Packing is more than just throwing a few shirts and changes of underwear into a bag and dashing out the door on another trip. Knowing how to pack your suitcase allows you to take full advantage of its carrying capacity while keeping clothes crease-free and protecting delicate items.
Tips on Packing for a Trip
The best way to pack a suitcase depends on the bag’s size and what you plan on packing. Working within these limits, you can stay organized with these helpful luggage packing tips.
- Plan ahead: Consider the climate and weather and whether you need any special clothing or items for your trip.
- Make a list: A packing checklist helps you remember what to pack.
- Choose the right luggage: Give your bags the Goldilocks test. You don’t want bags that are too small, or so large you cannot secure packed items safely.
- Pack essentials in carry-on bags: Your carry-on bag should contain any important medication, documents, electronics, and some spare clothes.
- Place heavy items at the bottom of wheeled bags: A top-heavy bag can tip over.
- Pack similar items together to stay organized.
Packing Hacks for Travel
Fold or Roll Your Travel Wardrobe
Tightly rolling your clothes into cylinders has two packing advantages. First, rolled clothing takes up less space, and is easier to pack. Second, rolled clothes travel better than folded garments, and have fewer creases when you reach your destination. T-shirts, especially, roll up well.
Pack Versatile Clothing Options
Clothes typically take up the most space in luggage. You can minimize the amount of clothing you need by packing versatile clothing you can mix and match to create outfits. Choose a color scheme, and select clothing based on this scheme. For instance, a light shirt that matches your jeans could also be used as part of an evening ensemble or layered with a sweater for a chilly night. This is one of the most helpful packing tips for vacations where you’ll be taking part in a wide range of activities.
Bring Charging Cables for Travel
If you need a lot of electronics and gadgets when you travel, you’ll love these packing tips for preventing tangled charging cables:
Purchase one-foot charging cables rather than packing three, six, or ten-foot cables. In most hotels, shorter cables are all you’ll need to plug your phone or tablet into your laptop or desktop plugs.
Update your devices so they use the same kind of cables. If you’ve got an older iPad, treat yourself and get one that takes the same lightning cable as your new iPhone. If you’re a Google/Samsung fan, make sure your devices all take the USB-C type cables so you can reduce the number of cables you have to carry.
When packing cables, wrap each cord around your fingers and slide it off. Wrap a rubber band around the middle of the cable so it doesn’t unravel. Then, pack all your cords into a small pocket in one of your bags.
Use Travel Size Toiletry Containers
Rather than carrying small shampoo bottles or buying a bottle at your destination only to leave it behind when you go home, consider swapping out your shampoo for a shampoo bar. The nice thing about a shampoo bar is that you don’t have to show it as part of your TSA-allowed 3-1-1 bag, and you can put it in a plastic soap dish or resealable bag when you’re done with it. A shampoo bar also won’t burst during the flight and leak all over your toiletry bag.
Use Packing Cubes to Maximize Space
Packing cubes are probably the single most effective way to maximize packing space. These soft, expandable cubes allow you to stay organized by grouping packed clothing and other items. In addition, you can use shoe bags that keep your shoes scuff-free and safely away from clothing. Add a travel laundry bag to your luggage to keep dirty or wet garments separate from clean clothing, and you're well on your way to an organized
Stay Organized with Travelpro® Travel Organizers
We hope these packing tips for vacations help. Our collection of travel organizers will help you get the most out of your luggage and stay organized on your next trip.
