work travel packing tips

Travel After Five

• After Five Guides
• Careers That Travel

A Business Travel Blog

August 26, 2018 By Michelle Maraj 35 Comments

The Ultimate Packing List for Work Trips

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. All opinions are those of the author.

As you start to travel almost every week, your business trip packing list will become routine. You might find yourself packing for your corporate trip in less than fifteen minutes! When trying to create my packing list for a work trip, I consider what items I will pack for personal travel as well. My work trip packing list is similar to my regular travel packing list, just the types of clothes that I bring will change. If you travel frequently enough, you might find it helpful to keep some items permanently in your suitcase, and only repack your clothing every week.

Building a Packing List for a Work Trip

Since I travel on a weekly basis, this Ultimate Business Trip Packing List is broken up by the following:

• Essentials left in my suitcase each week
• Items refreshed each week
• What’s in my laptop bag
• What I expect at the hotel

Packing Essentials for a Business Trip

If you travel for work frequently enough, it may make sense to have “doubles” of your toiletries, so you do not have to include them on your business trip packing list and pack them every single week. I keep the following items in my suitcase at all times:

Umbrella  // It is a good habit to check the weather before you start packing, but I have a small travel umbrella that I leave in my suitcase at all times, just in case. If you have an outer pocket on your bag, I would recommend leaving the umbrella in that pocket for easy access.

Toiletries // I keep travel-sized bottles of all of my usual toiletries in my suitcase at all times. This includes small bottles of: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, make-up remover, lotion. I then refill these every few weeks as needed. In addition I will keep a double of my toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton balls, deodorant, hairbrush and hair ties, and razor so that I do not need to repack these each week. As a woman, I also keep tampons and pads in my suitcase at all times.

Spare phone charger // I have a habit of leaving my phone chargers behind at home or at the office, and I have accidentally traveled without a phone charger before! Now, I always leave an extra phone charger in my bag, just in case.

Laundry Bag // My  Away Bigger Carry-On  suitcase came with a laundry bag inside, and I use this to keep my dirty clothes separate from the clean clothes I have not worn yet. I would recommend bringing some type of reusable bag to use as a laundry bag in your suitcase, so you can keep dirty underwear and socks at minimum separate from your work clothes.

All of my toiletries on my business trip packing list are travel sized, so that I do not have to worry about checking a bag. I keep shower items (shampoo, conditioner, face wash) in a separate plastic bag from my remaining items, so that when I am fast to unpack after arriving at the hotel. I use this TSA-approved clear toiletry bag to keep my items organized.

Refreshed Each Week While Traveling for Work

When I am traveling for work, I always bring enough clothes for the number of days that I am traveling, plus one extra day. You never know when you will spill something on your shirt, or you get stranded somewhere overnight! If I was traveling for work Monday through Thursday (3 nights), and I dressed business professional and wore a suit on the plane there, then I would pack in my suitcase:

4 Button-Up Tops // I primarily wear Express Portofino Shirts to work. I like these tops because you can wear them with a blazer, without a jacket, and even out to dinner in the evening. They are very versatile, and a staple in my work uniform. I always pack one extra shirt than days I am traveling – if I am staying 3 nights, I will pack 4 shirts to have one as a back-up.

2 Work Bottoms (Pants or Skirt) // If you include the dress pants that I wear on the plane, I would typically pack two additional bottoms to rotate between. I will bring additional bottoms that coordinate with my blazers for the week. For example, if I am wearing a black blazer, I would choose black bottoms. Navy blazer, navy bottoms.

1 Additional Blazer // Some people can get away with only bringing one blazer (worn on the plane) with them during the week, especially if you only wear your blazer while traveling but then take it off during the day while working. I personally like to bring a blazer to rotate between, and as a back-up in case I spill something on my other blazer.

1 Pair of Jeans, No Holes // It is a good idea to bring a pair of casual pants for when you are going to a team dinner or running errands after work. Occasionally I will wear my work pants to dinner as well, so I do not feel a need to bring more than one pair of casual pants. I opt for no holes or tears, to remain slightly more professional.

1 Pair of Heels // Assuming I already wore a pair of heels on my travel day to the client, I will bring an additional pair of heels to rotate between. I find that if I try to wear the same pair of heels everyday for a week, that they will start to smell.

1 Pair of Casual Shoes (Sandals or Flats) // It’s a good idea to bring a pair of casual shoes, for both team dinners or walking around the hotel. If you need to run down to the front desk, it’s a bit awkward to do so in pajamas and heels.

4 Pairs of Underwear // Always bring an extra pair, just in case!

4 Pairs of No-Show Socks // Whether you need no-shoe socks for your heels or dress socks for your shoes, don’t forget to pack your socks in your suitcase.

1 Set of Pajamas // You will not want to sleep in your dress clothes at night; don’t forget to pack a set of pajamas in your suitcase. My pajamas are usually a free firm shirt and a pair of shorts!

Work-out Clothes // I don’t typically work out during the week while I am traveling, but I threw this on the list so that you do not forget. It is a good idea to work out on the road, but you will need to find extra space to fit your work-out shoes and clothes. It’s possible, though!

Make-up Case //  My make-up case contains all of my daily-wear make-up, and since I use the same make-up on the weekends I will repack this each week. Depending on your routine, it may make sense to have doubles of your make-up on your business trip packing list as well

Hair Dryer  // You may be fine with the hotel hair dryer, however I have been working on improving my hair maintenance. I recently invested in the T3 Featherweight Compact hair dryer – it is so fast at drying my hair, and it is great for traveling. This hair dryer came with a dust bag and the hair dryer folds in half, for easier packing.

Jewelry // Depending on the level of formality, I might bring my jewelry case while traveling . I prefer studs or small hoops for a professional look, and might bring a few necklaces and bracelets to rotate between.

I also have developed a wardrobe that will work for both the work day and the evening. The shirts or blouses that I bring are usually convertible and fine for dinner in the evening. However, if you are wearing nicer shirts or dresses during the day, you may also want to consider packing casual tops for the evening as well.

My Laptop Bag Necessities

My biggest fear is leaving my laptop charger at home. Most of these items are always in my work bag and travel with me even to the office, but I wanted to go ahead and include on the packing list for work trips here. 

Work Laptop & Charger // Make sure that you bring your work computer! It’s difficult to get anything done without your laptop and you do not want to waste time waiting on it to be shipped. The single most important thing for you to bring is your computer.

Wireless Mouse // You can order a cheap mouse off Amazon  for less than $10, and you can bring it on the road to increase your efficiency. I always opt for colors other than black, so that it does not get mixed up with anyone else’s belongings.

Headphones // I love my AirPods as they are great for taking calls, but any type of headphones are a good idea to keep in your work bag. You may have to take phone calls or watch videos in a conference room with your colleagues, and it is much easier to take these calls hands-free.

Phone Charger // I leave a phone charger in my work bag as well, so that I can charge my phone on the go. Especially if you are wasting time at the airport, it is important to keep your phone charger so you can contact coworkers when you land, or call an Uber if necessary.

Office/Client Access Badge // If you have been traveling to a client for a while, you likely received some sort of access badge to get into their building. You do not want to have to bother your client to get another badge assigned to you, or go through the hassle of speaking to security each time. If you have an access badge, make sure to leave it in your work bag so you do not forget it.

Pens & a Notepad // Even though we primarily use our computers these days, you may need to jot down client notes while your computer is loading, or draw out a sketch to explain an idea. It is a good idea to leave pens and a notepad in your bag at all times, so you never have to worry about asking your coworker to borrow one.

Gum  // Especially after a long flight or lunch, you will want fresh breath over the course of your work trip. Make sure to pack some gum in your laptop bag, so that you always feel fresh.

These items are always in my bag, so I will usually have them on my work trip as well. You never realize how badly you miss your wireless mouse until the day that you accidentally leave it at home!

Packing for a conference? Check out our post on What to Pack for a Business Conference . 

Hotel Expectations During a Business Trip

There are a few items that I do not have on my packing list for work trips, because I expect my hotel to have them. If you are not picky about your toiletries like shampoo or conditioner, it would be much easier to just use the hotel versions rather than worrying about leaks in your suitcase. These items include:

Hand Lotion // I am picky for my face, but not for the rest of my body when it comes to lotion. It’s one less bottle that I have to pack, so I do expect to be able to use the hand lotion available in the hotel room.

Water Bottles // You typically get free water bottles with Marriott Platinum! It is greener to bring your own reusable water bottle, however I will admit I do not usually remember to. I do expect that there will be water in my hotel room, or at least easily accessible in the hotel, when I arrive.

Iron // One day, I do hope to invest in a portable steamer. For now however, I do expect an iron in the hotel room so that I can iron my clothes. I like to unpack the night that I arrive at the hotel, and I iron all of my clothes for the week at once. It can be difficult to iron all of your clothes the first night since you are likely tired from traveling, but you will thank yourself later in the week.

Towels // I know some consultants are particular and prefer to bring their own towels, rather than using those available at the hotel.  I, however, expect towels in the hotel and will gladly use those.

The single most important thing to bring on your business trip, honestly, is your work laptop. If you need toiletries that aren’t found in your hotel room, you can often call the front desk and they can bring additional toiletries to you. I ran out of toothpaste and forgot to re-pack it, and fortunately the hotel always has toothpaste packets to offer. Everything else, you can buy on the road.

Packing Your Suitcase for a Business Trip

When packing my suitcase for a work trip, 50% of my suitcase will be clothing. I use three packing cubes that fit in the compression compartment of my suitcase – one cube for my blazers and pants, one cube for shirts, and one cube for underwear.

If you liked the Ultimate Business Trip Packing List, you can download a free pdf checklist below. If there’s anything missing from this packing list, let us know in the comments below.

Learn more about traveling for work

• 10 Work Trip Instagram Captions
• Why a Trolley Strap is a Requirement for Your Next Work Bag
• 5 Challenges of Managing Remote Employees
• Matt’s Flights Custom Search – Here’s Our Review of What He Found
• Jey&em ONE Suitcase Review

Get on the List

Subscribe and get a free business trip packing list!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Lo & Sons: The OMG or The Seville?

Trending now.

Become an Insider

Join our Travel After Five mailing list for our business trip packing list, along with business travel tips and new products on the market.

Welcome to Travel After Five, a blog for business professionals that travel for work. Along with advice for business trips, Travel After Five focuses on activities you can do after 5:00 pm, after you get out of your last meeting or conference.

Destinations

Business travel tips.

• Travel News
• Travel Products
• Press & Portfolio

Get Involved

• Be Featured on Careers That Travel
• Privacy Policy
• Disclosure Policy
• Terms of Use

© 2024 Travel After Five All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Travel After Five with appropriate and specific directions to the original content. · Theme by 17th Avenue

50 Travel Packing Tips, Tricks and Hacks to Pack Like a Pro

Pack like a pro.

Use these travel packing tips to streamline your travel packing process. Pack lighter, smarter, and faster with these tips, tricks, and hacks.

Read: Travel Packing 101, How to Pack Your Luggage Read: Best Tips to Pack Light on Your Next Trip

50 Travel Packing Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Tie a colorful ribbon or fancy duct tape to the handle of black luggage

Keep all items you will need at the airport in easy reach

Photocopy all travel documents and keep a digital copy in the cloud

Take a picture of your checked bag to show the airline if it is lost

Hide a little bit of money in your suitcase and hope you won’t need it

Do not leave packing to the last minute, you might have to run to the store for a forgotten item

Use a packing list

Check the airline’s luggage rules

Never check essential items, such as chargers

Purchase a medium-sized suitcase and force yourself to pack light

Do not expand the luggage before you leave

Save enough space for souvenirs

Create a capsule wardrobe of lightweight clothing around a color palette with mix and match options

Lay your clothes out on the bed before you pack, put half of them away

Pack by outfit and leave that skirt that doesn’t match anything home

Bring a weeks’ worth of clothes, no matter how long the trip is

Don’t pack an equal amount of tops and bottoms, it’s easy to re-wear bottoms

Do not pack anything you will wear only once

Save space and avoid wrinkles by rolling your clothes

Bring along an empty squirt bottle to spray the wrinkles out of clothes

Pack a few packets of single-use laundry detergent and a stain pen

Bring only comfortable shoes and place them in a shoe bag or cover them with a shower cap

Pack one pair of comfortable shoes and flip flops for the hotel room and pool

Pack sweaters and jackets in reusable compression bags

Shrink dirty clothes in a compression bag

Use color-coded packing cubes to organize belongings of each family member

Place a dryer sheet in the bottom of the packing cube to keep clothes smelling fresh

Wrap fragile items in socks and stuff them into shoes

Follow TSA 3-1-1 policy for liquids even when you are checking your luggage

Ditch the fancy toiletry bags and go with clear allowing you to see what you’ve packed

Refill toiletries after each trip and keep them prepacked

Add a piece of plastic wrap under bottle caps to prevent spills

Ask for sample sizes at the makeup counter and pre-pack basic make-up

Fill contact lens cases with liquids or gels

Place a cotton ball in your blush and compact to protect from shattering

Store your curling iron in an oven mitt

Reuse an old prescription bottle for cold pills

Use scarves and jewelry to dress up outfits

Buy a roll-up jewelry organizer

Pack earrings in a 7-day plastic pill container

Thread necklaces through a straw and clasp before packing to prevent tangling

Use old chap-stick containers for pills, pill bottles for Q-Tips, and tic tac bottles for bobby pins

Bring a plastic grocery bag or large Ziplock bag for wet bathing suits

Use a zippered pillowcase to store dirty undergarments

Pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the luggage, usually shoes or jeans

Swap out 2 outfits with a travel companion in case your bag is lost

Purchase an international adaptor with 4 USB plugs

Pack a safety door stop, safety whistle, and a small flashlight

Do not pack anything “just in case you need it”, you can buy it if you need it

Stash an extra-large garbage bag in your suitcase in case you get caught in a rainstorm

Travel Packing Essentials

Going on vacation is a lot of work. You have to decide where to go, when to go, how to go, where to stay… it takes an amazing amount of time. Click through to my Amazon shop and let me help take away some of the burdens and make packing a breeze while at the same time you help me support the upkeep of this blog.

Bookmark and Pin Travel Packing Tips

60 Travel Packing Tips from the Experts

Packing , Packing Tips

Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!

I am excited to share these travel packing tips with you! This is the collaborative effort of over 50 of the best travel bloggers in the business! From travel wardrobe basics to practical tools and ideas, these expert packing tips reveal a treasure trove of information sure to make your trip planning easier. Pack light and pack smart!

60 Travel Packing Tips

Sleep Mask by Bedtime Bliss

Packing Tips for Comfort on Flights

If you travel regularly, keep the basics in your backpack . It saves a lot of time! Don’t forget earplugs, a light scarf, medicines, a sleeping mask, and little scissors! A World to Travel

Bring lip balm, ear plugs, a notepad, and panty liners for long flights . The liners help prevent yeast infections and doubles the life of your underwear.  Green Global Travel

My friend From Zurich shares her top packing tips: Bring a scarf because they are so multifunctional! You can use it if it’s cold, if you need to cover up, to sit on, and more. On plane trips, I must have: a small toiletry bag with eye drops, moisturizer, sanitizer, aspirin, and ear plugs. The ear plugs can block out loud snorers in dorms.

If you’re facing an upcoming trip with an extremely long travel time, our readers share their best tips on how to survive long flights !

Packing Cubes

Packing Tips for Travel Organizers & Travel Bags

Use colored packing cubes  to organize your clothes. That way, you can pull out the “shirts” bag quickly without searching and dumping out an entire backpack. Around the World in 80 Jobs

Don’t bother with those fancy, expensive travel towels . Instead, get a sarong. It’s cheap and multi-use: use it as a wrap, lay it out for picnics or sunbathing, or dry off with it. They’re super light and dry quickly, even in humid places. For packing, invest in packing cubes ! They make packing and living out of a suitcase/backpack more organized and much easier. It’s one of my best packing tips.  1 Dad 1 Kid

Bring a range of see-through plastic bags with you. They are useful for keeping dirty or wet clothes separate from clean clothes, replacing lost cosmetics bags, storing souvenirs, keeping dirty shoes contained, and just generally keeping your backpack organized without needing to empty it every time you want to find something. Plastic bags are very useful if you like to compartmentalize, like I do. Vicky Flip Flop Travels

Always pack a few plastic baggies in different sizes. They are great for swiping food for lunch from the buffet breakfast or for saving the seashells your child collected. As a bonus, bring a small, collapsible cooler with a baggie filled with ice from the hotel to keep your lunch cold or to refrigerate something you pick up from the store for later. There and Back Again Travel

Always carry a huge garbage bag (clean, of course!) in your backpack’s top pocket. You never know when you’ll need to protect your backpack from a downpour or from wandering hands in your hostel.  Solitary Wanderer

My best advice when it comes to packing: ziplocs! I keep everything in ziploc bags–from toothpaste to shampoo to sunblock–to prevent them from damaging my clothes or electronics. It’s a cheap and easy solution to make sure your face cream doesn’t stain your favorite jeans! Beatrice BP

I put together a  five-part YouTube series  showing you the different methods to use packing cubes . If you use  this  specific packing strategy, they can also compress your belongings and travel capsule wardrobe . This is the secret to traveling carryon only!

Compression Sack

I pack my daily supplements and vitamins in small ziploc bags to reduce bottle bulk. Geogypsy Traveler

It’s one of the often-repeated packing tips but seriously– a bunch of bags to separate out your clothes will prove invaluable. Compression sacks, packing cubes , or just stuff sacks–use them to keep things organized and smush clothes into a smaller bundle. Just make sure they’re not plastic! Chasing the Wild

Make sure all your liquid items are in bags or separated from the rest of your things. That way, if one of the bottles gets damaged, it won’t get all over your entire wardrobe! The Kay Days

Instead of plastic bags, use cloth hotel laundry bags for storage. They are reusable, washable, and don’t make that annoying rustling sound if you find yourself in a hostel in the middle of the night searching for something. Man on the Lam

Use compression bags to pack your clothes . Not only do they save space in your bag, but they also double as waterproofing for valuables when you’re out exploring.  Flip Flops Abroad

Space bags are great, but don’t forget you’ll need to go through that process every  time you open your bag. Is it worth it? It’s One World Travel

Here’s the  best packing organizers  for travel!

Delsey Helium Aero Carry On Luggage

Travel Packing Tips and Tricks

Roll stuff, don’t fold it; it seems to take up less space, in my experience. Also, leave at least half of what you were going to take behind; you’re not going to need it. You won’t believe me and you’ll take it anyway, because everyone does, at least the first few times. Finding the Universe

I always roll my clothes because it takes up less space and makes them less wrinkly. I also bring an extra pair of contact lenses, no matter how short the trip. I pack my glasses and a pair of underwear in my carryon in case of delayed luggage. Monkeys and Mountains

Pack elastic bracelets as they can double as hairbands and can be used to hold small items together. Also, I’ve never regretted taking packs of mini tissues. Southwest Compass

I like to bring a few sheets of tissue paper along. I use it to roll up anything that is likely to get wrinkled. Works great. Bond Girl Photos

Use a suitcase where you can strap your clothes down tightly. It works like an iron.  Boomeresque

Read these tips on packing cubes vs packing folders and find out what’s the best for you!

Shop Sizes XS-4X:  J.Jill

Packing Tips for Fashionistas

Packing light provides you and your trip flexibility . Therefore, I pack mostly black or blue jeans and clothes and provide color with scarves and accessories. I am also a confirmed “roller”. Family Travel

Bring the jeans, leave the heels. Make sure you bring the right bras. When you’re stacked, it can be a real challenge to make sure the girls are locked and lovely. My fave combo is one everyday bra, one sexy bra, and one sports bra. A bunch of packing tips in one shot!  It’s One World Travel

If you love your jeans, just pack them. No matter what else someone tells you—they take too long to dry, they smell bad wet, they are heavy—yes, they are all of those things…but they are also something you’ll likely wear every day on the road, just like at home. Oh, and use  packing cubes ! A Little Adrift

Our readers voted for the best black travel pants and these were their favorite styles!

Ruched Body-Con Tank Dress

Think twice about the hiking boots. Not only are they bulky and heavy, but I find that even when I’ve packed them in the past, I’ve felt more comfortable wearing a pair of Toms or Chucks. Unless you’re thinking about some serious hiking, you can get away with a much lighter (and more fashionable) shoe like this one .  That Backpacker

Bring a black or brown dress and tops with you. I call it the “safe” colors. You can wear them anytime, anywhere. Bringing one stiletto or high-heeled shoe helps, especially if you need to attend a formal event. In terms of packing, bring cotton tops and if you’re going to a tropical country, avoid bulky clothes. Senyorita

Be conservative with shoes. Even shoes that you normally consider comfortable may pinch your feet or give you blisters. Go for the most comfortable yet neutral shoes you can find, and make sure they’re broken in. Bring cuter shoes for short outings or evenings. This is My Happiness

Wherever you are going and in whatever climate, always, always have a posh frock and heels in case you need to dress up.  Escape Artistes

.Here’s the most comfortable and cute walking shoes for travel!

Plaid Blanket

No matter the climate I’m going to, I always travel with at least one scarf . It takes up virtually no room, and yet can have so many uses. A scarf can dress up a boring travel outfit, give you a bit of warmth in chilly locales, help you cover up in conservative destinations, and can even serve as a pillow or sarong in a pinch.  Dangerous Business

One of my top packing tips is to resist last minute urges to pack extras (like extra t-shirts). Allow 30 minutes extra time before you leave for the airport to edit what you’ve put in your bag. Aim to take at least three items out.  30 Traveler

I pack lots of scarves. They use practically zero room in a suitcase and are so versatile. They allow me to create multiple outfits from the same top and bottom by providing different colors and textures, and they also can serve as protection against the cold or sun. I have used a scarf as a picnic blanket and as something soft (or protective) to sit on. Also, I pick up scarves wherever I go so it turns into a travel moment, too! Misadventures with Andi

A little black dress, cute flats, and a shawl go a long way.  Nomadic Chick

Here are eight different ways to wear a scarf when you travel!

