Pack It All In With These Indispensable Travel Luggage Tips

Luggage Selection

Are you thinking about buying some new luggage to take with you on holiday or your next business trip? Welcome to a minefield of decisions and pitfalls in the area luggage selection! So, let's get straight onto the big questions of the day.

To Roll or Not to Roll?

One of the biggest decisions you're going to have to make is whether you're a roller or a lifter. Luggage with rolling wheels can make moving around the airport a breeze but it also adds to the weight of the luggage. So if you're a lifter you're going to have to avoid the wheels. One of the most bizarre sights at airports is the amount of lifters you see carrying luggage with wheels, so don't think you'd be the first to make this elementary mistake.

Soft Case, Hard Case?

The next complication is whether to go hard or soft. Luggage for the hard case fancier is quite heavy but it's generally quite tough for when the baggage handlers get rough and they don't need to be quite so careful about the way they pack. For the soft case fancier however, packing is a fine art. The obvious advantages of the soft case are weight and flexibility to fit more in, but you'll need to be an expert in the fine art of packing if you want to get that lovely pottery home in one piece!

Packing Tips

So you've got your new luggage all sorted out. Read this indispensable list of tips to help you get your possessions to their destination in the way you'd hoped they'd arrive rather than the way they might usually turn up.

• So your clothes don't get ruined by any liquids you're carrying, use plastic bottles in your packing. Only fill the bottles to the ¾ mark in case they are crushed or the contents freeze and expand. As an extra precaution you might want to pack them in plastic freezer bags just in case.



• Wherever possible keep your valuables with you, particularly if you're a fan of soft luggage as this is easier to get into.



• When packing shirts that are likely to crease and wrinkle you can reduce the effect of this by rolling them up (like you would a sleeping bag).



• Take with you a couple of empty plastics bags so that you can separate out any dirty items for your return journey.



• Try and fill your case but don't overfill it. Luggage will survive the journey much better if it's full and will reduce the risk of breakages.



• Avoid taking luggage with flashy brand names, as it will make them more attractive to thieves.



• Place a unique bright marking on your luggage so you can easily identify it when you're picking it up at the other end. This way others will recognise that their similar looking bag did not have the markings and hopefully leave yours alone.



• Switch some of your clothes with those of a travelling companion. That way if your bags go missing, you'll still have something to wear while your own bags are found.



• So you've got the right luggage for you, you're all packed and ready to go. All that's left to do now is enjoy your journey. Happy travels.