When do you start packing...

I pack the night before, because I like to do laundry as close as possible to the trip, giving myself the maximum number of choices for what to wear. The only thing dirty the day of the trip is a pair of gym shorts and an old t-shirt I wore while doing that laundry.

 

Usually the day before. I learned long ago to check clothes I'd be taking a few days before. It's amazing how small little stains appear out of nowhere. For my Oct trip, I'll do a dry run soon as I'm planning on going minimalist and I want see if I can get everything into a duffle I have. Staying first two days with friends on a five night trip. I figure I'll wash my first two days clothes along with my sheets and be good to go.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

 

The day before. Vegas trips are 3-day excursions so not a whole lotta thinkin' goin' on.

 

Thinkin', in Vegas?

 

I have a Travel check list that I print out about a week before a planned trip.
That way I can get started early on buying travel sizes for my shaving kit.
I'll start packing clothes 3 days before. No last minute rushing around for me.

 

I make a new list every time as I find things I needed last trip and dint have and things I’ve taken before that were unnecessary. Just started my food list today. I bring cheese, wine and a few healthier snacks.

I will begin putting things I am considering in part of my closet that I don’t touch until actually packing day.

Will be digging through sample and travel sizes of toiletries today to see if I need anything.

Been purchasing new travel gadgets the past month. Just got an expandable water bottle I can’t wait to try.

Can’t bring the suitcase out early so as not to panic the cats. It is all in piles until the night before.

 

I have a set of travel toiletries, hair appliances, and certain items that I only use on trips. Those are always ready to go. The rest I pack the day before.

 

early morning trip, i pack right before I go to bed, wake up and just have to put my toothbrush in the bag and roll out...late flight I pack few hours before heading to the airport...some stuff gets washed and back in the suitcase

 

Planning on starting to pack tonight for my trip on Tuesday night, so packing roughly 48 hours before my trip

 

me: 20 minutes before getting in the car.
My wife: Last year. Not really, but easily three days before. She starts to stress three weeks out, two weeks out, the trying to make a hair appiontment starts, one week out, gotta go clothes shopping. five days out, we have to do this, this, this, this, and THIS. 48 hours out, spring cleaning begins. 24 hours out, I start to drink.....

 

My sister does the same thing. She starts packing weeks in advance and packs two suitcases as well as a carryon bag. She doesn't understand how I can live for five days out of one carryon bag when I go on my trips. I always tell her I'm flying to Nevada, not the moon.

 

I've gotten pretty skilled at the packing thing, whether it's a trip to the local, a trip to Vegas, or a short weekend getaway. I just roll with the punches. I always say, "If I forget it, I can buy it", which works for most things.

 

I pull out the suitcase a couple of days before I catch my flight. I don't put anything into it until the night before though. I will take inventory a couple of days before a trip, just to make sure I'm not missing something I need/want to take with me. I'm a bit of a creature of habit. I've been on enough trips that I have a packing routine down pat and it only takes me a few minutes to pack.

 

I haven't fully unpacked from my last trip to Toronto but illI get it done this coming weekend as I work out of town and no time any other time.

 

I pack the night before departure. When I'm done, I toss this in the backseat of my car and wait til morning!

 

I usually leave straight from work, so the night before usually only takes me an hour or two for a 4 day trip. Why make such a chore out of it.

 

Technically, I guess I'm not officially packed until I stop at the liquor store on my way out of town for some airplane bottles for the flight. So on my way to the airport?

 

I usually pack 3 to 4 hours before it’s time to leave for the airport.

The more you travel, the more you relax. Is it perfect? No. I have on occasion forgotten an item. No big deal. Jump to the pharmacy. Problem solved.

 

This would be the norm... unless an early morning flight and even then, I often do not pack, but at least get my suitcase out and maybe a few things.

As to someone that said it only take two hours - why make a chore of it - I have to laugh. If it took me more than 15 minutes, something is wrong.