The Chrysalis Cardi

Lay out all the clothes you intend to take …then put half of them away! I’ve never regretted not taking any piece of clothing on a trip but I have regretted packing too much. Take double the amount of underwear that you think you’ll need. A girl can never have too many pairs of clean knickers.  Flashpacker Family

When in Asia, always travel with a scarf. It’s perfect for places that use a bit too much air conditioning (you can throw it over your shoulders) or wear it as a skirt if your clothing isn’t appropriate for temples. A scarf always makes clothing look a bit more put together. Asia Travel Tales

Bring versatile clothing that you can reuse in several outfits. I especially love wrap dresses that you can change from one-shouldered to halter to strapless and more!  Christine in Spain

Want to look good while you travel? Bring the same clothes and styles you love at home  as long as they’re reasonable and don’t take much space. I always travel with a skinny tie and skinny jeans (hipster essentials) because you never know when you’ll want to look good—even when abroad.  Travels of Adam

Find out exactly why these two piece sets are the perfect addition to any travel wardrobe!

Apple iPad Mini 4

Packing Tips for Families

One tip that’s probably been mentioned a lot, but I live by, is this: lots of layering options for the kids reduces the need to pack lots of warm clothes. By layering, it’s easy to modify their level of warmth. Having multiple short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirts are more space-friendly than carrying extra jackets, for example. Little Aussie Travellers

Your kids, especially toddlers, will ALWAYS need less than you think they will, especially when it comes to toys. An iPad or tablet plus a very small bag of favorite toys can get you to your destination, while the actual place you are visiting is often entertainment enough. With so many new sights and sounds to explore, you’ll find your toddler ditching that bag of cars you packed in exchange for every stick, rock, and leaf along the way. Walking on Travels

We are a family of four. When we pack, we roll everything (except jeans and thick pants); it does give you more space. The Q Family Adventures

Flying with a baby ? Don’t stress! We have some awesome tips from a jetsetting mom.

Trunki Original Kids Ride-On Suitcase and Carry-On Luggage

Traveling as a family of four, we use vacuum-sealed, airtight, and waterproof space bags for each individual. They compress clothes by squeezing the air out, they protect fabric from spills, and they are an easy way to separate everyone’s belongings. They’re also great for bulky items like sweaters and ski gear for winter trips. The World is a Book

My best packing tips for families: make the kids pack and carry their own stuff. Whatever tempting cool clothing they want to buy along the way, they know they have to carry. This saves mom’s and dad’s backs. Also, dark fabric shows fewer stains, needs less washing, and shows less wear.  The Nomadic Family

One of my best pet travel packing tips is to always bring your dog’s blankets and pillows and a few toys that smell like home. It keeps them calm in the car and lets them have a piece of home when sleeping in a different hotel every night. It’s the best way to have well-behaved, well-traveled pets. The Constant Rambler

Read this packing list for toddlers and babies  to make traveling with a family a breeze!

Titanium Spork

Packing Tips for Everyone

Leave space in your backpack or suitcase. Use the extra room for souvenirs and purchases you make during travel. Awe Inclusive

When you’re taking a short trip,  pack your old underwear and throw it away after you wear it. I also take clothing I’m tired of and leave it behind, too. I pack underwear and jewelry in my shoes. Edgy June Travels

Pack a spork to make your street food experiences easier and more enjoyable. Travel Gear for Men

Don’t forget the duct tape. You’ll find a million and one uses for it. My Itchy Travel Feet

Here’s a twist on an old standby in terms of packing tips: 3M has come up with a new type of  Scotch Transparent Duct Tape . It comes in various strengths, but it is not yet available in convenient mini-rolls. Savvy Traveling

Take a look at these 25 random travel necessities and find out if they make sense for your next trip!

Waterproof Dry Bag

Besides the normal things like clothing and body products, I take a traveling natural health kit. One of the key ingredients is essential oils: they’re great for natural first-aid, to ward off germs and bacteria, and even for a bit of scent (smaller than any perfume bottle). I use lemon oil as my hand sanitizer wherever I go. It’s easier to carry and better smelling than most products on the market. Santa Fe Travelers

I always have a thread and needle.  It’s one of the more classic packing tips. Not only can you patch up your clothing, you can exchange your services for free beer. Going Nomadic

The best day bag for travel is a dry bag like this one that can protect and store your valuables! We Heart Scuba Diving

String and cable ties –it’s unbelievable how many times they’ve come in handy! Magnificent Potato

I always pack a hypoallergenic pillow case (one that zips) to cover gross pillows, which often contain dust mites. And, of course, I pack a sleep sheet (some call it a “sack”) to protect me from bed linens I’d rather not touch.  Chicky Bus

Buy a universal adaptor rather than one suited only for the country you’re visiting. It saves money in the long run and gives you more travel flexibility (especially during airport layovers). Inside the Travel Lab

I always carry earplugs and a headlamp. You never know when you will need them. Ordinary Traveler

Find out our top 10 travel essentials for backpackers !

Osprey Packs Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack

I keep a “quick fix” kit in my cabinet and grab it for trips. It contains earplugs, a sleep mask, lip balm, ibuprofen, and extra contact lenses. I also bring flavored tea bags to relax with a cup of tea no matter where I am. As for clothing packing tips, I keep it simple with lots of black. It goes with everything and is difficult to stain!  Spanish Sabores

Buy a backpack that isn’t a top loader. Backpacks like the Berghaus Jalan and the Osprey Farpoint zip most of the way around and open like a suitcase, which makes getting to your stuff a lot easier! Gap Year Escape

Keep a list of all the items you need for a vacation  overseas or a weekend trip, as each type of trip requires different things to pack, especially electronics– chargers, lenses, memory cards, etc. A list means it’s less likely to be forgotten. Kiwi Travel Writer

The best item I’ve found is a  travel clothesline . If you’ll be hand-washing your clothes while traveling, it’s super convenient. SKJ Travel

Because we at Green Global Travel often venture to off-the-beaten-path destinations, it’s crucial that we pack light and carry clothes that can be washed and dried very easily. Green Global Travel

Have lip balm and your Speedo if you’re traveling in Europe. And always pack light is one of the golden packing tips! Dream Euro Trip

Want the ultimate guides for packing light? Read our Pack Light Stylishly book to get started and see our packing tips, and take our master class if you’re ready to Stop Overpacking !

A giant thank you to all the travel bloggers who shared their packing tips in this post!

If you have any travel packing tips to share, please add them in the comments below!

For more packing tips, please read:

• 75 Packing Tips that Will Make Your Travels So Much Easier
• This Video Will Change the Way You Pack 
• Packing Lists for (Almost) Every Destination
• Think Traveling Carry-on is Impossible? Read this

LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!

Hope you liked this post on travel packing tips from the expert. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

72 comments.

That’s quite an interesting article Alex, and I find it really useful, As a corporate traveller, packing things is literally hectic work, and I am going to follow your tips for my upcoming travels. Hope this parking trick could save some space.

Hi Gloria, thank you for your feedback, glad that you found the article helpful! Safe travels! 🙂

I found all the tips very useful, I use some of them. I would like to add a few I use. Packing bijoux jewelry, I pass necklaces through a straw to prevent tangling, put rings and earrings seperately in small ziplocks then all together in a small cosmetic pouch and into my suitcase. For expensive jewelery I put it in a small cufflink box which accomodates two diamond rings, a medium sized locket and a brooch. This protects them from being compressed. Then I carry it in my handbag in a small zippered compartment. Hope this may help somebody.

Hi, thank you so much for your comment! Thank you for sharing you great tips 🙂

That’s quite an interesting article Shari Melillo, and I find it really useful, As a corporate traveller, packing things is literally hectic work, and I am going to follow your tips for my upcoming travels. Hope this packing trick could save some space on air travel

Tips to save space in your suitcase

Roll the clothes instead of folding them. You can save your space and carry some extra items such as belt and pair of extra socks in your baggage.

Wear as much as you can rather than packing it. This doesn’t sound cool but it is one of the best trick. Wear extra clothes inside your over coat and later remove them once you are on your sear after boarding the flight. A little extra layer of clothes on your body will give you a lot of free space in your bag. Now you have some extra space in your suitcase to put some more items.

You can also use your pockets to hold small things rather than putting them in your luggage. You can even fold small clothing items and place them in large pockets of a jacket or cargo pants.

I just read this and must say, I should have done so a few weeks earlier 🙁

One thing I found interesting lately is to use tools for my packing. whattopackforatrip.com is one example but there are a few more. Can you do something like this too 🙂

Thanks for one marvelous posting! I enjoyed reading it, you are a great Writer. Keep up the wonderful works on. I’ve added you to my blogroll as well.

Glad seeing this kind of tips, make sure to bring a handy soap, roadeavour scented soap sheets is a must have!

I also think packing with capsule wardobe principles is also very effective.

Glad you agree! All of our packing lists are based on a capsule wardrobe: https://travelfashiongirl.com/packing-lists/

Great tips! I agree that rolling your clothes make them take up less space.

Thanks Andy!

Like one of your correspondents above said – practice pack and pitch. Any old clothes that are serviceable but may have a spot or are heavily worn get packed and pitched along the way. You can always tie a scarf so it covers a spot and you’re never going to see these people again. Your pitch will equal your stuff purchased. And stuff left in Peru, mark it trash bastuda, doesn’t worm its way back into your closet. I also just purchased an Elizabeth and Clarke unstainable tshirt and can’t wait to see if they work well.

Great tips! Thanks Marilyn!

when staying in a hotel, just below the peephole in the door, there is usually a sign describing protocol for emergencies. next to this sign is (usually) a card inserted with room prices, check-out times, etc. pull this card halfway out and use it to cover the peephole for privacy. this gave me peace of mind when my young daughter and I traveled alone. an alternative would be to cover the peephole with a small piece of blue painter’s tape. I also locked and bolted the door and placed the (empty) plastic trash can a few inches from the door before we went to bed. this would give us valuable seconds if someone tried to enter our room while we were asleep!

Thank you for your post. space while helping your bras maintain their shape by stacking them on on top of each other. You can even store you underwear inside of the cups.

Great tip Kyla!! Thanks for sharing!

A portable speaker is a great item to take with you. You can listen to music anywhere and even charge your phone with them.

That’s a great tip!

I always (always!) use a packing list for every trip and just tweak it each time based on where, when & how long the trip is. It’s divided into four sections.

Section 1 is for things I might need to have at the ready like passports, reservation paperwork, phone charger, antibacterial wipes, etc. This is basically my travel bag list.

Section 2 is for toiletries and rarely changes.

Section 3 is for planning outfits. I break it down with the itinerary for each day and what the expected weather will be, and then pre-plan out each outfit for each day/event, including belts, shoes and accessories. Keeping to this strict plan helps me from over-packing!

The fourth and final section is for anything extra, like a hat, gloves, undies, bras, etc. Also included in this section are little extras like small hand fans for hot & humid climates, a small baggie for the hotel remote control (one of the germiest things in your room), etc.

Great suggestions Pollyana! Thank you so much for sharing your method! Sounds like you’ve got packing down! Happy travels!

Traveling is a fun activity but doing it repeatedly can eventually tire a traveler down. Because of this, many frequent travelers have realized the importance of preparing luggage that allows one to carry necessary travel items without compromising comfort. Much of the challenges come from identifying the trip, choosing and prioritizing the items that will be brought according to the trip, and finding the right packing technique to ensure that the luggage that will accompany the traveler will not cause any discomfort.

Thanks for your message Lecitia! Great tips! Comfort is definitely most important when selecting what to bring and what luggage to bring it in. Thanks for reading! Safe travels!

So many people recommend rolling clothes instead of folding, and I’ve even tried the “military” style you can learn on YouTube videos. However, I still find correct folding (eg, the KonMari method) makes my suitcase so much more calm and organized. And fewer wrinkles.

It’s great that you’ve found the way that works best for you! Keep packing smart 🙂

My Husband and I are leaving for 90 days travel and I am keeping it to one roller thanks to a lot of the tips here.

Wow thank you Piccola 🙂 Have a wonderful journey!

I like to carry a backpack on the plane for all my stuff. Instead of dealing with a purse AND a backpack, I just put my necessary purse contents (wallet, smartphone, meds, etc.) in the backpack and pack my purse in my suitcase.

Perfect strategy!

I always bring a few wooden clothespins. I need the room very dark to sleep and the clothespins sometimes are perfect to hold a drape together. Of course they can be used in the obvious ways hand clothes to dry off a hangar or towel rack.

good tip! I’ve met travelers with plastic ones but wooden plastic it’s all the same 🙂

I try to lay out everything I want to pack, including cosmetic bag, etc., then live with it, at home, for the amount of time I’m going to be gone. Anything that doesn’t get used doesn’t go in the suitcase, and it’s an easy way to see if everything fits together. Takes discipline to do this, but it’s a good reality check.

That is dedication but if you do it once, you can keep reusing the same things for future trips. Great tip!

Alex, can you give me few tips regarding packing fine jewelry on business trip

great timing! have an article publishing on July 9th with your answer – stay tuned!

Great tips from everyone this is really going to help me this summer other thing when you make a list make sure you check off the important things first like start off with carry on luggage essentials any way this is my favorite site to go to when I’m having trouble packing oh almost forgot make your luggage noticble by putting ribbons and shoelaces so that way you would not have to worry when you get to the airport

I am not so sure if I shared this compilation on my page before, but I’m glad to see my tips and advice on this post now 😛

When going on a vacation where swimming is involved, I pack a lightweight, cheap or well used towel. Then, if I want to swim after the noon checkout time, I give away the wet towel at the end of the day.

Another useful and small, lightweight item is a little sponge (the little pink, yellow or green ones). They are incredibly useful, take almost zero room, and save towels if the floor gets wet.

I’ve been looking everywhere for a blog like this… finally 🙂

Glad you found it!

Great list – I thought I’d add that I always travel with a black and a grey tank top. They are perfect for layering if you are cold, sleeping in OR for modesty.

I agree, great to have some basics. Thanks!

Awesome tips! I am leaving for London on Wednesday for two weeks with my school, and these tips will help me pack and lower my anxiety over it! (: Thanks so much for this blog post, I really appreciate it! (:

Thanks Kelly! Glad to help 🙂

You also might find this post helpful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-london-on-your-trip-to-the-united-kingdom/

Loads of helpful stuff there – thanks. Glad to know that I am amongst fellow rollers and ziplockers!

Thanks Bernie! Rolling is the way to go 🙂

Thanks for including my duct tape tip. I’ll be linking to this list in our February newsletter.

Thanks Donna! Duct tape has endless uses – I especially like to use it to help prop up the massive universal adapters/converters into the outlet. Thanks again!

I am a first time visitor. I enjoyed your blog some great tips.

Thank you 🙂

What a great round-up post! Bookmarking this and will be using a few of these tips for the next trip. Thanks for including my tip 🙂

Thanks! Thanks for the tip 🙂

This is the best post on packing I’ve seen! (and not just cuz I got a nod, either) I especially love the last point made: “pack clothing you feel good wearing”

Thanks Laura! I hope I can get enough tips to make it to 100 🙂 high goals!

Thanks for including my tips! A bunch of great advice here from others.

Thanks Talon! What color is your sarong of choice? 🙂

Brilliant list! Thanks for including my tip!

Thanks Bethany and also for sharing your tip 🙂

I love these tips! I find an iphone invaluble for all of the language apps and google!

Thanks Stephanie. Hopefully you could use a few for your upcoming trip 🙂

Same here! Thanks and congrats for the article! 🙂

Thanks again! Great collaboration 🙂

Thanks for featuring my tip here, I love seeing what all the different range of travelers feel is important when packing! 🙂

Thanks for contributing Shannon! Great tips from everyone 🙂

Great tips! I have already bookmarked this for future reference. Thanks for including mine 🙂

Thank you! No matter how experienced you are, it’s still possible to pick up new tricks from others 🙂

I enjoyed reading your post full of great tips. Thanks for including mine. I’ve already tweeted your post.

Thanks Lisa! I’m happy with the turn out 🙂

So many great packing tips from knowledgeable travelers! Thanks for including mine 🙂

Thank you so much for contributing! 🙂

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Meetings & Incentives
• Reservation Support Tools
• Core Values
• TRAVEL JOURNAL
• Exclusive Offers
• Talk to an Agent
• Contact An Expert: 1-800-245-8326
• Traveler Login

The Travel Team. All rights reserved.

22 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers

If you’re frequently on the road for work, use these tips to make the most of your time away from home.

Business Travel Packing Tips

1. Use only carry on bags. Lugging a large suitcase through a foreign city or having your luggage lost before your destination is no way to start a business trip. Pack light to keep all your belongings in your allotted carry on bags.

2. Keep essentials packed between trips. Having extra toiletries, chargers, office supplies, and business cards already in your bag can save you time each time you travel.

3. Pack dress shirts in plastic garment bags. The plastic bags your dry cleaning is delivered in can help keep shirts from wrinkling in your suitcase.

4. Include casual clothes, not just suits. Having business-appropriate clothing is important. However, you’ll likely have time to explore your surroundings on foot and have a casual dinner one night. Packing gym clothes is also important.

5. Pack with security checkpoints in mind. Depending on where you’re traveling to, you will have to follow various security protocols. Your liquids and electronics should be easily accessible.

6. Invest in good luggage and accessories. A suitcase that is easy to pack and maneuver is worth the investment. A small digital scale that fits in a side pocket can help you avoid costly charges for a suitcase over the airline’s weight limit.

7. Pack items that help you sleep. Prioritize a pillow, headphones, or eye mask to help you sleep while at a hotel or on the plane. A good night of sleep is more important than a fourth pair of shoes.

8. Products like packing cubes can help you stay organized so you can easily find items when you need them. Each cube can hold a day’s outfits or contain a particular type of garment like evening wear or swim gear for that nighttime dip in the pool. Cubes can also keep dirty clothes sequestered from clean ones and make packing the morning of departure less chaotic!

Tips for Smooth Business Travel

9. Join rewards programs. Take advantage of your corporate travel to gain points or miles on your airline, hotel, or travel credit card of choice. You should also choose a credit card without foreign transaction fees.

10. Charge electronics before you fly. Your phone, laptop, and tablet should all have plenty of battery to help you pass time productively in the airport and on your flight. You won’t need to fight for an outlet at your gate either.

11. Use programs that speed up your travel. Check in to your flights online and print your boarding pass before heading to the airport. Apply for TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry to gain access to faster-moving security and customs around the world.

12. Book non-stop flights. Layovers lengthen trips. A two-or three-hour stop mid-trip can mean spending an extra day on the road, waking up earlier than necessary, or having a suitcase that didn’t make the same transfer you did.

13. Pay for an airport lounge membership. Most airlines provide lounges with plenty of food, outlets, and quiet space for a reasonable cost. Spend your time waiting for your flight away from the hustle and bustle of everyone waiting for your flight.

14. Print important confirmation numbers. While no one likes to think about losing their phone, it is possible to run out of battery just as you need your boarding pass or confirmation number. Print your itinerary and keep a copy in each of your bags.

15. Find (or pack) healthy food. Travel is hard on your body, and you need to continue to do your job well on the road. Packing or buying healthy snacks will help you stay well while traveling.

16. Use a travel management company (TMC). TMCs can help your company save money and optimize business trip itineraries. They can also simplify expensing and other forms of record-keeping required by business travelers.

Tips for More Business Travel Fun

17. Combine business and leisure. Add a few personal days to the beginning or end of a business trip to make it a “bleisure” trip! Bleisure trips are cost-effective and can help you be at your best personally and professionally!

18. Make more time for fun. Business trips can be stressful, especially when there are multiple locations or venues to visit. Plan ahead or use a travel management company to optimize itineraries. Renting a car instead of using ride sharing apps or waiting for cabs can save a lot of time and money.

19. Skip the hotel gym but don’t skip working out! Instead of staying on hotel grounds, use your daily jog as an opportunity to explore your surroundings. Research which areas of a location are safest and consider sticking to public areas like parks. Let family members or coworkers know you plan on venturing out on your own.

20. Find workspaces that double as leisure spaces. Hotels are converting rooms into WFH spaces complete with thoughtful amenities to accommodate the remote work revolution. Perks could include discounted meals and relaxing surroundings like poolside cabanas.

21. Avoid jet lag. Jet lag can really throw a wrench in your trip, especially when traveling internationally. Trying a melatonin supplement or any one of these tips can help you overcome jet lag and better enjoy your downtime.

22. Explore your hobby. Expand your horizons by researching what connections your destination has to your favorite hobby. Maybe there’s a museum dedicated to your hobby’s history or a unique retail store devoted to selling hobby-related products and services.

Want to Learn More?

Contact our dedicated corporate travel experts by filling out the form below or calling 1-877-357-4471.

© 2024 The Travel Team | Privacy Center

When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Control your personal Cookie Services here.

• wordpress_test_cookie
• wordpress_logged_in_
• wordpress_sec

25 Expert Packing Tips to Help You Travel Better

• Updated: 04/08/2024

I am on a constant quest to shrink and streamline all the prep that comes with travel. To help, I created three essential lists to get out the door faster and with less hassle. They will help you do the same. 

