Whether you’re an eager packer with checklists in hand a week before the trip or prefer to wait until the last minute, the question of what to pack is one we all eventually share. But it doesn’t have to be stressful. No matter where you’re headed or why you’re going, the process should be painless if you’re armed with these travel packing tips from an experienced traveller.
My 16 top tips on how to pack a suitcase
Have you confirmed that your bags respect the weight and size limits of the chosen airline? Prioritise that and then check out my expert tips for packing a suitcase to be a travel master.
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 so you’ll know what charges to expect at the airport, but you can also keep this in mind before booking if you know how much you want to 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. Comply with your limits
Having to repack your bags at the check-in counter because you exceeded the weight limit is frustrating enough—not to mention potentially embarrassing—but exceeding size limits is another matter. 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, too.
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 to 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. Honestly, it’s also fun to just try it out!
3. Prioritise your hand luggage
4. Be ready for airport security
Security officers will often ask for laptops and liquids to be removed from bags, so keep them within easy reach in your hand luggage. Keep all medications together, too, in case of additional inspection by an officer—it’ll get you out of there faster if you do require more screening. To be prepared for the security line, read what is not allowed on a plane in your hand luggage.
5. Pack according to reality
It’s tempting to bring everything you could ever want on your trip but focus more on what you will actually need. It’s not often necessary to bring lots of entertainment on holiday (unless young children are coming along) and you don’t need more shoe options than you can possibly wear. Look at your itinerary and streamline your selections by packing for what you’re definitely doing, not what you may 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
If inspiring FOMO on Instagram is your number one holiday goal, then, by all means, pack a bunch of eye-popping outfits for fun photo shoots. But if you’re not an influencer on the rise, you don’t actually need endless wardrobe options on the road.
Packing less will keep you more organised and less stressed, so consider solids and neutrals that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks.
7. Use packing cubes
If you can’t be convinced to pack less, packing cubes will help you save room in your bag by compressing your garments to eliminate wasted space. Even if you don’t overpack, 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 can be both stressful and a serious waste of your holiday time, so avoid chaotic bags with simple cubes. These 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, or carry it onboard if you don’t have another suitcase.
8. Roll your clothes
9. Keep it rolling
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 subjects them to scrunching and squishing inside the suitcase, 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 some wrinkling. It protects my shoes and it maximises valuable space in the bag that would otherwise be wasted.
11. Bag your shoes
Quite simply, the bottoms of shoes touch bathroom floors, streets, sidewalks, and all manner of places you wouldn’t throw your clean clothes before wearing them. 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 an extra bag
From last-minute trips to the pool before heading to the airport or sudden downpours on the go, you may find yourself wet just before packing for a variety of reasons while travelling. If you don’t have time to let your clothes dry fully, an extra bag will help keep the rest of your items from getting wet in the suitcase. Extra bags also come in handy for garments that get particularly dirty, or simply for anything you want to separate from the rest of your items.
13. Secure your liquids
Avoid soaking the entire contents of your suitcase by securing all of your liquids. It’s okay to go a little overboard here—there’s a lot at stake. First, avoid glass bottles when possible, as they have more potential to break, and try not to bring full-size containers of liquids and creams—they waste too much space.
Travel-size toiletry containers are ideal for packing reasonable amounts of product in unbreakable materials, and you can buy empty ones for little expense.
✈️ Pro tip: 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 when packing.
14. Leave some space
If you fill your suitcase to the brim, you’ll have no space for souvenirs. Even if you don’t plan to shop, you may receive gifts from business colleagues, family visits, or a hotel amenity, so plan ahead by keeping a small bit of space empty in your bag. Even if you use a hard-shell suitcase, don’t leave too much space empty or you’ll risk damage to the bag from easier denting and crushing 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 so your plentiful purchases remain protected in your suitcase.
15. Make a list and check it twice
If you leave something behind at home, you’ll see it again after your trip, but if you leave it behind on holiday, it’s most likely gone forever.
16. Give your bag an identity
You may have heard that you should 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). These are wise words, and they can take the form of colourful luggage tags, stickers, or a piece of bright fabric tied to the handle. But your bag should have even more of an identity than this.
In case of lost luggage, it’s extremely helpful if your suitcase contains personal identification information, like 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 travel every week and have been maintaining this hectic schedule for years. Constantly visiting new domestic and international destinations with varied climates, cultures, and customs, I’m all too familiar with the importance of savvy packing, which keeps me prepared and comfortable without taking too much thought or time. I’ve combined this extensive packing experience with KAYAK’s expert tips and tools to create this guide.
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How to pack a suitcase FAQs
What do I need to pack for a 7-day trip?
In general, be sure to have fresh socks and underwear for each day, along with at least four bottoms and five tops that can be mixed and matched for some re-wearing with a new look. Vary these choices based on activities (will you need trousers or a long skirt for dinner, or will you be wearing shorts every day?), and add layers as needed for climate concerns, like cold temps or rainy skies. You’ll be safest with both a pair of athletic shoes and dressier footwear. As space permits, you can add more options for varied looks, conditions, and activities.
How do I pack for a business trip?
Business trips often require multiple outfits for each day—business and casual – so careful packing is a must if space is limited, especially as suits and other business accoutrements can be 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—anything that can be repeated should be repeated (unless you have unlimited space). Business garments should be carefully packed to require less prep at the destination and should be given priority in the suitcase—they’re the real reason for the trip.
