Are you planning to travel this year, or sometime soon? There’s some things you need to know about packing for that trip. The worst feeling is getting to your destination and realizing you forgot a very important item – it could ruin the entire trip. But no worries, we’re here to help you out!
We recently conducted in-depth interviews with some of the top deal hunters on RetailMeNot who use our site to find travel promo codes, coupons and cash back offers. In the process of asking them how they find bargains, we asked them to share their packing habits and must-haves. The eight travel pros we interviewed span all types of travel styles, from seasoned and retired travelers to solo and family travelers (and everything in between). They have very helpful tips!
Essentials to Pack for Every Kind of Trip
Traveling Solo
Our panel of experts recommend that when traveling solo, especially for women, you should prioritize safety. This means taking additional measures to make sure you’ll be okay, such as adding extra locks to hotel doors and carrying safety devices.
Our travel pros also say to carry portable charging blocks and entertainment items, such as a tablet or laptop, so you can stay connected and occupied. Also, handling the financial aspects of solo travel is important, so be sure to pay attention to your spending and make a budget beforehand.
There’s more tips from this great group! Our deal hunters said it’s imperative to conduct extensive research before your trip, including seeking advice from Facebook travel communities, travel blogs and Reddit forums to gather recommendations for safe destinations, activities, good food and travel tips.
Traveling With Friends
If you have ever traveled with friends, you know there can be some pain points, no matter how good of friends you are. Some include issues coordinating schedules, understanding the preferences for group activities – influencing the types of items you should pack and the overall travel itinerary – and making sure everyone makes it clear about the budget they’re comfortable with for accommodation choices.
Our travel experts suggest using collaboration planning tools and booking lodging together so you can split to reduce individual costs.
Traveling With A Partner
When you’re traveling with a partner, there are a few things to consider. Our travel pros suggest that you look into group discounts, shared experience options, group specials and also use collaborative planning tools. They suggest you book a cozy, romantic hotel or a rental property for privacy. This means planning romantic getaways at a destination you’ve both been wanting to go to (we suggest one with great accommodations!) that has fun activities you both enjoy.
Sounds like this will be a trip to remember!
Traveling With Children & Family
When you bring along the whole family, there are a lot of things to consider. Our deal and travel experts have a few tips to help you out. They suggest that you look into family-friendly travel offers, which can help you save a lot on travel costs when you’re traveling with children. They also suggest to look into discounts on family-sized accommodations and pikc up kid-friendly travel accessories.
To help you out, an ideal kids’ packing list includes a sun hat, sunscreen, water shoes, snacks, games and toys to keep them entertained (especially for older kids). For younger kids, the travel pros suggest that you don’t forget their pacifiers, blankets and their favorite toys to keep them comfortable during the trip.
Traveling With Pets
From personal experience, I know that traveling with pets can be very challenging. Our deal and travel experts have your back! They suggest that you look for pet-friendly hotels and don’t forget to pack your pet’s travel essentials (like food, bowls, beds, treats and toys) and pet travel safety products (such as any medications and a first aid kit designed for pets).
If you can’t bring your pet to your destination, they suggest using a pet sitter or boarding the pet. But that can be expensive, so our deal-finders say to budget for that expense while planning your travel.
We hope that our panel’s intel will be very helpful for your next trip, wherever you’re going!
The post The Top Tips You Need for Packing: Expert Advice from Our Travel Panel appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.