Table Of Contents

These travel prep helpers include: 

• A universal printable packing list
• A close-the-house printable checklist
• 25 top packing tips for plane travel

Click the links above to access the packing and close-the-house lists.  Then, find my top 25 packing tips I compiled after 25+ years of solo, backpacking, business, couple, and family travel in the US and abroad that will help you pack faster, lighter, and travel better, in the article below.

14 Tips for All Travelers

1. Use a universal and reusable packing checklist. Create, or use a list like the one I share in “ Pack Faster & Better With This Universal Printable Packing List ” that contains repeat items you bring on every trip (e.g., socks, pants, underwear, medicines, etc.). Using this list will help you avoid the work of recreating a list from scratch for each trip and help you remember more things.

2. Buy trip essentials in advance. Purchase the trip essentials you do not have a few weeks before the trip to avoid the hassle of last-minute shopping errands before you leave or the cost of expedited shipping. 

3. Pack light and ideally carry on . Light packers are more mobile travelers. Traveling with carry-on luggage will save you time exiting the airport and give you more flexibility to quickly change your travel plans. Additionally, should you need to shoulder your load on public transportation or up and down stairs—your lighter-weight carry-on will be easier to maneuver.

Despite the advantages of carry-ons, my family and I nearly always check a bag for these three reasons .

4. Review the luggage requirements for your airline(s) . Especially if you plan to travel internationally and with a carry-on only, confirm on the airline website FAQ section that the size of your bag and its contents—particularly the liquids—meet requirements. Otherwise, you may need to check your bag. While on the site, look at baggage fees to avoid surprises. 

5. Employ math. Consider using a ratio of three to one when you pack to limit what you bring. Three tops to one bottom. And three pairs of shoes for one trip. 

6. Plan your outfits. Take the time to color-coordinate the clothes you plan to bring. Outfit planning will help you pack less and seamlessly swap items as you layer on or off in changing weather. Also, consider bringing along travel-friendly fabrics that avoid wrinkles and dry quickly.

7. Check the weather. Before you leave, check the forecast for your destination. Bring clothes to accommodate the lows and highs or possible precipitation.

8. Get organized. Use compression packing cubes  and a hanging bathroom organizer to keep things separate and make unpacking a breeze. If you use cubes, check out these helpful tips about packing cubes  to make the most of these incredible space-savers.

9. Maximize space. Tightly roll your clothes instead of folding them, especially if you do not use compression packing cubes. Rolled clothes will take up less room in your suitcase.

10. Contain contaminating items. Bring laundry and Ziploc-style plastic bags to separate dirty clothes and leaky items. Or, if you are a frequent traveler, get reusable laundry bags or zip-top bags  like the ones I share in this traveler gift guide . If you do not have a travel laundry bag, bring a trash bag—this works great too. If you want to keep your shoes separate so mucked-up soles do not touch other items, plan to stick each shoe in a plastic shower cap .

11. Pack the heaviest items on the bottom. Top-heavy suitcases topple over and are harder to maneuver. Ensuring the heaviest items are at the bottom of your bag will make it easier to handle.

Sign up for my monthly Discovery Newsletter & get a free Trip Budget Calculator !

12. Use a distinctive luggage tag . Whether picking up checked luggage from the baggage carousel or setting your carry-on next to you in a lounge area, many bags look alike, so it is easy to grab the wrong one. I share my favorite distinctive tags in this traveler gift guide. 

13. Keep your bag subdued. Bright and colorful luggage not only grabs your attention but the interest of would-be thieves as well. For this reason, keep your luggage colors dark or neutral to look like other bags. Differentiate with your tag. 

14. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane. If you need a fleece, a parka, or pair of boots for your travel adventure, plan to wear this on the plane to leave more space in your luggage.

6 Tips for Travelers Checking a Bag

For travelers who plan to check a bag, find six more tips below to help navigate potential checked-bag complications.

15. Be strategic about your personal item. If you plan to check a bag, be sure you have what you need in your personal carry-on items in case of a flight delay, cancellation, or baggage loss. See a list of recommended items that are part of my universal packing list here. 

16. Always pack a backup outfit in your carry-on . In case your bag is delayed or lost, having one additional outfit on hand will let you refresh more quickly and feel less grubby after a long day of travel.

17. Carry valuables and travel essentials with you . Bags can get lost or delayed. For this reason, avoid packing items such as valuable jewelry or gifts in checked baggage. Additionally, try to carry on irreplaceable gear that is essential for upcoming trip activities if you can manage it.

18. Get a tracking device like an Apple AirTag . If you would like to have the reassurance of knowing where your bags are always, consider using Apple AirTags . Purchase a pack of four for under $100. For non-iPhone users, consider this alternative from Tile .

19. Stay under weight limits. Most US carriers have a 50-pound weight limit for checked luggage. If traveling in a group or as a family, distribute the heaviest items among bags. And if you think you may exceed weight limits, consider shipping items to or from your destination—it may cost less than paying overage or additional bag fees.

20. Buy trip insurance. I buy travel insurance for every international and some domestic trips for several reasons . Though, when it applies to checked luggage, I purchase it to cover reimbursement expenses related to delayed or lost baggage. 

To learn more reasons why it makes sense to purchase travel insurance for every trip, check out “ Travel Insurance Simplified: 4 Reasons You Need It & 18 Things To Know Before Buying It .”

5 Essential Items to Always Have on Hand

Here are the five most essential items I bring on all trips.

21. High-performance quick dry underwear . If you like to be active on your trips—with long days of walking, hiking, or more vigorous activities—high performers from travel favorite ExOfficio will keep unmentionables fresh and issue-free.

22. Cold suppressant . I never leave home without a pack of UMCKA cold suppressant tablets . The moment I feel achy or a twinge of a sore throat, I take one and nearly always cut off a nasty cold before it starts. 

23. Medical Kit . We bring a complete medical kit that can address most typical traveler-related medical ailments for my family on all our trips. It helps us avoid inconvenient, last-minute, and possibly unsuccessful searches for the correct medication. See a complete list of what we bring here .

24. Sunscreen. For my fair-skinned family, bringing a hefty supply of our dermatologist-recommended Blue Lizard sunscreen  is a must-have. And the main reason we tend to check our bags vs. carry on.

25. An unflashy crossbody bag. I love this unisex crossbody bag from North Face with its sturdy strap and zippered pockets to safely carry essentials. Low-key bags like this avoid being targets, and their zippers make it more difficult for would-be pickpockets to be successful.

The bonus item I never forget to bring: Copies of all essential travel documents (e.g., passport, credit cards, travel insurance, etc.) and contact numbers . In case of an emergency, non-working bank or credit cards, or theft, I save all necessary documents and contact numbers to online accounts with passwords memorized. I also send copies to a family member. 

Related Reading

To further simplify your packing and the getting-out-the-door stage of your vacation—pair the above packing tips with these related articles below.

• Pack Faster & Better With This Universal Printable Packing List
• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack 
• Itinerary Template for a Trip: Free Downloadable Examples & More Resources
• 49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)
• The Top Travel Apps I Use for Better Travel
• 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research

Additional Trip Planning Resources

To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below. 

Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here . 

Google Hotels . Use its “ Where to stay ” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.

Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.

Viator , Get Your Guide , & Airbnb Experiences . Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.

Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps . Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list. 

AllTrails . Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.

Guide Along . 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour .

Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here . My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com . 

Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks , and my free customizable travel itinerary template , downloadable in four file formats.

About the author:  Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog,  Gather and Go Travel . Check out  her bio , learn how she became  a blogger , and discover how to  work with her . Sign up for her monthly  Discovery Newsletter  to get her latest travel recommendations and  how-to’s .

Love to travel? Sign up for m y monthly Gather & Go Travel Discovery Newsletter and get a free trip budget calculator .

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.

Cathedral Rock: How to Make the Most of Your Hike

Why You Will Love Enchantment Resort: A Review

From An Expert: InsureMyTrip.com is My #1 Pick for Trip Insurance

35 Places You Will Love for Your Next Ladies’ Trip

How to Make the Most of Missoula in 3 Days

39 Amazing Ideas for Things to See & Do in Missoula

23 responses.

Seven, glad you found it helpful. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Exactly what i was looking for. Thanks

Namit, I am glad you found it useful. For more ideas, check out my saved Pinterest boards for:

Gift ideas (lots of small space-savers here): https://www.pinterest.com/GatherAndGoTravel/travel-best-gifts-for-travelers/ Clothes/accessories: https://www.pinterest.com/GatherAndGoTravel/travel-stylish-functional-clothes-accessories/ Gear essentials: https://www.pinterest.com/GatherAndGoTravel/travel-best-gear-essentials-for-travel/ Shoes: https://www.pinterest.com/GatherAndGoTravel/travel-best-shoes-for-walking/

I hope these help!

Great article on travel packing tips! Your detailed checklist is a lifesaver, especially the reminder about the essentials that are often overlooked, like adapters and first-aid kits. I’ve learned the hard way how important those can be. Do you have any recommendations for compact, multi-use items that can save space and still cover most needs? Thanks for the insightful post—it’s going to make preparing for my next trip much easier!

Tarandeep, thank you for the positive feedback. Glad to hear you benefitted from the read.

These expert packing tips are a game-changer for travelers! Efficient packing is key to stress-free journeys, and these insights are invaluable. Thanks for sharing such helpful advice. Can’t wait to implement these tips and travel smarter on my next adventure

Thanks, Saurabh. Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for reading.

Your tips are awesome. You have shared in your blog how to pack a backpack and what to pack in it, which is very useful. Thanks for the blog!

Your blog post was informative and practical. I found the tips and advice you provided to be useful and easy to implement. To learn more, click here .

You are welcome, thank you for taking the time to read the article 🙂

“Thank you for the invaluable tip! Your advice about checking airline luggage requirements is a real lifesaver for hassle-free travel. Much appreciated! ✈️🙌

Thank you for taking the time to read the article and share a comment. Good luck with your packing!

Amazing advice! I’ve never been good at packing, but these professional tips make it so much simpler. I appreciate you sharing.

Thank you, glad to learned it helped!

I never thought about using dryer sheets in my suitcase to keep my clothes smelling fresh during travel! That’s such a clever tip. This article really opened my eyes to some creative packing hacks that I’ve never considered before. I’ll definitely be implementing some of these ideas on my upcoming trip. Thanks for sharing such valuable expertise!

Thank you for taking the time to read the article.

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Thank you for reading.

Such a helpful blog! Your article provided valuable insights and tips that have helped me plan my travels more effectively and avoid common mistakes that can ruin a trip. I have been following your blog for a while now, and I am always impressed by the quality and depth of your content.

Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us. I am always confused, when it comes to packing and all. But really thanks to your article, it really helps alot.

nice information

Very helpful, keep sharing the good stuff.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to Gather and Go Travel , a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me , read our story , and how to work with me .

Need an Itinerary for a Spring Trip to Europe? Here are 25 Amazing Ideas

49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)

Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t

Your Family Will Love These 30 Road Trips Near Chicago

Pack Faster & Better With This Universal Printable Packing List

How to Spend 10 Days In Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento

Instagram....

gatherandgotravel

📍US & 🌎 travel for families, friends + couples 📝 Itineraries, destination guides and ideas + tips ❤️ hiking🥾, mountains + 📚books 🏡 Chicago

love this info?

And receive our F REE Budget Trip Calculator .

© 2023 All Rights Reserved

Travel planning.

Amazeballs Better Travel Guide

Travel Planning Tips

Destinations

Travel Learning

Conversations With Travel Pros

Blogs I Love To Follow

Work With Me / Contact Me

Journey From 100 To 10K

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Get A Free Trip Budget Calculator

Sign up for my monthly gather & go travel discovery newsletter packed with tips and vacation ideas and get my trip budget calculator for free..

Pack Hacker is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

60 Packing Tips For Travel From Expert Packers

Get ready for your next trip with our complete list of minimalist packing tips.

Maybe you got stuck paying for an overweight bag on your last trip or had trouble finding what you needed because it was buried in the bottom of your huge suitcase. Whatever the reason, you want to start your journey toward becoming a minimalist packer. But where to begin?

Well, you're in the right place! Here at Pack Hacker, we’ve been giving our community packing tips for years to help them on the road to smarter travel. There’s plenty to consider, from knowing how much clothing you need to pack for a week’s vacation to how to adapt your packing list for warm or cold weather travel. Plus, of course, there’s the gear you use to pack it all up. From a carry on backpack to packing tips for toiletries and tech, we can help.

Since this is Pack Hacker, our first set of packing tips, of course, focuses on finding the right bag for you, and we also have tons of packing tips for clothing since it will take up most of your bag.

So here is our most comprehensive roundup of all the great travel packing tips we’ve given over the years, all in one place. Whether you’re looking for help packing a carry on, packing tips for international travel, or even suitcase packing tips, we can help you. So sit down, relax, and get packing!

Packing Tips To Find The Right Bag

• Travel with a backpack: When choosing the right carry on bag for you, we prefer to travel with a backpack instead of rolling luggage when possible. No matter where you’re traveling, you won’t have to worry about wheels getting jammed with snow, dirt, mud, and salt or worry about them getting stuck in cobblestone streets. Also, when you travel with a carry on bag, you won’t have to wait at the carousel for your luggage, so you can get right to your trip (or, if you get in late, hotel).
• Consider size and weight: When looking for a carry on bag, try to find one that weighs less than four pounds, so you can pack more gear without going over the airline weight limit. There are plenty of travel backpacks out there that are packed with organizational features. Check the carry on limits of your preferred airline before you buy one, though, to ensure it will fit their restrictions. After all, no one wants to check their bag at the gate if they can help it.
• Choose your gear first: Decide what gear you’ll need before choosing your bag. Do you need specialized compartments to hold your camera kit ? Or are you a digital nomad who will pack a lot of tech gear? Some of the best tips for packing we have to share are to choose low-profile versions of the items you’re not sure you’ll need, like a packable rain jacket or hat, so you can travel with a smaller bag.
• It’s hip to be square: If you’re looking for packing tips for international travel, or airline travel in general, choosing square-shaped bags with good structure are easier to pack with more gear while still holding their shape. That’s because you can use packing cubes to hold your clothing, and they’re easier to fit into a backpack with corners than a more rounded shape. These are also great suitcase packing tips, because cubes help you stay organized no matter what type of carry on bag you prefer.
• Check the features: The ideas we share for cruise packing tips will differ from our packing tips for international travel because they'll depend on the weather at your destination. Nevertheless, one thing holds true no matter where you’re heading: know the climate of the place you’re shopping for. You may need additional weatherproofing features if you plan to hike a glacier during your Alaskan cruise or prioritize locking mechanisms if traveling to more sketchy locales in Southeast Asia.
• Consider the access points: Don’t forget about quick-access pockets when you’re looking for the right travel backpack. After spending time packing your bag just right, you don’t want to dislodge it to pull out your passport or liquid toiletries for inspection. However, if you’re planning to bring a hat or travel water bottle and your pack lacks special pockets, our travel packing tips include using a carabiner to hook them onto a bag strap. We also like using compression straps to hang onto larger gear like yoga mats and tripods.
• Watch your back: lf you’ll be carrying your bag for a while, whether through the airport to catch your connecting flight or several blocks to get to your hotel or Airbnb, ensure your backpack has extra ventilation. It’s no fun arriving at your destination with a sweaty back or overheating on the walk to the bus. More packing tips for travel include checking out duffle bags to keep your back open if you know you’re heading to a hot and humid locale or even using rolling luggage if you don’t need to worry about ground conditions slowing you down.
• Invest in your gear: No matter what your travel needs, our packing tips for travel always include investing in the best gear so it lasts for trips to come. You don’t want to find yourself on the other side of the globe when the zipper rips off your cheap backpack or the handle snaps off your suitcase, so it pays to pay a little more at the start to avoid mishaps. Our suitcase packing tips and carry on packing tips always include inspecting your gear before you go. You may have tossed your trusty bag in a corner one too many times or discover that it degraded from being stored in the sweltering attic since you last traveled.
• Bring a packable bag: Your travel backpack may be the right pick for getting you from home to vacation, but you never know when you’ll need a daypack or sling while exploring. Instead, grab a packable bag to load up for daily adventures or shopping trips to the local market.

Packing Tips To Lighten The Load

• Lightweight is easier for travel: When you’re packing for one bag travel, it’s easier to pull a carry on out of the overhead bin than wait for the plane to unload. Plus, if you’re carrying a backpack, it can get heavy to lug around while you wait for your check-in time. Most airlines limit a carry on to about 22 pounds (10 kilograms), though, compared with the 50 you can usually get in a checked bag, so it’s important to review the rules of the airline you’re flying before leaving home. If they don’t count a personal item bag toward your limit, you can use it for heavier items, like a laptop.
• Bring the essentials: Deciding what’s most important to you is one of our best packing tips for travel. While bringing a travel neck pillow on board could be nice, you may want to leave it behind and save extra space for more clothing or tech gear. If you can travel with a smaller version of what you need, like bringing a tablet or a smartphone instead of a laptop, you’ll save space and weight in your bag.
• Sweat the small stuff to save ounces: Every ounce counts, so optimizing your gear and going for packable versions to lighten the load are great tips for packing. Think compressible travel water bottles and packable rain jackets instead of full-size gear, and opt for a minimalist wallet instead of a bulky bifold. Our carry on packing tips always include going through your wallet and leaving cards you don’t need while traveling behind.
• Bigger isn’t better: Another item to add to our list of packing tips for travel is to reduce the size of your gear, whether it’s by bringing just the head to your razor or toothbrush so you can pack a smaller toiletry bag, or bringing lighter-weight travel tech gadgets . While you may sacrifice a little if you bring a smaller battery bank with a lower capacity, it’ll be worth it to save weight and avoid surprise fees at the airport.

Tips To Pack Strategically

• Save space in your carry on: When’s the last time you returned from a trip without some sort of souvenir? When packing, leave space in your carry on bag for the fun things you might want to bring home, whether it’s a T-shirt, a tchotchke, or a new snack. Or be sure to bring a packable bag so you can carry them on the plane as a personal item bag on your return trip.
• Share space with a friend: If you’re traveling with family or a friend, you may be able to share space in each other’s bags to carry less. For instance, you may be able to pack all your gear for the plane in one personal item bag and use your companion's bag for snacks.
• Get creative with your gear: Pack gear that works double duty, protecting your glasses from scratches in socks, for example, or using a hoodie as a neck pillow. If you’re staying at a hotel, you can leave a lot of toiletries behind since there’s likely to be soap and shampoo in the shower. As for tech, don’t bring chargers for each item. Instead, bring one universal charger to power up all your gear.
• Lay it all out: When you’re packing, lay everything out and then divide it into piles of what will be used daily, less frequently, and rarely. Then consider the gear you use rarely or less frequently and see if there’s anything you can ditch to save weight in your pack. Lying everything out also gives you a better idea of how to pack your bag properly since you can first organize it by category and type.
• Practice your trip: One of the best packing tips is to do it early. Pack for your trip in advance, and then try living out of your bag for a while. Carry it around the block for a trial run to figure out how it will feel as you walk from security to your boarding gate. That way, if it doesn’t feel good, you can figure out what’s poking you in the back before you’re on the streets of New York City or Singapore.

Carry On Packing Tips

• Be strategic with placement: Where you pack your gear in your bag is just as important as what you pack. Keep heavy items in the center of your backpack that will ideally hit you between your hips and shoulder blades and as close to your back as possible for maximum comfort and weight distribution. Then make use of exterior pockets to keep travel essentials like a wallet, your passport, and an extra layer within easy reach.
• Add organization: If you don’t want all of your clothing to be in a messy heap when you reach your destination, use packing cubes and pouches to organize your gear. Not only can you keep your clothing sorted into different categories to be easy to find later, but you can make sure your rolls stay rolled instead of shifting and sliding around during your flight. If you're making multiple stops on your trip, pack everything in the same spot as you move around so you always know where to find it.
• Carry on wisely: Check the personal item limits of your specific airline because you may be able to use that to pack instead of paying for a carry on bag. If you get to the airport and find your carry on bag or checked luggage is over the limit, you can shift some items into your personal item bag to reduce the weight. And wear bulkier clothing on the plane since that will save space and weight, too.
• Organize and modularize your gear: If you switch between bags for different destinations, consider packing your gear in pouches. Then you can easily swap your tech accessories, from your travel backpack to your daypack .
• Stay secure: More packing trips for travel focus on security. Whether heading off the beaten path or to a busy metro area, you may want to invest in an anti-theft bag to keep pickpockets away from your gear. If you don’t, take extra precautions like packing your valuables innermost in your bag, and be sure to carry on sensitive gear (like medication) so it doesn’t end up on the wrong plane by accident.

