12 Common Packing Mistake Solutions From $4

For most of my jet-setting life, I’ve planned my own trips as an intrepid solo traveler. But, after hearing from several friends about how great a travel planner was for enhancing and simplifying their trips, I grew curious. Would these luxury travel advisors have secrets I could learn from? Was I missing out on a smarter, smoother travel experience? Was not having an advisor all these years a big mistake?

So I reached out to some of the most reputable names in trip planning, like Black Tomato, Fora Travel, Artisans of Leisure, and Red Savannah, to see how these experts travel themselves, what mistakes they see travelers make, and how to approach your next excursion with a sense of ease. As a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, I was surprised by how many of these packing tips were new and valuable to me. These expert insights have me considering handing off the task of itinerary planning to a pro for my next trip.

Read on to learn about traveling more comfortably, whether on bush safaris in Africa or to the glittery cities of Europe.

Mistake: Overpacking 

Solution: Use Packing Cubes

All of the travel advisors agreed in overwhelming unison that their clients almost always overpack. It’s easy to feel anxious ahead of a trip and overcompensate, but the experts had several antidotes for a crammed suitcase. Mario Del Duca, a managing director at Nuba, says, “Use packing cubes to organize clothing by type or outfit, saving space and making items easy to find.” He called out Eagle Creek Packing Cubes.

Lindsey Seehaver, a travel advisor at Fora Travel, says packing cubes are helpful on trips with multiple stops; she uses them to organize her outfits by location. “That way when you arrive at each destination, you don’t need to unpack your whole suitcase,” she says. “Simply take the compression cube for that individual location out of your suitcase to hang in the hotel closet and leave the rest in your bag.” She keeps her clothes wrinkle-free with the Jack & Rose Travel steamer. “I always carry an empty disposable compression ziplock bag for dirty clothes,” she says. “This helps save space and keeps my clean/dirty items separated in my suitcase.”

Jack & Rose Travel Steamer

Mistake: Choosing the Wrong Luggage

Solution: Consider Your Mode of Transportation

I was surprised to learn that I might need to get new luggage for one of my bucket-list trips — an African safari. According to Harsh Patil, founder and partner of XplorEarth, I should leave my hardside luggage at home because small bush planes better accommodate soft duffel bags. “Both Delsy and Sierra make great duffel bags,” Patil says. Del Duca, suggests opting for soft-top luggage that “fits into tighter spaces and is easier to handle.” They recommend the Thule Subterra Duffel Rolling Suitcases, which they describe as “durable” with “compartments perfect for safaris and rugged travel.”

Mistake: Buying the Lowest-priced Luggage

Solution: Invest in High-quality Luggage

Though it’s tempting to buy the cheapest luggage on the rack, travel advisors caution against it. Sunil Metcalf of Black Tomato says durability is key. “Buy luggage that lasts and with warranties, as inevitably getting jostled around will cause some issues,” Metcalf says, calling out Rimowa as a great brand. You might want to personalize your bags too. “Monogrammed bag tags are common and a great way to make sure you scoop the right bag.”

Mistake: Not Optimizing for Travel Day Comfort

Solution: An in-flight Wellness Kit

Everyone has their own idea of the perfect airplane outfit. But more than just wearing cozy pants, a comfortable travel day extends to packing certain accessories, too. Seehaver puts together her own “Travel Wellness Kit,” when flying, saying these little carry-on essentials “can help you stay relaxed, refreshed and energized throughout your trip.” Inside, she has  Evian Natural Mineral Water Facial Mist, SkinBetter Science Trio Moisture Treatment (“I never leave home without it!” she says), eye drops (to avoid dry, irritated eyes), noise-canceling wireless headphones,  hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes.

Metcalf says a silk eye mask is a go-to essential. “I always have a Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask in my bag, and we frequently gift these to clients before their departure.”

Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask

Mistake: Not Packing Enough Layers

Solution: Use a Destination-specific Packing List

One of the great perks of working with a travel planner is that they reduce time-intensive preparation, such as researching what to pack. Camilla Davidson, Head of Destination Management in the U.K., France, and Ireland for Red Savannah says, “If you’re doing anything unusual or specialized (safari, sea expeditions, hiking tours, etc), then ask your travel advisor or tour operator for a comprehensive packing list.” Working off a customized packing list can help save you from discomfort, like when Davidson’s client was visiting the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur on a hot day wearing shorts and fashioned a large scarf as a skirt to adhere to the dress code.

Patil notes that because the African bush has drastic temperature changes, you should pack a warm fleece or light jacket for early morning safari drives. “While temperatures rise during the day, early mornings are always chilly in the bush, whether it’s summer or winter,” Patil says.

Mistake: Keeping Items Loose in Your Bags

Solution: Use Packing Organizers

If you’re not a fan of packing cubes, Artisans of Leisure’s founder and CEO, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, says to “pack the most used and lightest items at the top.”

