Packing for an overseas trip can be daunting, especially if you aren’t a frequent traveller. There is something about not having access to your full wardrobe that can cause a significant amount of stress. If this sounds like you, we are here to give you a few tips and tricks to consider when packing for your next trip.
Checked Luggage
Somewhere along the line, minimal packing became a flex. It was fallout from the post-COVID travel boom, when airports and airlines were overwhelmed. At one point, Toronto Pearson Airport had some of the world’s worst lost and delayed luggage rates. The result? Canadians trying to figure out how to pack a week of clothing into a carry-on. After all, who wants to start a vacation scrambling to buy underwear?
The good news for travellers is that the situation has been rectified. For extra peace of mind, consider tossing an Apple AirTag (or similar tracking tag) into your luggage. Alternatively, if you are an Aeroplan member travelling with Air Canada, you will get automatic luggage tracking. While neither of these strategies increases the chances of your luggage arriving with you, they do help you prepare. Before taking off, you can verify whether your luggage has been loaded onto the aircraft. If it gets missed, you also save valuable time at your destination by immediately initiating a trace, and you will be able to track its progress until you are reunited.
Whether you should pack light depends on the kind of trip you’re taking.
Before you decide, ask yourself:
- Do you have multiple hotel changes?
- Are you travelling by train (common in Europe)?
- Are you going on a cruise?
How you answer these questions might help you determine what size of luggage is appropriate for your journey. If you have multiple hotel changes or plan on using trains, you might want to use a mid-size suitcase. If your luggage wrangling will be limited and the checked bag fee is the same for a large suitcase as for a mid-size one, there is little benefit in meticulously auditing your wardrobe. Why not toss in some extra items to have on hand? The right luggage is the one that makes your trip easier, not more stressful. In the end, convenience matters more than bragging.
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