Packing Tips For Clothing

• Know when to fold ‘em, when to roll ‘em, and when to bundle up: The clothing you pack will dictate how you pack it. Rolling will make your clothing more compact but can cause more wrinkles, so we don't recommend it for delicate fabrics like silk or linen. The Marie Kondo KonMari method of folding—where your items are folded lengthwise in thirds, then halved top to bottom, and in thirds that direction again—is faster and produces fewer wrinkles. Still, it works best in clamshell bags, cubes, or a traditional suitcase. For delicate fabrics, roll an entire outfit together. It causes fewer wrinkles, and then you won’t have to search for that one missing piece of your ensemble.
• Aim for versatility: Pack a capsule wardrobe by bringing pieces that can mix and match with each other so you can bring less. If you’re unsure of the weather or heading to cooler temperatures, more packing tips for travel include bringing items that can layer together for warmth. Also, pack gear that can serve double duty, like shorts you can swim in or a one-piece bathing suit that looks like a tank top when paired with bottoms.
• Mind your materials: When choosing items for a capsule wardrobe, one of our best packing tips is to opt for breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, or Merino wool , which naturally regulates your body temperature so you can get more uses out of one piece between washings.
• Prepare for Mother Nature: Even if you check the forecast in advance, it may not be right! So be sure to bring a packable rain jacket in case of sudden downpours, a packable travel jacket in case of cooler weather, and a travel towel in case it’s warm enough to hit the beach.
• Consider compression: If you’re looking for packing tips to fit bulky sweaters, jackets, and scarves in your carry on bag, we have one word for you: compression. While compression cubes and pouches are overkill if you’re only packing T-shirts and shorts, they work well for gear that takes up a lot of space, especially if you have to pack extra layers for colder weather.
• Space out: For the ultimate in compression, use a vacuum to suck the air out of space bags. Just realize that it will take more effort and leave your clothing more wrinkled—plus, you’ll have to find a vacuum at your destination to repack for the journey home.
• Dressy clothing is delicate: When you’re looking for packing tips for a dressy destination, we recommend using a garment folder to keep your clothing as neat as possible. They take up more room in your carry on bag, but some companies make ones that fit in larger travel backpacks. Or if it’s just a weekend trip for a wedding, use a garment bag as your carry on bag. You can usually fit shoes and a toiletry bag at the bottom; some even have extra pockets for organizing other small gear.
• If the shoe fits: Wearing bulkier shoes or boots on the plane is one of our best packing tips for travel, but if you do have to find room in your pack for travel shoes , you can use the inside to hold socks, chargers, souvenirs, and other small gear to make use of the otherwise-wasted space. And don’t forget a shoe bag, or even a plastic grocery bag, to keep the residue on the bottom of your shoes from dirtying the rest of your clothing and travel gear.
• Keep your gear dry: Bring a pack liner or a dry bag in your carry on bag so that you can stick any damp or smelly clothing inside for the return trip.

Packing Tips for a Road Trip

• Plan before hitting the pavement: Download entertainment and maps to prepare for the chance of losing a signal on the drive. We also recommend packing your car the night before. You’re more likely to forget something if you’re rushing at the last minute. Our other packing tips for travel on the road include aiming to leave before the sun sets. Seeing where you’re going will help you get off to a good start.
• Pack a car bag: Since you’ll want to pack your travel backpack or duffle bag in the trunk to save room for your passengers, fill a daypack or travel tote bag with the gear you’ll need on the road, like your ID, snacks, gum, and entertainment.
• Keep your dashboard tidy: Finding a place for everything will help you feel calm when you reach your destination, so use the center console for things like spare change, receipts, and snacks that don’t fit in your road bag. Making sure your travel mug fits in the cup holder and grabbing a small bag for trash before you leave home are more great road trip packing tips .
• Pack your vehicle strategically: Keep the items you’ll need on the road, like a travel neck pillow, extra layer, and your road bag, in the backseat so they’ll be within easy reach. Pack everything else in the trunk to prioritize legroom.
• Dress for the drive: A road trip is not the time to be on trend with your fashion (unless you’re going the athleisure route). Instead, opt for stretchy, comfortable clothing that won’t dig in when you’re seated for hours at a time. Plus, flexible fabrics are less likely to wrinkle in the car. And don’t forget to pack sunglasses . You may start when the light is dim, but you’ll be happy you have them after a few hours.
• Take care of your passengers: Packing tips for a road trip include packing for your passengers, as well! Ensure they’ll be comfortable with extra layers, snacks, and a travel neck pillow. Or use a packable jacket or packing cube to save space.
• Get your car cuisine on point: Packing healthy foods will sustain you for miles instead of junk food, which will make you feel sluggish and hungry faster. We like using soft-sided small coolers because they take up less room, and you can use one to pack snacks or a lunch, plus your drinks.

Minimalist Packing Tips For Summer Travel

• Stay hydrated: Nothing will ruin a trip faster than a headache brought on by dehydration. Stay ahead of the game when you travel with a collapsible water bottle since you can fill it when you need a drink, and it will take up less space when you don’t. If insulation is important to you, make space for a bottle that will keep your drink cold for hours, like a YETI or a Hydro Flask. Most travel backpacks have a water bottle pocket, so fill it up! If you plan to hike, outdoor packing tips for travel include looking for a daypack that can hold a water bladder.
• Don’t get burned: If you’re looking for cruise packing tips, listen up. You’ll probably be spending a lot of your trip in the sun, whether lying by the pool, on the beach, or exploring the destinations you stop at. Packing sunscreen will save you from paying inflated prices on the ship or at tourist destinations, and you can also save your skin by packing a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves. Look for a crushable hat and minimalist sunglasses so they won’t take up extra room in your bag.
• Find fantastic footwear: While some people can wander all day in flip-flops with nary a blister, we think vacation packing tips should include finding supportive sandals that will get you through a day’s adventures. And if you’re planning to be more active, wear moisture-wicking socks with your shoes to stave off sweaty feet. Breaking in the shoes or sandals you plan to wear before you leave home is a must, too, so you can relax comfortably on your trip.
• Stay fresh and clean: If you’re traveling somewhere that’s much warmer than you’re used to, be sure to pack some cleansing wipes and a packable towel in your travel daypack. Then you can wipe down to feel fresh and clean as you explore without feeling like you’ve melted by the end of the day.
• Expect the unexpected: If you’ve packed well in advance of your trip, checking the weather right before you leave may allow you to leave some gear behind. Of course, if you’re heading somewhere the forecast is unpredictable (hello, Florida), pack an extra layer or rain jacket just in case of a cold snap or an afternoon downpour. You can always use it as a travel pillow on the plane!

Budget Packing Tips

• Find freebies: Looking for budget packing tips? One of the best is to bring home free toiletries from the hotel and refill the bottles on your next trip. They’re likely the right size for your 3-1-1 bag, and you won’t have to purchase specific containers.
• Reuse household containers: Look around your house before buying travel bottles . Tic Tac canisters, pill bottles, and bead organizers can all be put to good use organizing your tiny tech, toiletries, and jewelry when you’re on the road. You can also use a hard glasses case as a DIY tech kit for small accessories and secure cords with hair ties or a rubber band.
• Mind your money: You don’t have to spend big bucks on a minimalist wallet. A binder clip works quite well to hold your cash and cards together, although it may feel slightly bulky in your pocket. Of course, you can also hold them together with a hair tie or rubber band, as well.
• Avoid laundry fees: If you are traveling for a while, we have some long-term packing tips for you. Don’t pay to send your clothing to the cleaners. Instead, hand wash your gear in the hotel sink with laundry sheets, a detergent you bring from home, or the hotel soap. Stick a dryer sheet in your travel backpack to keep your gear smelling fresh.
• Loc it up: If you haven’t invested in packing cubes, keep organized with a Ziploc bag! They work great as budget packing cubes, and you can even label them to make it easy to find your favorite tee when you get to your Airbnb. A pillowcase or a laundry bag can also work well.
• Make it personal: Here’s a suitcase packing tip for you. If you have to check a bag, personalize it with a ribbon, duct tape, a pin, or a patch to tell it apart from the rest on the carousel.

Tips For Packing Tech

• Carry space-efficient gear: Look for space-saving versions of tech accessories you can’t live without, such as a smaller wall charger, a silicone keyboard that rolls up, and a universal cord.
• Your phone can do everything: Most smartphones can do just about everything, from helping with navigation to keeping you entertained and recording your memories. So leave the camera, GPS, music, and game systems behind. You can even eliminate a minimalist wallet if you get a case with a pocket for cash and cards.
• Clean up your cables: Wrap up your cables and cords with cable ties, VELCRO, or gear ties. It will ensure nothing gets tangled in your tech pouch and let you see everything else inside at the same time.
• Downsize your pouches: More tips for packing tech include downsizing the case you carry it in. Whether it’s for tech, toiletries, or other gear, it will force you to be creative and pack less. Then you’ll save space and weight in your bag.
• Find a brand you love: If you like one or two pieces of gear by one company (it’s no secret that’s Apple for us!), you’ll likely enjoy most of their products, and when you go all in on one ecosystem, you’re more likely to be able to leave extra adapters and chargers behind, since they may all use the same equipment to power up.
• Bring backups: This goes double if you’re looking for packing tips for international travel, but if there’s a piece of gear you can’t live without, bring a backup. If you must have a certain cord, camera, or charger to work remotely, don’t take a chance of not being able to find it when you’re living the digital nomad life on the other side of the world.

Packing Tips For Travel To Cold Destinations

• Layer up: Packing layers for your capsule wardrobe is even more essential for cold weather. Our tips for packing cold-weather clothing include bringing a moisture-wicking base layer, a thermal shirt, and a mid-layer sweater or hoodie to keep you warm under an outer layer, like a packable puffer jacket. Top it off with a rain jacket, and you can take on almost anything. Plus, all those pieces work well solo when the temperature climbs.
• Invest in a rain jacket: They’re not just for spring showers. A good rain jacket will help buffet the wind, sleet, and snow, too, and since they’re usually pretty packable, it’s worth making room for them in your carry on bag.
• Don’t forget the accessories: You’ll be cold if you forget to cover your extremities, so be sure to bring a pair of gloves, a hat, and maybe even a scarf with you when traveling to colder climes. Our packing tips for travel include bringing a buff for its versatility. It can act as a scarf, a hat, a face mask, and an eye mask in a pinch, and it takes up so little space it’s worth bringing along wherever you go.
• Stay dry: You’ll be colder if moisture seeps in than you would in the same temperature when you’re dry. So invest in weatherproof pieces to keep precipitation at bay and moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry if they start to sweat in your warm boots.

Now for a bonus packing tip—get creative! If you follow all of these tips, you’ll have room for some of the extras you prefer to bring along. Being a minimalist packer doesn’t look the same for everyone, so customize our list to you and happy travels! And if you want to learn more, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for all of our minimalist packing tip videos.

June 6, 2023

Author: Kristyne Defever

Kristyne loves theme parks, tropical islands, and hitting the road in the camper with her family. Whether running through Walt Disney World, walking the shores of Lake Michigan, or hiking the Smoky Mountains, she's happiest exploring the outdoors. She enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat.

How to Pack: Tips from the Experts on Maximizing Space

By Rachel Chang

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As I dusted off my suitcase for my first trip during the pandemic last month, a familiar dread came over me. Despite my track record of packing for two-week vacations in a carry-on suitcase , the process always takes me days of agonizing over every. single. item . Still, as soon as I get out the door, inevitably there’s that one item I wish I had packed that I end up thinking about the rest of the trip.

Before I sunk back into old habits, I reached out to organization experts and flight attendants—the ultimate frequent travelers—to learn the tricks of the trade. Below, 10 of their best packing tips.

1. Use the right suitcase for the occasion

Often, our instincts are to choose luggage based on the length of the trip. While it’s a definite factor, what matters more is the kind of trip. “A compact or medium-sized suitcase is ideal for a city break or beach holiday because you can easily pack a lot of light garments, which you'll need for daily outfit changes when the weather is hot and you've been walking all day,” says Etihad Airways flight attendant Adina Elena Beldie. Hard-sides like Away’s The Bigger Carry-On and Monos’ Hybrid Carry-On , as well as soft-sides like Samsonite’s NuRoad Carry-On Spinner fit the bill.

“On the contrary, an outdoor adventure trip would require a larger suitcase for all of your hiking gear, like thick clothes and bulky footwear,” Beldie adds. Top choices in the category include the REI Co-Op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel or Osprey’s Shuttle Wheeled 130L bag . “Lastly, in my experience, a business trip usually means packing light, although this can vary depending on the duration of the trip,” she says. No matter the size, Travelpro’s Platinum Elite Hardside Luggage fits the chicness and practicality factors with its Compact Carry-On or Medium Check-In .

2. Take the weight off of you

There’s no need for you (or your back) to bear the burden. “If you’re flying to your destination, spinners are a must-have,” travel packing expert Anne McAlpin of Pack It Up says. It’s not just about the luggage itself—it also serves as a way for your carry-on tote to slip over the handle. “The weight of the bag is carried by the spinner, not your shoulders, making traveling through long airport terminals a breeze,” she says.

Though many totes can slip right over the handles of carry-on luggage or a checked bag, sets complete the look, like Delsey’s Chatelet Hard+ two-piece set or Kenneth Cole Reaction’s Chevron Spinner with a Tote .

3. Make a list and check it twice

As with so many essential life tasks, writing out what you need is never a bad idea. “Create a packing list that includes all of your essentials, and then separate ones that are customized to your [trip's] relevant needs,” say the women of The Home Edit , Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. One of the biggest mistakes people make, they say, is “just throwing things in a suitcase without a system in mind.”

A list can help you take note of if you’re over or underpacking, Beldie says, adding that, “Proper packing requires time.”

“I recommend adding items to your suitcase about a week in advance—not earlier than that as it’s important to check weather conditions at the destination, which will be more accurate closer to the trip,” she says.

If a handwritten list isn’t your speed, let your items be your visual list. “Lay everything out and start editing,” McAlpin says. “Hang outfits together, so you don’t forget anything.” She says to start two weeks ahead of time and to try everything on. “Part of the stress of packing is deciding what to take and what fits,” she says.

4. Find your own formula 

McAlpin says she’s been recommending her packing ratio—three to one, with three tops for every bottom—for more than 25 years. Most trips work with nine tops and three bottoms, especially when they’re in basic colors that mix and match. She also says not to exceed three pairs of shoes: running or exercise shoes, walking shoes, and a pair of sandals or flip-flops.

On the other hand, Beldie is about the twos. For each day of the trip, she says to think of two tops, two shorts, two T-shirts, two pants, and two undergarments . “For a business trip, packing two shirts per day is a good idea—one for meetings during the day, the other for dinner and night events,” she says.

For organizing guru Marie Kondo , it’s less about numbers and more about categories. “I recommend that you lay everything out first and categorize by type of item to give you a comprehensive look at how many items you have for each category,” she says. “Then fold everything into its smallest possible size. At that point, before you start filling the suitcase, pare down and be honest with yourself about what you really need for the trip.”

The most important aspect of the equation is simplicity: “What do you really need to have a joy-sparking trip? If your trip is for leisure, this is the opportunity to free yourself from everyday decision making and perhaps experience a simpler lifestyle. The fewer clothing options to choose from, the more you can focus on the joyful experience ahead,” she says. But there is one number she says to follow, “Leave 10 or 20 percent empty space so you can buy souvenirs and pack them for your return trip!”

Experts recommend laying everything out before packing your bag.

5. Consider clothing material and colors 

Eva Air senior assistant purser Jennifer Liao says to select the most packable clothing so you’re not constantly thinking about ironing. “Most flight attendants travel with clothes made from wrinkle-free fabrics such as synthetics, wool, denim, and knit—we don’t pack linen because it wrinkles so easily,” she says. Hues can also make a big difference. “The colors we pack are important. The darker the color, the fewer visible wrinkles,” Liao adds.

By Madison Flager

By Sorrel Moseley-Williams

By Niccolo Serratt

Tifsit Teferra, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant, says to focus on a wide range of choices, too. She avoids packing too many of the same thing: “Why take up space with six tees when you can bring a variety of tops—variety is the spice of packing!”

6. Less is more

McAlpin’s packing motto is: “Less stuff, less stress.” She once traveled 21 days in a 21-inch carry-on that was less than 21 pounds—covering diverse climates from India and Jordan to New York City. That pack light mentality is echoed across the board.

“People tend to, quite literally, weigh themselves down when traveling,” Kondo says. “Remind yourself that traveling is temporary and should be about the actual trip itself rather than extensive wardrobe selections. Packing just a few outfits that you absolutely love will make getting ready each day a breeze. Select clothes that are comfortable, do not wrinkle easily , and that make you feel good about yourself.”

“Not all items will apply to all people, and not all items will apply to all trips,” Shearer and Teplin say. “So if you absolutely, without a doubt, cannot live without an item, then by all means, bring it! Just remember: You get the item or you get the space, but you don't get both.”

7. Organize your clothes vertically and tightly

Though some packers prefer laying clothes flat, the experts we talked to agree that rolling is key to save space. “Clothes should be folded into their smallest possible size,” Kondo says. “Thin fabrics are best to roll to prevent wrinkles. Another tidy trick is to tuck your folded underwear into bra cups within your suitcase—it keeps the undergarment category together and saves space.”

Think of your suitcase as a table of contents of sorts—you want to be able take one look and know everything inside. “The key here is to pack your items vertically so you can see them all at one glance,” Kondo says. “That way, you don’t have to take out everything to find the one item you are looking for.”

8. Categorize your contents

Take that idea one step further with packing cubes. “They will help use vertical space and adhere to a tidy routine while on the road,” Kondo says. KonMari partnered with Paravel on the Packing Cube Quad, a set of four that makes categorizing easy on the go. Kondo suggests using the smallest one for underwear, the largest for bulky items like outerwear and towels, one of the middle ones for clean clothes, and the other for dirty ones. “What’s great about the packing cubes is that you can place your vertically folded clothes into the cube from your drawer at home, then transfer them straight into the drawers at the hotel, so it’s easy to unpack at the destination,” she says.

The Home Edit team put a different spin on them in the form of pouches. “Packing squares are the real game-changer,” they say of their Zipper Pouch Set . “They are so versatile, which is key when you're needing to pack different items for every trip. The trick is finding packing squares that fit what you regularly pack. We designed our own set with Calpak because we wanted a version that was large enough for storing shoes as well!”

If you want to give your items an extra squeeze, McAlpin suggests Baggallini’s long compression packing cubes , which fit right into that awkward space between the handles of most luggage to maximize space.

Tech cords and chargers might need a slightly different method to remain neat. Kondo’s shop sells a Bellroy Tidy Tech Kit , while Teferra goes more homemade: “I fold cords and then use Velcro tape to secure them.”

9. Wear your bulkiest clothing

Though we’ve heard those infamous stories of people layering on clothes to save on baggage fees, there is a time and place for wearing some of your essential needs on your back. “If you are going to a cold weather location, I suggest wearing your bulkier items like a coat and boots, and always carry your water bottle,” Teferra says. If you do need to put them in your suitcase, Teferra says, “Bulky items should always go at the bottom of your suitcase, and it’s best to layer them flat—never fold or roll them.”

10. Keep travel essentials packed

“We always say, if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready,” The Home Edit women say. Especially for frequent travelers, instead of constantly packing and unpacking, keep the items that you always take with you packed. “It helps to organize your travel toiletries and accessories ahead of time so your packing routine is essentially grab-and-go,” they add.

Liao agrees, admitting that the Eva Air team travels so much that “some of us keep essential items that we never unpack in our luggage.” The advantage can shave tremendous time on packing for your next trip. “All we need to do before each flight is pack clothes.”

• Destinations
• Tours and Attractions
• Travel Tips

6 Essential Packing Tips for Business Travelers

Heading out on another glamorous business trip, are we? Yeah, right. We all know work travel is less 5-star hotels and swanky cocktail hours and more cramped flights, never-ending taxi rides, and sad desk lunches. But surviving back-to-back meetings is hard enough without having to worry about your suitcase exploding on the airport carousel or realizing your only clean shirt is a wrinkled mess.

The truth about packing for business trips is that it’s an art and a science. And if you don’t get it right, you could end up shaking hands with your boss while wearing yesterday’s underwear because your luggage got lost. Hey, it happens to the best of us. But armed with the right techniques and gear, you can pack carry-on only and breeze through your next work adventure with room left to stash those tiny shampoo bottles.

As road warriors who’ve logged more hours flying middle seat—in heels!—than we care to admit, we’re spilling all our hard-earned secrets so you can travel like a pro. Learn how to build a capsule wardrobe that practically packs itself, avoid checked bag fees without wearing the same outfit on repeat, and keep your devices charged and secure when you’re stuck in a middle seat between two chatty seatmates.

Consider this your business travel packing boot camp. By the time you zip up that carry-on, you’ll have this whole packing thing mastered, from mixing and matching your outfits like a pro to breezing through security without forgetting your phone or, you know, dignity.

List of essentials

If you’re traveling for business, it’s important to bring a few things along with you. One of the most important items is your wallet or purse. You’ll want to carry a few spare changes and small notes in case you need to pay for anything. You should also bring some local currency, but only as much as you’ll need for the trip. This will limit the damage if your wallet or purse gets lost or stolen. Lastly, you’ll want to pack an eye mask for protection from the sun and light.

Business travelers don’t want to bring anything that is too bulky. Bringing a portable hard drive with a high-capacity capacity is a great way to store and access larger files while traveling. Portable hard drives also make it easy to transfer files from one device to another. You can also buy security and backup software to protect your data while you’re on the road.

Your clothing is another important item for business travel. You should always bring a suitable outfit for your destination. If you’re traveling for business, you might want to wear a suit or a blazer. You should also take comfortable shoes. This will help you move quickly from the airport to the boardroom.

Business travelers should also invest in a good quality keychain for their shoes. This tiny tool is designed to protect your credit cards and important IDs. It also comes with a travel case, making it easier to store in your luggage. It has 12 credit card slots and an ID window. It also features a back zipper pocket and a slide pocket. Keeping all of your cards and cash safe and accessible can help you make a good impression while traveling.

When planning for business travel, it is important to keep an organized and detailed list of items to pack. This will eliminate any chances of forgetting something important or leaving something behind. Whether you are traveling for an overnight stay or an extended international trip, a business travel checklist is an essential tool. It will help you stay on schedule and be prepared for anything that may come up.

Business travelers also need to bring work documents, so it is wise to make sure they print them out prior to departure. The last thing you want to do is arrive at your destination to realize you’ve forgotten something important. Fortunately, it will only take a few minutes to pack these documents before departing on your trip.

