Winter is a great time to snag travel deals, but if you’re going to spend all those extra savings on baggage fees, you’re better off staying home. To get the most out of your winter vacation, pack your clothes efficiently. Not only will you save money at the airport, but you’ll also save time and stress during the packing and unpacking process. We asked some travel experts about the methods they use to maximize their luggage space when heavy winter clothing is involved.

1. WEAR YOUR BULKIEST ITEMS.

No matter what folding method or fancy equipment you use, your winter coat will always take up more room in your suitcase than a t-shirt. One simple way to save space is to forgo packing it in your bag at all and wear it on the trip. The layering method is an essential strategy for Chris Elliott, travel writer and author of How to Be the World’s Smartest Traveler (and Save Time, Money, and Hassle). “This method lets you avoid having to pack your heavy winter jacket, which as you know can easily fill up the entire carry-on,” he tells Mental Floss.

The same trick applies to your boots, gloves, scarves, sweaters, and any other piece of winter gear you can slip on without overheating. And don’t worry, you won’t be dressed for the tundra for the entirety of your journey: As soon as you get into the car or plane, slip off your jacket and use it to get comfy. Kristin Addis, writer of the travel blog Be My Travel Muse, does this when when she’s not storing her jacket in the overhead bin. “Sometimes flights are so cold that it’s really nice to use it as a blanket or extra pillow,” she tells Mental Floss.

2. FIND THE RIGHT BAG.

Winter puts your luggage to the test. A well-made bag should be able to fit a last-minute pair of socks when it’s already full to the brim, while an old, cheap model will be stretching at the seams long before that. Elliott recommends that travelers prioritize quality over bells and whistles. “You might have a really awesome bag that’s self-weighing and it’s got a charger in it,” he says, “but if it doesn’t hold up to the rigors of travel, you should leave it at home.”

3. REMEMBER: LESS IS MORE.

Stuffing in that one extra sweater can be the undoing of many winter travelers. Instead of focusing on bulky outerwear, Addis prefers to pack light base layers that will keep her toasty without pushing her luggage past the weight limit. “I try to bring things that are inherently warm and lightweight like merino wool ski underwear and a very warm down jacket,” she tells Mental Floss. “Even with just those two layers I am good in -20°C as long as it is a dry cold.” If you have base layers packed for every day of your trip, there’s no reason to bring more than one or two sweaters. No one will fault you for wearing the same outfit twice. Elliott also prefers to pack base layers from quality brands like North Face over the flashier items he has in his closet. “If you’re going somewhere really cold, unless you’re going to Aspen, you don’t really need to make a fashion statement,” he says. “You don’t need to pack your entire wardrobe.”

4. USE THE NAVY FOLDING METHOD.

To roll or to fold? That is the question that plagues many travelers when they first set out to fill a suitcase. You may suspect that it doesn’t make much of a difference either way, but to both Elliott and Addis the answer is clear: Rolling is the way to go. For lighter undershirts, employ the fold-and-roll method used by the Navy. Lay the shirt flat on your bed or some other surface and fold the bottom third of the shirt to its back side. Next fold it vertically, laying the right half of the shirt over the left half. Finally, fold the left third of the shirt into the middle and then fold the remaining right third over that. Compress it even tighter by rolling the whole thing up starting from the collar. For sweaters, you can get away with a few less folds. Lay the garment flat and fold the arms behind the back to make an “X”. Fold it in two vertically—now you’re ready to start rolling it tight from top to bottom. If you’re worried about your perfectly bundled packages unraveling, secure them with a rubber band to give yourself peace of mind.

5. INVEST IN LUGGAGE CUBES.

To pack like a pro, get your hands on a set of luggage cubes. After testing them out, Elliott says he’ll never go back. “I always thought luggage cubes were gimmicky and then I tried them,” he says, “They are not gimmicky at all. Two luggage cubes can save you a ton of space.” Elliot’s favorite cubes are from Eagle Creek. The mesh, zippered containers are basically mini suitcases: Fold and roll your clothes like you normally would then squeeze them into the cubes until they’re full. The packed cubes fit like puzzle pieces into your bag, helping to maximize space. Addis is also a fan. “My big secret is packing cubes!” she says. “I roll and stuff each item into them, zip it up, and then it is organized and more compact.”

