Going on vacation can be thrilling. What’s not so exciting? The planning and packing beforehand.
Whether you’re a last-minute packer or a precision planner, you won’t want to miss these tips, hacks, and favorite products to make packing—and traveling!—a dream.
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few travel packing tips that make the process a whole lot easier—from organizing my suitcase with compression cubes/bags to making sure the little things I always need are actually coming with me.
Because nothing kills that vacation excitement quite like arriving at your destination and realizing the one thing you desperately need is sitting at home.
So, let’s pack like a pro!
1. Travel Packing Tips Start With a Good List
I know, I know. Making a list isn’t exactly groundbreaking advice. But it works.
Instead of throwing everything into your suitcase the night before your flight, start a packing list several days before your trip. I like breaking things into categories such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, electronics, travel documents, medications, accessories and carry-on essentials.
Keep the list somewhere convenient so you can add things whenever you remember them.
And don’t immediately throw the list away when your trip is over. If you travel frequently, save it and use it as the starting point for your next adventure.
2. Compression Cubes/Bags Are Your Friend
As someone who is absolutely capable of overpacking, anything that helps me organize my suitcase is welcome.
I use compression packing cubes, especially for keeping different types of clothing organized. Instead of digging through an entire suitcase looking for one shirt, I can separate tops, bottoms, underwear, socks or even complete outfits.
For bigger suitcases, I also use roll-up compression bags. They’re especially useful for bulkier clothing when I’m trying to reclaim some precious suitcase space.
Just remember: compression gives you more space. It does not magically make your suitcase weigh less. Unfortunately, you can absolutely compress your way into an overweight-baggage fee.
3. Pack for the Trip—and Luggage—You’re Actually Taking
I don’t have one luggage rule for every trip.
Sometimes a carry-on is plenty. Other times, depending on where I’m going and how long I’ll be there, I’m checking a suitcase. And that’s okay! The goal isn’t to prove that you can spend three weeks in Europe with one backpack and a toothbrush.
Think about the actual trip. How long will you be gone? What’s the weather? Will you have access to laundry? Are you changing cities frequently? Are you flying on airlines with restrictive baggage allowances?
If I’m moving around constantly, lighter luggage becomes much more appealing. If I’m staying somewhere longer, checking a bag may make more sense.
Pack for your trip, not someone else’s minimalist packing challenge.
4. Plan Your Outfits Before You Pack
We’ve all done it. You pack several cute outfits “just in case” and return home having worn approximately half of them.
Instead, look at your itinerary and ask yourself: What am I actually going to be doing?
If you’re spending most of your vacation walking around a city, you probably don’t need five fancy outfits. Choose pieces you can mix and match and shoes that work with multiple outfits.
This is an area where I’m still learning to take my own advice because overpacking and I have history. LOL But every unnecessary item becomes considerably less cute when you’re the one dragging the suitcase.
5. Wear Your Bulkiest Items
Trying to squeeze sneakers, boots, a jacket and a sweater into your suitcase? Wear some of the bulky stuff while you’re traveling.
Heavy shoes and outerwear take up valuable luggage space. Wearing them on the plane or train can leave more room in your suitcase without forcing you to leave them behind. You can always remove your jacket once you’re seated. Just remember that comfort still matters.
A six-hour flight is probably not the time to debut the world’s least comfortable pair of boots.
6. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is one of my travel must-haves, especially when I’m visiting somewhere hot.
Long sightseeing days can mean a lot of walking, and realizing you’ve barely had anything to drink all day isn’t a great way to end one. Depending on the destination and local water situation, a filtered water bottle may also be useful. Just research whether the local tap water is considered appropriate for travelers to drink rather than assuming.
When you’re flying, take your bottle through airport security empty, then fill it afterward where appropriate. It’s simple, reusable and can save you from constantly buying bottles of water throughout your trip.
7. Bring a Stain Remover—and Consider Laundry Supplies for Longer Trips
My personal suitcase staple is a Tide stain remover pen. Because apparently food tastes better when you’re wearing a shirt you don’t want to stain.