Packing for a business trip requires a certain level of preparation, which starts with a smart carry-on suitcase. While you’re traveling, consider bringing a mini first-aid kit to keep yourself healthy and productive. This includes medications for jet lag and migraines. You may also want to pack some eye drops to help clear your bloodshot eyes.

Business travelers should always pack plenty of business cards. Business trips are all about making new connections and identifying new opportunities. When packing for a business trip, keep in mind that you will shake hands with many new people. Using hand sanitizer can prevent you from getting sick. Coronavirus is a growing health threat, and you don’t want to be the next victim.

Computer travel bag

When traveling for business, it is important to bring all the necessary equipment you need. A computer travel bag makes this task much easier. This type of bag typically includes a laptop compartment and other storage compartments that can hold your tablet, charger, mouse, headphones, and more. It also protects your electronics from damage due to shock or water. These bags also often come with wheels for easy transport.

When traveling, it is important to keep your laptop and other electronics safe from theft. A computer travel bag with a TSA-approved lock can help you do this. This type of lock uses two locks that are both opened by the same key. It is much more secure than a simple combination lock.

Also, consider investing in a bag that can be personalized with your company logo or name. This will make it easier to spot at the airport and also help build your brand recognition. A computer travel bag is an essential item for any business traveler and should not be forgotten when you’re packing for your trip. It can help keep all your electronics organized and safe while traveling.

Antibacterial wipes

A must-have item for business travelers is a pack of antibacterial wipes. These are essential to keeping your hands and surfaces clean while on the road. You can use these wipes to wipe down tables, desks, armrests, doorknobs, elevator buttons, and more. Doing this will reduce the chances of you getting sick from bacteria and germs that may be lurking around.

It is also a good idea to bring a few small containers of antibacterial gel to keep in your pocket for easy access. This will make sure you always have some form of sanitizer on hand, even if you don’t have wipes available. It’s an extra layer of protection when you’re out and about.

Antibacterial wipes are also great for cleaning up spills in the hotel room, such as spilled coffee or juice. They can even be used to clean your phone or tablet if it gets dirty while traveling. These small packs are affordable, lightweight, and a must-have item for any business traveler.

Cooling towel

One of the best ways to keep yourself comfortable on hot days is by bringing a cooling towel. A cooling towel is a towel that gets wet and instantly becomes 20 to 30 degrees colder than the surrounding air. It can be reused as often as necessary. These towels are also machine washable. Make sure not to use bleach or softeners when washing them, and air dry them thoroughly.

Another great thing about cooling towels is that they’re very practical. Many people use them after a workout or when they’re feeling overheated. They are also useful during hiking or even if you’re sitting in the hot sun. They are small and soft and can be easily draped over your shoulders or neck. They are also made from high-quality polyester materials that are breathable and absorbent. A cooling towel can help you stay cool for several hours and keep your clothes dry.

A cooling towel works on the principle of evaporative cooling. This means that the moisture on the towel’s surface evaporates more quickly than it does on other materials. In this way, the cooling towel reduces body temperature by as much as 30 degrees.

Another useful item to pack for a business trip is a notebook. A notebook will be useful for taking notes during meetings, and it can also double as a journal in your spare time. It’s also important to bring a travel towel with you. These travel-sized towels dry faster than regular towels and don’t take up much space. They also repel odors and fit into small travel cases.

Professional outfits

There are a few key pieces of clothing that you need to bring on business trips. In addition to business suits, you should have a reusable water bottle, which can be a huge benefit to the environment, as most plastic bottles end up in the trash. Not only does this prevent the use of plastic bottles, but it also has a built-in filter.

You should have at least two high-quality blazers in your business travel wardrobe. These should be tailored to fit you perfectly, and you should opt for timeless cuts. Another blazer can be worn as a warmer outerwear option. Then, you can pair it with casual shoes.

When you travel for business, you should remember that first impressions are often made in just two seconds, so make sure you look your best. A business trip will take you to all kinds of situations, from the morning gym session to the post-function wind-down. As such, you should have a wardrobe that can meet the many needs of different situations.

For the business trip, you can opt for conservative colors such as black, navy, grey, and beige. These colors go well with white and other light pastels. In addition to this, choose fabrics that match the season and the climate of your destination. A suit will always go well in a business environment, but you can also opt for separate suits or skirts.

Advertisement

More from TravelMasta

17 Travel Packing Tips From Frequent Travelers

Use these tips from afar staff and other travel experts to pack more efficiently and stay organized on the road..

• Copy Link copied

Packing cubes help you stay organized.

Courtesy of Cotopaxi

At AFAR, it’s a given that our staff members are all deeply passionate about travel. Whether we’re on a reporting trip or exploring the world on our own PTO, we’ve all packed and unpacked our bags hundreds, if not thousands, of times. So it goes without saying that many of us have become packing experts over the years. We’ve also learned a lot from interviewing professional organizers, flight attendants, and other frequent travelers along the way. Here are our best travel packing tips to make bringing your life on the road as efficient and stress-free as possible.

1. Build a travel capsule wardrobe

The essential idea of a capsule wardrobe is you can whittle your closet down to just 30 items of clothing to mix and match 1,000 outfits. You can also translate this decluttering technique to your suitcase in order to pack less. Wendy Mak, the Australia-based professional stylist who wrote the book about the minimalist style concept , recommends using this formula: “Multiply the number of tops with the number of bottoms you plan to bring and that’s the number of outfits you’ll be able to create, as long as every top coordinates with every bottom. That’s the key.

“You could literally travel with nothing more than six tops and four bottoms and that will give you 24 great outfits, as long as all 10 pieces work together,” Mak told AFAR in 2017 . “If you add two or three jackets that you can layer on top, you’ll be able to create even more options.”

2. Folding vs. rolling your clothes

It’s an age-old debate: Does rolling or folding your clothes save more space in your suitcase? Aislyn Greene, AFAR’s associate director of podcasts, asked her flight attendant mother for her opinion: “If you pack folded clothes flat in your suitcase, you may be wasting some valuable space. Rolled clothes can fit right down into the crevices of your luggage. Plus, rolling—as opposed to folding—is even better for wrinkle-prone items.”

However, the Japanese organizing expert Marie Kondo uses her own KonMari Method to file-fold her clothes in neat vertical stacks at home that transfer easily into her suitcase. “Not only does this folding technique keep clothing neat and wrinkle-free, it also maximizes the space of the suitcase,” Kondo told AFAR in 2019 .

When we put both methods to the test ourselves, we found that a combination of rolling and folding works best. So do whatever feels right to you.

Cotopaxi’s Cubos packing cube bundle comes with three packing cubes—large (10 liters), medium (3 liters), and small (2 liters)—made from repurposed materials.

3. Use packing cubes

Whether you fold or roll your clothes, using packing cubes (like the ones from Cotopaxi shown above) makes it easier to keep the contents of your luggage neat and well organized.

In fact, both Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer, the cofounders of The Home Edit organizational empire, are packing cube devotees. But they use them in two very different ways: Shearer’s system involves sorting her belongings into cubes divided by categories, like daytime clothes, pajamas, and underwear and socks. Teplin, on the other hand, gives each outfit its own packing cubes—sometimes using three or more cubes per day—and sorts types of outfits into different colors of packing cubes, such as marble-patterned ones for pajamas and black ones for workout clothes.

“Joanna and I do it differently, but if it works for her she should do it that way, what works for me, I should do it that way,” Shearer told AFAR in 2021 . “Whatever system works for you is the system that is the correct one.”

>> Read more: The 9 Best Packing Cubes for Travel

4. Never use one big bag for toiletries

Instead of packing one large dopp kit , Shearer and Teplin also recommend separating your hair products, skincare products, and cosmetics into different toiletry bags so you don’t have to dig through your makeup just to find your floss at night. Don’t want to bring multiple bags? Use a kit that comes with separate compartments, like Calpak’s Clear Cosmetics Cases , so you can use one side for hair products and the other side for skin and dental items.

Stop buying travel-size minis of your toiletries and opt for these reusable capsules instead.

Courtesy of Cadence

5. Decant all of your toiletries into travel-size containers

Leaving the full-size shampoo bottle at home isn’t just about complying with TSA’s liquid limits for carry-on bags; it also means that you’re not wasting space bringing more product than you need. “When you really pay attention, you may be surprised by how little shampoo or face wash you actually use in a week,” says Jessie Beck, AFAR’s associate director of SEO and video. “Rather than maxing out the 3.4 ounce rule, I try to pack only as much as product as I’ll need, plus a little extra. For a week-long trip, that generally means decanting shampoo and conditioner into 1.7 ounce bottles by HumanGear , face wash and cream into 0.56 ounce containers by Cadence , and makeup into these tiny sample bottles I’ve repurposed. It adds up and has allowed me to halve the size of my toiletry bag.”

Keep your most important belongings organized—and untangled.

Courtesy of Away

6. Compartmentalize the rest of your belongings, too

Kondo says she never travels without a bento box–like case full of jewelry. “Once I arrive at my hotel, I use the case as the designated spot for my jewelry,” says the connoisseur of compartmentalizing. Both the Cuyana Travel Jewelry Case and the Away Jewelry Box have interior bands and elastic pouches to keep rings, earrings, and necklaces organized and untangled.

For wrangling other small items like chargers, cords, et cetera, we like Baggu’s 3D Zip Set , which includes three all-purpose pouches of varying sizes.

7. Prevent wrinkles with dry cleaning bags (and socks!)

“For blazers, slacks, and dress shirts that you want protected from wrinkles, keep them in the plastic bags you get from your dry cleaner when you pack them,” says Joe Diaz, AFAR’s cofounder. And to protect his ties from wrinkles, he offers this clever hack: “Roll them up and stash them in your socks.”

Alternatively: If you travel for business often, consider investing in a blazer or work clothes that don’t even wrinkle in the first place. Bluffworks is one of our favorite brands for technical work wear designed to handle the rigor of travel.

8. Plan to do laundry on the road

It’s possible to travel carry-on only—even on longer trips—according to former AFAR editors Bailey Berg and Mae Hamilton’s guide to one-bag travel . Instead of packing one pair of underwear and socks for each day, they recommend packing fewer pairs than you need and washing dirty unmentionables in the hotel bathtub or in a wash bag . These biodegradable, pocket-sized detergent sheets make the task easier, but you can also accomplish the job with a plain old bar of soap.

When you do need to wash it, merino wool is also quick-drying.

Courtesy of Unbound Merino

9. Invest in merino wool

Packing a few pairs of merino wool socks or T-shirts is also a great idea; thanks to wool fiber’s hydrophobic properties , B.O. particles have a hard time absorbing into wool clothing, so you can wear them multiple times before you need to wash them.

10. Bring a carabiner

Even the most dedicated one-bag travelers run out of room sometimes. A carabiner clipped to the outside of your bag can be useful; it can hold an extra pair of shoes, a water bottle, a hat, or a jacket.

Eliminate packing single-use devices with multipurpose ones, like this three-in-one charger.

Courtesy of Amazon

11. Use multi-purpose travel accessories

Consolidate your belongings by packing multi-purpose accessories. For example, a multi-port charger—like the Anker 3-in-1 737 Charger —has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. That means you can charge your computer, iPhone, and one more device from a single charging brick. It not only saves space in your tech pouch but also uses a single plug in your hotel room.

Similarly, a quick-drying Turkish cotton towel will dry your entire body at the pool and can also be used as a beach blanket , worn as a sarong, or mop up any spills along the way.

>> Read more: The Travel Accessories AFAR Editors Never Leave Home Without

12. BYOBlanket

It’s unlikely airplane blankets would be reused without being cleaned in between flights—especially if it’s wrapped in plastic. But if the thin, sandpapery texture of the constantly rewashed fleece rubs you the wrong way, we get it.

“I always bring a Lingua Franca travel set . It’s cashmere, comes with socks, a blanket, and an eye mask. Because plane blankets are gross. This blanket, well, it’s mine,” Katie Sturino, founder of the bodycare brand Megababe , told AFAR in 2018 .

We’re also fans of the sleeping bag-inspired travel blanket by Rumpl for those who want extra warmth on frigid planes.

13. Wear your bulkiest items while in transit

Alternatively, you can skip packing a travel blanket and just wear your bulky winter coat on the plane to keep you warm in that chilly cabin air—and save space in your suitcase. (We also recommend wearing your largest shoes or boots on the plane to save valuable packing space.)

14. To pack lighter, get a smaller bag

“We’ve all been guilty of packing an extra T-shirt or book just because we have the space in our bag,” says Beck. “One of the best ways to keep from overpacking with unnecessary items? Get a smaller bag. If you don’t have the space, you’re less likely to throw things in just because you can. I personally use the Charlie 25 by Remote Equipment , which is technically a commuter backpack but works well for travel as well.”

15. Shower caps are your best friend

Stepped in mud (or worse!) on a trip? If you haven’t invested in reusable travel shoe bags to keep your suitcase organized and hygienic, the solution to your problem can be found in your hotel bathroom. Greene uses hotel shower caps as shoe wraps. “They’re especially good for running shoes that get a little muddy. Plus, they’re ubiquitous so you’re never in danger of being without,” she says.

Need more space on the way home? Matador ReFraction packable duffle is a 25-liter bag that squishes down to the size of a paperback book and weighs only 7.9 ounces.

Courtesy of Matador

16. Plan to shop? Pack some extra baggage

Even if you’ve dialed in your packing system perfectly, you may come across souvenirs you can’t leave behind. Traveling with a suitcase that comes with expandable zippers is one solution, but sometimes the smartest thing you bring on vacation is an empty suitcase or collapsible duffle bag.

“I’m a big fan of foldable bags to bring along in case, um, I do too much shopping,” says Breanna Rhoades, AFAR’s human resources director.

If you really are committed to not checking a bag, another packing secret Kondo swears by is to keep 10 percent of your luggage empty. That way you have room to pack new treasures and souvenirs to take home.

17. Keep your bag packed

The easiest way to pack a suitcase is to, well, always keep it packed. “I tend to have a suitcase of clothes so I’m not constantly unpacking and packing,” Kat Woodruffe, a British Airways pilot, told AFAR in 2018 . If your travel uniforms aren’t as consistent as a pilot’s, at least consider keeping your toiletry bag always packed in your suitcase. Simply decant your favorite toothpaste, makeup, and other skincare items into reusable containers and keep them in your toiletry case so it’s always ready to go.

Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Mike Arnot, Aislyn Greene, Danielle Walsh, Mae Hamilton, and Bailey Berg.

The Enlightened Mindset

Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding

Welcome to the world's first fully AI generated website!

The Ultimate Packing Checklist: Essentials for a Week-Long Work Trip

By Happy Sharer

When it comes to packing for a week-long work trip, it can often feel like a daunting task. With limited space in your suitcase and the need to be prepared for various work-related events and activities, planning and organizing your essentials become crucial. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive packing guide to help you navigate the challenges of packing for a week-long work trip. Whether it’s maximizing space and efficiency or strategizing your wardrobe and gadgets, we’ve got you covered. Say goodbye to last-minute panic and hello to stress-free travel.

Maximizing Space and Efficiency: Packing Tips for Your Week-Long Business Excursion

Before we delve into the essentials you’ll need for your trip, let’s talk about the importance of maximizing space and efficiency in your suitcase. By packing strategically, you not only save space but also make it easier to locate items when needed. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your suitcase’s capacity:

• Roll clothes instead of folding them to save space and minimize wrinkles. This technique also allows you to see what items you have at a glance.
• Utilize packing cubes or compression bags to organize your clothing and optimize space. These handy tools also keep your clothes neatly separated.
• Choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to reduce the number of outfits required. This way, you’ll have more options with fewer items.
• Pack travel-sized toiletries or transfer them into small containers to save space in your toiletry bag. Remember, most hotels provide basic toiletries, so you may not need to pack everything.
• Consider wearing heavier or bulkier items during travel to free up space in your suitcase. For example, wear your blazer or boots instead of packing them.

From Wardrobe to Gadgets: A Comprehensive Guide to Packing for a Productive Work Trip

Now that you know how to maximize space and efficiency, let’s move on to the essentials you’ll need for your week-long work trip. It’s important to consider both your wardrobe and technology needs to ensure a productive and successful trip.

Packing Wardrobe Essentials

When selecting clothing items, it’s essential to take into account the destination’s climate and work environment. Here are some tips to help you pack a wardrobe suitable for your trip:

• Choose clothing that is appropriate for the climate you’ll be in. If you’re traveling to a warmer location, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics, while colder destinations will require warmer clothing.
• Pack wrinkle-resistant garments to maintain a professional appearance throughout your trip. Look for wrinkle-resistant materials like polyester blends or merino wool.
• Include necessary accessories such as ties, belts, and shoes. These items can elevate your outfits, and having a variety to choose from allows you to mix and match effortlessly.

Packing Necessary Gadgets

Technology plays a vital role in today’s work landscape, so it’s important to have the necessary gadgets with you for a productive trip. Here are some gadgets you should consider packing:

• Laptop: If your work requires a computer, make sure to pack your laptop and charger. It’s also a good idea to back up important files to the cloud.
• Tablet: If you prefer a more portable option for reading documents or presenting, consider bringing a tablet.
• Phone and Chargers: Don’t forget your phone and chargers, as they are essential for staying connected and accessible throughout your trip.
• Additional Gadgets: Depending on your specific needs, you may also need to pack items such as headphones, a portable charger, or a travel router.

Streamlining Your Suitcase: How to Pack Strategically for a Week of Work

Strategic packing is not only about saving space but also reducing stress and avoiding overpacking. By following these techniques and strategies, you’ll be ready to tackle your week-long work trip with ease:

• Plan outfits in advance and stick to a capsule wardrobe concept. Select a few core pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.
• Mix and match clothing items to create different looks with fewer items. This saves space and allows for greater versatility without packing excessive garments.
• Pack garments that can be easily layered for varying weather conditions. This way, you’ll be prepared for any changes in temperature without overpacking bulky items.
• Consider the activities and events scheduled during your trip when selecting your outfits. This ensures you have appropriate attire for both formal meetings and casual outings.
• Don’t forget essential accessories like ties, scarves, and jewelry. These items can instantly elevate an outfit and make it more versatile.

Travel Like a Pro: Expert Tips for Packing Efficiently on a Week-Long Business Trip

As experienced travelers know, there are always additional tips and tricks to help streamline the packing process. Take note of these expert tips to become even more efficient in your packing methods:

• Use a packing checklist app or template to stay organized. This ensures you don’t forget any essentials and makes it easier to keep track of what items you’ve packed.
• Take advantage of hotel amenities to reduce the amount of toiletries you need to pack. Most hotels provide basic toiletries like shampoo and soap, so there’s no need to bring your own.
• Pack a small, lightweight laundry bag to separate dirty clothes from clean ones. This helps maintain cleanliness and organization throughout your trip.
• Roll clothes instead of folding them to prevent wrinkles and save space. Rolling clothes also allows you to fit more items in your suitcase.
• Consider investing in a quality carry-on suitcase or travel bag. Having a well-designed and durable suitcase can make all the difference in your packing experience.

Packing for a week-long work trip doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to pack efficiently and effectively. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few trips to master the art of packing. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at packing for your work adventures.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

Related Post

Exploring japan: a comprehensive guide for your memorable journey, your ultimate guide to packing for a perfect trip to hawaii, travel with peace of mind: the post office’s mail hold service for vacations, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Expert Guide: Removing Gel Nail Polish at Home Safely

Trading crypto in bull and bear markets: a comprehensive examination of the differences, making croatia travel arrangements, make their day extra special: celebrate with a customized cake.

Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission

Packing Tips From 25 Women Who Travel for Work

Whether you’re traveling across the country, out of the country, or away for the weekend with friends , we’ve assembled the best travel packing tips from women who often travel for work. Katie Couric, Janet Mock, Jane Goodall, and more share their favorite foods, versatile clothes, and travel essentials below, as told to the Cut for our How I Get It Done interview series.

