Ever taken seven pairs of shoes on a three-day break and forgot to pack a tooth brush or opened your suitcase to find your clothes covered in shampoo?   

Read our top tips for organising your bag and packing smart to get your summer vacation off to a smooth start: with the right amount of undies and a bag full of wrinkle-free clothes!

Before you go: The List

Whether you’re a ‘leave it to the last minute’ kind of gal or someone who has their suitcase ready three weeks before departure, here are some essentials to make your life easier.

• Check out Packing List Online (packinglistonline.com). By entering your destination, weather, type of travel, activities you will be doing, gender, etc. it shows a list of all the things you could possibly need, from remembering hair-ribbons to fluid for your contact lenses. It even has reminders for things to do before you leave, such as clean out the fridge and get a neighbour to collect the mail for you!

To simplify the process, even more, try TravellersPoint.com. They provide a comprehensive list of things to pack for all occasions.
 
• Shop around for mini versions of any appliances you desperately need, such as hair-dryers and straighteners, and make sure you have the corresponding country adapter (a universal adapter is a great investment). A great appliance to have is an immersion heater to boil water with, so you can have a cup of tea, coffee – even instant mash potato! – wherever you are, saving money and time.

• Remember to check your passport and visas for validity. This may sound like a no-brainer, but this ExplorerGirl once had to cancel a trip to New Zealand after arriving at the airport and realising her passport had expired!

Copies of vaccinations and important phone numbers and addresses back home are a must-have.  Also, some countries require you to have several blank pages, so make sure you enough extra stamping space to continue travel.

It’s all in the bag: Packing

• Wrap bottles like shampoo, sunscreen and make-up in plastic bags to avoid leakage, then re-use the bags as storage for dirty clothes on the way home

• Put clothes into sections, such as tops, jeans and underwear, so you immediately know where to find them.

• Always have a pair of pyjamas and toiletries near the top of your suitcase or back-pack so you can collapse into bed after a long flight, instead of having to unpack your whole bag in the dark. Or, if you’re travelling from a hot climate to cold, do the same for a pair of pants and a jumper to warm up when you step off the plane.

• Folding clothes like you would in a dresser just won’t cut it in a suitcase or backpack. Try rolling your clothes: lay the item face down, fold back sleeves and roll up. Rolled items can then be shoved around shoes or in any available spaces.

Tips for air-travel

• Be aware of your airline’s baggage restrictions: some budget airlines charge a fee for each checked item, while others are lowering their baggage allowances.

• Keep all valuables in your carry-on luggage: baggage handlers have a habit of pinching cameras and jewellery!

• If possible, only take carry-on luggage. This will save you precious time at the baggage carousel and ensure that nothing can go missing. (This ExplorerGirl spent two weeks in Italy with only her hand-bag after British Airways mysteriously misplaced her bags!)

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Gemma Considine