Whether you’re super organised or very last minute, you might be in the need of a few extra packing tips. Prepping what to take on a trip doesn’t have to be stressful. No matter where you’re headed or why you’re going, the process can be painless if you’re armed with the right know-how.
My 16 top packing tips for travel
Whether you’re going away for a long weekend in Europe or planning a cheap backpacking trip, packing is often the source of much misery. Even a seasoned traveller like myself will often list how to pack a suitcase effectively as the number one bug bear of booking a holiday.
From being realistic with what belongings you’ll need to complying with airport restrictions, here are my top tried-and-tested suitcase packing tips to help put you at ease:
1. Know your limits
With airlines all charging different fees for checked luggage – and sometimes even cabin bags – it’s important to know what’s included in your ticket and how much each additional bag will cost. KAYAK’s Airline Fees page offers a quick reference to the advertised bag costs for many airlines. It’s ideal if you want to know what charges to expect at the airport and before you book, so you know how much you can bring.
When searching for flights on KAYAK, use the Fee Assistant to select your number of bags at the top of the page and search results will include this cost in your total. This can also be adjusted afterwards with the filter located on the left side of the results.
2. Stick to your limits
Having to repack your bags at the check-in counter because you exceeded the weight limit is every traveller’s nightmare. Exceeding size limits is equally as stressful, too. If your suitcase is too large, you’ll likely incur an oversized baggage fee. Meanwhile, if your hand luggage is too large, it may be re-classed as checked baggage—and you’re on the hook for that fee as well.
To prevent surprise costs and airport reshuffling, which can also cause additional concerns if you’re running late, take advantage of KAYAK’s Bag Measurement tool. It let’s you see if your bags comply with your specific airline’s limits. You won’t even need to physically measure anything yourself—the tool will do it for you using your phone’s camera.
3. Keep the essentials in your hand luggage
4. Be ready for airport security
To help minimise time spent at airport security, make sure you prepare while you’re waiting in line. Security officers will often ask for laptops and liquids to be removed from bags. I’d recommend keeping them within easy reach at the top of your hand luggage instead of stuffing them right at the bottom.
Store all medications together, too, in case of additional inspection by an officer. This will get you out of there faster if you do require more screening.
5. Pack realistically
It’s tempting to bring everything you could ever want on holiday. When it comes to how to pack a suitcase efficiently though, you’ll need to focus just on what you actually need. You don’t need more shoe options than you can possibly wear. And there’s no need to pack multiple pairs of something (unless it’s pants or socks, of course!) as you can always do laundry while you’re away.
I always begin by looking at my itinerary carefully. You can then streamline your packing for what you’re definitely doing – not what you might do. This will save space in your suitcase and help you find what you’re looking for more quickly while you’re away.
6. Whittle down the wardrobe
Unless inspiring FOMO on Instagram is your number one holiday goal, you don’t need to pack endless wardrobe options for fun photo shoots. A capsule wardrobe of basics with a few nicer items thrown in for evenings out is the way to go.
Packing less will keep you more organised and less stressed. Consider items in solid colours or neutral tones that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks.
7. Use packing cubes
If you’re incapable of stripping back your wardrobe when you travel, this is my number one packing tip. Packing cubes will help you save room in your bag by compressing your garments to eliminate wasted space. Even if you don’t often over pack, I still strongly recommend cubes to keep everything organised and more readily accessible.
Rummaging through a messy suitcase to find that one specific swimming costume is not the vibe you want on holiday. Instead, you can avoid chaotic bags with simple cubes. They can also come in handy at the airport if one bag is over the weight limit. Just pull out a packed cube and stick it in another suitcase!
8. Roll your clothes
9. Rolling suitcases are your friends
10. Stuff your shoes
I never leave my shoes empty for two important reasons: I’m a shoe lover and a space saver. Leaving shoes unstuffed inside a suitcase subjects them to scrunching and squishing, often damaging them or wearing them out more quickly.
I always stuff my shoes fully with socks, underwear, swimmers or anything that can deal with a little wrinkling. It protects my shoes and it maximises valuable space in the bag that would otherwise be wasted.