1. Invest in a sturdy carry-on with organizers.

“I have packing down to a science at this point. I’m an extreme minimalist, and I always carry-on. I travel with a Rimowa multiwheel bag — they’re indestructible, and miraculously, they’re like the VW clown car in that it’s amazing how much I can fit into the carry-on. I limit myself down to one pair of heels (if I need them), a flat, and a sneaker, and for clothes I usually pack in a palette. Where I get my most mileage is out of shirts, so I use a lot of thin, easy, silky shirts and blouses that pack very flat. I’m also okay with wearing the same thing over and over, with the exception of shirts and undergarments, so that’s my secret.” — Pilar Guzmán , editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Traveler

“I don’t check bags … I use Burton luggage — it’s lightweight and you can get a lot into it. I have that Louis Vuitton stuff too, but it’s heavy, man.” — Sally Hershberger , hairstylist and entrepreneur

“I have my Tumi roll-on and a bigger Tumi; I Iove Tumi and Rimowa. I have all my Muji containers, I’m obsessed. I love their tiny suitcase organizers. My smaller bag is always pre-packed with flip-flops, sunscreen, a bathing suit, eye mask, earplugs, extra reading glasses, and an extra pair of sunglasses. I can get packed in ten minutes if I have to. I have everything sorted. I love a label maker. Another small Muji is pre-packed with an international hair straightener that can also be a hair curler, or cosmetics, toothbrush, toothpaste, and two resistance bands I use when I’m on the road. In my other bag, I always throw a couple of velvet clothes hangers on the top so I have extra hangers.” — Melanie Brandman , founder and CEO of the Brandman Agency

2. Store your most important belongings in a Ziploc bag, and take it with you on the plane.

“What are my secrets for travel? I hate the logistics of travel. I’ve learned to get a few things right in the sense of traveling with a suit bag always with one outfit in it so I don’t have to press something when I arrive. I take a Ziploc bag full of everything I think I might lose, like my passport, I.D., currency … it’s the secret of the Ziploc bag.” — Tina Brown , former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker , founder of The Daily Beast, and founder/CEO of Tina Brown Live Media

“I have to have everything on a piece of paper. Every single number, every single contact. I don’t like anything left to chance. If I’m coming to the States, I have my little bag that’s packed with all my things for the plane. I’m a creature of habit. I always go with my notebook, a lip gloss, fragrance.” — Jo Malone , British perfumer and the founder of fragrance brand Jo Loves

3. The best clothes to pack are wrinkle-free, all-black, uniform outfits.

“[I wear] denim, so I don’t need to travel with hangers and things like that. It’s literally my world. It’s super low-fi and easy.” — Chloe Lonsdale , founder of M.i.h Jeans

“I have four or five pairs of the same cargo pants in khaki and army-green colors. I always wear denim jackets and similar neutral tones. They’re easy to pack and, as a journalist, I don’t really want to draw attention to what I look like that much.” — Lisa Ling , award-winning journalist, former co-host of The View , host of CNN’s This Is Life

“I’m a really uniform-style type of person. I wear all black when I travel because it’s just easier, everything always matches.” — Morgan DeBaun , co-founder and CEO of content platform Blavity

“I stick to one color when I travel and mix and match. I always bring a pair of Madewell jeans , a pair of flats that I can dress up like a pointy black satin flat, some shirts for meetings, a Blaze blazer — the pockets are very functional — two dresses for dinner and that’s kind of it. I probably smell terrible on day four because I’m wearing the same thing over and over again.” — Brooklyn Decker , co-founder of Finery

“I always pack sneakers and shorts in case I have time for a workout. One time I was in Paris and I had time for a workout but I forgot to pack workout sneakers so I rode the exercise bike in the hotel slippers.” — Dr. Amy Wechsler , dermatologist

4. Bring cozy knits and fuzzy socks for freezing airplane cabins.

“The thing that keeps me sane on long flights are fuzzy socks — I wear them and a scarf. I always carry earplugs, and I always pack something super comfortable to relax in wherever I go.” — Ann Curry , award-winning journalist and former NBC New anchor and co-host of the Today Show

“I have this Lemlem shawl my friend Liya gave me that I’m in love with, and I have this soft Hermès scarf I love when I travel. I always have my computer, and hand cream — always have hand cream — it’s mostly the same kind [as I have on my desk] or Weleda Sea Buckthorn.” — Samira Nasr , fashion director Elle Magazine

“I cannot leave home without my TravelPro carry-on, my Bose headsets, my Ralph Lauren camel knit sweater, my Chanel sneakers, and Mario Bedescu Rose Water facial spray. A huge bottle of Fiji Water is a must, too!” — Janet Mock , writer and activist

5. Pack slippers for your hotel room.

“My No. 1 packing tip, and the thing I can’t travel without, is a pair of slippers. I lived in Asia for many years, so I never wear shoes in the house. It’s so disgusting to me now. As soon as I get on the plane, I take off my shoes and put on my slippers, and then I don’t feel like I’m getting covered in disgusting plane germs. Hotel rooms are always filthy, too, so if I have my slippers, I feel a thousand times better. I don’t have a particular kind that I use, but I always go for the tiniest little pull-on ones that you can shove into a bag.” — Nell McShane Wulfhart , professional travel writer and decision coach

6. If you travel a lot: try making a clothing index on your phone — or keep the same essentials in your suitcase at all times.

“On my iPhone, I have a wardrobe list for my New York apartment, so I can keep track of what’s there in terms of clothing, accessories, and shoes. I love traveling without suitcases — that’s why I call it a commute.” – Alina Roytberg , co-founder of natural-beauty brand Fresh

“I live out of my suitcase so much. I keep a set of things that I never unpack, like a set of makeup brushes, a set of cosmetics … I have a hard-sided suitcase that I use. I won’t check anything, because things get lost so often. I have packing cubes, I have a whole methodology; I have to unpack everything a certain way, and I re-pack a certain way.” — Victoria Tsai , CEO of Tatcha Beauty

7. If you travel regularly with a co-worker, talk about your outfits.

“Before we travel, we tell each other what we’re packing. On more than three occasions, we’ve shown up in the exact same outfit.” — Carly Zakin on traveling with with Danielle Weisberg , co-founders of theSkimm

8. Trying folding techniques to fit shoes into your suitcase.

“I roll all of my clothes. Thank God my big brother taught me to do that to maximize how many things can get in. It’s really about shoes. I used to tease, ‘Oh, I couldn’t fit the running shoes in, so that’s why I’m not working out.’ … [but] Pure Barre socks will fit into anything. I can still be working out on the road. One pink suitcase and I’m off.” — Cindy Eckert , creator of “Female Viagra” and CEO of the Pink Ceiling

9. Pre-pack your makeup bag.

“No matter where I go, I always bring lavender spray. I’m a total spritzer. Whenever I ask anyone, ‘Who wants a spritz?’ everyone always says yes.” — Christene Barberich , global editor-in-chief and co-founder of Refinery29

“I have three different identical toiletry bags, and I rotate them so I don’t have to think about it when I’m packing. They are all pre-packed and ready to go. … I also have three pre-made makeup bags that I rotate in and out. All of it helps me get my bags packed faster.” — Loni Love , comedian, actor, and co-host of The Real

“I travel with all of my makeup. I’m very light with the makeup, but I’m a huge proponent of skin care — the masks , serums , moisturizers , eye creams . Being on the airplane, and going through so many different climates, if you don’t take good care of your skin, you pay for it. The only thing I have learned that I cannot live without is La Mer. It’s my desert-island product. The body cream and the moisturizer keep my skin completely hydrated. If I’ve gotten three hours of sleep for five nights in a row and I’ve been on two planes for 13 hours, it saves my skin.” — Julia Haart , creative director at La Perla

10. Pack snacks for the plane.

“I travel with apples and hummus and carrots and celery. If you eat what’s easy to eat, like a slice of pizza or a bagel, all of that stuff that’s yummy and delicious, it’s really hard to maintain long-term energy.” — Moj Mahdara , founder and CEO of Beautycon

“I always bring raw almonds and apricots as a snack.” — Tory Burch , CEO of the Tory Burch empire as well as the Tory Burch Foundation

11. Go for a small carbon footprint.

“I try to be self-sustaining and leave as small an ecological footprint as I can. If I must use a plastic bag, it’s a bin liner that’s in the room. But I try to take a big envelope and put my trash in there, as plastic goes into landfills and kills animals. I don’t let maids into my room so that they don’t throw anything away.” — Jane Goodall , primatologist

12. On the first and last day of your trip, repeat outfits.

“I’m trying to really discipline myself not to put every outfit I own in a suitcase when I pack. Now I think carry-on is key, and whatever I wear on the plane getting there, I’ll wear on the plane coming back.” — Katie Couric , former longtime co-host of the Today Show , podcast co-host, and television producer

• how i get it done

The Cut Shop

Most viewed stories.

• The Rise of Meme Merch
• Is Dating a Total Nightmare for You Right Now?
• The Mom Having Men Over When Her Teenagers Aren’t Home
• Jodie Turner-Smith Takes Control
• Why Did These YouTubers Give Away Their Son?

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

• Lower case letters (a-z)
• Upper case letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9)
• Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Ingenious Packing Tips Every Traveler Should Know

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Some travelers jam two weeks’ worth of gear into their bags for a long weekend. Others pack a bit too lightly and forget important things like medicine or passports. Savvy travelers strike the perfect balance and bring just what they need—with a little help from this list of road-tested travel packing tips. Read on to become a packing expert.

Before You Start: Make a Packing List

When it comes to packing, procrastinators fall short. Start your packing process days or even weeks ahead of your departure date; this gives you time to craft a packing list, plus purchase any additional items you might need for your vacation. Creating a packing list is a fail-safe way to ensure that you never, ever forget to bring something important.

SmarterTravel’s ultimate packing list is the best place to start. You can also consider the following lists for specific trips:

• The Essential Beach Packing List
• The Essential Carry-on Bag Packing List
• The Ultimate Holiday Packing List
• The Ultimate Cruise Packing List
• The Essential International Packing List
• How to Pack for an African Safari
• The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List

Packing Tips to Avoid Wrinkles

When packing your clothes, in many cases you don’t want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will often crease when compressed. Here are a few alternatives.

Rolling Clothes

Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts, and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves (if applicable), and then roll from the bottom up.

Folding Clothes Together

Take two or more garments, for example a couple of pairs of jeans, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you’ve folded it so it’s less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.

The Bundle Approach

We learned this ingenious method of packing from Judith Gilford, author of The Packing Book . It’s a bit difficult to explain without a demonstration, but we’ll do our best. You need luggage that opens up and lies flat to do this. You will also need a flat, soft, pouch-like rectangular “core” with dimensions that are at least 1/2 to 3/4 the size of your luggage compartment. This can be a packing cube filled with underwear or something similar.

Start with a sports jacket, dress, or the longest, most wrinkle-prone item you have. With the collar or waistband flat, place it against the bottom edge of the bag and drape the rest of the garment over the opposite side of the bag. Take another garment and place it in the opposite direction, flattening and smoothing out both garments in the bag and draping the remainder over the side. If you have pants or other narrow items, do the same with them in the narrow direction of the bag. Keep alternating your items, ending up with the most wrinkle-resistant clothes you have.

When you finish, place your “core” in the middle. Now you’re going to start folding the garments over the core and each other in the reverse order you put them in. If you fold something over and there’s excess draping over the sides of the bag, tuck it underneath the bundle you are creating.

What you will end up with is a bundle of all of your clothes that looks like a pillow. You can pick it up in one piece. It’s compactly packed and doesn’t waste any available space in your luggage. Plus, because of the way things are folded, your clothes will wrinkle less.

To find something in the bundle, lay it flat and unwrap until you reach the layer you want. Take the item out and refold the remainder. If done properly each layer should result in a self-contained bundle at each layer.

Tissue Paper

For delicate items, consider using tissue paper. Lay the item face down and place tissue paper on top. Fold it up with the tissue paper inside. Use additional layers of paper as you fold the garment so it is completely wrapped in and around paper. This is easy enough the first time you pack, but becomes a pain if you have to keep repacking. For that reason, it’s best to use this approach only for evening clothes you don’t want to crush.

For more tips, see  How to Avoid and Remove Clothing Wrinkles While Traveling from What to Pack, SmarterTravel’s sister site.

Space-Saving Packing Tips

To avoid baggage fees and make your luggage easier to carry, use the following packing tips to organize and cut down your load.

Use Packing Aids

Use Eagle Creek Compression Sacs to shrivel your clothes into a vacuum-packed, tiny, tight bundle that takes up minimal suitcase space. Other packing aids that can help you organize better and fit more into your bag include garment folders and packing cubes . A cheaper alternative? Ziploc bags .

Layer and Pack Dual-Purpose Garments

This space-saving advice is twofold: Wear layers and pack in layers. First, your on-the-road wardrobe should feature plenty of layers, which will help you jetset through multiple climates in style and comfort. Second, the items in your bag should be packed in neat layers for easy screening. According to the TSA , “Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.)” so that the security agent screening your bag can get a clear picture of what’s inside. The faster the TSA agent can screen your stuff, the faster you’ll get through the security line.

If it’s two-in-one, it’s one less thing to pack. Convertible clothing , such as pants that turn into shorts or dresses that can be worn multiple ways, is worth its weight in airline baggage fees.

Wash Your Clothes on the Road

Laundry facilities are one of the best parts about staying in vacation rentals . If you know your accommodations will have free laundry facilities, you’re golden. You can wash and wear just a handful of outfits for the duration of even very long trips.

If you’re staying in a hotel, check in advance to see if laundry services are available and how much they cost. Travelers staying in properties without laundry facilities or taking cruises—cruise lines are notorious for charging an arm and a pant leg for laundry services—can wash clothing in sinks and hang them to dry. Consider bringing a travel clothesline , a small packet of laundry detergent , and a universal sink stopper to make your own travel laundry kit. You can also consider packing the Allurette wash bag for delicates.

Air Travel Packing Tips

To keep from running afoul of security regulations, keep this essential packing advice in mind.

Follow The 3-1-1 Rule

What happens if you don’t follow the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 rule for carry-on luggage? Attempt to bring a large bottle of shampoo or a full-size gel deodorant through the security line and the TSA will likely confiscate your stuff, holding you up in line in the process.

You may not pack liquid or gel substances in your carry-on unless they are in individual containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less and enclosed in one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger. Any larger containers of liquids and gels must be packed in your checked luggage. For more information, see Airport Security Frequently Asked Questions .

It also helps to know which items are considered liquids or gels and thereby subject to the 3-1-1 rule. This isn’t as simple as it sounds. Foods such as peanut butter, pudding, mashed potatoes, and icing are classified as gels. Mascara, lip gloss, and aerosol items are also classified as liquids or gels. But keep in mind that liquid prescription medication is exempt. Check whether certain items are allowed on the TSA website .

Know Your Airline’s Baggage Fee Policy

Figuring out the airlines’ often-befuddling baggage fee policies is key to any budget-minded packing strategy. While most airlines permit travelers to check at least one bag on international flights, the majority of U.S. carriers charge fees for bags checked on domestic flights—and some even charge for carry-on bags as well.

Before you begin packing, take a peek at your airline’s website and read its baggage policy. This is something you might even want to do prior to buying your plane ticket, especially if you’re set on bringing a checked bag or two. Consider flying on Southwest, which still permits up to two free bags. (For help packing lighter, see Ultralight Travel: How to Pack Light Every Time .)

It’s standard for airlines to permit each traveler to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard planes. This personal item is subject to specific size requirements (these vary by airline), but something like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack is generally acceptable. Consider bringing a personal item that’s on the larger side to maximize space (though it should still fit under the seat in front of you).

Never Check Essential Items

It’s important to keep your valuable and essential belongings in your carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage. Your passport, identification, money, credit cards, jewelry, electronics, and other valuables should always be brought onto the plane with you. If the airline loses your luggage (or if a TSA agent gets sticky fingers ), you’ll regret stowing your expensive watch in a checked bag.

If you’re inclined to secure your bag against unwanted intruders, use only TSA-approved locks ; otherwise, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the lock to get inside. Do not stack books and other documents on top of each other; instead, spread them out throughout your bag.

Readers’ Best Travel Packing Tips

Over the years, our well-traveled readers have shared their own packing tips and tricks.

It’s in the Bag

“I buy two-gallon Ziploc bags to use when packing. I pick out a complete outfit (shirt, pants or skirt, underwear and socks to match—all wrinkle-free materials) and pack them in the large bag, removing as much air as possible. This prevents having to rummage through the clothes to find coordinating items and messing up the suitcase. I make sure that I have one bag per day or event, then just pull out a bag and get ready!” —Debbi G.

“Being ‘of a certain age,’ I take quite a few daily medications. Rather than take bulky hard plastic containers, I pack all my pills in miniature zip-lock bags . I label these with permanent marker and put them all in a sandwich bag . They take up no room at all!” —hari

“I went to Japan last year, and took one of the extra huge zip-top bags with me and used it as a washing machine! I was able to get a LOT of clothes into it at once. I just put in the clothes, poured in the soap, filled it with water, and then agitated it around in the tub until the clothes were all clean. It made the washing and rinsing a breeze, and my clothes got much cleaner than if I was just washing in the sink.” —USRoadTripper

“Instead of packing toner or astringent for the face, I put cotton balls in a heavy zip-lock bag and pour toner or astringent on it—one ball or two per day. That is one less plastic bottle to pack. Same format for moisturizing lotion: Buy a cheaper quality lotion just for the trip. Put it in a heavy-duty plastic bag and use it from this bag morning or night while on the trip—one less container.” —Carolyn S.

Make a List and Check It Twice

“Create a master packing list that includes everything you might need for any trip, and then highlight the items you will need for a particular trip. My list has been invaluable and helps me to remember things that don’t readily come to mind.” —Tim H.

“My best packing tip is to tuck your packing list into your carry-on when you are done packing. If your suitcase gets lost, you have a list of everything that was in it. On a more positive note, I also carry a photo of our suitcases. That is invaluable when trying to answer the question, ‘And what do your suitcases look like?’” —BonnieC

Reduce and Reuse

“I ask my older relatives to save for me the plastic bottles where their prescription pills come. These usually have childproof caps which means that you can put liquids in them and they won’t spill. So I use them for all liquids I need to pack. The small ones are good for one-time use of shampoo, cough medicine, liquid laundry soap, etc. The medium and larger sizes I use for longer trips, because I can put enough liquid in them to last for a few uses. When they empty, I just throw them away. And when I return home my relatives have a few more bottles waiting.” —Conchy

“Preparing for a three-week cruise, I decided to go to the back of my closet and pull out the clothes that I would not necessarily have chosen as ‘the pick of the day.’ They were all right, but not my favorites. I chose either to donate to charity along the way or to chuck the items. WAHOO! Loads and loads of weight reduction, not to speak of extra space for shopping and/or souvenirs.” —Joko

“My tried and true trick for keeping special fabrics and/or items of clothing wrinkle-free is to use the plastic from your dry cleaning (save those plastic wraps). Lay it out flat on the bed, place your item of clothing on top of the plastic (use two pieces if you must, but the longer pieces of dry cleaning plastic, like the kind for coats and dresses, always work), and begin to carefully fold your clothing so that each fold is wrapped, i.e., every bend has a piece of plastic in it. Once done, carefully place the clothes in the part of your suitcase that has those ‘X’ straps on one side—OR, if you don’t have that, put the wrapped pieces on the bottom of your suitcase. THIS WORKS!” —Host Bonjour

“I always work out how many days it takes to go through my favorite shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant and then take half-filled bottles because I know that I will run out on the last day of my trip. I can always use the hotel-provided ones for one or two days if required.” —pookyandjo

“Have a ‘travel’ bag filled with duplicate lotions, shampoo/conditioner, slippers, etc. put away for trips. I keep mine in a small shopping bag so when my next trip comes up, all I have to do is reach in, pack what I need (seasonal items like suntan lotion don’t always go), and I’m ready! When you return from each trip, refill or purchase what has been used. It saves so much time.” —Sallie J.

Outsmart the Airlines

“With the airlines weighing bags to increase their fees, you can put many heavy items in your pockets. You could even sew extra large pockets inside of your jacket to carry more onto the plane and transfer them back into your carry-on later.” —hbuhr

“After having checked luggage go missing on a trip, my partner and I always mix items in the bags. Day and evening wear, underclothes, and footwear for each of us in both bags, that way we each have something to wear until the lost luggage turns up!” —Vee

“I always pack my carry-on as if it’s the only bag I’m taking. I know all my essentials are there, including a change of clothes. Then I pack my checked bag. It’s a bonus when it arrives with me.” —Wendy

Everything in Its Place

“I like to pack a foldable suitcase inside my regular suitcase. My husband and I can’t stand having our dirty clothes mixed in with our clean clothes. The second suitcase works great; we just dump our dirty clothes into the second bag and don’t have to worry about odor or remembering which layer is the dirty layer. It also gives you more room for souvenirs.” —traveljunkie6987

“I have two absolute favorite jewelry tips. For necklaces and bracelets, INDEX CARDS! Tape the end to an index card and wrap it around the card, then secure with a hair tie. For earrings, safety pins, bobby pins, and other random items, wash out an Altoids tin. They are metal, snap securely shut, and pack just about anywhere in a suitcase. (Also worth doing: Make a sewing kit and pack it in an Altoids tin.) —gotsparkly

“I always bring a sheet of bubble wrap—small bubbles—for any breakable items I might buy along the way. I am sure it’s saved more than one treasure I have gotten home safely, and it takes up no space at all.” –sunnyflies

It’s Good to Have Options

“I always pack two different pairs of comfortable walking shoes , because no matter how comfortable the shoes are, after a full day of walking, your feet will hurt somewhere. By alternating the shoes, you never get to the point where your feet are hurting so much you can’t enjoy the trip.” —chrisnjeanne

“I make sure all my tops go with all my bottoms, so I can mix and match them. I also avoid prints and try to stick with solid colors … if I want to add some color, I add a scarf or some inexpensive local jewelry. I also try to bring lightweight layers, so I can add or subtract them depending on the weather.” —gypsychick

Can’t get enough packing tips? Check out The 101 Best Packing Tips from SmarterTravel’s sister site, What to Pack.

Make Packing a Little Easier

Shop the look.

Packing Cubes

TSA Luggage Combination Lock

Compression Sack Set

Storage Bags

More from smartertravel:.

• 10 Things Not to Do When Checking a Bag
• 3 Genius Packing Hacks for Plastic Wrap
• 7 Things Not to Do When Packing a Carry-on Bag

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Sarah Schlichter, Caroline Costello, and Margaret Leahy contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Southwest Ireland: 8-Night Trip, Incl. Guinness...

Specialized Travel Services

Luxe, 7-Night Caribbean & Mexico Cruise...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Poor In A Private Plane

live your dream life while manifesting your dream life

Travel , Travel Tips ·

Packing Tips: Travel Packing Hacks that Actually Work (And the One’s That Don’t)

*Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. You can read our privacy policy here *.

Have you searched for packing tips on Pinterest and google, been super excited, tried them and realized they were a HUGE fail!!

That has happened to me too many times to count.

