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Packing for a trip, whether it be for work or pleasure is serious business. Packing can be tricky, time consuming and frustrating, especially if you are going to a new destination. We’ve put together some suggestions on how to manage your luggage load but for more helpful info and insider tips, contact your personal travel manager – they’ll no doubt have some handy advice.

Good to know:

1. Hold up! Before you even start to think about what to pack, do some research and check the weather situation. This way you can avoid packing unnecessary items of clothing.

2. Don’t be lazy with your list! Write a list prior to packing and when it comes down to crunch time, be ruthless! Pack ONLY what is on your list.

3. Seal the deal: Pack all liquids in your checked-in luggage, in snap-lock bags to prevent spillage throughout your suitcase. Note – liquids over 100ml can’t be carried in your hand luggage.

4. Decorate your luggage: Make your bags stand out from the rest on the carousel with ribbons, stickers or tags. This will make the baggage collection process a lot easier.

5. Roll ‘em up: Roll up your clothing inside your case. This allows for more to be packed, and helps to prevent wrinkles. Squashed clothes = creased clothes, as do clothes that are too loosely packed and can move about.

Travelling to a warmer destination:

Wash & wear: Packing quick-drying clothes that don’t need a lot of ironing (i.e. linen) can save a great deal of time.

Travelling to a colder destination:

Think Thermals: Thermals are a great way to stay warm without bulking up with jumpers and jackets. Slip on a pair of thermal leggings and a tight thermal long sleeve top underneath your outfit to ensure comfort, warmth and style.

International destination:

1. Adapt to your surroundings: Pack an Australian power board to plug into an international adapter.  One international adapter alone is never enough to power up or charge your cameras/phones/laptops/iPads/tablets/video recorders/hairdryers/curling irons/electric shavers, etc.

2. It’s critical to copy: Photocopy copies of all documents, e-tickets, vouchers and passports, and keep one set in your hand luggage, and another set in each suitcase, just in case one gets lost or stolen.  To be extra safe, email yourself copies of everything, so again, if they get lost or stolen, you can jump online and reprint them, from anywhere in the world.

Finally, pack a sense of humor.  Holidays are supposed to be fun!  Not all things go to plan and some are beyond our control, such as delays and schedule changes.  Enjoy the experience!

With thanks to personal travel managers Anne-Maree Selmofrom Edithvale, VIC, and Nicole Edgar from Narre Warren South, VIC, for their contributions.

For more travel tips talk to your local, personal travel manager. Visit http://www.travelmanagers.com.au/ptm-search/