Travel Packing Tips

After a long year of essays, labs, and final exams, it’s time to decide how you’ll spend your precious summer months. Many students do the responsible thing – they find jobs, make money, and feel good about putting in several days of hard work. Other students, especially those who have recently graduated, are lucky enough to have a chance to see the world. If you’re like me, then you probably have the “travel bug” and can’t wait to experience the food, culture, and scenery of a new place. But if you’re like me, then you’re probably also very poor.

This July, some friends and I have planned a backpacking trip from Croatia to the Greek Islands. As I prepare, my biggest concerns are how to keep a tight budget, and how to travel lightly. Here are a few packing tips that might help you do a bit of both.

1. Need a backpack? Borrow one from a friend
Chances are that someone you know has been backpacking before, and these things can be expensive. Offer to rent a friend’s bag for a reasonable fee. If they refuse to accept your money, then pay them back in postcards and travel tales.

2.  Pack neutral, multi-purpose clothing
Bring clothes that can be worn in different ways and with different things. For guys, pack cargo pants that zip off to become shorts. For girls, pack a scarf that can be repurposed as a beach mat, wrap, shawl, or blanket. Roll clothing up in your backpack to prevent wrinkles and save space. 

3. Invest in a money belt or security bag
These things can be bought relatively cheaply, and will literally help you save your money. They come in stylish designs, and include features like slash proof straps and tamper-proof zippers. Security bags will also help you to organize your passport, travel documents, camera, etc., in one location.

4. Don’t bring more than one book with you
If you’re using a travel book, then ask yourself whether or not you need to bring the whole thing. Could you make do with a few photocopied pages? If you like to read novels while travelling, try not to bring more than one. You can always trade it along the way.

5. Also try these tips:
Pack shoes with smaller belongings to save space, and purchase soap that doubles as shampoo and laundry detergent. To save money, research a list of free activities offered by the country you’re going to. Avoid excessive souvenir shopping – you don’t have room anyway.

I hope you found this helpful. Please feel free to add additional tips in the Comments section below. Safe travels!

Meghan F.

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VanVic wrote:	Really helpful. Thanks!!! Posted on Jan 05, 2013 at 03:01
universitybound3 wrote:	Fun article, LOL! Posted on Aug 12, 2012 at 02:59

 

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