Packing special organizers for everything was another recurring theme. “I also always recommend packing some sort of dedicated jewelry case to keep things organized and prevent tangles,” says Metcalf. “My two favorites are the Wolf Palermo Zip Case and the Mark & Graham Small Travel Jewelry Case as they’re flat, lightweight, and small.” Each case has compartments and dividers to keep jewelry from tangling and to organize rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches.

Love to swim on your travels? Davidson has a smart tip: “Always have a waterproof pouch available for your swimwear on your final day, so you don’t have to pack wet clothing.” 

Tiny Twinkle Wet Bags

Mistake: Not Bringing an Extra Bag

Solution: Pack a Collapsible Duffel

Many travel planners recommend packing a collapsible bag on your adventure. Ganz says, “I personally always pack a few extra lightweight bags that can be folded into my suitcase and taken out as needed — such as to hold extra purchases or fragile souvenirs or used as an overnight bag if I’m going somewhere without my bigger luggage.”

“Samsonite’s Foldable Duffle Bag packs down to nothing,” says Davidson, noting that it is “ultra lightweight.”

Mistake: Putting All Your Clothes in a Checked Bag

Solution: Pack a Few Outfits in Your Carry-on

If you decide to check your bag, it’s imperative you plan for the worst — lost luggage. “In case something is delayed, pack what you need for the next day in your carry-on,” says Metcalf. And if you have an arrival day activity planned, pack what you need for it in your cabin bag, too, like gloves and goggles if you are skiing, for example.

Seehaver says these carry-on outfits don’t need to be an entire wardrobe. “[Pack] just enough to get you through the first 24 to 48 hours of your trip while you wait for your bag to catch up,” she says. She personally loves the Away’s carry-on luggage and travel bags.  “I use the Everywhere Zip Backpack and/or Everywhere Bag. Lightweight, durable, easy to clean, and lots of interior and exterior pockets to store all your travel essentials and a few extra outfits comfortably,” she says.

Del Duca suggests wearing and packing breathable fabrics and layers that adapt to changing temperatures, like the Lululemon City Sleek Travel Pants. “Pair [them] with a soft cashmere travel wrap for added luxury.”

Mistake: Drinking on the Airplane

Solution: Hydrate

“Boozing on planes is another mistake,” says Metcalf. “It throws you hugely off balance, especially when it comes to time zones.” Though it’s hard not to want to celebrate immediately upon take-off, Metcalf says to skip the alcohol and hydrate instead, suggesting hydration packets like Liquid IV. 

Mistake: Forgetting That You Can Wash Your Clothes

Solution: Bring Travel Laundry Detergent

Guilty. I have made the mistake myself of packing 40 pairs of underwear for a seven-day trip. That math simply doesn’t add up. The truth is that finding laundry services on your travels isn’t complicated or even inconvenient, and remembering this can help with overpacking. “If you are going on a safari, 99 percent of the time, each lodge will launder clothes each day,” says Metcalf. Even if your hotel or resort doesn’t have laundry services, you can sink-wash essentials in a pinch with Tide travel detergent.

Davidson from Red Savannah advises avoiding packing items that will only be worn once. “Think about ‘hero pieces’ which will be useful in multiple settings,” she says, offering up the example of a linen shirt. “You can wear [it] to dinner one evening and then on the beach the following day.” She also mentions the “Rule of Three,” as a great starting point for chronic overpackers — it’s the concept of packing three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes that easily mix and match.

Mistake: Leaving Extra Room In Your Suitcase

Solution: Bring an extra bag to tote home items you buy

Personally, I love shopping on my travels. Browsing boutiques is one of my favorite ways to explore a new city and support local makers. The travel advisors I spoke to agree. “You can always buy things you forgot or want in situ which is half the fun anyway,” says Metcalf. This is when that collapsible duffel bag will come in handy to carry the souvenirs you picked up along the way.

Mistake: Planning Too Much

Solution: Use a Travel Advisor

Stuffing your vacation full of to-do lists can quickly turn your precious PTO into a long list of chores. The advisors noted that self-planning travelers tend to overdo it when scheduling a trip themselves and don’t allow enough time for spontaneity and flexibility. Metcalf says, “In terms of enjoying their trip, keep a good cadence and don’t overprogram too much. Allow time to get a bit lost.”

Seehaver says a luxurious, indulgent trip isn’t always about a certain level of fanciness; rather, “it’s about tailoring the experience to what each individual truly values.” A travel planner who gets to know your interests, lifestyle, and expectations might be key to your next getaway. “A professional planner will design a custom itinerary that aligns with your tastes while also ensuring that your itinerary includes some flexibility — whether that’s a day free for last-minute adventures, the ability to adjust plans based on weather, or an open-ended dinner reservation at a renowned local spot,” she says.

To learn more about these travel planners and advisors and their bespoke services, visit their websites:

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