Research your accommodations. Before you pack your suitcase, find out about what you have to bring. If you are staying at a hotel or motel, call the front desk. If you are staying with a close friend, ask her. Find out if you do not have to bring necessities and toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and hair dryers. The less you have to pack, the more space you will have in your suitcase and the less likely you will be to forget something important.
When you jam a bunch of things inside of a suitcase, it is very likely that your clothes will develop unsightly wrinkles. Pack heavier things (such as sneakers) under delicate and fragile clothing items. Also, place layers of plastic bags in between your attire to stop wrinkles from popping up. Rolling your clothes up instead of laying them out flat also helps to prevent wrinkles.
Get creative with conserving space inside of your suitcase. When packing socks, roll them up into a small ball and then put them inside of any shoes that you are bringing along. This also works for other small items, such as belts.
The airlines all have different weight allowances regarding suitcases. Check your airline's rules before packing to find out the weight limit for suitcases. If your suitcase is too heavy, in most cases you will be required to pay an over-sized baggage fee.
It is always a possibility for things to get lost while in transit. When packing, make sure that you label all valuables with a return address and contact name. This especially applies to cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players and other types of electronics.
Write a detailed checklist of items that you absolutely need in your suitcase. Do this about a week before your departure date. Check the list several times before leave. Example items that could be on a checklist include pain relievers, gifts, swimsuits, hiking attire and sunglasses.
It is not uncommon for bags to get temporarily lost during air travel. This is particularly common when individuals have to transfer planes. As a result, you might be temporarily without your luggage for a day or two. Be sure to put any crucial items in your carry-on luggage to avoid being without these things. This is especially important for items such as prescription medications, inhalers and work-related documents.
The Transportation Security Administration requires that certain types of items receive screening before entering airplanes. These items include laptop computers, fragile items, electronics, cash, film and jewelry. Do not pack these items into a checked suitcase, and instead have them as carry-ons for easier access.
Airports prohibit liquids over a certain volume in carry-on items. If you are packing a suitcase to bring on the plane, call the airport in advance to learn the current allowable limit. Many drugstores sell travel-sized containers that are to the exact specifications set by the government.
It is necessary to pack any and all firearms inside of a hard-sided container. If you pack a firearm in your suitcase, make sure that it is unloaded and that you declare it to your agent upon checking in.
