Traveling can be one of life’s most enriching experiences, offering opportunities to explore new cultures, landscapes, and personal growth. However, the joy of travel can quickly be overshadowed by the stress of packing and organizing your belongings.
As seasoned travel professionals with over 100 trips under our belts, Nancy and I have perfected the art of packing to ensure every journey is smooth, organized, and enjoyable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share our expert strategies for selecting the right luggage, maximizing space, and staying effortlessly organized throughout your travels.
Plus, we’ll reveal what we pack in our 28″, 24″, and 21″ bags, our meticulously curated purses, and our trusty backpacks. Let’s dive into the art of packing and discover how you can travel like a pro!
The Importance of Smart Packing
Proper packing transcends merely stuffing belongings into a suitcase; it’s about developing a system that ensures you have everything you need while minimizing stress and maximizing convenience. As travel specialists, Nancy and I have encountered countless packing challenges and refined techniques that streamline the process. Our aim is to share these insights with you, empowering you to embark on your adventures with confidence and ease.
Advantages of Expert Packing Techniques
Mastering the art of packing offers numerous benefits:
- Efficiency: Save time and energy with a well-organized packing system.
- Space Maximization: Fit more items into your luggage without overpacking.
- Ease of Access: Quickly locate what you need without rummaging through your bags.
- Stress Reduction: Travel with peace of mind knowing everything is in its place.
- Flexibility: Adapt to various travel scenarios with a versatile packing approach.
Choosing the Perfect Luggage: Quality Meets Affordability
Selecting the right luggage is the cornerstone of effective packing. Nancy and I prefer purchasing our luggage from Amazon, where we find high-quality sets that never exceed $200. Our preferred sets typically include a 28″ (HARDLY EVER USE), 24″, and 21″ suitcase, along with a matching backpack. Here’s why this combination works for us:
Our Luggage Set: 28″, 24″, and 21 with matching Backpack
- 28″ Suitcase: Reserved for LONGER TRIPS OR TRIPS FOR VERY COLD WEATHER, especially during winter months when packing bulkier clothing. This size provides ample space without being overly cumbersome. WE HARDLY EVER USE THIS SIZE.
- 24″ Suitcase: Ideal for most trips; offering a balanced size while providing enough room for essentials. THIS IS OUR CHECK IN BAG.
- 21″ Suitcase: Perfect for short trips or as a carry-on; eliminating the need to check luggage. OR… used in addition to the 24″ & 28″ for essential items like medicines, CPAP machines, toiletries and an extra change of clothes. WE USE THIS AS OUR CARRY ON.
- Matching Backpack: Although we purchase a backpack to match our luggage set, we never use it for sightseeing days. Instead, it serves as a personal item during airport transitions, keeping our small purse, laptop, snacks and essentials within easy reach. WE USE THIS ONE FOR OUR “PERSONAL CARRY ON” AND PUT OUR PURSE IN IT.
Shop Our Preferred Luggage Sets:
Innovative Packing Methods: Maximizing Space and Organization
Packing is both an art and a science. Nancy and I have developed unique methods to maximize space and maintain organization, ensuring we never fumble for items or face unnecessary delays.
The Bagail Compression Packing Cubes Advantage
One of our favorite tools for efficient packing is the Bagail Compression Packing Cubes. These cubes help us:
- Compress Clothing: Save space by reducing the volume of packed items.
- Organize Belongings: Keep different categories of items separate and easy to find.
- Prevent Wrinkles: Maintain the neatness of our clothing by minimizing movement.
Step-by-Step Packing Process
- Plan Your Outfits: Select versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched for different occasions.
- Use Packing Cubes: Assign each cube to a specific category (e.g., tops, bottoms, underwear) to keep everything organized.
- Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling clothes saves space and reduces wrinkles.
- Utilize Every Space: Fill shoes with socks or small items to maximize space..
Our Organizational System
- 28″ and 24″ Bags: Primarily contain clothing and shoes. Each suitcase has designated packing cubes for different types of clothing and accessories, ensuring everything is neatly arranged.
- 21″ Bag: Used for CPAP machines, toiletries, essentials, and items that need to be easily accessible during the flight, such as a change of clothes and other necessities.
- Purses and Backpack: Our crossbody purses are meticulously organized with zippers and compartments for passports, cabin or room keys, receipts, battery chargers, and lipstick. The backpack serves as a personal item during airport transitions, holding items like a water bottle, charging brick, medicines, travel documents, snacks, laptops, and other essentials you may need to access quickly during airport and airplane transitions.
