The Backpack

[Lee Rhyne]

Guys, can you share out your travel tips?

Lets help everyone on how to pack their stuffs and bring the necessary equipments, and tools needed when traveling!

Feel free to share your experiences on your travel, especially those times you forgot the essential stuffs, (and tell them "don't make me say I told you so!") so that we can be mindful of what to bring.

So, let's start packing!:p

[Amanda]

I have a checklist of items that I have to bring everytime I go on a trip. I like to do my packing the night before and when I'm done I leave a small post-it on top of my bag - a list of the last minute things I have to pack in the morning. I'm not going to post the whole checklist here though because that's just too much information, lol. :p

Asides from the clothes and toiletry kit, I always bring zippered plastic bags of varying sizes for my used clothes, swimsuits and shoes/slippers, a mini-first aid kit with medicine for various ailments, plasters and Betadine.

Of course, never forget the trusty ol' camera (and the charger). ;)

I forgot my charger once and by the end of the day the battery was low - I was ready to commit murder but thank god my friend had hers.

[tadz1158]

I have a checklist of items that I have to bring everytime I go on a trip. I like to do my packing the night before and when I'm done I leave a small post-it on top of my bag - a list of the last minute things I have to pack in the morning. I'm not going to post the whole checklist here though because that's just too much information, lol. :p

Asides from the clothes and toiletry kit, I always bring zippered plastic bags of varying sizes for my used clothes, swimsuits and shoes/slippers, a mini-first aid kit with medicine for various ailments, plasters and Betadine.

Of course, never forget the trusty ol' camera (and the charger). ;)

I forgot my charger once and by the end of the day the battery was low - I was ready to commit murder but thank god my friend had hers.


You may not have listed everything but what you have mentioned were so far the most important things to bring. This will help those who tend to forget a lot of things when they're in a hurry or in the last minute of packing.

[Lee Rhyne]

Of course if you're traveling from another country, always remember to check whether you had your passport and important papers with you. You wouldn't want to be held by the DFA and ruin your trip right?

But if you're just traveling around the country, aside from clothes and personal things, you might find a radio, trusty cellphone, medicines, first aid kit, extra money, and don't forget your camera and FLASHLIGHT or portable lights!

[megan21]

Guys, can you share out your travel tips?

Lets help everyone on how to pack their stuffs and bring the necessary equipments, and tools needed when traveling!

Feel free to share your experiences on your travel, especially those times you forgot the essential stuffs, (and tell them "don't make me say I told you so!") so that we can be mindful of what to bring.

So, let's start packing!:p

21 Tips to Help You Pack for a Trip

1. Security and Keeping Details Safe

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type) in. Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account.

You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

This way, even if you lose everything, you have immediate access your all important information. You can even email the details page of your passport to the embassy or consulate when applying for a new one. (Tip from a member)

2. Split up your valuables

Split up your bank cards, cash, travellers' cheques and credit cards as much as possible in different pockets, your bags and wallet when packing. In case you do get robbed, at least you won't be strapped for cash (unless you have all your bags AND your wallet stolen of course!).

3. Nalgene/Small Bottles

Use nalgene/small bottles to pack toiletries and other small items. There are several sturdy and (very nearly) waterproof ones, with clear/see through ones being preferable (easier for security purposes post August 2006). You can also use small bottles to repack shampoo or lotions so that you don't have to always carry a big bottle with you. This is especially useful if you normally take these items in your carry-on luggage, which as of early 2007 is much more restricted than before.

4. Backpack Tips

When you are packing things into a backpack, place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones on top. Your bag will feel lighter this way as the pack rests on your lower back. It is also smart to place the things you use the most on top. Dirty clothes are perfect to pack at the bottom of a backpack.

5. Plastic Bags

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Not only does it counter any leaking, the bags can also come in useful to keep dirty clothes in, as garbage bags or even as a makeshift umbrella. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

6. Pack in Plastic

Pack everything in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided into items e.g. underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before packing in your suitcase or backpack. One plastic bag for each type of clothing. This is extremely useful in various ways. When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want. So an overnight stay somewhere just means taking 1 item out of a bag - no rummaging!! In addition, if you have to unpack at customs etc, instead of having to disgorge all your clothing etc out in front of everybody, you can calmly take maybe 5/6 bags out, the contents of which can be clearly seen by the officials. To repack then is also dead easy. Just be sure not to leave your plastic bags lying around if you are travelling in nature! (Tip from a member)

7. Clothes

Pack only what you know you will use and if you are travelling for more than three weeks, plan to wash on the road.

8. Split up clothes when travelling with others

When you are flying somewhere and especially if you have a few stopovers, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn't arrive at the destination, they'll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don't compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours so this will save you money if it happens to you. (Tip from a member)

9. Separate Beach Bag

When packing to head to the beach consider pre-packing whatever you might need at the beach into a beachbag inside your backpack or suitcase. Especially if travelling with kids, this will prove a timesaver!

10. Suitcase lovers

For those using suitcases without a divider. A piece of cardboard makes an excellent divider and helps keep your clothes organized and neat as you are able to lay them out flat on the cardboard. It also makes airport inspections a lot less of a hassle as you can lift out your divider with clothes on top easily.

11. Gifts

While it is a good idea to take some small gifts with you while travelling, pre-wrapping them can be a waste of time if you are flying and your bags are opened. (Tip from a member)

12. Flashlights or Torches

When packing a flashlight or torch (or any other item with batteries for that matter), turn the batteries around so that if the item is accidentally turned on, you won't empty the batteries. Don't forget to turn the batteries back around when using the flashlight.

