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Packing Like A Frequent Flyer Is Easy If You Know How
Though I am a frequent flyer, I never know what to take with me to wear while on holiday.
Do you need it? Can you carry all this? These are the questions I ask myself before packing.
I can be so indecisive, therefore I tend to over-pack first, then eliminate items before finally shutting that suitcase.
There are certain items that I just CANNOT do without. Phone charger, ballerinas, wash bag, deodorant, and jeans, everything else I forget to pack, I can buy at my destination.
Have you ever arrived at your holiday destination and realised you have not packed any underwear?
I don’t mind going commando – it just isn’t always ideal depending on where you are.
How Do You Pack As Much As Possible Yet Still Pack Light
You never hear people saying “this time I packed my bags heavier than ever before”. Limit yourself to one bag. Big or small, take just one bag. Most airlines here in Europe have started restricting passengers to one carry-on bag, and make you pay for any checked in bags. My first thoughts? COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS! Until I realised that I could fit in a week’s worth of clothes into a carry-on bag. You can save yourself time at your destination.
How? By not having to wait for your suitcase to finally come out on the belt after being tossed around and mishandled by baggage workers. Also, your bag can’t get lost. Packing light saves time and money, while saying a lot about your travel lifestyle. Frequent flyer motto: “When in doubt, just leave it out.”
If you really needed it, you wouldn’t question whether to take it or not. A great item for keeping clothes nicely packed is this Pack It Folder. I love it.
Getting Your Items Together
Pin these to review and keep for your next upcoming trip!
Want to print out the pdf version? Instant download of this checklist with added items is available in my resource library.
Mastering The Art Of Packing Like A Frequent Flyer
Clothing will take up approximately 90% of what is in your bag.
Consider these factors:
- quality
- weight
- thickness
- texture, and wrinkles
I take a travel iron if the hotel doesn’t offer one in the room. I hate clothes that aren’t ironed!
Some items can be casual by day and more dressed up in the evening. Take items with you that can perform double duties. Perfect the art of layering clothes. Here are my favourite carry on items for travel.
As you do this, you will learn to mix-and-match, creating different looks rather than packing separate outfits.
No need to take guide books, maps, etc. You can download all these on your phone prior to leaving. Prior to travelling, you can download the GPSmyCity app for iOS and Android. You can use it to create your very own self-guided city walking tour guide for over 700 cities across the world. It uses the GPS tracking on your phone to determine your location, guide you around the city.
This app makes sure you are able to complete all the activities you have saved.
This app will help you meet all your needs. Click here to download my articles and the app for free!
Things Not to Do When Packing a Carry-On Bag
A frequent flyer must always keep in mind the requirements of both airlines and airport security.
1. Don’t Pack Liquids Larger Than 100ml
If you are taking lotion, shampoo, shower gel etc. with you, the bottle (full or not) must go in your checked bag if it is larger than 100ml (3.4 ounces). This should not go in your carry-on.
All liquids and gels must fit within a liter-size (single quart-size) zip-lock plastic bag, and they should be able to fit into your makeup bag.
If you buy water, soda, or coffee,make sure to buy it after you have gone through security, not before. Otherwise, you will only end up having to throw it away.
Exceptions: *Medication and food for babies/children *
2. Don’t Not Take Overweight Or Over-sized Carry-On Bags
Most Airlines allow 12 kg (26 Pounds) as the maximum weight for your carry-on plus a handbag, laptop bag or rucksack.
Airlines that do not have weight limits for carry-on bags usually have size limits instead. Always check your airline’s website before each trip to make sure your carry-on’s dimensions are in compliance with airline regulations. At times, when you arrive at the gate, your carry on may still be checked to see if you are within the airline’s weight and size limits.
3. Don’t Not Take Prohibited Items
Do I really need to tell you this? It should be obvious.
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Firearms
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Explosives
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Mace
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Knives
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Razors
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Swiss Army knives
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And so much more……
You can always search on the airline’s or airport’s website for their list of prohibited items prior to packing or traveling.
What Are Frequent Flyer Packing Methods?
A frequent flyer has packing methods they stick to. This ensures packing light and fast.
- Folding Clothes
- Rolling Your Clothes
You can save space using either method. I prefer to fold mine, while most backpackers tend to roll their clothes.