Detailed Packing Breakdown: 28″, 24″, and 21″ Suitcases, Purses, and Backpack
Understanding what to pack and where to place it is crucial for staying organized and prepared. Here’s a detailed breakdown of our packing strategy:
1. 28″ Suitcase
WE HARDLY EVER USE THIS ONE. Our 28″ suitcase is reserved for longer trips, typically during winter months when packing bulkier clothing. Here’s what we typically pack inside:
- Clothing:
- Tops and Shirts
- Bottoms (pants, shorts)
- Dresses (if applicable)
- Sweaters and jackets
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Shoes:
- Dress shoes or sandals, depending on the trip
- Comfortable walking shoes (worn during travel to save space)
- Accessories:
- Scarves, belts, and jewelry
- Hats and gloves for colder destinations
2. 24″ Suitcase
Our 24″ suitcase is the workhorse for most trips, offering a balance between size and capacity. It contains everything in the 28″ suitcase but in smaller quantities:
- Clothing:
- Tops and Shirts
- Bottoms (pants, shorts)
- Dresses (if applicable)
- Sweaters and jackets
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Shoes:
- Dress shoes or sandals, depending on the trip
- Comfortable walking shoes (worn during travel to save space)
- Accessories:
- Scarves, belts, and jewelry
- Hats and gloves for colder destinations
3. 21″ Suitcase
Our 21″ suitcase is perfect for short trips or as a carry-on, ensuring we have everything we need without the hassle of checked baggage. It also serves as additional luggage when checking in your 28″ or 24″. When using it with the 28″ & 24″, it includes:
- Essentials:
- A couple of outfits for immediate use in case of travel delays
- A lightweight jacket or cardigan
- Travel documents (tickets, itinerary, copies of passport, insurance, etc.)
- Toiletries:
- Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Skincare products
- Makeup essentials
- Jewelry (if applicable)
- Hair brushes & hair accessories (if applicable)
- CPAP Machine:
- Include a 10″ extension cord
- A Universal Adapter
4. Backpack (Used as Personal Item on the Plane) ON THE LEFT – 24″, 21″ & BACKPACK
Our matching backpack serves as a personal item during airport transitions, ensuring we have everything we need within arm’s reach. We NEVER use it when traveling on our tour days because you do not have control of your valuables because they are on your back:
- Small Purse: To board the plane
- TSA Approved Bag: For liquids, offering more storage than a ziplock bag
- Travel Documents: Insurance, copies of passport
- Laptop & Pen and Paper
- Medicine & Supplements
- Electronics: Chargers for devices, universal adapters and converters (if traveling internationally)
- Umbrella: Stored in the outside compartment
- Water Bottle: Stored in the outside compartment
5. Purses: Sandra’s and Nancy’s Choices
Our crossbody purses are designed for convenience and security, allowing us to keep important items within easy reach. It’s crucial not to overstuff your purse to ensure quick access to each item without fumbling. Overstuffing can lead to disorganization and added stress, especially when navigating airport lines, cruise terminals, or customs. Keeping your purse streamlined enhances efficiency and reduces hassle during these high-pressure situations.
Purse Contents:
- Passport and Travel Documents: Easily accessible in a designated interior compartment during airports. After airport travel, passports are typically stored in your money belt.
- Keys: Cabin or room keys in a secure front zipper #1.
- Receipts: Organized in front zipper #2.
- Battery Chargers: Compact chargers for phones and other devices in back zipper #3.
- Lipstick: Quick access for touch-ups throughout the day inside zipper.
- Hand Sanitizer: Small bottle inside purse.
- Umbrella: Small umbrella inside purse for rainy days.
For the Men:
- Men’s Sling Chest Bag: Essential for keeping all essentials in one place, especially useful for traveling in Europe where organization and accessibility are key.
6. Money Belts – You never want to keep all your money & credit cards in one place. We recommend wearing a money belt once you are on tour and storing your passport, extra credit card and most your money in it. Each morning, just transfer what you think you will need for the day. Most people use credit cards while traveling and use the money (Example… Euros) for small purchases and tipping.
7.Phone case with Lanyard – A phone case with a lanyard is an essential travel accessory. It keeps your phone secure and easily accessible at all times, reducing the risk of loss or theft. The lanyard allows you to quickly retrieve your phone without having to dig through your purse, which is especially helpful during busy airport lines, boarding processes, or navigating customs.
Additional Tips for Using Your Purses Effectively
- Prioritize Essentials: Only carry items you absolutely need for the day to avoid unnecessary bulk.
- Organize with Compartments: Use the different compartments of your purse to categorize items, making them easier to find quickly.
- Example: Front Zipper #1 always and only use for your room key or cruise key.
- Example: Front Zipper #2 always and only use for your receipts.
- Example: Back Zipper use only for your charging brick and phone cables.
- Example: Inside purse Zipper use for lipstick, eyeglass cleaner or small hand cream.
- Example: Inside purse only carry hand sanitizer, small umbrella for rainy days, very small travel brush and sunglasses.
- Regularly Declutter: After each use, remove any unnecessary items to maintain a lightweight and organized purse.
- Choose Purses that fit in front of your body: Slings or crossbody work best.
