There are about as many travel tips as there are travelers. But these are some that I think top the list. If you have some more, by all means submit a comment!
#10 – Use a travel checklist. You might find it helpful to use a checklist to make sure you pack what you need for the trip. This can also be useful in the unlikely event of filing an insurance claim on lost or stolen baggage.
#9 – Have a security line pouch in your carry-on (or a small, separate bag that can easily fit in your carry-on after you finish security inspection) where you can place everything you need to rid yourself of while going through security lines. It should be large enough to hold your watch, glasses, contents of your pockets, pens, belt, anything that could make the metal detector go off. This will help you avoid being stopped, and you can simply pick up the bag and worry with putting all those things back where they belong at a more convenient time away from the confustion of the security check point.
#8 – Less is More. Carry only the essentials. If the climate permits, many times items can be worn more than once. Compact your belongings as much as possible by placing smaller items inside larger items, such as socks inside your shoes.Make sure you know the temperature ranges of your destination in order to pack only necessary and appropriate clothing.
#7 – Wear slip-on shoes that are easy to pull off and more importantly, put back on, for security lines and for comfort during your flight. Putting shoes back on is the most time consuming, awkward, and potentially embarrassing procedure you have to perform on your trip, UNLESS, you can just slip them right on. It’s so relaxing to be able to slip them off and quickly back on if needed during the flight. Just make sure they don’t smell like the inside of a Middle School boys gym locker.
# 6 – Cross pack with someone else if possible, and take a complete change of clothes in your carry-on. Cross packing is especially great for couples. If one of the bags gets lost or delayed, at least you have half your things! I have known of bags not arriving until very late in the week, and so having that one extra change of clothes can get you through until other arrangements can be made. It’s also a good idea for klutzes like me who on their first mission trip spill a whole cup of Pepsi in their lap before getting out of the country!
#5 – Identify your bags with a distinguishing mark such as a ribbon or handle grip that will help you spot your luggage in baggage claim. Also, place a luggage ID inside your bag along with your itinerary.
#4 – Leave important overseas contact information with a trusted friend or family member in case there is an emergency. Add this to the Top Ten Things to Leave at Home List!
#3 – Carry prescription medication in its original bottle with labels in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage. Security check points will confiscate prescription medication if it is not in a pharmacy issued bottle that matches the description of the drug on its label. This can also help others to ID your medication in case you are unable to do so.
#2 – Don’t put all your money in one place. I remember on my first volunteer mission trip I put money under my tennis shoes’ inserts and I had one of those money belt things. Once when traveling back to the States from Brazil, my wife and I had no choice but to carry a large amount of cash on us so we split it between the two of us. Unfortunately, her purse was stolen and the money taken in the Atlanta airport. Originally, she had all the money, but fortunately gave half of it to me “just in case.”
#1 – Carry a copy of your passport on you at all times. A copy DOES NOT take the place of the original and cannot be used to get through customs, etc. It can serve, however, as an ID to have on you all the time during your trip that is much safer than carrying your passport.
