By Cove Johnson Rabidoux
These five simple tricks will help you pack smarter, stay organized and make your next flight less stressful.
A plane flying in a clear sky. Busalpa Ernest. Pexels.
After years of traveling, I’ve found that being prepared for the little inconveniences can make a trip much more enjoyable. So, to make your travels less stressful, here are five of my best unconventional travel tips to help ensure your trip goes smoothly.
1. Pack Two of the Essentials
If you’re able, consider packing spares of the main essentials, such as toothbrushes and socks. Packing an extra pair of socks and a spare toothbrush ensures that you have backups if you happen to lose them. Oftentimes, it is also cheaper to bring spares from home rather than buying replacements at an airport.
Packing extra toothbrushes and socks is especially important if you are headed out on a long trip or are staying in a variety of locations; that way, you’ll be prepared for anything.
2. Roll Your Clothing as Outfits
It is important to pack efficiently to make the most of your suitcase space. One great way to do so is by rolling your clothes together as outfits rather than folding your clothing as individual articles.
To do so, simply lay down the biggest articles of clothing for the day, typically pants or long-sleeve shirts, add smaller items on top and then roll everything together.
By rolling your clothes together, you create a neat and organized bundle that takes up much less space than if each item of clothing were packed separately. You can also group items by occasion, such as a casual day outfit and a dressier night outfit. This way, when you arrive at your destination, you can quickly grab the bundle you need for the occasion.
When rolled, your clothes may move around less in your suitcase, which can help reduce wrinkles. This helps keep your outfits neat, reducing the amount of time you may need to spend ironing or steaming once you arrive.
Woman packing clothes into a suitcase. Vlada Karpovich. Pexels.
3. Bring Reusable Ziploc Bags
You never know when you may need to store something. That’s where reusable Ziplocs come in handy! Not only are resealable bags lightweight and easy to transport, but they can also be used for a variety of purposes. You can use them to stash snacks, toiletries and other items you may need while on the go. Not only can you save money on buying new plastic bags each time you go shopping, but you can also help reduce your environmental footprint.
Plus, you can easily label and differentiate your items by writing on the bag. This makes it easier to keep track of your belongings and to find what you’re looking for quickly.
4. Place AirTags in Your Luggage
It’s not unusual for airlines to lose track of luggage, which is why I always have AirTags in all of my suitcases and backpacks.
AirTags are small Apple products that can track the locations of your belongings. These small, easy-to-use devices link to your phone, so you can always see where your stuff is.
To set up an AirTag, simply attach it to the item you wish to track, open the Find My app on your iPhone, and follow the instructions for setting up your AirTag. Once it is attached, you can see the location of your item and enable notifications if it moves beyond a certain distance. Additionally, AirTags come with a Lost Mode feature, which allows you to mark your item as lost and view its last known location.
5. Chew Bubblegum at Takeoff
As a frequent flyer, I can attest that chewing bubble gum on the plane really does help! By chewing gum at takeoff and landing, you help equalize the air pressure in your ears, which reduces that “ear popping” feeling.
Apart from this physical benefit, chewing gum on the plane can also have some mental perks! It can also serve as a simple distraction if you feel anxious during a flight. Just make sure to pick a gum flavor you enjoy or even find comforting, as it will give you something familiar to focus on during the flight.
Sometimes the smallest tricks can make the biggest difference. Whether you’re rolling your clothes into outfits, keeping reusable bags in your suitcase or chewing gum during takeoff, these simple tricks can help make your next trip a little easier.
Cove Johnson Rabidoux
Cove is an English student at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her writing can be found in the Daily Bruin, The Teen Magazine, Piece of Cake Magazine, and other publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling.