suitcase

How I Prepare For Travel

Hours Categories Travel

I don’t consider myself a frequent traveler, other than weekend visits to Walt Disney World, but I do travel a few times a year for conferences and vacations. I’ve put together a list of some of the travel tricks that help me stay organized.

TSA Pre-Check

Hands down getting TSA Pre-Check was one of the best decisions I’ve made in the past few years. I only wish that I had gotten Global Entry for international travel. The closest enrollment center is two hours away, and I don’t travel internally that much, so for now Pre-Check suits my needs just fine. If you’re not familiar with Pre-Check, it costs $85 every five years, and you can speed through security without removing your shoes, laptops, liquids, or belts. Having it saves so much time and stress at the airport. To sign up, you make an appointment at an enrollment center where they do a background check and scan your fingerprints. It’s that easy!

Evernote

You may have seen my other posts about my love for Evernote, so I’m sure it’s no surprise that I use it for traveling too! As I make reservations for a trip, I forward the email confirmations into Evernote so everything is in one place. Evernote also has the option to make a notebook available offline on mobile devices, so you don’t have to worry about having an internet connection to find important information.

I also use Evernote for my packing list, because I’m constantly thinking of things to add to the list when I’m out and about. I’m one of those people that has to have a list to check off, otherwise, I will forget even the most basic necessity like deodorant. I set up a packing list template in Evernote, and when it’s time to plan a trip I create a new note from the template and edit it based on the destination and activities.

TripIt

Even though I keep all my email confirmations in Evernote, I still use TripIt when I’m flying. All you have to do is forward those confirmation emails into the app, and it will create a detailed itinerary for your trip. The Pro version will even alert you to changes in your flight, tell you how long the security lines are at the airport, and what traffic to expect on the way. They even have searchable interactive maps of the airport, so you can find the food or shop you’re looking for even if it’s in another terminal.

Packing Cubes

I bought my first packing cubes on Amazon a few years ago, and last year on Prime Day I bought two new sets of compression packing cubes. These things are amazing! The concept is that you pack your clothing or other items into these smaller little bags to keep things organized and wrinkle-free. They come in different sizes, and the compression style zips down even smaller once your items are inside. Is there anything worse than a TSA agent touching your unmentionables if they need to search your bag? If they are tucked safely in a packing cube, they won’t be on display for the whole airport to see.

Carry-on

Whether I check my main suitcase or stow it in the overhead bin, I always have a bag that stays with me at my seat. The type of bag depends on my final destination and the purpose of my trip. If I’m traveling somewhere that I might need a backpack, like on a mission trip or going to amusement parks, the backpack becomes my under-seat bag. If I’m traveling for business, I typically take my large Longchamp Le Pliage Club to use a work tote at my destination. I love Le Pliage bags, and I typically use one as my everyday purse. Whichever bag I take on the plane, I typically have the same items inside:

  • A smaller crossbody purse to use at my destination if I don’t need the larger bag – my wallet, sunglasses, passport, etc. will be inside.
  • My 13″ travel computer with its accessories (charging cable, mouse, pointer if I’ll be speaking/presenting, etc.).
  • Quart-size clear bag for liquids for going through security – even though I don’t need to remove them with TSA Pre-Check, they still need to be in their little baggie.
  • A sweater or jacket, because I’m ALWAYS cold in an airport or restaurant.
  • My 8″ Kindle Fire, which I use to entertain myself on the plane or waiting at the airport. I typically download a few TV shows or movies to watch, a book to read, music to listen to, and a few games. I like to have my entertainment downloaded before I leave home so I don’t have to worry about finding a wifi connection or using my phone as a hotspot.
  • Headphones, for listing to my Kindle entertainment.
  • An empty water bottle to fill after going through security, and snacks to eat on the plane or in the airport.
  • Dramamine, a decongestant, and earplugs. My ears are not a fan of flying, so I take a decongestant about an hour before the flight to help dry up my sinuses. I wear earplugs during takeoff and landing, and the Dramamine is to help with my motion sickness. It also helps me sleep through the flight!
  • And of course, I have a small notebook and pen, along with my Rocketbook for jotting down notes and ideas.

What are some of your travel must-haves? Drop your favorites in the comments below.