The Best Packing Tips
Travel Secure – Travel Light – Travel Hassle Free

Secure Your Travel Documents & Money  This includes your tickets and itinerary, passport and identification, valuables, credit cards, and cash money. Scan your travel documents and ID and stash a complete set of copies safely in your luggage in case of a lost or stolen item.

Send a copy of the scanned documents to yourself at a web based email account you can access and/or leave copies at home. If you lose everything, you have immediate access to essential information to arrange replacements.

Travel with your documents reasonably accessible for prompt presentation to authorities as required while travelling but secure in a closed zippered pocket.

Travel with some cash in local currencies or a currency that is more readily accepted or exchanged locally. You will need cash for porters, transfers, refreshments in transit, and tipping. We can offer you advice according to your destination.

Separate your bankcards, credit cards, and cash. Put them in a least two different bags. If one is lost or stolen, you have another ready to access. On a cruise, when you go ashore take a limited amount of cash and only one major credit card for shopping.

Use the safe provided in your hotel room or ship cabin.

Label All Your Bags  Use your business card instead of your home address on luggage labels for security purposes and include an emergency telephone contact to someone who knows how to contact you when you are travelling. Label all pieces of luggage including all carry on bags.

Put labels inside your luggage. Baggage tags do come off and may be lost in handling. If you need to identify your bag later, a clearly written label in an inside pocket of your bags will verify to the baggage claim people that it is indeed yours. Include your name, address, and your emergency contact person’s information.

Tag your luggage with something that stands out in the crowd! Everyone likes a simple dark bag for travelling, and they all look the same on the baggage claim carousel. A colorful, distinctive tag will help spot yours in the pile. Brightly coloured ribbons will do the trick.

Take a Picture If you ever have to describe your lost luggage or the contents to an airline employee, the picture will be extremely helpful in. locating you possessions quickly. Keep the photo on your mobile phone. Photos of the your luggage contents will also help in the event of an insurance claim.

Locks on Luggage  Plan on having the contents of your bag inspected by security at some point, so don’t pack any valuables or cash inside your luggage.  At minimum, luggage locks must be TSA approved, but may be removed by security for inspection in any case.

Choose the Right Luggage  Size and weight does matter and baggage fees can add up quickly. Baggage limits vary by carrier and destination, but limiting yourself to one checked bag and one carry on item is a good starting point. We can confirm baggage restrictions for your carrier(s) before your departure.

Wheels  Bags with wheels built in or wheeled bag carriers are definitely convenient – but they add bulk and weight to your luggage.  Try not to use them and opt for porters and rented airport carts instead. You will probably have to carry your luggage at some point in any case – so pack lighter.

Carry On Bags  Whatever bag you carry on must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. This is for your own safety and comfort and is considerate of the other passengers onboard. Soft or flexible bags that measure 9x14x22 inches will fit under most airline seats or in the overhead bins. Specific restrictions by airline can be confirmed before your departure. Choose a style of carry on bag with the strap that is worn across your body to free your hands and arms for easier movement.

Carry On or Checked Baggage?
Get the detailed answers for the first question travellers ask when packing for a trip - What Can I Bring?
Know the restrictions set by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. This Crown corporation is responsible for securing specific elements of the air transportation system - from passenger and baggage screening to screening airport workers.

Dangerous Materials  Checked and carry on baggage cannot contain anything considered dangerous, or it will be confiscated by security. This includes sharp instruments or liquids. The complete list of restrictions changes frequently is available here > Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Liquids in Carry On Bags  Limit any liquids in your carry on luggage to small 3oz travel size bottles that fit inside a single one litre resealable plastic bag for easy inspection by security. Flammable liquids and aerosols are not permitted.

Use Travel Sized Products  Purchase or use re-fillable 3oz travel-sized bottles of cosmetics and toiletries. There a several shapes and sizes available to carry liquids and any small items in reasonable quantities. Family-sized bottles are certainly cheaper, but you probably won't need that much shampoo and you will want the extra space in your luggage and to keep you luggage light.  

