7 Common Packing Mistakes That Make Travel More Stressful

Whether you're an overpacker or an underpacker, a last-minute "throw-it-all-in" traveler or a super-prepared list-maker, preparing for vacation can be so stressful that it calls for, well, a vacation. But perfecting your packing routine can make the lead-up to your trip—and the trip itself—more efficient and enjoyable. Be prepared with everything you need, from the right clothes to your best phone charger, and minimize the number of heavy suitcases you need to haul across airports, train stations, and hotel lobbies by avoiding these common mistakes.

You started too late (or too early)

There's a sweet spot for when you start packing for a trip, says Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founder and COO of Neat Method. Starting too early makes the lead-up to your trip more stressful as you navigate your daily life without the items you've already packed, but leaving it to the last minute means you're likely to forget essentials while rushing.

"Start filling your suitcase about a week in advance for a long trip and a few days before for a short trip," says Hagmeyer. "Give yourself plenty of time to do laundry, check the weather, plan activities, and purchase any necessary items before you pack your bags."

You chose the wrong suitcase

Before you decide what to bring, you need to know what size and type of luggage will be the best fit for your trip. Checking a bag, pulling your rolling suitcase over bumpy cobblestones, maneuvering an overpacked bag through a wooded path to a cabin, or trying to carry a soft-sided duffel on a crowded train can all add extra stress to your trip.

A too-big bag encourages overpacking, while a too-small one makes perfect folding a necessity. "You don't want anything that is too small, but you don't want anything too big and bulky either," says Naeemah Ford Goldson of Restore Order Professional Organizing. "Size the luggage so you have just a little extra room for any souvenirs that you might want to bring home with you."

You didn't streamline your toiletries

Especially when space in your suitcase is limited, it's important to make sure your toiletries take up as little room as possible. Edit your usual routine—do you need your 12-color eyeshadow palette or will the trio be enough?—and then decant the must-haves into smaller bottles. This frees up your suitcase and, since you now have duplicates of your favorites, means packing ahead of time won't impact your daily grooming routine, says Hagmeyer. No more trying to remember to pack your toothbrush on the morning you leave for a trip.

You didn't plan your wardrobe

Expert packers can travel for weeks with just a carry-on or backpack—often because they've brought a minimalist selection of wardrobe pieces that all coordinate. "Plan a capsule wardrobe where limited layers and accessories all work together to create multiple outfits," says Hagmeyer. "This saves space and eases the stress of getting dressed each day because everything goes together!"

Goldson recommends considering your itinerary while creating your capsule wardrobe: Do you need hiking boots, a formal gown, and a rain jacket? "Add the restaurants you'll dine in, people you'll visit, excursions you'll go on, and any other thing you'll participate in while you're away," she says. "Then plan your outfits according to those events, and make sure to check the weather so you have seasonally appropriate attire."

You forgot to ask about laundry service

One of the easiest ways to cut back on the amount of clothes you need to pack is so simple, but so easy to forget: Plan to do laundry during your trip. "Consider whether the price of a checked bag would be more than the cost of laundering clothes during the trip," says Ashley Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Neat Method. By packing half as many clothes and relying on your hotel's laundry service—or the washer/dryer combo at your rental—your suitcase will be smaller and lighter, and you can spend your last day lounging by the pool instead of packing a suitcase full of worn-once clothes for the trip home (and having to do multiple loads when you're back).

You didn't do your research

When it comes to packing, ignorance is not bliss. "The more information you can learn about your destination, the easier it will be to pack for your trip," says Goldson. "Take a little time to research the customs, culture, and climate of the place you are going, look at dress codes of places you'll go, and plan your packing just like you'd plan a vacation."

The same goes for researching the hotel or home where you'll be staying. "Research what amenities your final destination offers and avoid packing those items to save space," says Murphy (for example, most hotel rooms include a hairdryer; many resorts provide beach towels).

You didn't make a list

For Goldson, the key to successful packing is simple: Make a list. Two weeks before you start packing, create a detailed lineup that includes everything from how many pairs of socks you want to bring to the aspirin and bandages in your mini First Aid kit, she says.

"When it comes to packing, I find time management is the biggest obstacle," she says. "The reason it's beneficial to create a list so far in advance is so if something comes to mind, you can easily add it to the list, and if you have to purchase something for the trip, you have that reminder. Then when you start packing, you can start checking items off the list once they make it into your luggage."