7 Packing Mistakes I Keep Repeating (and How to Fix Them)

7 Packing Mistakes I Keep Repeating (and How to Fix Them): A Complete Guide

Let’s be honest, I consider myself a seasoned traveller, yet my suitcase is a chronicle of good intentions and last-minute panic. No matter how many trips I take, I seem to make the same classic packing blunders.

Must Read: How I Travel More While Spending Less.

If you’ve ever arrived at your destination to find a wrangled mess or, worse, forgotten your phone charger, welcome to the club. Here are the mistakes I’m forever making and the hard-learned hacks that finally fixed them.

My biggest sin? The dreaded "just in case" item. That fifth pair of shoes or a formal dress for a hypothetical gala dinner? They’ve never left the bag. Now, I lay everything out and ruthlessly remove three items. You simply won’t need them.

Also Read: Deserted Villages of Portugal: Spooky or Serene?

Then there’s the over-stuffing. I used to treat packing like a wrestling match, sitting on the case to force the zip shut. This guarantees everything emerges looking like it’s been slept in. The fix was simple: roll, don’t fold. It saves a shocking amount of space and minimises creases.

Must Read: The Unfiltered Joy of Travelling Like You Belong.

But my most stressful error was poor pre-trip planning. Nothing induces panic like a last-minute scramble to the airport, convinced you’ll miss your flight. I’ve finally learned that a smooth journey begins long before the airport.

Also Read: I Took a Train with No Destination.

For me, that means pre-booking everything. I now always pre-book a meet and greet at Gatwick service. It’s the ultimate luxury for a stress-prone traveller: a friendly driver meets you right at the terminal, takes your keys, and parks the car for you. No shuttle buses, no dragging bags through a rainy car park. It’s worth every penny for the peace of mind.

Pair that with hunting down cheap airport parking deals online weeks in advance, and you’ve effectively bought yourself a calm, organised start to your holiday. It’s the same principle as smart packing: a little preparation prevents a lot of pain. Now, if I could just remember to leave room for souvenirs.