There you have it! Your tips for packing like a frequent flyer! Hope this helps you when getting ready for your next trip.
Save time. Save money. Pack lightly. Enjoy your trip. Do you have any frequent flyer tips you use when going on holiday?
Please share your methods, ideas and suggestions with me in the comments section below.
Safe travels!
128 comments
After seeing this I think I will travel to warmer destinations from now on. The amount of thing I have to put in my bag cuz of a cold weather makes it impossible to fit in a small bag.
I always wonder how to pack my camera and equipment as it takes up so much room. But I love to bring it with me every time. great tips
This is such a great read for anyone who travels! I have gotten pretty good at packing well, but can always use new tips!
Enjoyed reading this post. Learned a lot. I’m not good at packing. Hopefully, this will make me better.
Thank you for all of the great tips. The biggest issue I seem to have is I like my own toiletries but I have been able to make sure they are in the correct sizes for a carryon. The one time I thought I overpacked we actually drove and I ended up with clothes I didn’t want to wear and wish I had packed different ones. I love that you offerered your printables, such a great idea.
Everytime same story, forget something to pack !!! Well now have your post and app to double check the list. Thanks
I love the idea of packing just a carry on bag.
this list will be a great help for all those that fly frequently or those that don’t thanks for sharing
My son will be traveling this Summer and this list will really come in handy! Thanks for sharing.
I love this! Super thorough and helpful. I never bring a checked bag, even if I’m traveling with my child. We make do with what we can fit in our carry-on.
These are great tips! We’re heading away for a weekend trip and I think we’re doing just carry ons to make life easier.
I actually was able to pack a carry-on bag for Africa, that I wound up checking simply so I didn’t have to roll anything around. That being said, I wound up bringing TOO MANY CLOTHES!!!!! I was shocked. I legit worn the same thing every day and it did not matter at all, ha ha ah! I know better for next time!
Where in Africa were you?
These are some great tips I am sure we can all learn something from frequent flyers and how they make the most of their packing.
I guess the topic of packing never gets old. Even being a frequent traveller, there are still new ideas and tricks how to make travelling more comfortable. I like it a lot how you rounded things up in these lists. Very helpful!
I loved this packaging list. Its good when you are a solo traveler. but having kids with you on travel makes you to pack extra things, add extra luggage. or it might happened because I pack things in the wrong way. Thanks for these great tips, i love the all the tips.
Love your packing list and the infographic as well! Packing a suitcase is no easy task for me, and I’m guilty, it’s just because I often pack my bag at the last minute lol! Luckily I have your guide at hand! It will be helpful for my next travel! Thank you! Happy Holidays!
I’ve come to realize that packing light is truly an art form (that I’ve yet to master). Plus, much to my husband’s chagrin, I’m forever forgetting things. He’s put together a list for me, much like yours, and it’s helped a lot. With Amazon Prime, whatever I’ve fogotten, I can have shipped pretty much anywhere and have it in just a couple of days Also, I’ll make sure there is a laundry close to where we’re staying. x
I’m absolutely useless at packing light. I like to have as much stuff with me as possible.
Well, I am not much into travelling, but I really like the listicles you made in different colours. I am very simple minded guy, so a list and organized stuff is definitely go sign for me.
Really great tips! I always like to roll my clothes so its easier to travel, along with keeping it easy to unfold and hang on my destination.
I have a generic packing list which I use for every trip and then just change up the clothing depending on how long I am going for. Anything 4 days or less I go hand luggage only if it’s more I’ll generally share a checked bag with whoever I am going with x
This is a nice guide for travelers, like me. I almost do most of it. But I don’t why it feels so heavy! haha…I need to have a small bags, to separate each belongings.
such a helpful guide, This is much needed for many people including me who really pack like a mess, haha. bookmarked this. Thanks for sharing!
There was a time in my life ehen I loved traveling with lots of luggage. But not anymore. I love the ease of a carryon and taking only what I need or can stretch over a few days. It’s easier to do than many think.
Fab post and really handy. I travel so much and even I had not thought of some of these.
So totally ironically when sending my son off to camp today and another kid came with twice as much stuff, I automatically thought to myself, did he pack enough. And then for once, I was like, he will survive and be fine. So your list is spot on and well laid out too.
