Tips on packing

• There is no absolute right way to pack - different people will take different things. The same person will pack differently depending on the destination, the activities planned, the time of year, etc., etc.
• Put everything you are taking on the bed or floor, look at it carefully, then eliminate 10-20% of it. You will probably be able to purchase whatever you need at your destination. You may want to leave room in your baggage for gifts purchased while in transit. Doug Dyment's The Compleat Carry-On Traveler has some good ideas on minimalist packing.
• Pack the toiletry kit, valuables, essential documents, tickets and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag.
• Pack all fluids in leak-proof containers and, if necessary, put the containers in Ziploc bags. Your luggage may experience pressure variations in transit. If possible, pack all fluids in your carry-on bag.
• Color-coordinate clothes using one or two basic colors like black, brown or blue.
• Reduce wrinkling by (1) packing clothes in tissue paper or plastic dry-cleaning bags, (2) rolling clothes instead of folding, or (3) bundle wrapping.
• Do not allow airport security to X-ray bags containing exposed or unexposed film that is ASA 400 or greater. (Lead-lined storage bags are not effective against modern airport x-ray equipment.) To pack film cartridges, take them out of the plastic cans and put them in a clear Ziploc bag. At the airport checkpoint, hand the film to the security guard and request a hand check. (Keep an eye on the conveyor belt during this operation. Whenever your luggage is out of your hands it is at risk for being stolen.)
• Although some airlines will allow two carry-on items, on most U.S. and European flights the limit is one carry-on item.
• Attach luggage tags with your name, home address and phone number to all baggage, including carry-on items. For extra safety, attach additional tags containing contact information at your next destination before each plane trip. Another good thing to do is to place tags inside your luggage (to facilitate recovery of stolen bags).
• Fragile items (ceramics, glass, artwork, etc.) should be packed in carry-on luggage. If you must pack them in checked luggage, wrap them in plastic bubble wrap or styrofoam noodles. There should be at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) between the item and the sides of the bag or box. Newspaper wrapping is usually not effective against the rigors of modern baggage handling methods.

• Backpacks: Secure all loose straps with tape or cord. Some airlines require that backpacks be packed in a plastic bag. Some airlines will provide plastic shipping bags at the airport if available.
• Bicycles: Bicycles must be packed in a box. Most airlines will provide boxes at the airport if available. Most airlines require you to remove pedals, turn the handlebars sideways and remove baskets and panniers.
• Skis: Most airlines count skis, poles and boots as one piece of baggage. Most airlines require skis to be packed in a cloth or plastic bag. Some airlines provide plastic bags at the airport if available.
• Surfboards / windsurfboards: Some airlines require boards to be packed in a protective bag. Some airlines will accept unpacked boards if you sign a waiver. Some airlines have maximum length limits of 2.7 to 2.9 meters (9 to 9.5 feet).

1. Health insurance is essential for travel in the developing countries. Evacuation insurance may be a good idea: a medical evacuation from a remote area can cost over $50,000. The Diver's Alert Network has inexpensive evacuation insurance. Travel insurance is usually not cost-effective unless you have booked an expensive tour.
2. Check the National Center for Infectious Diseases Travelers' Health web page for advice on health risks in your travel areas. You should get immunization shots four to six weeks before departure, so call your doctor or travel clinic three months before departure to schedule an appointment. Be sure to get a certificate of vaccination (see footnote 11).
3. Most credit card issuers, loan holders, etc. will not allow you to make payments in advance, so you will have to have a friend mail payments while you are travelling.
4. Contact your Internet Service Provider or company help desk for instructions on configuring e-mail auto-reply. They may also be able to forward your e-mail to a web-based service like hotmail.com or yahoo.com so that you can check e-mail while travelling.
5. Contact the airline(s) to determine their luggage restrictions. Extra baggage and overweight charges can vary for the same airline depending on the country in which you check your baggage. Restrictions on the weight and size of carry-on luggage are loosely enforced by visual inspection. While packing, consider that you may purchase items while traveling.
6. Lock all checked luggage. Baggage handling workers sometimes steal items from luggage. Small cylindrical combination locks are more convenient than key locks (if you can remember the combination or keep it in a convenient place.)
7. You will get better conversion rates with your ATM card than with traveller's checks or cash. If you have two ATM cards that use different networks, take both. Transfer enough funds into your accounts to cover your ATM withdrawals. Remember that ATM machines are not available in all areas. (American Express traveler's checks are accepted anywhere there is a bank.)
8. See Steve Kropla's international dialing code guide for the dialing codes for your destination. You will also need the local access numbers for your international calling card service provider (e.g., AT&T, Sprint, MCI/Worldcom).
9. Extra passport-size photos can speed up the replacement of a lost passport or visa. They can also be useful when applying for local permits.
10. When you exchange traveler's checks, be sure to get ONLY small-denomination bills. It can be difficult or impossible to get change for large bills in some places, especially in third-world countries. If you get stuck with large bills, you may have to pay additional fees to get them changed.
11. A certificate of vaccination will help you keep track of vaccination renewal dates. A certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelling to or from some tropical South American and sub-Saharan African countries. Certificates are available from your doctor, travel clinics or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
12. Save weight by photocopying only the pages you need from each travel guide.
13. Learning a country's language is an excellent way to make friends and enhance your appreciation of it's culture. This can involve simply skimming a phrase book on the plane or daily study over a period of months. I recommend the Pimsleur audio programs published by Simon & Schuster.
14. "Fanny" is a vulgar word in most English-speaking countries other than the U.S. When you are overseas, the preferred term is "bum bag".
15. A compass is useful for navigating in large cities, especially when you are emerging from a subway station.
16. Check the high and low temperatures at your destination(s) a few days before you leave, either by calling your reference librarian or by checking the UM Weather web site.
17. Carrying any kind of drug without a prescription may cause difficulties at customs, depending on your point of origin, nationality and appearance.
18. Liquid soap or Woolite is useful for washing out underwear, socks, etc.
19. See Steve Kropla's world electric guide for information on the voltages and plug types available at your destination.