The Art of Repacking on the Road – Day 28 of 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag

Welcome to Day 28 of 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag.

If you’ve made it this far in the month, you’re pretty much a packing pro – at least when it comes to getting your belongings ready in preparation for your big trip. 

But what about the task of repacking when you’re already on the road?

It’s a totally different process when you have to tip-toe around in the dark of the hostel dorm room, repacking your gear, to catch your 5 am flight. Last-minute packing pressures tend to have people forgetting things like chargers, watches, and toiletries in random parts of their hotel rooms. 

The more often you move around on a trip, the more chances you have of leaving something behind.

There’s an art to repacking on the road, but, if you’ve followed through with all the tips thus far in the series, you’ll have no problem whatsoever.

Tips for Repacking on the Road

1) Bring fewer items

Yes, we preach it constantly here at Her Packing List, but the truth is if you have fewer items to manage, you’ll have fewer little bits and bobs to forget or lose. 

Simple as that.

2) Compartmentalizing is key

It’s much easier to pack a few bags than it is to pack every single individual item. Just another reason compartmentalizing is key!

Keep all your toiletries in one bag; keep all your electronics accessories in another. 

Try and keep all of those items together if you can. 

For example, if you plan to leave your toothbrush in the bathroom, leave it next to your entire toiletry bag. If you’re plugging in your laptop, keep your bag of cables near it, too. 

You will be far less likely to forget an entire bag of gear instead of one small item on its own. You’ll also notice an empty gap in your suitcase or backpack when repacking that will clue you in on the missing object.

3) Keep a copy of your packing list with you

Another reason why a packing list is essential!

Even a list on your phone will do. Before heading out the door, read through the list and see if anything sticks out as something you didn’t put back in your luggage.

If you’re prone to forgetting things, you can also use your packing list to check off every single item that goes into your packing cubes and back into your bag. That way you’ll know exactly what still needs to go into your bag before you leave your accommodation and you can be sure nothing is left behind.

• You might want to take a look at this post: Ditch the Paper Checklists: The Best Packing List Apps for Travelers in 2023

4) Remember your packing layout

When we covered how to pack a suitcase and how to pack a backpack, we told you to remember the perfect Tetris position for all the gear you brought. One reader even suggested taking a quick photo for future reference. 

Once you get this layout down, you’ll be more likely to know what’s missing, and you’ll pack a whole lot faster. This is great for those early morning, half-asleep packing sessions!

5) Pre-pack as much as possible the night before

A well-prepared traveler tends to have less travel and packing stress. 

This is an especially useful tip when staying in hostel dorm rooms. 

Do not, we repeat, do not be the person who flips the light switch on at 4 am and makes incessant plastic bag noises for an hour while repacking your bag. People will hate you.

Even if you have your own room in a hotel, you’ll still want to do as much pre-packing before you leave as possible. You don’t want to be shoving things in your bag at the last minute.

6) Develop a System

The most important part of this whole process, besides taking less stuff (!), is to get a system down. 

Once you know what goes where, and know your packing list inside and out, the moving and shaking on the road will be no drama. You’ll be less likely to forget items, and you’ll have less stress when it comes closer to checkout time.

Develop a packing routine each time you repack your bag, that way you’ll be able to pack super quickly and it’s less likely that things will be left behind.

• Developing a packing system will help you to eliminate the nightmare of re-packing your bag at the check in counter.
• Want to develop your routine while learning how to pack light? Join Baggage Freedom Express!

Have you ever left anything behind in your repacking haste? Let us know what it was in the comments below.

• PREVIOUS – Day 27: Why You Should Leave Extra Space in Your Luggage
• NEXT – Day 29: Your Essential Day-Before Travel Checklist