Thank you for the informational post. I definitely always pack my battery charger and shampoos also. This is a more comprehensive list that I think would definitely be useful.
I am into photography so I have to comment on the lens and camera there. I hope you were able to take good photos on your journeys
We have same perspective of categorizing things and making sure all I needed is lay out / listed before I packed. Btw, I really love the way you itemized it and print your sample. Thank you.
This will be handy for my girls trip later this month, although I’m only going one state away. Every time I convince myself not to take my mini steamer for my dresses, I always end up regretting it!
I admit I don’t plan packing and I don’t pack lite. I always put on extra things on my bag whenever I travel especially when I am with my daughter
Thank you for sharing, Whenever i read new post about travelling then i also learn some new things which i should keep in my mind while i do travel next time. Thank you for sharing an amazing tips about packing and more.
Very detailed tips and tricks. Like you, we only carry a backpack/carry-on on week-long trips. It makes things so much easier. Often, we only check in luggage when we go mountaineering, caving, scuba diving; our gear needs to be checked in. Having a to-bring checklist is a lifesaver.
I really love your post and your motto: “When in doubt, just leave it out.” I tr to stick to one cabin bag whenever possible. Thanks for sharing!
So many packing tips here, I have a cheap flight this week too! I prefer to fold my clothes over roll them too. Interesting about liquids less than 100 ml are allowed in carry on, I’ll take myself a small deodrant.
I’m a frequent flyer myself but i still pack stuff i don’t use. Haha. But really good tips on here though. I love your infographic by the way.
I used to pack so much when I travelled, now I want to start bringing just a carry on. These tips will really come in handy, thank you I have pinned it for later 🙂
I found it takes a few attempts to get the packing just right. Then it comes easy as part of a daily routine. (if that makes any sense) 😀
that’s really a handy list! I realise that lately the balance between clothes and not clothes shifts towards “not clothes”… when I think of all my camera gear, chargers, cables, PC, phone, ebook… it really gets more and more there… but packing light has as well the big positive point of not struggling anymore with the question of “what to wear?” .
Great tips! I used to pay so much money to have extra luggage but now I finally learned how to pack in carry on! And as you said its easier and cheaper, and you dont have to wait forever for your luggage to arrived. I feel like more I travel less I take 🙂
I used to pack far too much… until I also got the kids to pack for and all their things to carry! … then I cut drastically down on the things I pack. Result the kids and me share one luggage. Great! If I know that I will bring back lots of stuff (like when we were living in the Maldives) I used to put on luggage inside another! 😀
If anything I tend to underpack and then end up having to buy stuff at my destination. This guide will come in handy for all kinds of travelers. No one wants to bring too much or too little.
Great travel tips. It has not happened to me, but I do know of some people that have had to gate check their carry ons and have to go on a search and rescue mission. As always, be prepared with a smaller bag with must have items in it, in case you do have to gate check a carry on. I try to pack as light as I can. If I wear everything I packed, it was a good trip!
Best advice for packing every trips. I always overheight when pack for my trips. Heheh
Where was this post a month ago?! I did a 12 day trip in December and really could have used your tips! Great post will definitely be relying on it next time though.
I love the idea of packing just a carry on bag. While this is challenging, I’ve come across a number of airlines that only allow 7kg of carry on luggage, it will make me think about what I really need and what I don’t. And, it gives me that freedom at the other end just to grab my carry on and go – no more waiting at the bag collection carousel 🙂
I am rubbish at packing light! With my laptop, IPAD and camera stuff it is impossible to travel with just a carry on. Having said that I always end up with too many clothes
thats great!! I am doing most of it already but I am always confused about the 1 liter zipper bag thingy; most of the time they are giving AF but when flying from Cork to Paris the other day, i had to leave things at the airport, while it was no problem when coming from Paris to Cork… anyway; it’s a good list you put together there! One thing I would add is to pack in a way that you can easily remove your zip bag from your bag, same with PC, Cameras etc. and prepare that zip bag beforehand and not only when the security staff asks if you have any liquids 🙂
I’m terrible when it comes to packing. I have this amazing suitcase that I got in Japan and it can carry so much. Once had it that full that it ended up weighing in at 40kg! I was fully relocating/moving states though, so it was a bit different. Still, the idea of taking nothing other than a carry on completely astounds me.