6. WEIGH YOUR BAG.

One extra pound can make the difference between paying an extra $50 at the airport and walking on the flight with that money in your pocket. Traveling with heavy winter gear means your bag is more likely to tip past the 50-pound limit. Avoid getting blind-sided at security by weighing your bag before you leave the house. Pack the bare minimum amount of supplies you need before your first weight check. If you have a few pounds to spare and some room left in the bag, reward yourself by chucking in your favorite scarf or sweater you planned to leave behind.

Arrive at your destination rejuvenated…

Keep Hydrated

It is easy to become dehydrated whilst flying, as the air inside a plane cabin is very dry, so make sure to drink plenty of water. The one bottle of water supplied by the flight attendants won’t be enough for a long haul flight, so to avoid the hassle of constantly having to ask for water, bring along your own filtered water bottle and refill it with tap water on the plane. Although it might be tempting to indulge in a glass of wine or cocktail to relax your nerves, try to avoid alcoholic or carbonated drinks, as they will only add to dehydration.

Eat Right

Nothing can add to the discomfort of a flight like improper diet. Make sure to eat lightly on board, and stay away from gaseous foods. When flying at a high altitude bodily gases expand by one third causing aches and uneasiness. Make your flight more enjoyable by eating foods to strengthen your immune system, such as fresh fruits and veggies like raw carrots, apples and bananas – the airline might not stock these so bring your own snacks when possible.

Dress Comfortably

Don’t let vanity get the better of you on long-haul flights, ditch the suits and heels and opt for comfortable loose fitting clothing instead. If you don’t want to be seen wandering through the airport in your pyjamas, pack some clothes to change into on-board. Don’t forget to take off your shoes too, as ankles tend to swell up at high altitudes.

Care For Your Skin

Long haul flights are known to take a toll on personal appearance. To make sure you reach your destination looking fresh and rested, hydrate your skin at regular intervals throughout the flight. Invest in some high quality natural moisturiser or spritzer spray enriched with essential oils to keep you feeling and looking your best.

Keep Moving

It is important to keep the blood flowing on long haul flights as sitting for hours at a time can increase the risk of blood clots. Take a look at the inflight magazine, as most will suggest a number of exercises to help your blood circulation. Most importantly remember to stand up, stretch and walk around at least once an hour.

Boost Your Immune System

A strong immune system is key to ensuring a healthy holiday, so prior to your trip make sure your system is up to speed by taking high-end multi-vitamins and multi-mineral supplements on a regular basis. A healthy immune system will help your body cope with the recycled air and dry atmosphere associated with long haul flights.

Relax

If you are a nervous flyer, try to relax before boarding because stress will only add to the discomfort you feel whilst in the air. Use a relaxation technique that works for you, whether its meditation, taking deep slow breaths, or counting backwards from 5 to 1. If it’s an especially long flight you may want to get some shuteye to pass the time. If you have trouble falling asleep whilst flying you may want to invest in a natural sleep aid.

Going on a holiday is not as easy it may seem and times you end up spending more than what you had actually planned.

Traveling can be a very tricky experience and travelers often find it difficult to manage their finances in an eventful and exciting travelling destination. Malaysia is one such tourist destination that is truly fascinating as well as extraordinarily beautiful and provides with exhilarating holiday experience. While planning your trip to Malaysia it gets important that you are aware of the tricks of the trade and make your bookings in such a way that help you save some serious cash.

To save some handy money you can simply opt for online bookings for Malaysia trip and here are some perfect tips that you can employ to make perfect savings –

1. Compare flight rates on Rate comparison sites –

One of the best tourist destinations in the world, Malaysia can provide to you one of the best and wonderful holiday experiences. To ensure that your holiday experience goes smooth, it is important to make your travel smoother. Buying a flight ticket can always prove quite an expensive affair and therefore you should always look to book with an online travel site after comparing the rates for hundreds of flights with different portals. You can always find best flight deals for Malaysia on rate comparison sites for flights and can book flights on cheapest days to travel with best flight at cheapest price.

2. Look for cheap and best accommodations –

Travelling to a beautiful country like Malaysia can let you experience the best time of your life. The experience gets even more pleasing if you avail the facility of best accommodation. To book a hotel room in Malaysia at some cool prices you can always take help of online hotel booking platforms. Here, you can compare the rates of different hotels in Malaysia offered by different hotel booking platforms. Now, you can simply chose a hotel room of your choice that is available at most suitable price and save some handy money.

3. Couchsurfing is quite perfect for individuals –

The trend of Couchsurfing in recent times has become quite popular and travelers from all over the world opt for this type of accommodation to save money and experience a homely feel. Couchsurfing is a community where hosts from all over the world offer their place on rent and travelers can chose a host in a city that they are going to visit. You can also opt for this service while in Malaysia and can save some handy bucks that you may spend on luxurious hotels.

