How you will plan your long travels.

I always pack just before I live. I might plan the packing well in advance but always end up sleeping 4 hours the night before I live. Not because I can't sleep but because I'm packing. I've never made a list I think, I'm starting to know what I need and if I forget something (usually my tooth brush) I can buy on whereever I'm going. Normally, I'd be at the airport about 1 hour before the plane leaves. Trondheim has a quite small airport so that's no problem, if you have more time you just get bored and have to by expensive food.

HI! Till now I haven't got many long travels, just a few! Well, the first thing I do is to decide how will I travel- by train, ship, bus or plane! Till now I have traveled only with bus and just twice with plane! When I choose the transport method I go to buy a ticket, because as earlier I take it as cheap it is! For my last travel to Germany I spend 50 Euros for the ticket, because I bought it 2 months earlier, and on the day of my departure it costs twice more! After buying a ticket, I must decide how much luggage do I need and will I travel with my trolley or my rucksack! I make a list with the things I will need- clothes, shoes, accessories, food and of course something to drink! If I don't have something at home I go and buy it! And the last step is to pack my luggage- I manage it for less than hour !

I usually make a packing list two weeks before my trip. I buy any things that I need to have for my trip. This might be snacks if these are allowed into the country I am going to. The most important thing I bring is my passport. I have a check list the other really important things like contact lenses and a small mirror. I have to take my toothpaste and toothbrush. Buses run regularly to my nearest train station. Long distance train fares in my home country are very expensive if booked on the day. So I book them about three months before my trip. I can get discounted train tickets that way. If I am going to Heathrow Airport I buy a train ticket to Feltham. If I am going to Gatwick Airport I buy a train ticket to Crawley. Sometimes I have an early flight so I stay at a guest house near to the airport. I like to arrive two to four hours before my flight at the airport. My last trip was from London to Cape Town. The flight was meant to leave at 1900 but due to fog it left at 01.00 the next day. My toddler son and I then had a 12 hour flight. He behaved well and so the other passengers were delighted.

I have many pets and when I am going away I have to find someone who will take care of my pets. I have to plan things in advance and I have to make arrangements with a kennel, a vet etc, I can't just pack my bags and go a vacation. I also have to find someone who wants to empty my mailbox and things like that, and I usually tell the neighbours that I will be gone for a while. When all the practical things have been organized I start making a list, and I write down which things I want to bring. Some things are very important (my passport, tickets and my medicine) and I don't want to forget anything. Sometimes I need to buy a few things before I leave, so I like to make my list in advance. The last step is to pack my things, and I usually do that one or two days before I am leaving. I always go to the railway station or the airport quite early, because I don't like to arrive in the last minute.

I have been fortunate to have been able to go on several holidays and the joy of planning is greater. I start doing it almost a year before the holiday. I will keep a pen and paper open and jot down there whatever I need to do, need to pack and who to inform etc,what to shop here, what to shop there,gifts to be bough and for whom, surf the net for all kinds of information I need, list of instructions for my maids. This list will then be categorised itemwise and the items struck off as and when I complete the tasks. Most of my holidays have been perfect.

well even short trips i make a list because I am sure to forget some thing.. and no I start packing the week of.. and if you are flying you have to be there one houe before boarding... so leave in plenty of time for that.. i am a early bird so i want to be there early ..

I'm planning a long travel in september and I'm already making the checklist for packing. Even if you go somewhere for a short time it's uncomfortable if you forget something important at home, but at least you get back home in a week. When you go somewhere for a long time it's even more important that you take everything you need with you. I'll definitely start packing in advance. I'll be at the airport at least three hours before the flight.