As a Travel Writer, This Is My Go-To Last-Minute Packing Trick

Although I'm a meticulous travel writer who thrives on planning and detailed itineraries, I often find myself in last-minute packing frenzies for unexpected trips. (I attribute this to my spontaneous, laid-back husband.)

Rather than trying to plan ahead, which seems like the logical choice, I've devised a coping strategy: the grab-and-go toiletry bag. While it won't fix everything, it eliminates a significant packing hassle — because forgetting an essential item or having to discard an oversized one can leave you without critical travel necessities (like prescriptions or sunscreen). It's all too easy to overlook the basics when hastily packing for a spontaneous trip.

To pack efficiently like a travel writer, always keep a toiletry bag stocked with travel-sized versions of your regular products, along with something enjoyable like a unique in-flight mask or a miniature of your favorite luxury perfume to anticipate on your journeys.

Ensure everything in this bag meets TSA regulations and is ready for flights. Instead of purchasing drugstore travel toiletries, choose travel-sized versions of your regular home products. This bag should contain only travel-size, TSA-approved items, so you can travel without worrying about packing essentials for any occasion.

Leave this toiletry bag untouched at home, and you'll never have to remember what to bring when you fly out — everything you need is already inside! Plus, if you're someone who takes ages to unpack after returning, the beauty of the grab-and-go toiletry bag is that you won't need to unpack it at all.

Keep your travel toiletry bag fully packed and ready to go at a moment's notice, eliminating one more concern from your last-minute travel checklist.