4. Save money by opting for a travel package –

Planning a holiday in Malaysia may require you to carry out different permutations and combinations regarding booking for hotels, cabs as well as flights. It is at this time you can consider the option of booking a holiday package with a travel portal. Popular online travel portals provide you the facility of picking a tour package that suits your budget and you get best facilities within the budget. You can add to the package tourist attractions of your choice can also select the number of days. A holiday package is a more suitable option to enjoy your holiday in Malaysia and avoids you from overspending as well as wasting your money on expensive hotel and flight bookings.

5. Some other ways to save money on a trip

Traveling to airport to fly to Malaysia is always a proud feeling and it is at this time you can book an Ola cab to make your journey to the airport an exciting one. While booking a cab you can apply Ola Cabs Coupons and avail suitable discounts and save precious money.

Get ready for your next vacation with these kid-friendly travel tips, perfect for traveling across country or even globetrotting around the world.

The summer season is just around the corner, which means that memory-making adventures are on the horizon. After all, the biggest gift we can give our kids is time: time creating, time discovering, and time together. When planning a vacation, whether you’ll be traveling internationally, road-tripping across the country, or romping around in nature at a nearby forest preserve, there’s much to consider.

As a seasoned travel writer and a mother of three, I’ve been all over the globe with my brood, exploring not only far-flung destinations like Peru, Japan, and India but also closer-to-home outdoorsy locales like our national and state parks. Let me tell you, I’ve learned some helpful tips along the way. Additionally, I’ve reached out to other parents and caregivers, including a pediatric doctor, to get their tips for successful summer travel with kids.

Take a Deep Breath

Traveling with kiddos for the first time? Akanksha Shrivastava Hanna, MD, pediatrician in Park Ridge, Illinois, says that you should start by taking a deep breath.

“Parents want to make sure we plan for everyone and everything to create the best trip possible,” says Hanna. “A great step to take is to acknowledge we won’t see or do everything, and that’s fine. Set reasonable goals, [have] a flexible itinerary, be as prepared as you can, and be ready to pivot since travel is not always a smooth process. Making lists is helpful and think of your child’s needs for an entire day, including meals, toiletries, car travel, and safe sleep equipment.”

Find a Playground or Outdoor Space

Playing outside is a great way to burn off energy and have a healthy reset. Go on a hike, stop at a local playground, or take the dogs to a fenced-in park. Your little ones will thank you.

Janette Thompson is currently enjoying a gap year with her family in tow as they travel across Asia. “While traveling we usually research the surrounding areas for playgrounds, parks, and other child-friendly activities,” Thompson says.

Pack Light

If you can swing it, pack everything you need in carry-on luggage. The last thing you want to do on vacation is constantly worry about managing and schlepping everyone’s large suitcases. Rather than checking luggage, waiting for it on the other end at the baggage carousel, or trying to figure out what to do if it gets lost or misplaced, if you carry on what you need, you can fly through the airport much faster. Plus, light luggage makes it easier when switching hotels and locales.

“Moving large luggage multiple times on a trip is exhausting and logistically challenging,” says Thompson.

Don’t Stuff Too Much into the Itinerary

I have a confession to make. As a curious traveler, I often operate with FOMO: fear of missing out. When I’m traveling by myself, I like a full itinerary with lots of activities and very little downtime. I want to make the most of my experience, especially if I’m visiting a country I’ve never been to before. But here’s the thing: kids need breaks. Lots of breaks. If you plan too much and don’t leave enough space for their needs or interests, you might find that moods shift and sour.

Producer, TV host, photographer, and writer, Rachel Rudwall, travels with her family somewhere warm at least once per year. “Take, for example, our journey to Sardinia, Italy from Portland, Oregon. Not a single person would argue that this trip is logistically simple,” Rudwall says. “We would, however, argue that this journey was both doable and worth the haul—even with our then 14-month-old in tow.”

Sardinia was where her toddler took his first steps, creating an indelible memory not soon forgotten. While the beach time and Italian food were expected highlights, the multi-hour flight itinerary from the U.S. to Sardinia was less than desirable. Rudwall thought ahead and arranged for a two-night stopover in Amsterdam, creating space to deal with jet lag. “This layover allowed us a soft spot to land between our flights, plus a beautiful couple days noshing on pastries and enjoying leisurely strolls in another wonderful European destination,” Rudwall says. “If I were to offer one piece of advice it would be this: wherever you go with your kids, build in buffers. These bonus windows of time will offer you the space to breathe, top up on snacks, and better navigate logistical challenges. Plus, they just might inspire some of your favorite moments of the journey.”