13. Diaper Bag

If you are travelling with babies, then the diaper bag is an excellent place to hide your valuables. This most likely will not be the first thing to be stolen. It's also a great to use as a waste bag (even when not travelling with a child!), especially at places that do not allow you to flush toilet paper. (Tip from a member)

14. Shoes

If you want to make sure everything else in your bags stays clean and odor free, place the shoes inside old socks and then inside airtight plastic bags (ziplock).

15. Carry-On

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. On long flights with multiple stopovers (especially if flying via London, LA or other major airports), packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don't want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

16. Roll Technique

Somehow it seems that bags will hold more if the clothes are rolled rather than folded. If you roll in tissue paper, the clothes will also get less wrinkled.

17. Travelling to warm destinations?

If you appreciate cold drinks think of using a six-pack cooler as a toiletry bag. Once you arrive at your destination and unload your toiletries your 'toiletry bag' guarantees cheap cold drinks on the beach, no matter how remote.

18. Local Tourism Offices

The best source of information is usually local. Check out Tourism Offices to find unbiased feedback on the best accommodation to suit your needs. Excercise caution in countries where you feel the information might not be so unbiased!

19. Minimize on toiletries

Take only half a tube of toothpaste rolled up tight, store shampoo in small containers, only take half a roll of toilet paper (for emergencies only) and crush it so the middle is folded.

20. Take solid shampoo bars and tooth powder

Solid shampoo bars and tooth powder (instead of tooth paste) can be easily located on the internet and make carry-on travel in this age of liquid restriction possible. Places like Beijing now bar all liquids in carry-on bags, and you'll still be able to breeze through without checking. (Tip from a member)

21. Planning on carrying a lot of luggage?

While carrying a lot of luggage is not recommendable, sometimes it is necessary in the case of relocations and so on. If you have the possibility, fly via the US as airlines will allow you 64kg (two 32kg bags) instead of the 20kg in the rest of the world. Even if it is just a stopover in the US, you will be allowed to carry the extra weight. Check with your local travel agent for the details.

from: http://www.travellerspoint.com/packing-tips.cfm

[Manix16]

Guys, can you share out your travel tips?

Lets help everyone on how to pack their stuffs and bring the necessary equipments, and tools needed when traveling!

Feel free to share your experiences on your travel, especially those times you forgot the essential stuffs, (and tell them "don't make me say I told you so!") so that we can be mindful of what to bring.

So, let's start packing!:pIt might be embarassing for some, but really...you also need:
1. Emergency funds like ATMs and credit cards
2. Condoms ( good ones )
3. A travel guide of the place. Even hand-written ones from a forum such as this. ;)
4. National IDs
5. Wet tissues and hand sanitizer
6. Common sense

[Lee Rhyne]

2. Condoms ( good ones )


Some good Condoms? :p Guess that would do.


3. A travel guide of the place. Even hand-written ones from a forum such as this. ;)
6. Common sense


This I like. :) Helpful sites/forums like these need to be promoted to travelers and tourists. They'd get to know the place before they try to visit it, and what's good is they'll get extra information from the people and learn a lot so they would know what to expect when they get there.

[jbrayos]

Always travel with companion.

[Lee Rhyne]

Always travel with companion.

Like what? A Tour Guide or friends and relatives? Its good to travel with someone I agree. But for me the best would be someone you know all too well.

[megan21]

travel with "someone very special" to make the ride worthwhile. hhehe.. :D

[megan21]

there are a lot of promo fares in cebu pacific right now..so i better start planning our trip to avail the opportunity. :)

[purpleaf]

travel with "someone very special" to make the ride worthwhile. hhehe.. :D

...and so that someone could take pictures of you as you strike a pose!

As for me, I

RESEARCH --geeky? nope! I think it's very important esp if I am unfamiliar with the destination. It saves me time as well coz once I get there, I know exactly where I want to go. But of course I allot time for side trips, too!


PACK IN ADVANCE -- I pack my things at least a week before so that way I need not cram. I also plan the clothes that I bring, thus I

TRAVEL LIGHT -- Have some space for pasalubongs! Haha!

ALWAYS HAVE BUFFER FOR BUDGET/ HAVE ATM HANDY -- I tend to get hungry and buy some extra stuffs so it's nice to know that I still have fare for cab on my way back home.

[Amanda]

As for me, I

RESEARCH --geeky? nope! I think it's very important esp if I am unfamiliar with the destination. It saves me time as well coz once I get there, I know exactly where I want to go. But of course I allot time for side trips, too!

I definitely agree with you - research is very important if you want to get the most out of your trip! Not only do you get the most out of your money, the best part of it is that you can actually visit awesome places that are usually not in a tourist map. The thing I love about the Internet the most when it comes to traveling is that people recommend places that I would have never heard of if I just opened up a tourist map. =)

[moohlan]

Try not to forget to bring:
-medicines (for allergy, asthma (if you have one), pain reliever etc.)
-water (bring it in something that's handy and refillable)
-undies
-jacket
-cap/hat
-food/snack (something handy when you can't do stop overs)
-money/id/spare change
-flashlight (particularly for out of town/ovenight trips)
-plastic bags (for trash and for organizing clothes)

[MissLee]

All has been said. I just want to stress on 'medicine'.

If you have asthma or you have a history...please never forget to bring inhalers! I've had a bad experience with this. :(

If you have a picky stomach, do bring loperamides.

I always bring a small medicine/first aid kit whenever I travel. :)