Kudos to those who can do it though.
I always overpack! Even when I think I have downsized, there still tends to be clothing that I don’t end of needing. You’re right about you can always buy it when you get there.
This is such a helpful guide. I’m always ALWAYS having issues with what to pack and whatnot. And always struggle with bringing either too much or too little. Bookmarking this post and will be back before my next trip – maybe following these packing guides my next trip won’t be disastrous
I always have such a hard time with the weigh of my luggage! I think I bring to many clothes or shoes. This really helps you keep on track and only pack what is needed.
Excellent advice on packing. I love the picture. The bag fees are crazy.
Great list! As someone who flies a lot I can say you nailed it! You didn’t miss a thing!
Spot on! I refuse to check bags and if I can’t carry it with my (internationally), it’s not coming at all. I definitely roll my items too. The best thing I do for myself is I always keep my toiletry kit stocked and ready to go with hair, beauty, and day to day products. Always buy 2 at a time.
This is a great packing guide! I travel frequently and always struggle to pack light! Thanks for these tips! I also love the red bag!!
As a frequent flyer as well, I love this post! I think so many people carry guidebooks when really they can just take their phone (not even an ereader is necessary) and download everything in there as you mentioned. Great infographic as well! 🙂
Great tips! I just traveled to NYC with only two small carry on bags and it made things much simpler. Smart packing is the key!
Very useful list. It looks like you have so many things on that list! I would love to see how you pack your suitcase to make it all fit 🙂
I have personally never been on a plane!
Thank you for this. I stink at packing. Like horrible. I will keep this in mind the next time we go somewhere.
This is a great post and definitely helpful tips! I always travel with my family , out of country trips. I used to carry many things with me as did not know what to carry. But I am definitely getting better. Thanks for sharing this post!
Rita
Amazing post! Very helpful! Thanks for sharing!
I worked for the airlines for eight years and I agree with this fully. Even now that I’ve been working from home since having kids I still pack this way. I refuse to check a bag.
I always pack light whenever I go out of country. The things I usually bring are just the basic style of clothes so I can mix and match them at the very least. Thank you for the tips though. These would surely be lot of help for first time flyers 🙂
This is a great travel post! I do not travel much and haven’t been on a plane for 20 years. This was a very helpful post.
This is the best travel post! I never take more than a carry-on and my laptop when I am travelling unless I am moving of course.
Thanks for the check list.
Hi Adeola, thanks for the positive feedback. The carry on and laptop is the easiest and most stress free way to travel these days. 🙂
Used to travel a lot before. And instead of carrying undies, i use disposable ones so i could throw them instead after use. I need not worry washing any during or after the trip. I also used to get those small hotel shampoo containers and refill them so i need not carry my big favorite shampoo and conditioner. Yes, got so many zip locks for my small items and group them – chargers, bath essentials, undies. Writing this makes me miss traveling.
Also a frequent flyer but domestically. These are so applicable wherever you may go. Loving the “Have doubts? Leave it out.” It summarized everything!
I was a frequent flyer when I was stil single. I would sometimes fly to 3 different destinations in a week to conduct trainings and workshops. One of my strategies is to put together outfits that I could mix and match and that would match just a pair of shoes. That way, I don’t need to bring extra shoes. I also stick to one kind of jewelries so that I just wear tone set that will match all my outfits during the trip. If I forget something or suddenly run out of outfits to wear, I use that as an excuse to buy something new during my trip. 😉
I love this way of thinking Teresa. Mixing and matching is great because you can either change the top or the bottom and make it into a new and complete outfit for the day or night time. I also only wear silver or white gold as jewelry so it always goes with anything I am wearing. An excuse to go shopping for clothes is always a good idea 🙂
this very much applies to me. I am the type of person who packs a lot even if the stay will only take a day or two. Thanks for sharing your tips here. At least I have the idea to sort things out should I be bringing them or not.
I never thought packing is a skill you need to master until i started travelling by myself. It’s hard! haha
Your post is really detailed and useful, and you pretty much covered everything. I love it!
