We’ve all been there, reached the check in desk after waiting in a queue for 30 minutes to find that our baggage is overweight and you are faced with paying additional charges or somehow repacking on the spot. Shine have put together some tips on how to avoid this moment and we’ve thrown in advice from the AUIP office too.
1) Know your checked luggage limit – is it a maximum of 1 bag or maximum 30kg? This information can be found on the airline website, usually in the pre-departure section.
2) Weigh your luggage before going to the airport!
3) Know your carry-on luggage limit…and use it. Carry-on rules are fairly standard across all airlines. Generally you are allowed one piece of medium sized luggage weighing max 10kgs, as well as one purse, laptop bag, or something similar. Use this limit and if your travelling companions don’t have their maximum two pieces then give them another bag!
4) Wear your bulky & heavy items whilst travelling – it can be a pain but you can always strip down on the plane and use your big coat as a pillow.
5) Mix & match your outfits – AUIP’s Eleanor suggests packing clothes that are solid colors and lots of interchangeable tops and bottoms to create multiple combinations. Stray from clothing with only one intended purpose…well, except for the rain jacket! Remember accessories such as a scarf or a necklace can change the whole look of an outfit and you can adjust for casual/smart.
7) Downsize toiletries – toiletries are one of the bulkiest items to transport and the items most likely to make a mess! Save yourself the hassle; most hotels/motels have complimentary toiletries for you to use or there is generally always a supermarket or drugstore close by where you could buy some cheap products that you could leave there. A lot of brands now have travel sizes available, which is a nice and handy way to keep familiar products with you whilst you are away.
8 ) Remember that on AUIP program’s it is unlikely that you will be staying in 1 destination more than 3 nights so think about this when packing and think about how big you want your suitcase that you are going to be packing/repacking and carrying to and from buses. A common comment from a lot of our alumni is they wish they had packed less.
9) Finally Sheena’s favorite packing tip is to pack and then walk away from your bag. Come back 30 minutes later and go through the bag and decide what is essential and what is unnecessary. She says it’s really amazing what you cut out when doing this!
