You’re always in a rush to get everything in order before you travel. To pack your bags is the last thing you get to, and before you know you forget about half of your needs! Here is a guide telling you what not to pack, how much you can take along and what you definitely need to remember.
Hand luggage
Let’s start with hand luggage. You want to be sure you have all your basic needs at hand, but depending on how long your flight is, you may need less than you think. You can take only 100 ml or less of liquid substances like toothpaste, deodorant and facial cleanser. A good alternative is to take waterless perfume, soap, facial cleanser and shampoo. At the airport, you should easily find 100 ml of toothpaste if you are struggling to get hold of it at custom stores. All liquids must be sealed in a transparent 20 cm x 20 cm plastic bag. If you don’t have such a bag at hand, don’t worry too much; airport security supplies them. You may only take one of these bags in your handbag.
Remember to make sure there are no sharp objects in your handbag. Certain airlines allow razors with blades that cannot be taken out and scissors smaller than 10 cm. But it’s always safer to pack those types of items in your checked luggage.
Be careful with food
If you hoped to smuggle a piece of biltong, forget about it! Many countries have strict rules on what food they permit within their borders. You may however take a snack on the plane as long as you eat it before entering another country. Here are some goodies that you will surely get past security:
- Dried fruit
- Biscuits
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pies
- Sweets
- Chips
Remember your medication!
Also, remember to take the necessary medication. All medicines are permitted, but again limit liquids to 100 ml. Painkillers and prescribed medication are a must. You can also pack hydrolytes to help prevent dehydration, especially if you get airsick. You can ask your pharmacist for preventive medication that you can take as soon as you start feeling sick, for example activated charcoal to prevent diarrhoea. Furthermore, if you have some vitamins and sunscreen, and maybe some sleeping pills for the flight, you’re good to go!
Checked baggage
Try to weigh your bags yourself before going to the airport to prevent repacking at the check-in counter. Here is an indication of the checked baggage allowances of a few airlines:
| Checked baggage allowances by airline | ||
| Airline | Economic class | Business class |
| Emirates | One bag of 23 kg | Two bags of 32 kg each |
| Qantas | One bag of 30 kg | One bag of 40 kg |
| SAL | One bag of 23 kg | Two bags of 32 kg each |
| Qatar | 45 kg | 65 kg |
| British Airways | One bag of 23 kg | Two bags of 32 kg each |
What everyone forgets
All tourists sometimes forget something. One such thing is to take clothes that will fit in with the culture and beliefs of the country you are visiting. In Dubai, for example, it is wise to have conservative clothes. Although most tourist areas are not so strict, it is always better to respect local practices. If your shoulders are covered and you do not wear extra short pants, you should be able to avert the whining. In more isolated areas in the United Arab Emirates, and specifically in mosques, the rules will be enforced more strictly.
A handy item that many people forget is a mobile Wi-Fi device. You insert a local SIM card, upload data and connect your phone to it. This way you have your own GPS and you can make WhatsApp calls. More than one person can connect to the Wi-Fi network at the same time. Telkom’s Huawei E5573 router is not too expensive and up to 10 people can connect to it.
Other things that many travellers forget are laptop and mobile phone chargers. In addition to the charger, you should also remember to get a multiplug so that you can charge your electronic devices in any hotel room in Europe or America.
Pack smart and pack light!
The secret of packing smart is to pack light. It can be frustrating to haul lots of baggage between aeroplanes and trains. Also, you have enough space to bring all the family gifts! Grab a comfortable backpack and one big bag. And don’t pack everything you need; only pack what you cannot cope without!