For longer trips, travel-size laundry detergent or laundry packets can also be useful. Being able to wash underwear, socks, shirts and other basics along the way means you don’t necessarily need enough clothing for every single day of a long trip.
If you’re moving between destinations, doing a little laundry can be considerably easier than dragging an enormous suitcase behind you.
Whatever liquids or detergents you bring, seal them properly. Laundry detergent exploding inside your suitcase is definitely not the kind of travel memory we’re trying to create.
8. Keep Liquids Contained
Speaking of things exploding in your suitcase…
Put toiletries and other liquids inside sealed bags or secure toiletry pouches. Shampoo does not respect boundaries.
You can also reduce how much you’re carrying by transferring products into appropriately sized travel containers. You probably don’t need an entire full-size bottle of shampoo for a four-day trip.
And if you’re flying with liquids in your carry-on, check the current security requirements that apply to the airports and countries on your itinerary before packing.
9. Keep Important Things With You
Checked luggage gets delayed. It happens. Don’t put something in your checked suitcase if losing access to it would create a serious problem.
I keep essentials like identification, wallet, phone, important travel documents, medications, electronics and valuables with me rather than putting them in checked luggage.
For longer trips, putting a change of clothes and a few basic necessities in your carry-on isn’t a bad idea either. If your checked suitcase decides to take its own vacation, at least you’ll have enough to get through the beginning of yours.
10. Pack a Personal-Item Survival Kit
There are certain things I really don’t want to travel without.
My personal must-haves include:
- Portable charger
- Travel adapter
- Headphones
- Neck pillow
- Snacks
- Medications
- Chewing gum
- ChapStick or lip gloss
The portable charger has become particularly important because I’ve experienced the joy of having my phone die while trying to order a rideshare. Would not recommend.
The adapter is another big one for international travel. Check which plug type and voltage standards your destination uses before you leave rather than discovering after arrival that none of your chargers fit the wall.
And then there’s the ChapStick. I may be willing to navigate unfamiliar transportation, travel alone, deal with delayed trains and figure things out as I go.
But I refuse to travel the world with chapped lips. We all have our boundaries. LOL
11. Leave Some Room in Your Suitcase
If your suitcase requires you to sit on top of it to get it closed before you’ve even left home, we have a problem. Leave some space!
You may buy souvenirs. You may go shopping. You may discover something at your destination that absolutely has to come home with you. Even if you buy nothing, somehow your belongings seem to expand during vacation.
I don’t know how. It’s one of life’s great mysteries. Give yourself some breathing room from the beginning.
12. Weigh Your Bag Before You Leave
I use a luggage scale because airport check-in is not where I want to discover that I’ve packed too much. Especially considering my previously mentioned relationship with overpacking.
Check the baggage allowance for your particular airline, route and fare before you leave. If you’re using multiple airlines during the same trip, check each one rather than assuming the rules will be identical.
And remember what I said about compression bags: Smaller does not mean lighter. Your suitcase may look beautifully compact while quietly plotting an overweight-baggage fee.
13. Give Yourself Time
My final packing tip might be the simplest: Don’t wait until the absolute last minute.
Packing at 1:00 a.m. before a 6:00 a.m. flight is how you end up bringing three phone chargers but forgetting underwear. Give yourself enough time to think.
Lay everything out. Check your list. Check the weather one more time. Make sure your important documents and medications are where they need to be. Then remove some of the things you know perfectly well you’re not going to use. Then pack.
Travel is unpredictable enough without creating unnecessary chaos before you’ve even left the house.
Pack Smarter, Travel Easier
You don’t need the world’s most expensive luggage or an elaborate packing system to travel well. The best travel packing tips are often the simplest ones, and a little organization goes a long way.
Make a list. Pack clothes you’ll actually wear. Use compression cubes/bags if they work for you. Keep your important things accessible. Bring water. Charge your portable battery. Weigh your suitcase. And for the love of comfortable lips, pack the ChapStick. LOL
Most importantly, remember: You probably need less than you think!
The goal isn’t to pack your entire life into a suitcase. It’s to bring what you need, leave some room for the unexpected and get out there and enjoy the adventure.
Happy travels!