Knowing the best way to pack a suitcase is very important, especially if you’re going on an airplane for a long-term trip. It can seem like there are so many items with specialized features and various sizes that it would take hours just to figure out what goes in which bag. Here is some helpful information to remember the next time you need to pack a suitcase:
Generally, when packing your suitcase, you want to start by filling in the spaces with the widest items first. Next, you want to start adding items that match your personal styles, like t-shirts, pants, and skirts. As you continue working on your suitcase, try using packing cubes as much as possible.
Packing cubes are made of mesh and hold your clothes together, keeping them from wrinkling. You can even find specific packing cubes designed for different types of clothing like pants and shirts or t-shirts and shorts. You can also pack your dressier clothes in a garment bag for additional protection.
1) Rinse out bottles of shampoo and conditioner before packing them.
If you’ve just bought your favorite new shampoo and conditioner and they come in a bottle that’s too big to fit in your bag, don’t just chuck them out or leave them at home. Empty the contents into another container (like a smaller, travel-sized one) or put some in a plastic bag so that it doesn’t spill easily. This will save you lots of space – especially if you’re taking multiple bottles of the same product.
2) Don’t bring more than three pairs of shoes for a weekend away.
You’re allowed (and definitely recommended) to wear different outfits on each day of your trip. If you’re going away for a few days, then don’t pack more than three pairs of shoes. This means you’ll still have enough shoes for the clothes you plan to wear. If you’re taking more, then it’s likely that you’ll do an extra run to your nearest shoe shop in order to buy a few pairs of shoes that will take up less space.
How to Pack a Suitcase efficiently – A Complete Guide
3) If you can pack 2-3 outfits into one “case,” do so!
Packing a lot of clothes into your suitcase can be time-consuming, particularly if they’re all packed together. Don’t be afraid to separate your clothes into different bags so that it’s easier to pack and unpack. Bring an empty case and pack all of your shoes, underwear, and accessories in here; then, you can pack them easily before placing them in your suitcase.
4) Don’t pack a bag of toiletries!
Don’t waste space by bringing a full-sized shampoo and conditioner. Instead, buy travel-sized bottles or just bring the contents of these products in plastic bags. This will save you lots of room if you’re short on space. The same applies to things like deodorant and makeup. Just buy the travel-sized options or put some of your favorite products in plastic bags before packing them.
5) Book extra legroom seats if you’re tall.
If you’re tall and have to sit in the middle seat on a flight or want to be able to stretch out your legs. Then booking an extra leg room seat will be worth it in terms of comfort and space on board. The airline will charge you a little more for this. (Especially if you’re traveling on a plane that doesn’t feature these seats). But it’s well worth it if space is essential. Parking your luggage under the seat in front of you is also a good option if you’re flying on board an aircraft with rows of seats.
6) Bring a scarf and gloves!
When it comes to cold weather, you’ll need to bring a scarf with you. If your clothes are already packed, just wear one of the many available scarves. If you’re sure you won’t be able to pack any more clothes into your suitcase, buy a scarf before leaving home and just bring them along with you. Gloves are also essential for cold winter months. Try to pack some in your suitcase, but if not, buy some before leaving home.
How to Pack a Suitcase efficiently – A Complete Guide
7) Don’t bring too many clothes.
This is a given, but if you pack too many clothes you don’t need, there’s a good chance they’ll take up the space that could otherwise be allocated to something else. Plan your outfits in advance before packing so that you only bring what is essential for the trip. If you need more clothes, there are plenty of options available. (Such as renting), so it’s not really necessary to pack more than one or two extra outfits.
8) Bring a pair of flip-flops or sneakers in your hand luggage.
This tip is particularly useful if you’re flying out at the start of summer. You’ll want your feet to be comfortable once you arrive. So it’s best to bring a pair of flip-flops or sneakers along in order to take them on and off during the flight. This will save you trying to get your shoes back on after disembarking. And also give you some comfortable shoes for walking around once you’ve arrived at your destination.
9) Bring a few pens and notepads with you.
If there’s one thing that most people forget when packing for a trip, it’s to bring a pen or two along and maybe even some paper or notepads in case they need them. In this day and age, though, everyone has a mobile phone that they can use instead. However, the truth is that you often find yourself without the internet or data when traveling abroad. Make sure that you bring along some notepads for taking notes and a small pen for writing down numbers you might need to remember when booking your accommodation, etc.
How to Pack a Suitcase efficiently – A Complete Guide
10) Be organized!
If there’s one thing that every bag needs, it’s organization. You don’t want to be scrambling around in the middle of your trip trying to find things. Because they don’t have any organization – which is why we recommend organizing your clothes before packing them. So that you can easily find them when you fly. Some people use small plastic containers for this purpose which is sufficient, but you can also just separate your clothes into different bags.
11) Don’t bring a lot of clothes with you!
It’s tempting to pack as many clothes as possible when traveling because of the fact that you’ll need to look nice on a daily basis. However, it’s recommended that you pack as little clothing as possible when packing for a trip. This means you should only bring the essentials and buy anything else needed once in the destination country. This will often be much cheaper than buying everything before leaving home.
12) Don’t forget to buy a lock!
If you’re staying in a hostel or another place where there aren’t any padlocks, then make sure that you bring one along with you. If any of your bags have wheels, then it’s also recommended that you do this. As you can use the same lock to avoid being robbed when using your suitcase. This doesn’t work when trying to use a padlock on an open luggage bag. As it’s easy for someone to lift up the sides of this (or even remove the bag itself) and take what they need. However, using the same lock on all of your bags will help prevent them from being stolen while in transit.