As someone that goes on over 12 trips a year, I have tried almost everything when it comes to packing from using packing cubes to rolling clothes.

There are some packing hacks that are brilliant and work every time and there are some that are well… not so hot. I mean they seem to work in theory but in real life. NO BUENO!!!

So instead of creating just another list of packing hacks, I decided to compile some of my favorite packing hacks. I am also including some of my not so favorite packing hacks as well. Just so we can laugh and cry together.

The Best (and Worst) Packing Tips for Travel

Invest in a solid piece of luggage..

I personally prefer to carry on every single time that I can. Regardless of whether I am going on a one week trip, two-week trip or just a long weekend, not having to check in a bag (because that is MONEY!!!) or even better lug a heavy bag up and downstairs (because I always take public transport because MONEY!!) is important.

So investing in a good carry on is really important. You want something that is light, durable and is easy to maneuver. There are two options you should consider when deciding which luggage is best for you.

Go for a lightweight suitcase.

Don't get stuck paying for overweight baggage fees because your luggage is heavy even when it is empty.

Looking for something lightweight that is still budget-friendly. Check out IT Luggage. Known as the world's lightest luggage, weighing in at 4 lbs it is a great option

Go for a hard case suitcase

A hard case suitcase can be great for many reasons. First, the clamshell design usually means that there is more room for you to better organize your belongings.  The hard shell is also great for protecting your valuables. If you are carrying items such as electronics or fragile items opting for a hard case suitcase might be the best bet.

Amazon has a great option that is under $50 and has great reviews. It is a bit heavier at just over 7lbs but the hardshell case and clamshell design keep things organized and protected.

Use a Packing Checklist

Are you a last-minute packer?

Yeah me too!! I am the worse.

However, for years I have been using a packing checklist which helps me ensure that I am packing everything I need every single time. You can easily google or find some great packing lists online or on Pinterest however, to be honest, I actually just keep my packing list on my phone.

It is very simple to create one.  First, create your categories. So for me, it is toiletries, electronics, clothing and misc. Then from there just fill in the blanks. Toiletries and electronics are usually the same and you can use that part of the list over and over again. While the other categories are going to vary from trip to trip.  For example, if you are going on a hiking adventure then you may want to make sure you are packing everything you need for that activity versus heading to a beach vacation in Playa Del Carmen where you really only might need flip flops and a bathing suit.

Once you have a template it is easy to just fill in the blanks.  I promise it is a lot easier than you think.

Here is my actual Packing List . You might be disappointed by how simple it actually is.

Packing Cubes

I have to admit. I love the idea of packing cubes. And they are great in theory. But to be honest, in my experience, they end up taking way to much room.

They are great for longer trips to keep things organized. So for example, if you are going on a trip that involves multiple cities you can organize your cubes by location.

Of if you are, dare I say, sharing a suitcase with your significant other you can each have your own cubes to keep things organized.

However, if you are looking to save a bit of space by using packing cubes I would say you might be better off with other tips like rolling your clothes or flat laying.

This is just my experience. I usually fit way more in my luggage when I skip out on the cubes.

Be Strategic and Pack your Biggest and Heaviest Items First

Disclaimer. My husband and I completely disagree on this tip. I believe that things like shoes, for example, should go in first. He thinks they should go in last. I've tried both and I personally like my way better.

Pack shoes and other heavier items first. Then start fitting your clothes in on top of it making sure to fill in any spaces between shoes with smaller items. You will be surprised at how much you can actually fit by applying this method

Bonus Tip: Do you really need to pack 8 pairs of shoes for one weekend? I have been guilty of this and it really is just not smart. Instead of trying to floss focus on limiting yourself to three pairs of shoes. Two to pack and one to wear. At least one pair should be a comfy pair. Depending on the weather I will usually pack at least a pair of walking shoes (sneakers or crocs) and a pair of going out shoes (heels or wedges). This is all you really need and it will leave you room for all the other fun stuff.

Not only is packing heavier or bulkier items first a great use of space. But it will also help out with keeping your luggage balanced. Packing your heavier items towards the wheels means that your luggage will be easier to roll and will be less likely to topple over.

Pack Chargers and Headphones With Care

They are a ton of hacks that say to pack cords and charges in a sunglass case. I personally don't get it. Try it out and let me know what you think.

The key is to keep your wires safe, separate and easily accessible. Instead of packing extra cases and bags be creative.  Here are some ideas where you can store wires and headphones.

• Purse or handbag. If you are bringing an extra purse that is a great place to store handbags.
• Shoes. Tuck them into your shoes

Wear bulky items

Things like sneakers, boots, and jackets are better off being worn as opposed to packed in a suitcase. Of course, this is tricky when traveling to different climates. However, when possible plan your outfits so that you wear your bulkiest items on the plane.

For example, I always bring my jacket with me on the plane. Planes are cold and jackets take up a lot of space so it is a win-win for me.

Bonus: Do you like to sleep with a duvet in the winter. If you are flying a red eye and are coming and going from a cold climate bring your down or down alternative jacket with you. I do this all the time and use my jacket as a blanket. (I once used it as a sleeping bag at the Madrid airport too. Don't judge).  The jacket gives me the same comfort as if I was home tucked in my duvet which means I fall asleep a lot faster.

Store your shoes in a shower cap.

Keep your clothes clean and protected from dirty shoes.

I personally prefer to use shoe bags however if you don't have shoe bags then using the shower caps that you can usually find in your hotel room is another great option. If you're in a pinch you can also use grocery bags as well.  However, if you travel often enough I would recommend you invest in shoe bags which are reusable and durable.

Create a dedicated Travel Toiletry Kit

Instead of packing and repacking your toiletries for every single trip why not just have a dedicated toiletry kit with all your essentials . It is a small investment but well worth it. It saves time and the chances of you forgetting something are slim.

Bonus Tip: You know those cute little bars of soap and toiletries at the hotels. Make sure to grab some of those and throw them int your toiletry kit. After every trip do stock on what's in your toiletry kit and replace or refill bottles right away. If there is anything you missed while on vacation (like a razor for example) now is the time to add it so you don't forget it again.

Use Plastic Wrap

If you are packing liquids I learned a little trick the hard way that I have to share. Before placing your liquids into your toiletry kit, unscrew the top, place plastic wrap over the opening and screw the cap back on. This will give you an extra layer of protection from spills.

Pack a Laundry Bag

This is one of my favorite tips and something I wish I did way sooner. Pack a laundry bag for all your dirty clothes. Every evening throw your dirty clothes in the laundry bag. By the end of the trip, all you have to do is throw your laundry bag back into your luggage and you're done. Easy peasy.

Bonus Tip: If you are traveling with a spouse or significant other, when you arrive at your location designate one of your suitcase the laundry suitcase. Anything that is dirty goes into that suitcase. By the end of your trip you will be all packed and ready to go.

Invest in a Luggage Scale

I have to admit. I have yet to invest in a luggage scale. Do I think it is a necessity? No. Do I think it can save you money? Most likely.

It really is hard to figure out how much stuff weighs. So in order to avoid baggage fees investing in a Luggage Scale is key. Or just be like me and learn what things weigh. If you follow the advice here (such as wearing bulkier items as opposed to packing them) chances are you won't have a need for a luggage scale.

Should you Roll or Should you Fold (Which Packing Method Words Best?)

This is another fight in my house. I'm team roll. Hubs is team fold. My luggage usually looks like hot mess express. His looks like Marie Kondo packed for him.

If you ask me which method works best I would tell you that it depends. Why? because depending on the clothes you are bringing with you one method might work better than the other.

Instead of telling you to do this or that I would recommend you try both and see which one you prefer. Rolling does have its perks. I noticed fewer wrinkles when I roll my clothes.

However, I can sometimes fit more if I flat fold my clothes.

Speaking of Marie Kondo I think I found the deal breaker…

Use the Kon Mari Method (Kon Mari for Packing)

If you haven't heard of Kon Mari I highly suggest you check her out.  And if you have I don't panic. I am not telling you to pack an empty suitcase with one item of clothing. Yes, everything you pack should bring you joy. But we are skipping that exercise here.

What I want you to do is fold your clothes in the Kon Mari style. If it can work to maximize space at home then it can definitely work to maximize space in your luggage.

I found a great post on how to KonMari pack here .

Keep your Jewelry Safe

I highly recommend leaving your valuables at home. You do not want to run the risk of losing a family heirloom.

For any jewelry that you do pack I would recommend investing in a travel jewelry case. No matter what hack or tip I read I always end up with a mess. I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a jewelry case.  Can I say LIFE CHANGING!!!

Maximize Space in Your Luggage

Make sure to fill up every single space you can find. Traveling with a hat. Fill it up with socks or underwear to maintain the shape and make use of otherwise dead space.

Fill up your shoes and small bags with accessories and smaller items.

The space in between your shoes and around the edges of the suitcase is great for smaller rolled up items such as t-shirts, pajamas or workout clothes.

Wrinkles Be Gone

Ok, so you managed to pack everything. It fits. It's underweight. You're ready to go. But then you get to your destination to unpack and everything is a wrinkled mess. UFF.

There are a few ways to protect your clothes and keep them wrinkle-free.

Rolling Clothes

I mentioned this above and while I am not a huge fan I have to admit that rolling clothes does help to minimize wrinkles.

Dry Cleaning Bags

I do not know why? Someone, please tell me why. Packing your clothes in Dry Cleaning Bags does wonders.  I am obsessed with Rent the Runway and every time I receive new items for my trips I almost always keep them in the dry cleaning bags. Compared to the rest of my clothes those items almost always seem to have a lot fewer wrinkles. It's magic.

Wrinkle Release Spray

If you haven't tried wrinkle release spray then you need to give it a try. You will be pleasantly surprised. I have to say I was a skeptic but I took this on a cruise and was amazed at how well it worked. Some people opt to spray their clothes beforehand to prevent wrinkles, however, I pack a travel-sized bottle. As soon as I reach my destination I unpack my clothes, spray them and let it do its magic.

Wrinkle-free clothes. No iron needed.

Keep Things Fresh

What is it about the smell of freshly washed laundry? It is just amazing? Wouldn't it be nice if you got that freshly wash smell as soon as you opened your luggage?

All you have to do is throw in some dryer sheets and you are good to go.

This has to be one of my favorite packing hacks. I just LOVE the smell of freshly washed clothes.

Resist the urge to overpack

27 outfits for a 3 day weekend. Do you girl!!  I am not going to tell you not to. YOU NEED ALL THOSE OUTFITS!!!

What I am going to tell you is what you do not need to bring?

If you don't work out when you are home then you do not need to pack workout gear. Yeah, that gym in the hotel looks great in pictures but you're on vacation. Let's be realistic.

If you are staying at a hotel, research the amenities such as hair tools, toiletries and other goodies that may be available.  No need to pack a hairdryer, soap and other toiletries if they are available for you at the hotel.

You will be surprised at what hotels (especially the luxury ones) offer nowadays.

But don't forget to pack a reusable water bottle.

I talk about this a bit in my post about Airport Hacks , but packing a reusable bottle is a great way to save money and say hydrated during your trip. While this might not really be a “packing hack”  it could help reduce stress if you fill said reusable bottle with wine before you start packing. JUST KIDDING!! But really I am not.

Ok. I am kidding. Just don't forget to pack a reusable water bottle OK!!

Be resourceful.

When packing opt for items that can do double duty. For example, a small bag can be used to store smaller items and also as an evening bag. Reusable shopping bags are great to have for day trips or just in case you go a bit overboard with souvenir shopping.

Plan your Outfits

Before you even start to think about all the cute outfits you just bought for your trip, stop and think about what you are going to need.

First, you want to figure out your activities and the proper attire. Don't be like me. I hiked a volcano in Greece in my crocs. I survived. But it wasn't exactly recommended hiking gear.

These are the crocs I wore in case your interested. I am obsessed with them.

Ok… where were we?  As I was saying plan ahead. Figure out what your activities are and what you will need for those activities.

Then plan our outfits accordingly. By planning ahead you are less likely to overpack or leave anything behind.

Stick to one Color Scheme

When planning your outfits stick to one color scheme. Most will say to pack neutrals however what does that even mean. For some, a neutral can be white, black, beige, leopard, red… Everything nowadays everything is technically a neutral. So pick a color scheme and stick to it.  The idea is that all the pieces you pack should be able to mix and match with each other. Therefore you end up with more outfit combinations with fewer pieces.

And Finally… The One Packing Tip You Can't Live Without

Check the weather. I save the best for last.  I actually almost forgot to write about it. Regardless of whether you are a last-minute packer or have your bags packed six months in advance make sure you check the weather at least a couple of days before you leave.

Weather changes quickly and you don't want to end up wearing shorts when the weather is chilly or rolling up your sweatshirt on a hot sweltering day. It might involve you having to swap some stuff out or bring an umbrella or jacket but trust me when I say you will be glad you did.

Did you find these tips helpful? Save them for later. And come back and visit.

About Taima Ramsey

Taima, a dedicated attorney by day and an adventurous travel blogger by night, has fearlessly explored over 40 countries across 5 continents while juggling a full-time job. Despite the constraints of limited time and finances, she has conquered these challenges with her expertise in time management, budgeting, and creating unforgettable experiences. Now, she is eager to share her invaluable knowledge with you.

Welcome to 'Poor In A Private Plane', where you will discover invaluable insights on seamlessly planning your trips and making them affordable. Let Taima do the groundwork, so you can embark on your own extraordinary adventures hassle-free.

You’ll Also Love

I love your suggestion to pick a color scheme for our outfits so we can mix and match any pieces once we get there. My husband and I want to find a hotel we can book for a week-long trip next month since we both agree we need some time away from work to de-stress. I always end up packing way more clothes than I need for trips, so the advice you shared here will be really helpful to keep in mind!

I am very happy to hear that. I was such a bad over packer. I like options. But when I started planning my outfits and really focusing on mixing and matching it has helped big time. I still have enough options but I can actually lift my bag over my head because I didn’t over pack. Haha.

Absolutely brilliant! Very helpful article, loved it. 😊 Will definitely use most of them.

Yay! I am happy to hear that Davina.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Privacy Policy
• Work With Me

Copyright © 2024 Poor In A Private Plane· A Member of Taimata,LLC · Theme by 17th Avenue

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Foolproof Hacks for Packing Your Suitcase Efficiently Every Time

Experts reveal their trusted, time-honored packing techniques.

Theresa O'Rourke has nearly 20 years of experience in journalism. Her work has been featured in Allure, Women's Health, Real Simple, and other publications. Theresa's experience includes the roles of writer, editor, consultant, and editorial director. Highlights: * Nearly 20 years of journalism experience * Former executive editor at Every Day with Rachael Ray * Former editorial director at Victoria's Secret * Former executive editor at Women's Health * Former vice president at Remedy Health Media * Editor-in-chief at Weight Watchers

The Best Ways to Pack Your Clothes

How to pack shoes, how to pack toiletries and beauty products, how to pack jewelry, stow inexpensive pieces in a seven-day plastic pillbox, how to pack fragile objects or breakables, how to pack dirty laundry.

Even with the best luggage , why does packing always seem like more of a chore than it needs to be? It can be a tedious task on its own, sure, but a lot of packing stress likely stems from the anxiety of not really knowing what you're going to need when you get to wherever you're going. (What if it rains the whole time? What if your luggage gets lost? What if you don't end up doing half of what your itinerary originally said you'd be doing?) We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to somehow, miraculously, pack only exactly what we might need—no more, no less—and keep things wrinkle-free in the process. Here are some helpful packing techniques to ease the burden of filling your suitcase or travel bag efficiently and keeping your clothing in tip-top shape while en route.

Think Big, Then Edit

Gather all the garments you anticipate needing—then put half of them back. For a five-day trip, you'll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt, says Kathleen Ameche, author of The Woman Road Warrior ($12, amazon.com ). If going to cooler climates, save your bulkier outwear, like a puffer coat , to travel in. The standard regulation carry-on luggage fits roughly two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, two dresses, and five shirts.

Pack With a Palette

If you have a color you like to wear like navy blue, black, or pink (you do you!) stick with it. Pick a color range and pack tops, and bottoms that all fit within it. It'll give you more options for mixing and matching, which means more outfits!

Pack Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics

If you can, choose knits, wools, and cottons because these fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and be versatile (some garments can do double duty, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas).

Roll and Fold Items

Using a bit of each packing technique is the most efficient way to get things into your suitcase. Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, T-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won't wrinkle when rolled tightly, says Judy Gilford, author of The Packing Book ($10, amazon.com ). Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded.

Arrange Clothing Thoughtfully

Place your softer, rolled items at the bottom of your suitcase first. Next comes your folded garments: For your middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and nice pants. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Lay them the length of your suitcase, draping leftover fabric over the opposite end. (This conserves space since thick waistbands won't be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles. Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in. Finally, snake belts around the perimeter of the bag so they take up as little room as possible (and add another layer of snugness around these three layers).

Cover the Pile With a Dry-Cleaning Bag

Because of the dry-cleaning bag's slippery surface, folded clothes don't stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.

Place Clothes You'll Need First at the Top

This could be anything from a dress to a bathing suit to pajamas, depending on where you're going, what time you arrive, and what the plan is when you get there.

Follow the Rule of Three

Consider one casual sandal or loafer, sneakers, and an evening shoe to be your holy trinity. "Because of their shapes and heels, shoes take up the most room," says Marybeth Bond, author of 50 Best Girlfriends Getaways ($16, amazon.com ). Wear the heaviest, bulkiest pair and pack the other two.

Have Your Shoes Do Some Work

Depending on how clean your shoes are, stuff them with other items like socks, sunglasses, and electronics chargers, says Anita Dunham-Potter, a cruise columnist for MSNBC.com. This will end up saving you a bit of room here and there.

Place Shoes Into One-Gallon-Size Resealable Bags

Then set them along the sides of the bag, says Gilford. This will keep dirt and germs from your shoes from getting onto your packed clean clothes.

Invest in Shoe Cubes

If you've already gotten on the packing cube train, kick it up a notch (literally) with shoe cubes . These flexible water-resistant packs have a collapsible divider, so you can safely stash your heels and sneakers (no scuffing!).

Opt for Travel-Size Multitasksers

Choose a tinted moisturizer that serves as foundation, a soap, and shampoo in one, and wipes that clean hands and face. (If you're flying with a carry-on bag , check current regulations for liquids at tsa.gov .)

Group Similar Products in Sealed Resealable Bags

Designate one bag for cosmetics , one for hair products, and one for skin-related items. Tuck the bags in the side corners of your suitcase or in a zippered outside pocket.

Or store them in a 35-millimeter film container lined with tissue. If you must take precious gems, wear them during your travels to reduce the risk of loss or theft, suggests Gilford.

Use Clothing as Padding

Wrap fragile items in thick, sturdy clothing. Place them in the center of your bag surrounded by a buffer, says Laura McHolm, co-founder of NorthStar Moving, a Los Angeles–based company that relocates 5,000 people (and their precious porcelain) each year. If you're carting liquor bottles, secure them in the bottom center of your bag. If you have beach towels , this would be a good place to use them.

Jessica Ellis, a graphic designer who travels between New York City and Chicago every other week, piles clothing into Eagle Creek packing bags and cubes . "Zipper them, and they take out 80 percent of the volume." Warning: This can have wrinkly consequences, so if the clothes don't yet require laundering, lay them flat and place fabric-softener sheets between them. Consider your fresh-smelling clothes a welcome-home present.

Related Articles

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

These packing tips from the experts are the key to maximising space on your next adventure

By Rachel Chang

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As I dusted off my suitcase for my first trip during the pandemic last month, a familiar dread came over me. Despite my track record of packing for two-week vacations in a carry-on suitcase , the process always takes me days of agonising over every. single. item . Still, as soon as I get out the door, inevitably, there’s that one item I wish I had packed that I end up thinking about the rest of the trip.

Before I sunk back into old habits, I reached out to organisation experts and flight attendants – the ultimate frequent travellers – to learn the tricks of the trade. Below are 10 of their best packing tips.

1. Use the right suitcase for the occasion

Often, our instincts are to choose carry on luggage based on the length of the trip. While it’s a definite factor, what matters more is the kind of trip. “A compact or medium-sized suitcase is ideal for a city break or beach holiday because you can easily pack a lot of light garments, which you'll need for daily outfit changes when the weather is hot, and you've been walking all day,” says Etihad Airways flight attendant Adina Elena Beldie. Hard-sides like Away’s The Bigger Carry-On and Antler's Clifton cabin case and soft-sides like Samsonite’s Securipak duffle with wheels fit the bill.

“On the contrary, an outdoor adventure trip would require a larger suitcase for all your hiking gear, like thick clothes and bulky footwear,” Beldie adds. Top choices in the category include the Eastpack Tranverz Cnnct Army bag or Osprey’s rolling transporter wheel-duffel bag . “Lastly, in my experience, a business trip usually means packing light, although this can vary depending on the duration of the trip,” she says. No matter the size, Travelpro’s Platinum Elite Hardside Luggage fits the chicness and practicality factors with its Compact Carry-On .

2. Take the weight off of you

You (or your back) don't need to bear the burden. “If you’re flying to your destination, spinners are a must-have,” travel packing expert Anne McAlpin of Pack It Up says. It’s not just about the luggage itself – it also serves as a way for your carry-on tote to slip over the handle. “The weight of the bag is carried by the spinner, not your shoulders, making travelling through long airport terminals a breeze,” she says.

Though many totes can slip right over the handles of carry-on luggage or a checked bag, sets complete the look, like Antler's overnight bag and medium suitcase set .

