Deciding not just what to take with you, but the best way to pack your suitcase, takes trial, error and practice. Getting the correct balance between what you would like to take, what you will need and the most efficient way to pack, takes organisation.
In this guide, we’ll share our best travel packing tips for how to pack your suitcase with ease, to maximize space.
BEST WAY TO PACK YOUR SUITCASE
Airlines have strict weight restrictions for both hold and carry-on luggage, so you will have to think carefully about which items will make it into the available space.
MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO PACK
1. REMEMBER WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Before you start packing, it is essential to check your baggage allowance with the airline you are flying with, for both hold (checked-in) and carry-on luggage.
More and more airlines are weighing carry on luggage and are enforcing the strict guidelines which can result in you being requested to pay excess fees at the check in counter.
It is important if your journey involves multiple carriers to check the restrictions of each airline as these may differ. You will also be granted extra weight if flying business or first class. Search major airline baggage information here.
2. USE LIGHTWEIGHT LUGGAGE/SUITCASE
Whether you choose a suitcase, backpack or soft luggage, you want the correct one that suits your needs. Choose a compact and easily accessible piece of luggage. A lightweight, zippered case with a lock, is ideal.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT HANDBAG/PERSONAL BAG
View this bag, as a place to keep all your important documents together. Try to choose a bag, that is zipped, and will hold your laptop/kindle, plus any liquid toiletries. This will ensure a smoother passage through security.
4. HAVE A CLEAR AND PRECISE PLAN
Take away packing anxiety, by considering some important factors before you even start.
A. YOUR DESTINATION:
Careful consideration should be given to the climate of your intended destination, and the weather at the time of your visit. Knowing this, will be an important factor when packing. For example, if you are headed somewhere during their winter, you will not need to pack summer clothes and vice versa.
B. THE TYPE OF TRIP:
What activities will you be participating in on your trip? Do your research, and check whether you will need particular clothing, such as hiking boots or waterproof jacket. If you are planning a meal at a special restaurant, check the dress code, in case you need a tie or jacket.
TRAVEL HACKS FOR THE BEST WAY TO PACK A SUITCASE
Once you have highlighted any particular clothing items you will need depending on weather and type of trip, it’s time to get seriously organised. There are numerous ways to do this.
These travel hacks will ensure that your clothing arrives in great condition.
1. USE A PACKING LIST
How can you expect yourself to pack efficiently if you randomly choose clothes and stuff them into your case. Organisation is the key to packing only, what you need, so that you will wear everything you take and not be left with unwanted and unworn clothes hogging valuable space in your suitcase.
Make a list of the days you will be away and what you plan to wear each day as a rough guide, then stick with this list. This is also valuable for not forgetting anything plus you can include a list for toiletries, electrical goods and other essential items.
CHOICE OF CLOTHES:
When deciding which clothes to take, try to choose clothes which are:
- Versatile
- Low Maintenance
- Multi-Functional
- Neatral Colours In The Same Palette
- Mix And Match Items
- Wrinkle-Free Fabrics
2. WEIGH YOUR LUGGAGE
When you have chosen what you are taking, pack your case for a dummy run and use a set of luggage scales to weigh your luggage. Check the weight against the limits imposed by your airline and hence avoid any excess baggage charges.
If you are looking to replace your suitcases, there are several lightweight options on the market nowadays.
Gone are the old style heavy suitcases that added kilos before you even placed an item inside them. The modern choices are as light as 2.3 kg for a large case.
Be aware that the hard shell suitcases can add a few kilos of weight before packing plus they are usually more expensive.
3. USE PACKING CUBES
It doesn’t take long for the inside of your suitcase to resemble a jumbled mess, especially once you start rummaging for a particular top which ends up being at the bottom of the case.
The way around this problem and the beauty of being able to find anything you want with ease is to use packing cubes.
These come in a variety of sizes and colours, enabling you and other travelling companions to have your own coloured cubes. They enable you to organise items into separate categories, for example :
- Cube 1 – Trousers, leggings, shorts
- Cube 2 – Dresses and skirts
- Cube 3 – Gym gear
You simply take the required cube out of the suitcase, find the item of clothing you want, zip the cube back up and return to the case – simple and organised.
4. ROLL AND FOLD CLOTHES
By rolling your clothes and packing them into packing cubes, you save space and clothes are less creased.
Always pack light coloured clothes “inside out” to avoid getting any stains on them, and pack shoes either in a bag or cover the sole with a shower cap. A great space saver is to push socks and other small items into your boots.
Try and pack according to your itinerary to avoid rifling through all your clothes each time you are looking for something.
