a woman packing her luggage to travel

Start streamling your travels by laying out all of your belongings before you pack them. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tips + Trends

8 Ways to Streamline Your Travel Experience

Whether you’re prepping for a quick business trip, a short weekend getaway or even a longer stay away from home, keeping track of what you need to bring — and what you don’t — is tricky for even the savviest travelers. To help streamline the process, discover eight fail-proof ways to up efficiency (and even productivity) when traveling. You’ll pack exactly what you need — without a bunch of extras — so you can focus more on enjoying your journey ahead.

Pre-Trip Prepping

An old axiom when it comes to packing is to lay everything out that you plan to take with you, remove half and you’re ready to fill your suitcase. To get to that point, consider laying out everything you plan to pack — including socks and underwear — and reassess the length of your trip and what activities you have planned.

Do you really need 10 pairs of socks for a five-day trip? After a quick review, you may be surprised with what you decide to leave behind.

Mix and Match

Speaking of clothing, capsule wardrobes have gained in popularity, and for good reason. They’re essentially a limited selection of pieces that are intended to be mixed and matched, seamlessly complementing each other to provide options on the road with fewer items to pack.

a man getting ready
Focus on quality and not quantity when choosing pieces for your capsule wardrobe. (Photo: Marriott International)

When creating your capsule wardrobe, consider timeless pieces that can be worn with each other time and again, like a classic white button-down shirt that can be dressed up with a pair of slacks or dressed down with your favorite jeans. Shoes should be included in the capsule wardrobe, too, like a pair of ballet flats that look as sharp with a skirt as they do with that same pair of jeans.

Time to Pack It In

When it comes time to fill the suitcase, fold each item as small as possible to save space; rolling thin materials should help prevent wrinkles. One packing expert suggests packing items vertically so you can see everything at a glance to avoid unpacking everything to find that one item.

Another route to stay organized in your suitcase is to use packing cubes. For example, pack your tops into one cube, your pants and skirts into another, and your underwear into a third. Or, you can really streamline your wardrobe options when you arrive at your destination by packing each set of coordinated outfits into its own cube.

An added bonus of using packing cubes: as your trip progresses they can be used to keep clean clothes separated from those you’ve already worn.

Choose Your Accommodations Wisely

There are many options when it comes to choosing where to stay when on the road. One way to streamline travel plans is to choose a hotel that has ample on-site and in-room amenities, including bath amenities like shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. Having quality bath amenities at your hotel means you won’t need to pack bulky bath products in your luggage or carry-on — further streamlining your packing.

Stay Nourished

A woman grabbing a snack
Grabbing a snack to stay fueled is essential. (Photo: Marriott International))

The last thing you want to be when traveling is hungry, so it’s a good idea to pack travel snacks to enjoy en route or when you arrive at your destination.

If you’re on a specific meal plan (like a Keto or Paleo diet), bring along the bites that you need to stay nourished. Streamline your day by portioning out the food or snacks you like before traveling so you have your own version of grab-and-go. If your diet’s a little more relaxed, protein bars and healthy nuts like almonds are terrific ways to quell hunger pains, and they’re easy to pack.

Stay Fit

a man running on the treadmill
Keep up with your fitness goals on vacation. (Photo: Marriott International)

If you’re going to pack your workout clothes, you may as well use them, right? Consider wearing your workout shoes while traveling — they can take up a lot of space in your luggage — and hit the ground running when you arrive at your destination.

If the weather’s nice, do double-duty and take your workout outside for a sightseeing run or a walk to explore your destination. Or, if time is of the essence, hit the hotel gym to burn calories before starting your day.

Stay Hydrated

water bottles on a night stand near the bed
Stay hydrated before and during your travels. (Photo: Marriott International)

If your travels have you taking flight, be sure to stay hydrated during your time in the air and after you land. According to the Cleveland Clinic, half of the air that circulates through plane cabins is drawn from outside air that has almost no moisture, so your skin can quickly become dehydrated. As a general rule, the Aerospace Medical Association recommends drinking about 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re on a plane.

However you travel, stay hydrated throughout your trip and on the go by tossing a collapsible water bottle into your bag. Not only will you save space, you’ll be able to fill up at water stations in airports or rest areas if traveling by car. Bringing your own refillable water bottle will likely save you money, too.

It’s All in the App

Streamline your travel plans by taking advantage of smartphone apps that support your trip. From airlines to car rentals and hotels, not to mention maps and apps that help find the best restaurants while you’re on the road, it’s all in your hands.

Before leaving home, make sure all of your reservations are plugged into their corresponding apps and that your membership numbers are tied to them. Then you can access helpful features. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy app lets you chat with the front desk, check in with your phone and even order food and drinks.

Delta Hotels focuses on the details that truly matter, making the guest’s experience streamlined and flawless every time. The brand’s invitingly familiar rooms, free Wi-Fi, and convenient dining options offer travelers a comfortable and stylish place to stay. For more information or reservations, visit www.deltahotels.com and stay connected to Delta Hotels on Facebook and @deltahotels on Instagram.