We’ve all traveled before. And whether this trip is for business, pleasure – or both – there is one aspect of travel that can be a potential headache. We are talking about packing.
Yes, packing. Specifically, how much we pack and how we get what we pack from Point A to Point B. Packing can be more confusing than deciding whether you should get the hotel & car rental bundle. You have to consider what items to take with you and how you are traveling, especially when traveling by plane or car.
On that note, we’ve put together this post on tips, advice, and the basics you need to consider when lugging your suitcase on a plane versus packing a car for a road trip.
Here’s how it looks:
Plane and Suitcase
Long gone are the days of free luggage. In fact, some airlines these days won’t even let you take carry-on luggage with you without charging a fee. Combining the cost of checking baggage with the hassle of lugging suitcases to the airport, checking them, waiting at baggage claim, take it to your destination and then do it all again on the way back, and that can make for a frustrating experience.
Here are some tips on how to minimize the hassle of traveling with luggage:
- Get an airline credit card: Travel a lot? Consider getting an airline-specific credit card. You’ll earn miles for every dollar you spend and be aware of other benefits, such as one free checked baggage. It’s worth it if you fly frequently.
- Get the right equipment: Yes, maybe you can check baggage – but how about how you go about transporting it around airports, hotels, etc.? Buying a roller case is a must in terms of convenience, but we also recommend buying one that can easily be stacked or holds carry-on luggage for easy travel.
- Pack smart: One way to avoid the hassle of carrying a lot of luggage is to pack it smartly. See if you can get creative and fit everything into your carry-on so you only have to worry about one item. Roll clothes to save space and only pack what you know you will need. You might be surprised at what you can put in a tote bag. Plus, travel only with carry-on and not have to worry about paying to check baggage and wait at baggage claim either.
Car and Suitcase
When it comes to cars and luggage, there’s a lot more freedom in terms of how much you pack. But there are also a few things to consider when it comes to cars and packing for travel:
- What is the weight of your luggage? All vehicles have a payload limit, which is the recommended amount of load to be transported at one time. If what you pack exceeds the load limit, you can increase the wear and tear on the vehicle. In addition to payload limits, the more you pack, the harder the engine has to work to move the vehicle. The harder your engine works, the more impact it will have on your vehicle’s fuel economy. With this in mind, it only makes sense to pack only what you need to avoid excess wear and tear on the vehicle, and ensure you get the best possible fuel economy.
Aside from what we’ve covered in this post, there’s much more you can learn about safe packing and safe travel through a defensive driving course. And there are some serious benefits you can reap at the same time, such as lower insurance premiums. It makes sense to consider all your options when traveling!