Resealable Plastic Bags  Use re-sealable clear plastic bags to carry the small plastic bottles to both organize them and prevent possible leakage in transit. Take extra plastic bags in various sizes. Pack shoes in plastic bags to keep their dirty soles away from your clean clothes. Pack larger plastic bags for laundry.

Carry On Items  Pack a few essentials in your carry on luggage in case your luggage is delayed, or perhaps lost. Prescriptions, eyeglasses and contact lenses and solution, toiletries to refresh yourself in transit, and a change of clothes are recommended. All medications must be clearly labeled.

Electronics  Keep them in your carry on luggage for better security. Be prepared to turn on computers for the security inspectors as you board flights. Take all necessary power and connector cables and rechargers. Take extra disposable batteries in case you cannot recharge batteries conveniently.

Digital & Film Photography  Use multiple flash cards or even a small hand drive to download photos from your camera and store digital photos in batches. If something happens to either your camera or the flash cards, you won’t lose everything. If you are using film, remember to carry the film in your carry on baggage. Checked baggage screeners may damage the film.

Power Converters & Electronics  Many hotels, and cruise ships accommodate travelers these days with power converters you can request from the front desk and more are providing 110 / 220 volt outlets in guest rooms. These details can usually be confirmed before your departure.

Hair Dryers & Irons  These items are often provided to guests in hotels and on cruise ships. You probably don’t need to bring them. Details can usually be confirmed before your departure. 

Cash & Valuables  Minimize the amount of jewellery and valuables you will take with you.  If you decide to bring valuables with you, use the safe provided in many hotel rooms or at the front desk. Cash and important documents should always be kept in your in room safe when you are out of the room during the day.

Managing Your Clothes  Somehow it seems that bags will hold more if the clothes are rolled vs. folded inside. The key is to minimize the number of folds you make and use tissue paper between layers of clothes inside your bag. Using sheets of tissue paper like they use in retail shops to separate garments will allow garments to slide a bit inside your baggage and things will be surprisingly less wrinkled when you arrive.

Packing Cubes  Many travellers find packing cubes helpful to keep items organized inside your luggage and minimize "digging" though garments to find what you need. Keep lingerie in one cube, swimwear in another and a change of clothes for your carry on bag in a third cube. You will quickly find ways to make these light weight cubes work for you.

Use the hotel or onboard ship facilities. Hotels usually provide irons or a service to launder and dry clean clothes for you. Plan to wear the clothes you choose to bring at least twice on your journey – or leave them at home. 

Most people enjoy shopping when they are travelling and it's a great place to find something for a tropical climate if the stores at home are stocked for winter. The saying goes - Take half as much stuff and twice as much spending money as you think you will need. You will be free to move around and enjoy your destination without fretting over your possessions along the way.

Large Items  If you are taking large items like sports gear or children’s equipment such as car seats and strollers – we can provide you with the details on how to manage these items while travelling. There are more companies who will rent these items to you at your destination now too.

Make a Personal Packing List  Make your own packing list and consider taking a few digital photographs of the contents – to verify your luggage contents just in case you lose something. Keep the list for your next trip as you refine your packing techniques.

Travel Insured  We advise all of our Clients to travel insured. This is advisable not only for unexpected circumstances and delays, but for medical emergencies. Even within Canada, not all provinces have equal coverage for items like ambulance transfers and prescriptions. 
​Please speak with your Mayne Travel advisor about your specific insurance needs and get a quote.

Ask us for advice on any topic we may not have covered here.
We love to travel too!     

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These packing tips are just some of the favourites we have collected through our personal travel experience. For complete regulations on specific airlines or country requirements for goods entering or leaving the country, please contact your Mayne Travel advisor at our offices for more specific information.

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Enjoy your trip!