Packing for a trip may not be your idea of a fun time. It’s often tedious and stressful—but it really doesn’t have to be that bad. With a handful of great packing tips, you’ll learn how to pack in a way that makes your travel experience better, not worse. And who better to turn to for those tips than frequent travelers who have had their fair share of packing fails and wins?
I personally learned the hard way that traveling with excessive luggage can really weigh you down (literally) whether you’re flying or traveling by train or bus. I used to travel while holding a full-time job, so I only took three- to four-day trips. When I first transitioned to traveling for longer periods, I brought a 75-pound bag on a month-long trip to Jamaica only to find myself deeply regretting the decision when I had to lug it up several flights of stairs in old buildings with no elevators.
You can bet I never made that mistake again, and now I make sure I can easily carry anything I pack.
There’s also the fact that luggage is expensive if you’re flying. Airlines seem to be charging more and more for checked bags, and some fare options can get you a great price but don’t allow even a carry-on. Learning how to pack efficiently can save you some serious cash.
As the saying goes, when packing for a trip, it’s best to take half the luggage and double the money. Of course, that’s easier said than done—
especially for anyone who wants to look fashionable on a long-awaited vacation.
To help you pack with ease, here are 19 clever packing tips that frequent flyers and travel experts (including yours truly) swear by. First things first, though: Whether you’re looking for air travel packing tips, packing tips for international travel or domestic travel.
Or just ideas to use for a quick weekend getaway, it’s essential to travel as safely as possible with COVID-19 in mind
1. Bundle your outfits.
“We find it’s easier to pack outfits together,” Martha Villaroman, family travel blogger of Go Places With Kids and mom of three, tells SELF. “For example, roll your shirt, pants, underwear, and socks together to form one bundle. Then in the morning, you can quickly grab the bundle of clothes that you need.” Bonus: Rolling your clothes prevents wrinkles and allows you to easily identify items that you’ve packed.
2. Use packing cubes.
Packing cubes to help compress and separate your clothing and are your best ally for efficient suitcase packing. Organize cube contents by day according to your itinerary or by types of clothing. This helps keep your suitcase neat and keeps you from having to unfold and displace everything to locate one outfit. If you’re traveling with vintage or weather-sensitive clothing, consider a vacuum-sealed compression bag to protect your clothes during transit.
3. Opt for as many wrinkle-proof fabrics as possible.
“Our favorite and easiest packing tip for travel is to bring nonwrinkle clothing that doesn’t arrive all creased,” Mar Pages, cofounder of Solo Female Travelers Tours, tells SELF. “Consider these fabrics the next time you are shopping or packing for a trip: polyester, denim, wool, knits, spandex, and lyocell. Avoid 100% linen or linen-cotton blends, which are more wrinkle-prone.”
4. Choose a clothing color scheme.
“As a full-time traveler with limited wardrobe space, I create a capsule wardrobe with items that effortlessly go together,” . When everything coordinates, it’s easy to layer when you move between different places and changing weather. “This allows me to utilize all the items I bring instead of having four or five random outfits that don’t really mix,” McLeod adds.
5. Make a virtual packing list you can actually check off.
Of course you know a packing list might be helpful. But instead of one you simply look at and mentally cross off, make sure no essential travel item is left behind by preparing a packing list to actually cross off as you load your suitcase. Today, several apps make this easy, with premade themes and templates for activities like road trips or hiking.
6. Keep track of your stuff with photos.
Jason Metz, writer and travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, recommends taking photos of what you pack before you go. “This can save time if your baggage is lost and you need to file a travel insurance claim. If you want to get high-tech and track your belongings, consider a device like an Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag,” Metz tells SELF. Additionally, make note of where you put the things you’ll need to get home, like your keys or parking ticket, so you can easily find them when you return.