Bring a Travel Medical Kit

While we all hope that nothing goes wrong on a trip, you’ll want to be prepared and plan accordingly. Put together a travel medical kit that includes over-the-counter medicines and supplies.

“This can include fever-reducing/pain medications, antihistamines, antibacterial ointment, band-aids, tweezers, and Vaseline,” says Hanna. “Make note of your child’s weight for dosing certain medications and make sure you have a supply of prescription medicines ahead of time. Discuss with your medical team if your child has medical conditions.”

“In warmer climates remember to pack reef-safe sunscreens (and reapply), bug sprays, and protective clothing (hats, sunglasses, UV-protected clothing),” Hanna says. “If heading outdoors, be sure to keep most skin covered and check bodies and hair for ticks daily. Before traveling internationally, consider notifying your child’s pediatrician if any additional recommended immunizations can be given. I guide parents to CDC.GOV/travel which breaks down pertinent information by country of travel.”

Research the Hotel and Destination Ahead of Time

While it’s advisable to leave plenty of open space on the itinerary, it’s important to research where you’re going and to know what activities and cultural experiences are available. What is the area known for and what are the highlights that everyone should know about? You’ll also want to know what the hotel amenities are so you can plan accordingly. Is there a swimming pool at the hotel? On-site laundry? Does the resort have a concierge that can arrange tours? Finding a property that is fun for both the parents and the kids is key.

Let the Kids Be Part of the Planning

If children are part of the planning process, they’ll be more invested in the trip. Let them decide which restaurant your family eats at or what activity everyone participates in. Teach kids how to navigate and read maps. Bring journals and encourage them to write about their daily adventures.

“Parents can get caught up in the things they want to do on vacation since kids don’t exactly plan these things out, but we’ve made it a priority to make sure that the kids think of it as their vacation too, so if we pass by something that interests them, we want to make those things happen as much as possible,” says Thompson.

Keep the Ages of Kids in Mind When Planning and Packing

Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, you’ll want to consider your children’s ages when structuring an itinerary or thinking about safety issues.

“With younger children we want them to be comfortable and safe, so keep some soothing items from home such as blankets, pacifiers, a few toys, or a stuffy,” says Hanna. “Older kids can enjoy music, books, card games or using their electronic device[s]—remember, parents get to decide how much screen time their child consumes, and don’t forget the chargers!”

Of course, safety should always be top of mind. Depending on your children’s ages, have discussions with them to go over the rules. “In new environments, review the safety plans regarding water play (never leave a child unattended near water) and review parent phone numbers—consider putting them inside their pockets,” says Hanna. “Trusting our older kids with more responsibility comes with varying comfort levels, but in a semi-controlled environment, this can be a good opportunity for them to demonstrate it, i.e., reading the map, guiding you through the airport, having them order their meals or pay for souvenirs. Learning how to budget on a trip with spending money is a nice exercise.”

Bring a Bag O’ Fun

For every car trip I’ve ever planned, I’ve always brought a “bag o’ fun”. This could be a deck of cards, snacks, new books, or mini-Lego sets. The idea is to bring along little surprises or fun things to do that will brighten up the moment.

Anastasia Gonzalez and her husband Gilbert take their grandchildren to South Padre Island every summer for fishing and exploring. One year they rented an RV to travel from Illinois to Texas. “It was the most beautiful experience,” Gonzalez says. “The driving, the board games, camping out, taking showers at the campsites, sleeping in the RV, and cuddling with those two boys was wonderful and cozy.”

Her advice for grandparents? “Allow your grandchildren to be themselves with you on your trip,” Gonzalez says. “Go with the idea of having fun. Break some rules. Ask what they want but have a plan. Make meals interesting and make one night a special meal night.”

Attitudes, Good or Bad, are Contagious

Most parents who travel with their kids will tell you that if one person has a bad attitude, that same mood can transfer to siblings or even adults. Staying positive is key, especially if you’re on a long vacation away from the comforts of home.

“Kids love time with their family, but they are humans, and we all get moody sometimes,” says Hanna. “Our kids learn by our example, so parents take the lead with many deep breaths, exercise when possible, be mindful about handling stressful situations, and take lots of pictures. Parental well-being trickles down into children’s well-being.”