Packing for a trip is an art form, especially when you’re blind or low vision. It’s not just about what you pack, but how you pack it. I’ve learned the hard way that putting socks next to toothpaste invites a minty surprise you didn’t ask for. This article walks through a tactile, accessible approach to packing. Think: rolling clothes into labeled pouches, tactile stickers on toiletry bottles, and a consistent layout that becomes second nature. I’ll also cover tech essentials, like Bluetooth trackers for luggage and smart labels you can scan with your phone. Bonus section: how to pack for your guide dog, because let’s be real—they always look more prepared than we do.

—

1. Pack Like a Pro (Who Can’t See the Chaos)

Packing for a trip is an art form, a delicate dance between preparedness and the full-on chaos that can erupt from poor planning. I travel a lot, and have put together some easy to follow hacks that will help you sort out where the socks end and the toothpaste begins. Yep. I once spent an entire trip with minty-fresh toes because my travel toothpaste decided to cozy up with my socks. Lesson learned.

For blind and low vision travelers, packing isn’t just about what you bring, it’s how you bring it. And more importantly, how you find it once you arrive. That’s where the magic of tactile systems, organization hacks, and a few pieces of tech wizardry come into play.

Start with the Right Bag

Before you even think about packing, choose luggage that works with you, not against you. My go-to is a hard-sided suitcase marked with bright colored tape. If someone is helping me at the baggage claim, it is easy to say that we are looking for a black hard-sized suitcase with bright green tape strips. Make sure the bag has zippers that are easy to grip, and compartments that don’t turn into black holes. Bonus points if it stands up on its own and doesn’t collapse into a sad lump every time you unzip it.I use the Samsonite hard sides style, and I got mine in a two pack at Costco. There are two sizes, an overnight bag and a larger bag which fit together for easy storage when the trip is done.

Embrace the Pouch Life

Pouches are your new best friend. I use zippered fabric pouches, also called packing squares with tactile labels to group items by category: “Shirts,” “Socks,” “Undies,” “Tech.” Braille labels, puffy paint, or even simple safety pins in different configurations can help you identify what’s what without digging through your entire suitcase like a raccoon in a dumpster.

Another trick that I use all the time is to roll clothes instead of folding. Not only does it save space, but it creates uniform shapes that are easier to recognize by touch. And yes, even if you don’t care about wrinkles, you’ll care when your pants eat something in your suitcase.

Toiletries: Tame the Travel Jungle

Travel-sized toiletries can be tricky. Everything feels like a tiny bottle of mystery. I use tactile stickers or hair ties to distinguish between shampoo, conditioner, and that suspiciously similar bottle of body wash. Another trick: put rubber bands on the bottle necks in different numbers or positions. Two bands for shampoo, one for conditioner, and so on. If I am traveling light, some of those raised tactile stickers work great to know which bottle holds the shampoo.

Also, always double-bag your liquids in a Zip top bag. I’m not saying I learned this the hard way—but I definitely did.

Tech Tools for the Win

In the age of smart everything, why not let tech do some of the heavy lifting? Bluetooth trackers like AirTags or Tile can go in each bag, letting you locate your luggage using your phone or even a smart assistant. I use the AirTags and once I get to the baggage claim, I always know when my bag is making its way to me on the conveyor.

Lots of blind and low vision travelers I know use QR-code smart labels to mark things in their bag and pronounce them as a game changer. You can scan a code with your phone to hear what’s inside a pouch or bag. Some companies make reusable NFC or QR tags specifically for blind and low vision users. It’s like having a talking smart bag. As of this writing, I don’t use them much as their user interface is a bit too muddled for me. Maybe when we get the next generation I will take another look.

Phone apps like Access Ai and aira are great for taking a quick photo of a scene and getting immediate feedback from their Ai assistant. Not only are these apps great for reading menus that are not accessible, but I use them to police the hotel room when it is time to pack up. I can’t tell you how often I would have forgotten something in my room if I had not taken a moment to review the areas of the room with the app. It’s like having a sighted friend with you to let you know if there is a charger still plugged in.

Extra Gear

When packing for a trip, I always bring a backup of the things that I rely on most when traveling. If I am traveling without my guide dog, I always bring a second cane in case the band inside mine breaks.  I don’t want to have to bring a full repair kit with me, and a second cane doesn’t take up that much space. Additionally, phone chargers always get left behind. I bought a 3 pack of USB-C chargers and cords for my phone from Amazon, and I always keep a cord and charger in the zipper pack of my suitcase or in my zip top bag for toiletries (make sure to put it in a separate bag in case things leak.).

A Word About Consistency

Packing becomes muscle memory if you do it the same way each time. I always put shoes in the left zip compartment, clean clothes on the right, and toiletries in the top center. My guide dog Fauna even knows which pouch has the snacks. (Smart girl.)

Develop your own “packing logic” and stick to it. Future You will thank Past You when you find your charger on the first try when arriving at your hotel room.

Sometimes I feel like I would forget my head if it wasn’t glued onto my shoulders. When getting to your hotel room, try to plug in items like phone chargers in the same location each time so it will be easier to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything when it is time to pack up and head out. I always plug in my phone charger next to the side of the bed I sleep on, not only to use it as an alarm, but to easily check for that charger when packing.  

Packing for Your Guide Dog

Let’s be honest: our guide dogs are always better packed than we are. Fauna has her own pouch with collapsible bowls, extra harness straps, treats, waste bags, and a towel. If we’re going somewhere hot, I throw in her booties even though she thinks she is being punished when I make her wear them to protect her feet.

I also include a small mat or blanket that smells like home—something familiar for her to rest on in hotel rooms. It keeps her grounded, and gives me peace of mind.

The Final Checklist

Here’s a quick rundown of packing must-haves:

• Labeled packing pouches
• Rubber bands or tactile stickers for toiletries
• Bluetooth trackers
• Smart labels or QR tags
• Collapsible dog bowls & gear pouch
• Small flashlight or headlamp (for low vision or for guiding sighted friends—ha!)
• Chargers in a designated tech pouch
• Travel documents in a tactile folder

Traveling as a blind or low vision adventurer doesn’t mean chaos has to reign in your suitcase. With a little planning, a touch of humor, and the right gear, you can pack like a pro—and maybe even teach your sighted travel buddies a trick or two. Just remember: socks and toothpaste don’t mix. Ever.

Do you have a travel hack you would like to share? Drop me a line here on Blind Travels or on my social media links below.

See you at the gate,
—Ted & Fauna 🐾🧳