When thinking how to pack for a flight, this can undoubtedly be an overwhelming task. You spend all your effort ensuring you have everything you could possibly need, only to get to the airport and stress about whether you locked the front door and worry you’ve forgotten something important. Look no further than this list right here to ease your travel worries and help with all your packing needs. We’ve collated an airplane packing list with essentials for travelling and added tips on how to pack your bag in the most efficient way possible.
Let’s start with the essentials checklist; these are the things that, as long as you have them, you’ll be alright. The items on this list will be able to fit into a small check-in bag. Check with your airline for any restrictions on things like liquids, sharp objects and electronics before you begin packing.
The Basics:
Passport
Bonus points if it’s valid for your destination and not expired! Please check any entry and visa requirements in advance of your flight, too.
Boarding pass
Whether it’s printed or on your phone, you can’t board without it! Don’t forget to check in for your flight ahead of time.
Wallet
Take your bank cards, ID, important documents and currency of the place you’re going to. It’s always good to carry some cash just in case you find yourself in a situation where you need it.
Gadgets, chargers and adapters
Take all the electronics you use and need, such as laptops, travel cameras and chargers. Again, be wise here. Will you really need both a laptop and a tablet? If two things can do the same thing, prioritise. It’ll be less to worry about, and you don’t want to lose or break anything. A portable charger will come in handy, too, and it’s a good idea to get an adapter for your plugs. Accommodation places usually have hair dryers, so you can skip out on those.
Electronics need to be taken out of your bag when you go through airport security, so be mindful of this when packing your bag. You may also want to keep things like headphones or your tablet in an accessible part of your bag so you can easily take it out to use during your flight.
Pants, socks, and a couple of outfits
This is where you need to be strategic. Clothes will probably be the thing that takes up the most space in your bag. You should be attentive to how dense a piece of clothing is and how much you should pack in the first place. A hoodie, for example, is super thick, so either wear it during your flight or leave it out. If you’re flying with just a carry-on bag, give your clothes extra thought and take a more humble approach to choosing what you need. You don’t need as many clothes as you think, and you can still be versatile in how you dress; just mix and match.
Appropriate shoes
You’ll need a good pair of shoes that’ll be comfortable enough for exploring and walking around during your trip. This pair of shoes is the number one priority. If you’re travelling with just a carry-on, then ideally, these shoes would also serve you for any occasion, so you don’t need to pack any more. If you have to bring more shoes, pack the lightest ones in your bag and wear the chunkiest whilst you travel. Some other types of shoes you may need could be hiking boots, winter boots, waterproof shoes, and flip-flops.
Toiletries and medication
This includes your toothbrush, skincare routine, makeup, sunscreen, perfume, etc. Don’t go too crazy here, either. Take the essentials, and if you end up needing something you didn’t bring, you can always buy it once you arrive at your destination. A good tip to save space here is to take sample-size products.
Bonus tip: If you’re travelling with both a carry-on and a checked-in bag, pack everything you may need during your flight in the carry-on! This includes your passport, boarding pass, and wallet. You’d be surprised how common it is to be in a situation where you need something important that’s in the checked-in bag, especially a passport. Don’t make this mistake! Additionally, if you find yourself separated from your checked-in bag for whatever reason or it goes missing, you want to at least have your essentials with you.
How To Save Space In Your Carry-On:
Before you start packing, make sure to double-check with your airline what their measurements for a cabin bag are. Choose a bag that’s fit for purpose, comfortable, and easy to carry.
Less is more
Leave out the ‘what if’ items. “What if I’ll need more shoes?” “What if I’ll need three different jackets?”. As long as you at least have what you can’t live without, you’ll be fine. Besides, no one will notice if you end up repeating outfits or have a new pair of shoes on every day. Take your favourite, most versatile things, and you’re good to go.
Get packing cubes
Packing cubes provide that extra bit of compression so you can maximise the space in your carry-on bag. They come in packs of multiple, so you can categorise the cubes in terms of contents to further organise your bag.
Fill every nook and cranny
Waste no space. Every corner of your bag can be used to store something. Be smart with the little items, too; they can be put in pockets or in excess spaces throughout the bag.
Roll your clothes
Rolling clothes has proven to be more effective in comparison to folding when it comes to optimising space in your bag. Not only does rolling your clothes save space, but it prevents them from getting wrinkled too. You can then put the rolls into packing cubes and you’re on the right track.
Buy when you land
In order to save space, sometimes it’s best to buy things like toothpaste, deodorant, umbrella, etc, at your destination. This is especially useful when it comes to liquids due to the restrictions around them. Things like body wash, body lotion, and contact solution are worth picking up when you land.
Packing for an flight doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these tips on packing for a flight, you can ensure a smooth and relaxing journey. From tips on packing for air travel to knowing what to pack for a flight, the key is to be prepared and informed.
Now that you have the packing tips for air travel, search the top destinations on Wowtickets.