So pack the clothes you need for the latter part of your trip in the bottom of the case first and then add items accordingly, finishing with clothes for the first day on the top of the pile.
Cotton-rich and stiffer fabric items, such as jackets and shirts, are best folded carefully.
To free up valuable space, try to wear bulky items, instead of packing them. You can easily store these in the overhead locker.
5. HOW TO PACK FOOTWEAR
Choose your footwear carefully, as they tend to be bulky and space wasters. A basic rule of thumb, is to wear trainers/boots, and pack a casual walking sandal/shoe and either flipflops or a dressier pump.
To free up extra space, push socks and other small items into footwear. Pack all footwear in clear separate bags, to keep your clothes clean.
6. HOW TO PACK JEWELLERY
Unless you need to, leave all expensive jewellery at home. It’s not worth taking the risk of losing them. For other jewellery, store in a suitable pouch or small sectional pots.
7. HOW TO PACK TOILETRIES
While you are not held to the strict regulations regarding liquids as you are with carry on luggage, there are still strict regulations imposed by all airlines with regards to what you can pack in hold luggage.
I think most of us have suffered the dreaded moment when we unzip our case on arrival, only to discover with horror that a bottle of shampoo or the like has exploded and the contents leaked all over our clean clothes.
To prevent this from happening, remove the lid of each bottle, fill up to an inch from the top, place a piece of cling film around the neck then replace the lid.
You can then place them inside a zip lock bag and be confident that there will be no leaks.
There are an array of toiletry options available in the form of block bars. You can bring soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash in bar form, preserving your liquids allowance.
Be sure to check current regulations with regards carry-on liquids. Also, organisation is the key:
- Pack multi-tasking toiletries & beauty products, such as tinted moisturiser, shampoo/conditioner all in one bar and cleanser/toner wipes.
- Take your usual products, decanting them into clear travel bottles, or use travel miniatures.
- Group like items together in zip lock bags, e.g hair products, skin products, cosmetics.
8. HOW TO PACK CAMERA ITEMS
Most of us travel with a camera plus a couple of lenses. You can carry all of these within a special “camera bag”.
Alternatively, wrap the items in neoprene sleeves, which provide protection whilst reducing bulk.
9. OTHER USEFUL ITEMS TO PACK
(A) A day bag or small backpack for everyday use. Choose one that is small, lightweight and with a secure zip pouch for carrying a map, waterbottle etc.
(B) Empty plastic bags, which can prove invaluable during a trip. They can be used for muddy boots, wet swimwear and dirty clothes so that they are kept away from clean items.
(C) Vacuum Compression Bags. If you don’t have packing cubes, roll your clothes and place in compression bags. As the air is squeezed out, the clothes take up much less space in your case. They are great for transporting your dirty laundry in during your trip and prevent mixing with the clean clothes in the suitcase.
(D) Ziplock bags are great for keeping items separate but in a place that can be easily reached. Things like phone chargers, camera charges etc are better kept together so that they can be located easily and quickly, especially at airport security.
(E) If you like to shop at your destination and bring back a few new tops, souvenirs or presents, it is essential to leave some available space in your case so that you do not exceed the weight restrictions on your return leg.
(F) A micro-fiber towel is handy as it is thin, easily rolled and quick drying.
(G) Fabric Softener/Conditioner Sheets, to place between folded items of clothing. They will keep everything smelling fresh.
10. HOW TO PACK DIRTY WASHING
Try and keep any dirty clothes separate from clean items. Either place them in plastic bags, or use zipped compress bags.
HOW TO PACK YOUR SUITCASE LIKE A PRO
Follow these helpful packing tips to ensure the most efficient way to pack clothes logically.
- Place shoes/footwear at the bottom of the case.
- Lay any belts around the perimeter of the case.
- Leave any clothes you will need first, to go on top.
- Place rolled softer items in packing cubes and place at the bottom of the case.
- Add folded items on top.
- Next, add a plastic bag, which ensures that the folded items can move slightly. This stops creases setting in.
- Now drape longer items over the top, alternating hems and waistlines to conserve space.
- Next, add any smaller items covering with another plastic bag.
- The top layer should be nay clothes that you will need as soon as you arrive.
Packing more efficiently results in taking only the items you will use, your case being organised and you being able to locate your clothes quicker and easier.
Follow our travel tips for your checked luggage or carry-on luggage, and take the stress out of packing.
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I agree that using packing cubes and rolling clothes are a great idea. I definitely found clothes were less creased doing this rather than folding.
Thanks Clare, they certainly make packing easier.
Thanks Clare for the step by step on how to layer my clothes in suit case! I’m really excited to use that on my trip next month. I definitely over pack so it’s hard to fit everything in my bag but this will make it easier.