featured image source: Freepik
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