Oh my!!! This article is for me!!! Well maybe I’m not a frequent flyer compared to others but I do get to fly from time to time. And messy stuff is really annoying for me 🙁 I took notes from this 🙂 Great post 🙂
I usually start with my head; what do I need for my head, hair, face, eyes, mouth evt. Then I go down. Every body part needs something. So I end up having everything. Ofcourse the official papers and money and things aside.
Great tips! As one who has travelled frequently in the past, I can also share something I do. I think through the whole day I will be abroad and put everything on the bed. Once I have everything I need, only then do I start to sort my stuff for packing.
Awesome advice! I wish I was even a frequent flyer to apply this to my life though. I know very well how to live in a backpack, and I can live with a lot less. Sometimes I feel it applies to my daily life too. Quite ironic how I can pack so little but live in an apartment with so much stuff.
I was just packing today so I went through your checklist. And I am very happy that I did so, as I realized that I did not pack my allergy pills. Thank you for the reminder!
Oh so nice to hear that the checklist was helpful to you Veronica. Allergy pills are definitely something you don;t want to forget. Thank you for the feedback. 🙂
This is so helpful! As a frequent overpacker, I definitely needed this. It gets frustrating traveling with so much “stuff”. I definitely need to stick with the one bag rule.
Such great tips. I’m getting much better with packing for airline travel. I also prefer to fly Southwest Airlines because you get two free checked bags, a carryon and a personal item. I tend to over pack when I’m traveling with them.
Love the infographic with what to take on! I always go on very long trips, so can rarely pack in a carry on bag, but I would definitely do it for shorter trips! One of my favourite carry-on tips is to use solid toiletries which are allowed past security 🙂
I really liked reading this post about how to pack – we’ve got some similarity in our methods! Have you seen the konmari method of rolling clothes? It’s actually a neat little trick I’ve learnt recently and I have actually even progressed it to my current wardrobe situation in my room. The clothes somehow manage to stand up on a little “sweet spot”, super handy. Your colour box list is so helpful, it’s a great reminder/prompter to ensure you’re taking the right things and not forgetting any (e.g. underwear!). Thanks for sharing!
I am a habitual over-packer. I also tend to buy too much once I’ve reached my destination. One day I will succeed at carry-on only. Hopefully sooner rather than later – perhaps when the children are old enough to carry their own lol
LOL. You sound like a friend of mine. Always overpacking, but still shopping to stuff things into her bag that is about to explode from all her stuff. I believe one day you will be able to go with a carry-on bag but it is almost impossible to do it with little kids, even if you are only going away for a weekend. Or make the little ones drag their luggage! hahahahaha. Just kidding.
So this is how I pack… just think that you are with three kids (which I do have). I have to pack for all three of them. I always pack MORE undies and socks than I really need. And for my daughter I pack her 2 more outfits… because well she is just messy. We go on trips all the time. Since we are in Europe I always… ALWAYS pack a jacket. We went to Edinburgh, Scotland last JUNE (mid-June). The 1st day was amazing 75 and sunny… the following days? 40s and raining. Guess what we did NOT have. Jackets. It was freezing! But we did see lots of the city on the bus.
Oh my goodness! I cannot even imagine! No jackets in that cold weather. Good heavens. Packing for three kids and yourself cannot be easy. You are one tough mama. I don’t know how you do it. We flew with our little one to Malta and I was so nervous as it was our first time so I cannot imagine with three kids. Much respect.
Awesome tips!! And those checklists are perfect too! I always, always roll my clothes – I find that I can gain a lot more space if I do that AND it helps to keep things (mostly) unwrinkled too 😉
This is something I used to struggle with, a lot. Thankfully, with experience I have learnt a few of these tricks and now I am traveling much lighter. Very nicely compiled list of tips here
Great piece of advice. I always struggle to pack light as I would generally try to bring many clothes. However I do think that if you are travelling frequently you should stick only to the necessary items.
Those tips are really useful, and I came up with a whole system for when you need to pack light because you don’t want to be bothered with extra pounds or kilos. It’s so annoying when you’re freaking out you’re going to lose your luggages. I’ve leanrt to pack light, because I have to admit, before it was just a mess!
Very good tips! I’m off for my first backpacking adventure this week and I’ve been inhaling as many packing tips as possible!
Wonderful! I am glad my post is helpful for you. Enjoy your adventure and looking forward to reading about it. Where are you off to?
