I have a different strategy to many. On the way there, I carry quite a bit of clothing on board in case it goes missing. I still then have clothes to wear if anything goes wrong. However, on the way home I check almost everything as I hate lugging it around the airport. I usually just carry on my medium size handbag on the way home.
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Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29103273)
Total. The duffle bag idea sounds excellent, though. It would have to be something you can attach to the suitcase, though, so I wouldn't have to carry it.
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Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29103291)
Really? I've just been researching these packing cubes on ebags and was leaning towards ordering some. People are saying these save space, that you can pack more. I'd like additional insight on these cubes, hear pros and cons.
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I keep an extra set of everything... always packed.
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Originally Posted by Rebelyell
(Post 29102650)
I find a sweater to be a must-have in Europe in all but the summer months. I wear it over a "dress" t-shirt. Regardless of the temperature outside, most indoor spaces in Europe -- pretty much all of Europe -- are hot, hot, hot year round. With a sweater, as soon as I get on a sweltering train or sit down in an overheated restaurant I can take the sweater off and be a little cooler.
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29102902)
If I'm going to Jpn or HKG in the summer time, I assume needing two sets of clothes (shirt, underwear, socks) per day.
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29102902)
I think another policy of mine that maybe complicates the packing process is that I insist on packing all the essentials and one day's worth of clothes in the carry-on in case the checked bag doesn't make it to the destination.
And, FWIW, all my clothes end up in the carry-on bag. So I'm not sure that's really a differentiator.
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29102902)
There're all these other things that I have to do the same for... electric toothbrush, noise-cancelling headphone, jacket, swim goggles, sunglasses, electric shaver, etc, etc. So it really adds up.
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29102902)
I really hate spending extras at hotels, but maybe hotel laundry service is something I need to start looking into. What would be the normal range of price for laundry at a Hilton or a Conrad in, say, Tokyo, Hawaii, Hong Kong?<br />(Most Hiltons/Conrads in Asia I've stayed at offer free pressing service for certain # of clothes for those on executive floors. I wish they offered free laundry instead.)
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There's a group of travellers who like to do something called onebagging, where they travel with only one carryon bag for periods of 3 days up to 3 months. Although I'm not asking you to go to that extreme, there's a lot to be learnt from their methods.
Here are some tips that you could possible duplicate:
So to recap. A 25 inch suitcase should have around 60L of space. You can start by packing all clothes into packing cubes, and you'll be done with that in 30 min max. Maybe bring 4 large cubes to start with for a 2 week trip (I only bring 1 large cube for a week). That's 40L. Bring 1-2L of toiletries (the TSA size bag is 1L in volume). Packing up all your toiletries will take maybe 15 min. Bring 5L-10L of electronics. (laptop + all chargers + camera + tablet + cables + travel adaptor + power strip should only take up 10L) Pack the electronics into 1 or 2 packing cubes. You'll have only used 50L and still have 10L left over for souvenirs. Bring that "samsonite tote-a-ton" packable duffel bag I mentioned (1L of space). And you'll have done everything in 1 hour. Feel free to change this around as you see fit, but I hope this gives you an idea of where to start. Hope this helps. Edit: I just googled "pickup laundry hong kong" and found some services. It looked expensive at first until I realized they were in Hong Kong Dollars. It was roughly $200 HKD for 15kg of clothes which converts to $20 USD to wash your whole suitcase of clothes. That includes pickup from your hotel, washing, drying, folding and delivery back to your hotel when its done. I'd say that's worth it to be able to bring half the number of bags. |
I have two of all toiletries, toothbruhes, combs, etc. That kit is always packed and ready to go. After each trip, I empty it of the extra shampoos, soaps, etc that I brought home and make sure it is ready for the next trip. I use an electric toothbrush at home but a traditional one on trips, makes it easier plus I don't need to worry about chargers. I have extra chargers set in a separate drawer, ready to be thrown into my carry on at a moments notice.
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I travel mainly for work, so have to take suits (sometimes 2) and dress shirts and shoes. But I know what I need, and it only takes me 20 minutes to pack. Maybe 15 minutes to unpack. I have a dedicated clear plastic toiletry kit, and a black mesh bag with all electronic needs - charging cords, international adaptors, for phone and laptop, all ready to go. I also recently got a Delsey spinner with the side lid, which seems easier for managing clothes while at the hotel than the suitcases which open by dividing evenly in two.
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Well the original question was how to pack in less time but the thread had now morphed more towards what to pack. There is a correlation between how much stuff you have to pack and how much time it will take obviously, but it won't half the time it takes you to pack.
