Today we can share the best packing tips from our readers! The competition, where you had to share your best packing tips, is now closed. We received many good and smart tips, which we have compiled in this post.
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Congratulations to the winner
We also say Congratulations to Kristina who wins a wallet, passport case or toiletry bag from Mt. Manor. Kristina described with great empathy two products that she usually packs, and which can be used in many different ways:
"Two quality enhancing friends worth carrying: PLASTIC TOWELS to wear in your room, in dingy bathrooms/showers, in the rain and on the beach. And a SARONG that can be used as a sheet, towel, beach blanket, nightgown, shawl, skirt, carrier bag, parachute, tablecloth, curtain, emergency flag, baby blanket... Only the imagination sets the limits - and necessity exceeds them!"
Kristina
General packing tips
- Make a checklist/packing list to get an overview. Write extra important items (such as medication) on a note on the door.
- Remember the three P's - not sure if it's "passport, pill and pesetas" or "passport, money and ticket". If you have a ticket, passport, insurance papers, wallet, mobile phone, camera, keys and necessary medication, most things will work out...
- Don't pack too much! Bring a maximum of 3 pairs of shoes (walking shoes, trainers, flip-flops). Lay out all the clothes you intend to pack on the bed and then remove half of them.
- Look online - preferably on blogs - to find out what locals and seasoned travellers are saying about your destination.
Organise your packing smartly
- Roll up knitwear and jeans - they take up less space and don't wrinkle. Pack trousers and socks inside shoes in your suitcase.
- Organise clothes/items in clear plastic bags. This makes it easy to pack and find!
- Keep a toiletry bag packed with a travel toothbrush, mini toothpaste and mini packs of toiletries. Bring all toiletries in small bottles instead of large packages.
- Pack towels or other liquid-resistant items next to your toiletries - just in case something breaks.
Smart things to take with you
- Kangas/sari to use as a mat on the beach - dries quickly and takes up little space in your bag.
- Swimming shoes to protect your feet on rocky beaches.
- Multi-use Bedouin shawl - protects against sun, wind, cold, sandstorms, as well as against angry looks and stopping hands when you happen to be "indecently" dressed, i.e. only upper arms or lower legs.
- Bags for dirty laundry
- Extra battery for the camera
- Small resealable bags for chargers. Write on the bag what the charger is for and maybe whose it is and put all the bags in a small basket.
Best packing tips for specific trips
- If you are backpacking - bring silk sheets and a toilet roll.
- If you are flying - pack a change of clothes, medicine and swimwear in your cabin bag in case your luggage is delayed; and small bottles for shampoo etc.
- If you are travelling with a motorhome for 6-12 months - bring items that are not available abroad, such as vinegar and horseradish. Also bring car papers and insurance, your dog's passport and a crowbar to open manhole covers for emptying latrines.
- If you will be making home visits - pack with small "Swedish" gifts to give away, preferably small and light things, such as trivet or wine corks with e.g. moose, reindeer or any other Swedish theme.
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BP says:
Lots of great tips to keep in mind for any kind of travelling!
14 November 2014 - 10:09
Ditte says:
Great tips! I also never travel without a small flashlight and a small headlamp. If there are power cuts and small roads have no lighting, they are great to have. I always travel with a light pack!
14 November 2014 - 10:45
Mr Wikström says:
Yes, the flashlight is a must, when it's needed it's worth its weight in gold, also good to have by the bed if you need to sneak up and don't want/can't light it.
05 August 2017 - 10:40
Role o Carina says:
A lot to think about as I said it !!! 🙂
Otherwise, it usually suffices
with passport, money and ticket 🙂 .
Have a nice weekend/Kram
14 November 2014 - 10:46
Camilla says:
Great tips! I can also sometimes bring a sewing needle and some thread and possibly some safety pins. Nice to be able to fix something quickly if something breaks. Not that I've ever had to use it though, haha! :p
14 November 2014 - 11:08
Ama de casa says:
Lots of great tips there - and congratulations to the winner!
🙂
PS: If you run out of vinegar and horseradish, you can stock up here in Torrevieja across the road from us.
🙂
14 November 2014 - 11:40
snort says:
There is undeniably a lot to think about when packing. A bit of a habit, I think, as I still pack wrong many times ...
14 November 2014 - 13:49
admin says:
Ditte, flashlight is also a good tip! Will check if we have one in the motorhome actually.
Rolle and Carina, that's the most important thing!
Camilla, I have packed a needle and thread and stuff now that we will be away for a year.
Ama de casa, hehe, great tips on the vinegar and horseradish!
🙂
14 November 2014 - 13:50
Alexandra says:
Lots of packing tips there! I rarely put much thought into packing these days. As long as I have my ticket, passport and credit/debit card with me, I can buy what I have forgotten. In the past, I could easily fill up a bag to 20 kg when I was going to fly, nowadays I pack mine and my daughter's things in the same bag and it usually ends up at about 15 kg max for a week's holiday. 😛
14 November 2014 - 14:45
Annika says:
Such clever ideas for everything. I love the slippers and sari/kangas.
NOT packing too much is an art form.
14 November 2014 - 15:57
Ninni, Henrik and the Hjulius motorhome says:
Great tips all round!
14 November 2014 - 16:26
Kristina says:
I am a very surprised, happy and grateful winner - having seen many good tips on this site. And for someone who has fallen waist-deep into a partially water-filled hole in the dark, a flashlight is a great tip. Why have I never thought of that myself?
14 November 2014 - 17:19
Katarina Wohlfart says:
Great tips! However, I am thinking about those silk sheets. What are they for?
14 November 2014 - 22:02
Lou says:
2.5 years later - it's great when you stay in a hostel and the blanket offered is a creepy blanket or you are expected to sleep directly on the mattress. The silk sheets come in a little bag and roll out almost like a sleeping bag; tada! So you can pull the blanket on top of the silk sheet and you don't have to have it against your skin.
08 March 2017 - 14:52
admin says:
Alexandra, but you are thinking correctly. The important thing is that you remember those important things, other things can be solved.
Annika, that's often the hard part...
Kristina, well deserved win! But falling up to your waist in water doesn't sound fun! I also think a flashlight is a good tip, especially for the motorhome.
Katarina, I'm not sure...? I just blindly trust the readers, haha. I can understand that sheets are good, and maybe silk sheets are thin and good? Maybe another reader knows better...?
14 November 2014 - 23:12
Camilla says:
Good list! Kofot, yes I hadn't thought of that but I don't have a motorhome YET but I will memorise that tip... 🙂 🙂
15 November 2014 - 15:05