Family Travel Girl

Travel Tips for Packing a Suitcase - Packing Cubes

Mesh Packing Cubes:  Here's an innovative travel product that will help you pack an organized suitcase so you can breeze through airport check-in and security lines.  Do you think that the way you've been packing for decades is the best way?  Well, reserve judgment until you've tried mesh packing cubes.  Every now and then, someone creates a new travel product, and, in my opinion, this is a great one! 

On a recent trip to Europe, our family was game to try backpacking since we planned to be traveling by trains and local metro lines quite a bit.  That meant lots of stairs in and out of underground stations.  We purchased Rick Steves' Convertible Carry-On backpack-style luggage.  I also purchased his 3-piece packing cube set.  After paring down my packing list to accommodate the backpack mode, I proceeded to pack these cubes as instructed by rolling my socks, t-shirts, pj's, lingerie, and placing them in the cubes.  You do roll your clothes, don't you?  I was amazed to see how many items I could neatly fit into each one.  When I was done, I had three nicely packaged cubes to place inside the backpack, leaving enough space for the important stuff (make-up, of course)!

While traveling, neither I nor the airport security personnel had any trouble identifying items because the cubes are made of a clever see-through mesh material.  I've also seen these offered online at Magellan's Travel Supplies, so you can check that brand out, too.  Give them a try!

Also take a peek at Family Travel Girl's post about Eagle Creek's Pack-It folders, another great travel packing aid!

Photo by Magellan's via www.magellans.com

Travel Packing Tips For Carry On Luggage

I hate packing a suitcase!  Can't I just snap my fingers and show up somewhere with my bags already packed?  I guess not.  But, here's a reason to rejoice:  I've got some travel packing tips for you!  I recently discovered a neat packing aid that makes packing a suitcase just a little more bearable.  Not only that, but my family thinks I'm both smart and cool for finding them.

Tips for Packing a Suitcase

Eagle Creek's Pack-It Folders are a smart way to organize your luggage, and they come in three sizes:

• - 15" x 10" - holds up to 7 shirts - $22
• - 18" x 12" holds 8 - 12 pants and/or shirts, dresses, blazers, or sweaters (depending on their size) - $25
• - 20" x 14" which holds 12 - 15 items (or some of your bulkier items) - $28

Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder

What makes these little gems so great?  With the included "folding board," you can fold your shirts wrinkle-free in a snap.  Are you traveling out of town for a week?  Fold and stack 7 shirts in the 15" folder, velcro it shut, and you're ready to go.  Who cares if the bag gets tossed around?  Your shirts are neatly folded and secured inside the "envelope."  I love these things!

Here's a little budget travel advice:  Now that some airlines are charging for the first and second checked bags, pare down and travel with only carry on luggage.  The Pack-It Folder is perfect for keeping your carry on luggage organized so that you can beat the airlines' new luggage restrictions. 

You may even find other uses for the folder, like using it when you need a fresh shirt for a client appointment after work, because the folder fits nicely into a briefcase! 

Best of all, on a long trip, the folders protect your clean clothes by keeping them from touching your dirty laundry.  I found mind online at eBags.  Check it out -- I wouldn't steer you wrong!