Here's the thing. Some people due to whatever reasons walk slower than other people. What advice can anyone give someone who asks, 'how can I walk faster' beyond saying pick up the pace. The fact is that every individual does things at their own speed. In terms of packing, one person can spend 2 minutes deciding which shirts, pants, dresses, etc. they want to pack while another can spend an hour deciding. How does anyone come up with a practical answer of how to change that second person to a 2 minute decision maker? I would suggest you look at where you are actually spending your time evergrn. Packing time is technically, only the actual amount of time you spend putting things into your suitcase. My guess is, that is not where you are spending the majority of your time. My guess is that it is spent on deciding what to put in. One piece of advice you have been given but appear to be ignoring is to have dedicated 'travel' items. The toiletry bag ready and waiting is one example that has been given over and over here. The same can be done with everything else as well. If you have a Packing List that you follow without fail, you will spend less time from opening the suitcase to pack it to closing it packed. But you have to stick to your list and not change your mind about anything mid-packing. You can change items on your list between trips but NOT during the packing process. That of course requires discipline. This does not mean that you must have items that are only for travel. You don't need to buy a travel only wardrobe. You just need to decide what items go on your list and then stick to that list. A bonus, is that the less items you have on that list will result in less time spent and so looking at what to pack then becomes worth thinking about. Mokuhine makes a very good point about 'mix and match'. On a recent 10 day trip, my wife took her usual 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 pair of shoes. We were staying the entire time in one hotel with a semi-formal dining room. Another female guest who was staying during the same time, said to her one evening, 'you know, every woman who has been here a few days waits to see what you will be wearing when you come into the dining room.' It was intended as a compliment. With 3 tops and 3 bottoms plus a scarf or jewellery added or removed, her '3s' appeared to be a dozen or more different outfits. Look at this example of how just 4 items become 8 outfits: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/mi...es-of-clothes/ There are also links on the page for examples of 6,10, 12 and 15 piece wardrobes. Don't get hung up on whether you like the look of the examples or not, that's personal taste. It's the concept that matters and can be applied by anyone, male or female. How do you think my wife can go from bed to out the door in an hour? She has a list, she follows it, she's done and ready. |
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29102902)
I really hate spending extras at hotels, but maybe hotel laundry service is something I need to start looking into. What would be the normal range of price for laundry at a Hilton or a Conrad in, say, Tokyo, Hawaii, Hong Kong? (Most Hiltons/Conrads in Asia I've stayed at offer free pressing service for certain # of clothes for those on executive floors. I wish they offered free laundry instead.)
Packing cubes are handy especially for my wife who seems to appreciate the forced organization. They don't save space per se but can keep things better organized which can be helpful. Certain travel-specific items stay in the cubes for the next trip. Having a pre-set packing list can be helpful for some people as well. One thing that also helps, which is taking my wife longer to be comfortable with, is realizing that there usually isn't a whole lot that you truly need to take from home. Or put another way, that with some exceptions, most anything you forget or run out of, can be picked up easily enroute or at your destination - sometimes cheaper than at home. You can get a new toothbrush, hand lotion, pair of socks, etc. in Paris, or Santiago, or Kanazawa just as easily as back home. So don't worry that "what if I need that extra pair of socks?" and pack less. |
Originally Posted by dulciusexasperis
(Post 29104939)
If you have a Packing List that you follow without fail, you will spend less time from opening the suitcase to pack it to closing it packed.
But you have to stick to your list and not change your mind about anything mid-packing. You can change items on your list between trips but NOT during the packing process. That of course requires discipline. This does not mean that you must have items that are only for travel. You don't need to buy a travel only wardrobe. You just need to decide what items go on your list and then stick to that list. A bonus, is that the less items you have on that list will result in less time spent and so looking at what to pack then becomes worth thinking about. |
Originally Posted by dulciusexasperis
(Post 29104939)
...My guess is that it is spent on deciding what to put in...
...But you have to stick to your list and not change your mind about anything mid-packing. You can change items on your list between trips but NOT during the packing process... Along the way, you do mention that you have to pack 2 suitcases per person. Having to decide about 2 suitcases of stuff and having to find the items around the house and put them in also adds to your time. If you have a packing list, the time you take will be reduced a lot, even if you bring 2 suitcases. But if your packing list is already optimized for 1 suitcase worth, then you'll spend even less time. Most importantly, as dulciusexasperis mentions, is to prepare the list ahead of time, then just follow it. You won't be worried about forgetting anything, and you'll know exactly what to get while walking around the house instead of having to take multiple trips to get each and every item. Good luck. |
Originally Posted by vbnet
(Post 29102891)
Send some items out to laundry if need be.
Perfumes can be asthma triggers for me, though luckily these weren't. I hate them regardless. I had to wash some items three or four times when I got home to eliminate the smell. I have a feeling much of the stink came from starch. If I ever take a chance on a laundry again I'll do my best to request no starch. |
Originally Posted by ajGoes
(Post 29105642)
I'm going to be more cautious about this on future trips. I sent things to (different) laundries twice on a recent trip to Israel. Both times they came back reeking of (to me) horrible perfumes, and at least one item in each batch came back with very creative new colors.
Perfumes can be asthma triggers for me, though luckily these weren't. I hate them regardless. I had to wash some items three or four times when I got home to eliminate the smell. I have a feeling much of the stink came from starch. If I ever take a chance on a laundry again I'll do my best to request no starch. |
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29102902)
What would be the normal range of price for laundry at a Hilton or a Conrad in, say, Tokyo, Hawaii, Hong Kong?
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