Efficient Airport Navigation
Traveling through airports can be hectic, but our packing techniques and organizational strategies help us maintain control and move seamlessly through security, check-in, and boarding.
Elevator Over Escalators
One of our key strategies is to avoid escalators when both of our hands are carrying luggage. Instead, we opt for elevators located near every escalator. Typically, once you check in your larger luggage, you are free to use the escalators. This method enhances our stability and reduces the risk of falls or mishaps, especially when navigating busy terminals. Avoid hanging carrying other bags or hanging other bags on your luggage. Stay compact to stay safe.
One-Hand Free
By checking our larger bags (24″ or 28″) at key points, we ensure that one hand remains free. This approach not only provides added safety but also makes it easier to manage our personal items and navigate crowded spaces without fumbling for essentials.
Organized Security and Customs
When traveling through TSA and Customs, the process can become particularly hectic. To prevent losing important documents, we always place our passports, boarding tickets, and luggage tags in their designated compartments before moving on to the next step. This simple practice reduces stress and ensures everything stays organized during these critical times.
Quick Access to Essentials
Our well-organized purses and backpacks mean that we can quickly access important items without digging through multiple compartments. This efficiency is crucial during security checks and boarding, where time and ease are of the essence.
Key Tips:
- Never Overstuff Your Purse: Keep it streamlined to ensure each essential has its designated spot.
- Use a Backpack for Extras: Carry snacks, chargers, and travel documents in your backpack for additional items needed during airport transitions.
This dual-bag system keeps us organized and allows us to navigate crowded spaces and busy airport procedures without fumbling for essentials. By maintaining a tidy purse and utilizing the backpack for additional items, we stay prepared and stress-free throughout our journey.
Empowering Travelers: Sharing Our Expertise
At Two Travel Gurus, our mission extends beyond taking our groups all over the world. We are dedicated to teaching our travelers the techniques that have made our journeys successful. Whether through articles, workshops, or personalized consultations, we ensure our travelers are well-prepared and confident in their packing strategies.
Customized Packing Lists
We provide customized packing lists tailored to different types of trips, ensuring our travelers pack only what they need and avoid overpacking. Our lists cover all essentials while allowing for flexibility based on individual preferences and destinations.
Expert Advice and Tips
From choosing the right luggage to organizing your bags efficiently, our expert advice covers every aspect of packing. We share tips on maximizing space, staying organized, and adapting to different travel scenarios, empowering our travelers to embark on their adventures with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do you choose the right luggage set? We prioritize durability, lightweight design, and organizational features. Purchasing from Amazon allows us to find high-quality sets that fit within our budget, ensuring we get the best value without compromising on quality.
2. Why do you never use the backpack for sightseeing? Our backpack serves as a personal item during airport transitions, keeping essential items within easy reach and for additional space. This allows us to manage our larger luggage while having everything we need on hand. IMPORTANT! However, backpacks can be unsafe in crowded areas, as wearing them on your back makes you more vulnerable to theft. We highly recommend not using backpacks on our daily tours.
3. How do you maximize space in your luggage? We use Bagail Compression Packing Cubes to compress and organize our clothes, roll items instead of folding them, and utilize every available space by filling shoes with socks or small items. This method ensures we maximize space without overpacking.
4. What do you include in your travel purses? Our purses are organized with zippers and compartments for passports, keys, receipts, battery chargers, lipstick, and other essentials. This organization allows us to quickly access important items without rummaging through the entire purse.
5. How do you navigate airports efficiently? We use elevators instead of escalators to keep both hands free, check our larger bags to ensure one hand remains available, and maintain organized purses and backpacks for quick access to essentials. This approach helps us move through airports smoothly and without stress.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of packing is a game-changer for any traveler. With the right luggage, effective packing techniques, and an organized system, you can transform your travel experience from chaotic to seamless. Nancy and I have honed these strategies through countless trips, and we are excited to share our expertise with you. By following our recommendations and adopting our unique packing methods, you’ll be well-prepared for any adventure, whether it’s a 10-day European escapade, a relaxing cruise, or a spontaneous weekend getaway.
Join Us on Your Next Adventure
At Two Travel Gurus, we’re committed to making your travel experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. By following these packing tips and tricks, you’ll be well-prepared for your next adventure, whether it’s a European getaway, a relaxing cruise, or a quick weekend escape.
Continue Your Journey with Our Expert Travel Resources
We invite you to delve deeper into our collection of travel tips and expert advice to enhance your adventures:
- Customize Your Own Full Packing List to ensure you have everything you need.
- Explore the Ultimate Packing Suggestions for a 10-Day European Trip and prepare like a pro.
- Discover Your Top Essential Must-Haves for Your Next Trip to stay organized and stress-free.
Ready to embark on your next adventure? Visit our home page to start planning your dream trip with Two Travel Gurus today. We’re here to help make every journey a memorable one!