11. Bag your shoes
The bottoms of shoes touch bathroom floors, streets, sidewalks and all manner of places you wouldn’t throw your clean clothes on. Protect the contents of your suitcase by bagging shoes individually before packing (this is also super handy for keeping sand from spreading around your luggage after trips to the beach). You can find shoe bags for sale if you want to get fancy, but plastic shopping bags work, too.
12. Bring mini toiletries
Even if you’ve paid extra for hold luggage, I’d still recommend only bringing travel minis of all your toiletries. Most of the time, you’ll only be going away for a few days or a couple of weeks at a time. There’s no need to bring an entire bottle of conditioner or the full size pots of all of your face care products.
Plus, you’ll be able to stash your mini toiletries in your hand luggage if your suitcase is already stuffed with clothes. If you’re flying from the UK, your liquid allowance for hand luggage is up to a litre in total split between max 100ml bottles or containers.
You can buy mini toiletries in most pharmacies. Or why not invest in some small travel size bottles which you can reuse again and again? The only exception I have to taking minis is sun cream. I’ll always pack full-size bottles in my hold luggage or even buy them at the airport once I’ve gone through security to keep my suitcase weight at a minimum at check in.
13. Remember to secure your liquids
Avoid soaking the entire contents of your suitcase by securing all of your toiletries and liquids. It’s okay to go a little overboard here—there’s a lot at stake. First, avoid glass bottles where possible, as they have more potential to break. Always double check the caps are secure on all your bottles, too, to avoid leaks.
Never put liquids in your bag loose, either. Instead, I’ll either place them in a zip-lock bag (essential in hand luggage) or store them in a compact toiletries bag that sits easily at the top of my hold luggage.
✈️ Pro packing tips: These may not have the highest quality lids or seals, so I encourage you to tape them shut or at least secure them in sealed bags.
14. Leave some space for souvenirs
As well as risking going over the weight limit, filling your suitcase to the brim has another downside. I’m talking about souvenir space, of course! Even if you don’t plan to shop much on your trip, you may receive gifts from business colleagues, family or even a hotel amenity (hello, fancy complimentary toiletries).
I always plan ahead by keeping a small bit of space empty in a bag. This doesn’t need to be much – especially if you’re using a hard-shell suitcase. Leaving too much space empty can risk your bag becoming dented or getting crushed en route.
If you tend to over-shop for souvenirs and other goodies, you may want to pack an emergency duffel bag that you can fill with clothing on your way home. Then you can keep all your lovely new keepsakes protected in your suitcase for the flight!
15. Make a list – and check it twice!
16. Give your bag an identity
You may want to add some flair to your checked baggage so you can easily identify it when it arrives at the baggage carousel (and prevent others from mistakenly taking it). This could take the form of colourful luggage tags, stickers or a piece of bright fabric tied to the handle.
Your bag should have even more of an identity than this, though. In case it gets lost en route, it’s extremely helpful if your suitcase contains personal identification information such as your name, contact details, and home address. While you may not want to advertise this on exterior luggage tags, you can include it on a slip of paper inside your bag instead.
How this guide was created
I’ve been travelling since I was two weeks old and now have packing down to a fine art. Constantly visiting new destinations with varied climates, cultures and customs, I’m all too familiar with the importance of savvy packing tips. I love to stay prepared without spending too much time stressing over logistics. This guide combines my extensive travel experience with a few of KAYAK’s expert tips.
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Packing tips FAQs
What do I need to pack for a 7-day trip?
When it comes to packing tips for week-long trips, I’d be sure to have fresh socks and underwear for each day. I then usually pack at least four bottoms and five tops that can be mixed and matched. Vary these choices based on activities. Will you need trousers or a long skirt for dinner or will you be wearing shorts every day? I’d also add layers as needed for colder temperatures or rainy skies.
You’ll be safest with a pair of comfy athletic shoes and dressier footwear. If you’ve got more space in your suitcase, you can always add more options once you’ve got the basics in.
How do I pack for a business trip?
Business trips often require multiple outfits for each day, so careful packing is a must. This is especially true as suits and other business wear can be particularly bulky. Save space by subtly repeating garments whenever possible. Casual items can be re-paired to create new outfits and neutral suits can be re-worn with different colour shirts for completely new looks.
Business garments should be carefully packed to require less prep at your final destination and should be given priority in your suitcase. After all, they’re the real reason for the trip!