3. Make a list and check it twice

As with many essential life tasks, writing out what you need is never a bad idea. “Create a packing list that includes all of your essentials, and then separate ones that are customised to your relevant needs,” say the women of The Home Edit , Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. One of the biggest mistakes people make, they say, is “just throwing things in a suitcase without a system in mind.”

A list can help you take note of if you’re over- or under-packing, Beldie says, adding that, “Proper packing requires time.”

“I recommend adding items to your suitcase about a week in advance – not earlier than that, as it’s important to check weather conditions at the destination, which will be more accurate closer to the trip,” she says.

If a handwritten list isn’t your speed, let your items be your visual list. “Lay everything out and start editing,” McAlpin says. “Hang outfits together so you don’t forget anything.” She says to start two weeks before and try everything on. “Part of the stress of packing is deciding what to take and what fits,” she says.

4. Find your own formula

McAlpin says she’s been recommending her packing ratio – three to one, with three tops for every bottom – for more than 25 years. Most trips work with nine tops and three bottoms, especially in basic colours that mix and match. She also says not to exceed three pairs of shoes: running or exercise shoes, walking shoes , and a pair of sandals or flip-flops.

On the other hand, Beldie is about the twos. For each day of the trip, she says to think of two tops, two shorts, two T-shirts, two pairs of trousers, and two undergarments. “For a business trip, packing two shirts per day is a good idea – one for meetings during the day, the other for dinner and night events,” she says.

For organising guru Marie Kondo, it’s less about numbers and more about categories. “I recommend that you lay everything out first and categorise by type of item to give you a comprehensive look at how many items you have for each category,” she says. “Then fold everything into its smallest possible size. At that point, before filling the suitcase, pare down and be honest with yourself about what you really need for the trip.”

The most important aspect of the packing tips equation is simplicity: “What do you really need to have a joy-sparking trip? If your trip is for leisure, this is the opportunity to free yourself from everyday decision-making and perhaps experience a simpler lifestyle. So the fewer clothing options to choose from, the more you can focus on the joyful experience ahead,” she says. But there is one number she says to follow, “Leave 10 or 20 per cent space so you can buy souvenirs and pack them for your return trip!”

Experts recommend laying everything out before packing your bag

5. Consider clothing material and colours

Eva Air senior assistant purser Jennifer Liao says to select the most packable clothing, so you’re not constantly thinking about ironing. “Most flight attendants travel with clothes made from wrinkle-free fabrics such as synthetics, wool, denim, and knit – we don’t pack linen because it wrinkles so easily,” she says. Hues can also make a big difference. “The colours we pack are important. The darker the colour, the fewer visible wrinkles,” Liao adds.

By Karthika Gupta

By Devra Ferst

By Sarah James

By Trish Lorenz

Tifsit Teferra, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant, says to focus on a wide range of choices, too. She avoids packing too many of the same thing: “Why take up space with six tees when you can bring a variety of tops – variety is the spice of packing!”

6. Less is more

McAlpin’s packing motto is: “Less stuff, less stress.” She once travelled for 21 days in a 21-inch carry-on that was less than 21 pounds – covering diverse climates from India and Jordan to New York City . That pack light mentality is echoed across the board.

“People tend to, quite literally, weigh themselves down when travelling,” Kondo says. “Remind yourself that travelling is temporary and should be about the actual trip itself rather than extensive wardrobe selections. Packing just a few outfits that you absolutely love will make getting ready each day a breeze. Select comfortable clothes that do not wrinkle easily and make you feel good about yourself.”

“Not all items will apply to all people, and not all items will apply to all trips,” Shearer and Teplin say. “So if you absolutely, without a doubt, cannot live without an item, then, by all means, bring it! Remember: You get the item or the space, but you don't get both.”

7. Organise your clothes vertically and tightly

Though some packers prefer laying clothes flat, the experts agree that rolling is critical to saving space. “Clothes should be folded into their smallest possible size,” Kondo says. “Thin fabrics are best to roll to prevent wrinkles. Another neat trick is to tuck your folded underwear into bra cups within your suitcase – it keeps the undergarment category together and saves space.”

Think of your suitcase as a table of contents – you want to take one look and know everything inside. “The key here is to pack your items vertically so you can see them all at one glance,” Kondo says. “That way, you don’t have to take out everything to find the one item you are looking for.”

8. Categorise your contents

Take that idea one step further with packing cubes . “They will help use vertical space and adhere to a tidy routine while on the road,” Kondo says. KonMari partnered with Paravel on the Packing Cube Quad , a set of four that makes categorising easy on the go. Kondo suggests using the smallest one for underwear, the largest for bulky items like outerwear and towels, one of the middle ones for clean clothes, and the other for dirty ones. “What’s great about the packing cubes is that you can place your vertically folded clothes into the cube from your drawer at home, then transfer them straight into the drawers at the hotel, so it’s easy to unpack at the destination,” she says.

The Home Edit team put a different spin on them in the form of pouches. “Packing squares are the real game-changer,” they say of their Zipper Pouch Set. “They are so versatile, which is key when you need to pack different items for every trip. The trick is finding packing squares that fit what you regularly pack. We designed our own set with Calpak because we also wanted a large version for storing shoes!”

If you want to give your items an extra squeeze, McAlpin suggests Baggallini’s long compression packing cubes , which fit right into that awkward space between the handles of most luggage to maximise space.

Tech cords and chargers might need a slightly different method to remain neat. Kondo’s shop sells a Bellroy Tidy Tech Kit , while Teferra goes more homemade: “I fold cords and then use Velcro tape to secure them.”

9. Wear your bulkiest clothing

Though we’ve heard those infamous stories of people layering on clothes to save on baggage fees, there is a time and place for wearing some of your essential needs on your back. “If you are going to a cold weather location, I suggest wearing your bulkier items like a coat and boots, and always carry your water bottle,” Teferra says. If you need to put them in your suitcase, Teferra says, “Bulky items should always go at the bottom of your suitcase, and it’s best to layer them flat—never fold or roll them.”

10. Keep travel essentials packed

“We always say, if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready,” The Home Edit women say. Especially for frequent travellers, keep the items you always take with you packed instead of constantly packing and unpacking. “It helps to organise your travel toiletries and accessories ahead of time, so your packing routine is essentially grab-and-go,” they add.

Liao admits that the Eva Air team travels so much that “some of us keep essential items that we never unpack in our luggage.” The advantage is that you can shave tremendous time on packing for your next trip. “All we need to do before each flight is pack clothes.”

A version of this article originally featured on Condé Nast Traveler .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Packing Lists

Our editorial team of frequent travelers has personally cultivated packing lists for destinations around the globe, and for a wide range of trip types whether you’re heading to the mountains, venturing on a bucket list safari, cruising to Hawaii, or taking a long-haul flight. We’ll recommend clothing, shoes, gear, and other key accessories to jumpstart a list for your next planned vacation — or even inspire a visit to someplace new.

• Cyber Monday 2023 Deals
• Trends + Deals We Love
• Family Travel
• Activity + Adventure
• Tech Essentials
• Luggage + Bags
• Travel Accessories
• Travel + Leisure Trusted
• Active + Loungewear
• Gift Guides

• Packing Tips

Air Travel Packing Tips

Published May 10, 2022

Written by:

Nick Hilden

Pacific Northwest native Nick Hilden is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Afar, the Daily Beast,...

Fred Perrotta

Co-founder, tortuga.

Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the...

The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

Table of Contents

There are few things as exciting—and frustrating—as packing for a trip. Exciting because your adventure is imminent. Frustrating because getting everything you want into your bag can be a challenge.

Below is a guide to packing tips for travel. The Tortuga team has been designing travel backpacks, getting feedback on bags, and writing about how to pack for over 12 years. In that time, we’ve learned a few lessons that might help you.

Start With Choosing the Right Bag

Having the right gear is vital to a successful and stress-free trip. Check out our guides on how to pick the best bag for your needs. 

• Travel Backpacks – Guide to Choosing a Travel Backpack
• Laptop Backpacks – Guide to Traveling with a Laptop in Your Carry On
• Business Travel Backpacks – Guide to Choosing a Business Backpack
• Women’s Travel Backpacks – Guide to Women Finding the Perfect Fit 

How to Switch From Checked Luggage to Carry On

Most people travel with way more than they need and end up dealing with a lot of checked bags. But if you want to skip the wait at baggage claim, avoid expensive fees, and eliminate the stress of a lost bag, you can switch to packing carry-on-only.

This change may sound daunting, but the trick is to take small steps. Here’s the method we recommend.

Step 1: Go From Two Checked Bags to Only One

Step 2: Check a Smaller Bag and Use a Carry on Backpack

Step 3: Use a Carry On Backpack and a Personal Item

Carry On Packing Tips

The Tortuga Team has been designing carry on bags and traveling carry-on-only for over a decade. Here’s our advice on how to get the most out of your carry on .

• Carry Ons vs Personal Items
• Carry On Size Guide and Personal Item Size Guide
• Is a Backpack a Carry On?
• Is a Backpack a Personal Item?
• Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item?

Packing light will make your trip lighter both physically and mentally. Check out our favorite tips to save weight, space, and time packing for your next trip.  

• Packing Light Tips
• Space-Saving Packing Hacks
• What to Pack for Your Long-Haul Flight
• Hostel Packing Tips

Tips for Packing Clothes

For most travelers, clothing will make up the bulk of your packing. Here is a collection of clothing packing tips to make the most out of yours. 

• How to Build a Travel Capsule Wardrobe
• How to Pack Clothes So They Don’t Wrinkle
• Rolling vs Folding Clothes for Packing
• How to Hand Wash Clothes When Traveling
• Keep Your Luggage and Clothes From Stinking
• Packing List for Every Trip
• Guide to Travel Clothes

Men’s Clothing Packing Tips

Some occasions in a man’s life require traveling with clothes that are difficult to keep wrinkle-free. Check out our guides to help you get to your destination looking sharp. 

• How to Pack Dress Shirts
• How to Pack a Suit in a Suitcase

Women’s Clothing Packing Tips

For those additional items women need to bring along on their travels, check out the articles below.

• Travel Essentials List for Women 
• How to Pack Bras for Travel
• Packing for Your Period

Unusual Items to Pack

Not everything fits easily into a suitcase or onto an airplane. Whether you bring your guitar on a weekend getaway or your art supplies to paint the views you see backpacking across Europe , these articles will show you exactly how to travel with unusual items. 

• Flying With Guitars and Musical Instruments
• Travel With Art Supplies

Related Articles

How to Pack Art Supplies for Travel

• Packing Lists

Minimalist Packing for Normal People

Tortuga travel backpack pro $350.

Max Carry On Size

Pacific Northwest native Nick Hilden is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Afar, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Men’s Health, Fodor’s, Popular Science, Scientific American, Thrillist, Vice, Runner’s World, and many, many more. He’s carried a Tortuga Outbreaker through year after year of traveling to places like Turkey, Tunisia, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Serbia, France, Italy, Greece, Mexico, all across the U.S., and beyond. You can follow his travels via Instagram @nick.hilden.

Read more from Nick

Find the perfect pack for your next trip

Take Our Bag Finder Quiz To Find
The Perfect Bag For Your Next Trip

Reader's Digest

12 Proven Packing Tips That Will Help You Travel Smarter and Lighter

Posted: June 26, 2023 | Last updated: June 26, 2023

Travel-smarter packing tips

Going on vacation should be a relaxing, exciting experience, but it's the preparation that can create stress. There's so much to think about, plan and schedule, from renewing passports and booking flights to finding the best luggage sets and actually packing ! Luckily, we've got all the packing tips you'll need to simplify the process.

Don't know what to pack in a carry-on or even how to pack a carry-on or checked luggage? No problem. We'll show you how to make a packing list, how to roll clothes for packing and how to use packing cubes to make the most of your space. In fact, these packing tips are so easy and effective, they'll make prepping for your next trip a breeze. So whether you're sailing on the best cruise lines , flying off to the best European cities , taking the ultimate American road trip or just learning how to travel cheap, you'll never stress about packing a suitcase again.

Get  Reader's Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more travel tips, cleaning, tech and fun facts all week long.

Make a packing list

Taking the time to create a packing list (this is different than an organized traveler's checklist ) a week or two before your trip is one of the best packing tips because it makes certain you don't forget anything and saves you time later on. Starting early ensures you'll be able to purchase things you still need or place an Amazon order without last-minute stress.

Begin by creating your main categories (clothing, toiletries, charging accessories, documents, etc.). Under each category, list the items you want to bring—and get specific. How many times can you wear a specific top? Which days will you actually be at the beach and need swimwear? Do you anticipate needing sneakers? If you consider yourself an overpacker (or don't want to incur hefty baggage fees), packing lists help you pack lighter —you've already done the work to build your vacation wardrobe and won't be tempted to add another outfit or two. Plus, you can refer to it when you go home so you don't leave anything in the hotel room or Airbnb .

Shop the Packing List

Don't pack everything in your checked bag

As tempting as it can be to pack all your belongings in a checked bag and not think about it again until it comes around the carousel, keep in mind that lost luggage happens to even the most experienced travelers. Checking luggage is convenient and gives you the freedom to pack more, but to be on the safe side, keep medications, jewelry and other valuables with you in a carry-on, travel backpack or handbag. (Speaking of, this fold-up Paravel Backpack is your new secret weapon for traveling lighter.) If an airline does happen to misplace your bags, here's how to get reimbursed for lost luggage .

Shop the Travel Backpack

Take the right size suitcase

Once you have a complete packing list, you'll know whether you need a carry-on, a checked bag or both, and some of the best luggage brands offer a variety of sizes, styles and weights. Frequent travelers typically recommend taking a carry-on whenever possible, whether you're on a weekend getaway , mini vacation or something slightly longer. Doing so not only helps you avoid airline baggage fees (most airlines allow at least one free carry-on bag, but some budget airlines do not), it also makes for quicker airport departures (no waiting at baggage claim) and limits any restrictions you might have moving around with heavier, larger luggage. Underseat luggage that fits beneath the seat in front of you can be a super convenient and surprisingly roomy option. So too can rolling carry-ons that fit in overhead bins. (Just don't close the bins when you're done; it's one of the airplane travel mistakes many people make.)

Shop the Carry-On Luggage

Psst! Don't forget about the weight limit of your luggage either—skip the stress with this portable luggage scale .

Decide on a color palette

Choosing a color palette for your travel wardrobe might sound like an unnecessary step, but it will make packing and getting dressed so much easier. Similar to creating a capsule wardrobe (which includes a minimum number of wardrobe staples that coordinate for maximum efficiency), sticking to coordinating colors (and versatile capsule-approved items ) allows you to mix and match the pieces you bring, creating more outfits, saving space and limiting endless clothing decisions.

Shop the Capsule Wardrobe

Opt for travel-friendly fabrics

Because you don't want to have to iron or steam your clothes when you get to your destination (and you definitely don't want to make room for the travel-size devices), make sure you pack clothing items that will travel well—that means no linens or cotton twills that wrinkle easily. Wrinkle-resistant knits and stretchy fabrics are great choices.

Wondering what to wear on a plane ? Layer and wear your bulkiest items, when possible. Choose travel-ready, comfortable fabrics, like the ones in this Eberjey three-piece set (bonus if they encourage blood flow). If you're taking a long trip, look for fabrics that are odor-resistant and quick drying as well so you can wear them more than once and rinse them out in your hotel sink.

Shop the Three-Piece Set

Lay everything out

It's much easier to pack if you lay everything out before you begin rather than going back and forth to your closet. Refer to your packing list and place each item in front of you. This way, you can see what you might be missing, as well as what needs to go into your suitcase in the order that most makes sense.

Laying everything out also ensures you're not packing items that will get your checked luggage flagged by TSA . You can decide if you want to use packing cubes , which many travelers swear by to organize and save space.

Shop the Packing Cubes

Know when to roll, when to fold

Folding clothes that could be rolled is one of the most common packing mistakes travelers make. Tightly roll items such as T-shirts, pajamas, casual pants and dresses to optimize suitcase space and avoid creasing. Roll heavy items (such as jeans) first and place at the bottom. Follow with thinner rolled items on top of those to make it easier to force your suitcase closed.

If you're packing bulky or stiff items, such as sweaters or starched shirts, fold these (try using a garment folder ) and place them on top of any rolled clothing the length of your suitcase. If you're using packing cubes, they should be packed the same way as suitcases: Roll whatever you can and place folded items on top.

Shop the Garment Folder

Place shoes on their sides away from your clothes

Ideally, you want to place your shoes in a different area of your suitcase than your clothes, and fortunately, most hard-shell luggage does provide two separate compartments so you can do that. Try to place shoes on their sides to take up the least amount of space and consider stuffing smaller items, such as jewelry, underwear and socks inside the shoes. If you still need to pack around them, place shoes in dedicated shoe bags , Ziploc bags or packing cubes to keep the dirt on their soles from soiling your clothes.

Shop the Travel Shoe Bag

Keep toiletries separate

Remember Murphy's Law? "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Put anything that can spill in a separate toiletry bag to avoid damaging your clothes. If you're only taking a carry-on, make sure all your toiletries follow the TSA carry-on rules , which state that liquids must be 3.4 ounces or less and must all be placed in a one-quart size bag. (Psst! These Cadence travel containers will do the trick.)

Keep bulky makeup at home and remember to pack your toiletry bag last so it doesn't get squished under your clothes in a checked bag and so you can remove it quickly when you go through security with a carry-on. A transparent bag  not only makes it easier for agents to see what's inside, it's also a top travel tip to ace airport security. Oh, and while you're at it, get yourself a luggage rack to make unpacking and packing on your trip so much easier.

Shop the Toiletry Bag

Maximize space for accessories and undergarments

Roll socks inside shoes and use nooks and crannies for small items, such as underwear , workout gear, swimwear or scarves , all of which can be tucked into the corners of your suitcase. If you're bringing a hat, place it upside down in the middle of the suitcase. Stuff smaller items inside it and clothing around it to keep its shape. Hair tools, brushes and belts can fit around the edges of the suitcase and between clothes.

This is also where compression cubes come in. Not only will they keep your stuff compartmentalized, but they also work to compress your clothing and free up space for accessories and undergarments.

Shop the Compression Cubes

Toss in extra bags

Extra bags will always come in handy, whether for packing wet swimsuits, separating dirty laundry from clean clothes or bringing home souvenirs from the best places to travel this year. Reusable, waterproof bags will add another layer of protection. Because they lay flat and take up practically no room, they're definitely worth adding to your packing list.

Shop the Waterproof Bag

Another item that's worth it? This luggage cup holder that will make moving through the airport a breeze.

Put delicate items on top

If you're going to need cold-weather gear when you get off the plane or a more professional outfit because you're heading straight to a business meeting, pack it last in your hard-shell luggage so it's easily accessible. Anything delicate, like formalwear or items with fragile embellishments, should also be placed on top to avoid being crushed. Consider protecting those items even further in a compact garment bag designed to fit inside your luggage.

Shop the Garment Bag

More for You

Trump Confuses Doctor's Name While Challenging Biden to Cognitive Test

It's been 50 years since the first openly gay character became a TV regular. See the show that made history, plus more famous TV firsts.

WNBA Fans Outraged by Kelsey Plum's Disrespectful Actions Towards Sabrina Ionescu

Common over-the-counter medicine linked to increased dementia risk

Watch: Yellowstone elk turns tables on wolf after stirring chase

After I learned this easy email trick, the clutter vanished from my inbox

Hamptons Restaurant Responds to Influencers Who Say It Was 'Worst' $2K Dinner — Claims They Misrepresented Experience

Here is the true value of having a fully paid-off home in America — especially when you're heading into retirement

The Only Major Actors Still Alive From All In The Family

Signs of Blood Clot in Leg: Visible and Invisible Clues

7 CDs You Probably Owned, Threw Out and Now Are Worth Bank

NYT columnist admits ‘something has gone badly wrong’ in west coast states because of Democratic leadership

Coffee Recall Update as FDA Sets Concern Level

9 of the best Caribbean islands to visit

There are major changes coming for your washing machines and dryers

The People Who Bought My Home Came Back for Concessions After the Contracts Were Signed. Here's What I Did

Giant batteries are transforming the way the US uses electricity: 'A glimpse of what could happen to other grids in the future'

“Little House on the Prairie” Cast Says They Felt 'Very Protected' on Set as Child Actors

Taylor Swift stops her performance to help a fan

Ukrainian forces strike Russian airbase with at least 70 drones, targeting Su-34 jets used to drop glide bombs

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Routine Vaccines

It’s important to be up to date on recommended routine vaccines prior to travel, including Flu, RSV and COVID-19.

Find a Clinic

Advice for Travelers

Personalized Health Information Tool for Global Travel

Disease Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

CDC Yellow Book

Pre-travel Rapid Evaluation Portal for Patients

Clinician Resources

Research and Surveillance                                                     

• Medical Tourism
• Cholera Information for Health Care Professionals
• COVID-19 Travel Information
• Travel Industry Resources

Learn about CDC’s Traveler Genomic Surveillance Program that detects new COVID-19 variants entering the country.  

Sign up to get travel notices, clinical updates, & healthy travel tips.

See the full list of  Travel Health Notices , including:

Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions

• Updated   Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo June 10, 2024
• Chikungunya in Maldives May 28, 2024
• Global Polio May 23, 2024

Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Oropouche Fever in the Americas June 05, 2024
• Global Measles May 28, 2024
• Meningococcal Disease in Saudi Arabia - Vaccine Requirements for Travel During the Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages May 20, 2024

There are no Warning , Alert, Watch, COVID-19 Very High, COVID-19 High, COVID-19 Moderate, COVID-19 Low, COVID-19 Unknown, Level 4, or Level 3 notices currently in effect.

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.