It’s more practical to sort your belongings not into ‘large’ and ‘small’, but into those you’ll need in the cabin and those you’ll need on arrival. This means you won’t have to rely on access to the luggage compartment during the flight.
What to plan in advance
Go through the next 24 hours in your mind: boarding, the journey, a stopover, and disembarking. Pack only what you’ll need for these stages in your hand luggage, rather than your entire holiday kit. Pack larger supplies and items for the following days separately. Do not hide important documents and valuables in your main suitcase.
How to apply this when travelling
Put together a small, easily accessible kit for the first evening. That way, when you arrive, you won’t have to unpack your entire suitcase just to find a T-shirt. At the same time, don’t overpack your hand luggage: it must comply with the airline’s regulations and not get in the way of you or your neighbour.
A quick check before the next step
Before setting off, do a quick trial run: carry all your belongings yourself and retrieve the item you need without unpacking your suitcase on the floor. If this is awkward at home, it will be even trickier at a crowded bus stop. Check the number of seats, dimensions, weight limits and restrictions on special items against the specific rules of the bus service you’re taking, rather than relying on the experience of another company.
Useful information before your journey
Also check: what documents are required for a coach journey to Europe, how to prepare for an overnight coach journey, and the rules for carrying luggage on a coach. Find the latest coach services and route options on RedRay.
Photo sources: image 1 (CC BY-SA 2.0), image 2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Questions and answers
What’s the best way to choose what to pack for the journey?
Based on what you’ll actually need until you next have access to your suitcase, rather than just wanting to have everything to hand.
How can you check if your packing system is working?
You should be able to move your items around yourself and quickly find what you need without blocking the aisle.
When should you finish packing?
Finish the main packing the day before, and put your documents, mobile phone, charger, water and medicines in your hand luggage just before you leave.
How much time should you allow before boarding the bus?
Follow the carrier’s advice and allow extra time for public transport, finding the platform and checking your documents. For an international journey, it’s better to arrive early than to plan a tight connection.