These are awesome tips! I’m also a frequent flyer and I admit I honestly failed with packing.. I guess the only smart thing I did on packing is just bringing a toiletries in sachet-form. very light weight.
I hate the fees to check a bag! We have them in the US but the ones in Europe are more expensive from what I’ve seen. I will take your advice and just never check a bag again. I’m also sad to know I can’t bring my pet mace on the plane with me. 🙁
haha! I’m a nightmare with packing. I always claim to be a light packer, and I am, but everytime I return from a trip, I realize that at least 1/5th of the things I took, I never used. So there’s certainly scope for improvement – I’m going to try some of your tips and see if it helps!
Very nice tips, I wanted to try it. This helps me get idea
I’m so saving this article. Super advice & sure is going to come handy moving forward 🙂
Great! I am glad it is helpful for you!
I always believe in traveling as light as possible, always end up fighting with my wife to reduce the number of bags, even thought they would already be quite light. I like to travel as light as a bird, but it is not always possible.
Ha! Vyjay – I wonder why men always insist on fighting with their wives to reduce the amount of bags they carry – this will get you nowhere. Even if we reduce the amount of bags we take, we will not reduce the amount of stuff we are taking so it ends up with less bags but excess luggage! Hahahahaha.
Awesome advice! We travel with our kids, so our biggest issue is keeping everything organized and not leaving anything behind 🙂
i pack the few needed for a travel though but will implement this when next i travel… thanks for sharing.
did i enjoy reading this? yes i did and most def i will try implementing this steps when next i travel..
Great tips! I have a packing problem (that is, I always pack waaaaay too much) so this definitely helps. 🙂
No way. My motto is pack like you will never come back and you need ALL you have! Fun to carry around haha 😀
Practical tips 🙂 saving that photo of the packing list of yours – I’m a roller, but I can see the folding clothes appeal too haha. Such great info. I find that once you’re on the road, you don’t really miss the stuff you *~*would*~* have brought anyways 🙂 Good advice like usual!
Hi Chantae, glad to be of help to you. Yes save the list and after a few times of using it you will be able to do it without the help 🙂 Rolling clothes saves a lot more space in certain types of luggage but it also means ironing (ugh) at your destination or getting laundry service to do it for you. 🙂
I needed this piece of information very badly. I am a bad packer. everything keeps falling out of my luggage and its always so fluffy . i think I pack things in the wrong way. Thanks for these great tips.
LOL. I am glad that my post is able to help you Subhadrika! I have a friend just like you. No matter how little she packs, she still somehow cant get her stuff to stay in one place 🙂
I always pack my bag, then look it over and take out at least a few items. I never miss those items anyway!
MY EXACT THOUGHT!!!!!!You took the words right out of my mouth!!!
I find that packing light when it comes to shoes is the hardest for me. I always want to take a pair of sneakers in case I want to jog in the morning or workout, flip flops for the pool or beach, a pair of wedges since flat shoes hurt my feet and dress shoes in case we go to a dance dinner. I’m starting to think that maybe I should just buy sneakers at the destination I go to in the event I need them to cut back on my shoe packing.
Yes, I think you can always get trainers at your destination. Depending on the location they could be expensive or cheap. They take up a bit of space, so you would have to think about that for returning home. I always like to have lots of options 🙂
Great advice!
Awesome! It will greatly me since I love to travel.
Very nice article! 😀 Good to know, as I travel a lot, ha ha.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reading 🙂
Great post! And great minds think alike, as I did a mimilar posts a few weeks ago. My all time fave trick is military rolling my clothes. Saves a ton of space! Good morning chickadees! Please check out my latest post and comment with your thoughts. Thanks in advance! .
I roll my clothes too when I travel, the amount of space gained is actually quite unbelievable. Thanks for reading and sharing. 🙂
Uhh yeah I forgot my underwear once. Wasn’t really happy about it! I also hate it when I forget my toothbrush! Although you can buy it upon arrival it’s just really annoying…
Thank you for this post!
Thank you Gala. It seems like no matter how well prepared you are, you always have to buy something at the destination. 🙂
Oh oh great am just so bad with packing my bag i think i got a great tip right now thank you so much
You are welcome Mercy 🙂
Spot on Abby!!!!
Thank U so much for reading and commenting. 🙂