As I prepare for my trip to Korea this week, I thought I share with you some of the tips I use when packing for a long trip. Although 10 days is not exactly long (especially since I have been waiting for the last 4 months for it) it’s always nice to make sure you pack items that you will need and actually use whilst away from home. Most of us struggle with packing and when we do, we pack short of an entire house.
I am not claiming to have it down to a T but these tips have helped me in the last 2 years that I have been a solo traveler.
Items for the airport
Everyone knows you need to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight and for most international flights add-on another hour for queuing to check in your bags. I pack the following items to keep me company whilst I wait for my flight.
- Magazines and Books – there plenty of magazines and books that you can pick up at the airport but I prefer to get magazines before I get to the airport because it’s always cheaper. As for books I prefer electronic to paper so I always buy a couple in advance.
- Snacks – you’re limited to what you can have when passing security so I pack protein bars, biscuits and crisps as I know how
extortionateexpensive snacks are at the airport especially past security. - Drinks – I take two (empty) bottles with me when passing security because if you have drinks they make you throw them away. Since past security there is always somewhere to get water you can fill it up there.
- Chargers and adapters – having so many devices I have to ensure I have my chargers include portable ones for my phone and adapters for my laptop.
- Headphones and music – I don’t have sound blocking headphones which are useful on the flight but normal ones do just fine at the airport.
- Laptop & tablet – I always carry my laptop and tablet, my laptop for blogging and my tablet for watching movies or completing threads
Items for your holiday
I am going for 10 days, 2 days will be spent flying since it’s an 18hr flight each way and the rest will be spent exploring, eating and clubbing. I also know the weather in Seoul is pretty warm so it gives me an idea of what to carry.
- Shorts (4)& jeans (2) – I recently shared in my keep your woolies post that jeans are your friends and work for all-weather types. The U.K. is cold but Seoul is warm so I will be leaving in jeans and arriving in shorts (will change in Shanghai or during the flight). Since the flight is long, I will be wearing loose jeans. No point wearing tight jeans that will cut me in half when I bloat on the plane.
- Shirts (2) & Tops (6) – I love packing a shirt or two for my long trips mostly to wear on the plane as it can get cold up there in the clouds. The tops I pack are mostly summer tops because I know my destination will be hot.
- Shirts (2) and dresses (3) – As I have mentioned, I will spend my evenings clubbing and my days exploring. For the clubbing I am mostly in skirts or shorts and for exploring mostly in dresses.
- Shoes – with shoes I pack canvas because they look cute whether at night or during the day and can play the trainer role quite nicely. I also pack some pumps as I love wearing my flats everywhere.
- Accessories – glasses are at the form front of my accessories but now and again I like to carry a few of my favourite earrings, rings and necklace but when I am too hot I hate wearing accessories except for glasses.
Things like sunscreen, body lotions, face products I am excluding from this list as I am expecting them to be part of your carry on bag.
Now that I am all packed, I am ready for my flight and eager to arrive at my destination. What are some of your tips for packing for a long flight? What do you always include?
Berlin says
These are nice and real helpful tips. And so thoughtful of you not to forget the sunscreen lotion.
Miranda says
Hahaha, thanks
Anna Nuttall says
Hi Miranda, last time i packed for a long trip I didn’t pack enough basic essential so I ended up buying them all. Very annoying!!
Miranda says
Aww bless, I can imagine as I have been through that myself
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
These are great tips and I already consider a 10-day trip a long trip! Have fun on yours, I am due next week for a 6-day trip (which I also consider long), I would use your tips here.
Miranda says
Thanks Peachy, just returned from mine and hopefully you enjoy yours as much as I did mine
Urvi says
I never been to Korea. Have a great trip. You have nicely explained about important things to pack. I haven’t did long trip since 3 years, now i think i should plan one. Have fun in Korea. And do share your experience.
Miranda says
Thanks so much Urvi, I love visiting Korea and I love traveling so a great combination for me
Hannah says
Magazines/books and snacks are always essentials for me. I always get hungry on a plane/waiting for a plane so having something so I don’t have to buy it at the airport is always awesome.
Miranda says
I am the same, I don’t like spending at the airport especially on snacks
Eloise says
I love how detailed you are with your list on how to pack for a long trip! I will have to remember this for future vacations!
Miranda says
Awe thanks so much Eloise
cathy says
Wow great tips shared here! I’ll have to remember this tips s for my next big trip!
Miranda says
Thanks Cathy
Lee says
I SUCK at packing. I’ve tried all the awesome tips and I just can’t. I dont’ re-wear clothes ever which is a big part of it. Everything must be washed, so cutting down on clothes is a no no. But learning how to pack a lot of things in a small place is always fun. My brother in law is a stunt man on movies and has learned crazy packing trips. He has to be gone for long periods of time in a small place with little access to washing machines due to time and distance. I’ve seen some things…Thanks for the tips!
Lee
Miranda says
Oh wow that much be hard, I re-wear some clothes like shorts
Bella B (xoxoBella) says
I am such an over packer. I need to follow some of these tips!
Miranda says
Awe bless
Jennifer H says
This is great information and tips for longer trips. I travel often, but not on longer journeys.
Miranda says
Thanks Jennifer
Jeanine says
Great tips! We rarely go anywhere so when we do I always have a hard time deciding what to get in my bags! This will sure come in handy!
Miranda says
Thanks Jeanine, these tips have been helping me big time
Brandy says
These are some great tips to pack when traveling for a long trip. I will keep them in mind when I travel somewhere 🙂
Miranda says
Thanks Brandy
Tammilee Tips says
I Hate packing for long trips!! one thing I always do is make sure to pack a bit of laundry detergent, sometimes it makes things easier to wash if needed.
Miranda says
That’s a handy tip as I am need to be a bit of laundering now
Coolchillmom says
I always include chargers and s current converter.
Can’t wait to read about your Korean adventures!
Miranda says
Aww thanks I can not wait to share
Sarah Bailey says
I am going to have to keep this list close by as I have to admit I am the worst packer – I never quite know what I should be taking and end up over packing for every holiday. x
Miranda says
Aww bless, glad to have shared
Catherine Sargent says
Thanks for the great tips. I am one of the worst packers. I always seem to over pack and not bring everything I need, I always make sure I have a phone charger.
Miranda says
Thanks, I am still mastering the skills
Heather says
How fun to travel at your leisure. I do tend to pack the house because I have to pack for three other people too. Got a lot of things to haul when you have kiddos. If it was just myself, I’m sure I’d be fine with one checked item and one carry on. I have learned that rolling your clothes instead of folding them, gives you more space.
Miranda says
I can only imagine and yes I roll all my clothes it does save space
Jeannette says
These are all such essentials. I’ll admit that I’m really bad about packing – I always have too much of what I don’t need and not enough of what I do so this list is especially helpful to me!
Miranda says
Aww I am glad to hear that, I am still mastering my packing but these tips help me a lot
Sara-Jayne says
Korea! How fun! I have always wanted to visit there – and your packing list is so comprehensive! I try and do this, and then my boys throw in ridiculous things and countless toys…. I never pack light :/
Miranda says
Hahahaha kids tend to do that don’t they lol and thanks
DannyUK.com says
Chargers and adapters! I have lost count of the amount of times I have forgotten these on my travels.
Miranda says
You and me both, now it’s a must