One of the biggest challenges and one of the most commonly discussed topics among those who regularly travel by themselves is how to get everything they need into one case or travel backpack. There is no one else to share the burden with, and for those setting out on a long term trip trying to think of everything that you will need can be a huge challenge. Whether you are traveling for a week away in a sunny location or getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime, getting everything into a bag that can be easily carried for long distances requires space saving skills that make packing an art form.

Waterproofing And Securing Your Bag

For those who are heading to a destination with a travel backpack that is likely to be traveling on buses or in rural and remote areas, waterproofing is one of the most important things to do. The most common way to do this is to have a large plastic liner inside the bag which is then rolled shut once all your belongings have been packed away. It is also a good idea to carry a waterproof cover to go over the bag which will help to keep the contents of pockets dry in the rain.

Those who will be regularly staying in a hostel or areas where their bag may be not always be supervised will also want to invest in a lock and wire cable that makes it difficult for any thieves to get inside and steal valuables. After all, for those who are traveling solo, there is very little back up immediately available if this does happen.

Packing Clothes

Clothes are a very important part of any trip, and even if you are only going for a short holiday it can be hard to squeeze everything that you want to take with you into the case or bag.

There are several space saving products available that can shrink even large garments into a small space, and they are also useful for making the most of all the space available. Known as packing cubes or space savers, they can be very useful for dividing clothes into manageable packages, while those on short holidays can start to pack dirty clothes into one of the cubes for the journey home. Packing shoes can always be a challenge, particularly for women who travel with heels, but a good approach is to pack underwear and other small garments into the shoes, which will not only save space, but will help the shoes to keep shape in the bag too!

Electrical Items

This is another area where there are so many things to choose from, and only a limited amount of space in the solo traveler's backpack. For those who enjoy reading when they travel, an e-reader seems to be an item that has to be packed, while a mobile phone with a music player is also an item that most people will carry with them. It is important to make sure that each item is well covered in a protective case. It is advised not to pack any electronics or valuables in your checked luggage, as you cannot guarantee a checked bag will be gently treated or arrive at the same time as you. Any chargers for electrical equipment should also be packed, with anything that doubles as a charger for two or more gadgets being particularly useful.

Toiletries

For those who plan to take toiletries in their carry on luggage, make sure that these are included in small containers under 100ml in size, otherwise they are generally not allowed as a part of the carry on luggage. Makeup and other fluids such as suntan lotion should be well packed in its own waterproof bag in the checked bags. Solo travelers can also minimize their packing with these travel beauty hacks.

Packing is an art that is unique to every traveler but, by packing smart, it is possible to get everything that you need for a great trip into your bag.