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Ladies and Gents - It is true!!! American’s pack way too much stuff. We are spoiled. Although many abroad think all American’s are rich, which is not true, what is accurate is that we as a nation have way too much stuff. I am as guilty as the next person. The term ‘packing light’ means less that three bags for international flights to me. I want two raincoats and three pair of black shoes, ‘just in case’ and there is no talking me out of it! Now, maybe it is the female in me. Or, maybe it is the American in me. Either way, I have no excuse. I grew up in a family of four kids, with both parents working respectable jobs and I still had to pay for University tuition. (go Dawgs!) I am not rich, but I do have to concede that I have a lot of stuff…and I like to travel with it. However, what I’ve learned is that ‘less is more’ in terms of baggage weight. Below I’ve listed some of the finer points of traveling abroad and the do’s and dont’s of packing.
Baggage
Tip 1: While American check-in desks are rather lenient with luggage, European and Asian ones are not, unless you’re a first class passenger. The bottom line is this: Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports WILL NOT allow a third bag for overseas flights. Don’t even bother attempting to sweet talk to lady at the counter! If you are traveling abroad, some airports will make you pay extra for the extra weight on each bag AND/OR the extra weight of a third bag. WHY? Well, more weight equals more fuel which equals more money, and that leaves less on their margin for profit on the books. So, while some airports might charge you extra and allow the baggage and weight, as stated above the two major London airports do not!
Tip 2: Don’t buy the biggest luggage you can find in American department stores – You WILL have to carry it! It is a long hike from the terminal to baggage claim and through customs and believe me when I say, a trolley or cart won’t help that much! Instead, opt for the more medium sized bags. Instead of one huge monster of a bag, opt for two smaller ones. I’m not saying they have to be tiny, but be realistic. American luggage is the biggest on the planet! When you get to London and you see the size of the alternatives, you’ll be surprised, too.
Tip 3: Tag it all! Even if it is an odd color, tie ribbons to it and put a name tag on every handle. There is no telling who or what is flying on the plane with you and although the chances are slim that there is a similar bag to yours, don’t take any risks. The last thing you want is to turn up and have no clothes for the duration of the trip!
Packing – The Long of It
Tip 1: Don’t bother with checking the weather – London is the worst place on earth for predictions! So, packing by the climate is not possible – instead, pack for the season and be flexible. Once you know this, examine the time you are going to be away. Put everything you want to take on the bed. THEN HALF IT …and see if it fits in your suitcase. The reality is that chances are, it won’t. And if it does, there is no room for gifts to be brought back. So use the tips below to pack and see where it gets you!
Tip 2: Pack for comfort and to your personality. If you wear your jeans more than once before washing, then who’s to say you won’t do the same while on vacation? If you feel better all dressed up than in track suits, then dress up. REMEMBER that what you wear will define what you can do. London is a walker’s city so wearing snazzy dress-up attire won’t always be best. But there may be an occasion or two that will suit the dress-up stuff. Listen, the bottom line is this: Your feet are going to hurt at the end of the day, regardless, so the better the shoes you have on the less it will hurt! Again, pack for comfort, pack for your personality (what you’ll be doing and your personal style at home), and pack lightly – you will spot things you want to bring home.
Tip 3: There are certain necessities to have while being in London. Umbrella, Rain Jacket (to suit the season), London Guide (the one by Eyewitness Travel Guides is my favorite – it has ALL you need), Passport, and last but not least all your flight, hotel, and travel information printed out and double copied (it is best to put a copy in each suitcase incase something happens to one). Other than that, I’d say to pack a pair of good walking shoes, be it trainers, tennis shoes, or Birkenstocks. Pack jeans or slacks, which ever you wear. Pack enough clean underwear and shirts to do you the entire time. Ladies, I’m afraid you may have to wear your bra more than once before washing OR hand wash it in the sink before bed. From experience, Bras take up more room than you think! Pack a backpack – no fanny packs, as you American call it – that will hold all you need for a day out. Ladies, forget the cutsie purse! Get yourself a nice cool backpack, too OR a satchel, like a big SAK bag or similar. You’ll thank me later!
Tip 4: Pack a good attitude. You can read my later articles about the finer points of English food and attitude, but in reality, if you are simply a tourist you might have your day spoiled by a bit of rain. If you consider yourself a traveler, or adventurer, instead, you are more likely to enjoy yourself and the new culture you have decided to spend a week or more immersed in.
Tip 5: Currency – it has been my experience that converting large sums of money before you fly or at the airport after you arrive is a BAD IDEA! You run the risk of carrying it all with you and being robbed, or worse. You need to have about 100 on you to get where you are going, but leave the large sums behind. Instead, use the ATM to get money out after you arrive. That way it will come straight out of your bank and you won’t have to worry if you are getting a good exchange rate. If your ATM or Cash Card has a Visa or Mastercard logo on it, then you’ll get the daily rate. HOWEVER, it is best to notify your bank and your credit card company before you leave that you will be using your card abroad AND check to see what the charge is for using an overseas machine.
Packing: The Short of It
Umbrella
Rain Jacket
Suitable clothing for the season
Good shoes
London Guide
Some currency
… and leave it at that. Don’t complicate things and have a great trip!
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