The hyper-Organised Guide to Packing

Photo credit @Erin Deborah Waks

By Erin Deborah Waks

I’m a fairly well versed traveller. I grew up moving from country to country, and still regularly hop on a plane and leave London. On top of that, I’m a hyper-organised planner, which means I’m a pretty suave traveller. I’ll admit I’m one of the lucky ones who neither gets anxious nor nauseous on planes, I smirk to myself when the passenger in front of me is a frazzled mess and I’ve never, ever, ever, missed a flight - or even a train, for that matter. Need a plug converter? I’ve got one. Dehydrated? I’ve got both a refillable bottle of water and rehydration sachets. Not sure what time a flight is? I’ve got the Ryanair app and checked the details days in advance.

In our 12 years of friendship, my best friend has never had to book a single thing - or even do so much as hold her passport in an airport. It’s no wonder I’m the best travel companion (or worst, depending on who you ask). So I consider myself pretty qualified to dish out travel advice - and what better way to start than a rundown of all the things you need to take to travel in (super organised) style…

PSA this can’t possible be a list for any and all trips, and doesn’t focus on different climates. It’s merely a guide to ensure you don’t forget anything from yours truly.

Clothes

• Jacket

• Hoodie

• Nice jumper

• Jeans

• Other trousers - enough for one every other day

• Skirt

• At least one dressy up look

• Enough tops for 1 per day

• Gym outfit

• PJs

• Underwear (enough for each day)

• Two bras

• Trainers or day shoes

• Smarter shoes if suits your trip

• Flip flops for day trips

• Scarf (essential if you will need to be dressed more modestly at any point)

• Hat

• Swimming costume

• Any jewellery you wear

Toiletries

• Shower gel

• Shampoo and conditioner

• Hair products

• Hair ties, clips and bands

• Moisturiser

• Facial products

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Lip balm

• Hand sanitiser

• Sun cream and after sun

• Razor or epilator

• Contact lenses

• Sanitary products

• Towel

Medications

• Any regular meds you take

• Multivitamins

• Painkillers

• Imodium

• Rehydration sachets (always, always)

• Travel sickness bands or pills

What I call ‘experience enhancers’

• Notebook or journal - although maybe this is just because I’m a writer? Personally, I consider this almost as essential as my passport

• Kindle or book

• Camera (I like to go for a disposable one to make some lifelong memories)

• Headphones

Snacks

• Meal for the plane (making a sandwich in advance will save you extortionate airport costs, thank me later)

• Snacks for the trip (I like a pack or crisps and a banana)

• Cereal bars

• Two or three sachets of instant coffee - just in case, right?

• Reusable water bottle

• Gum

Essentials

• Phone and charger

• Laptop and charger (depending on the kind of trip - since I often work from abroad this is essential for me)

• Passport

• Wallet

• Bag - something for every day, be it a backpack or cross body bag