How To Pack for Travel: 18 Tips & Tricks To Make Packing Easier
Wondering how to pack for your next trip? You’re in the right place!
Packing for any trip can be a daunting experience. Trust us, we have made countless errors during our 10 years of travel together.
In Peru, we didn’t bring enough warm clothes and froze our sweet butts off. On our first trip to Italy, we brought too many clothes and had to drag our heavy suitcases around in the heat. Thankfully, we have learned from our mistakes!
Over the years, we have narrowed, and perfected, our packing routine. We know how to pack for travel, including what travel items are essential, what packing tricks save space and time, and things to avoid when packing your bags!
So, whether you are heading to a beach in Thailand, or planning a getaway to Prague – we’ve got you covered with these 18 helpful tips on how to pack for your next destination.
#1 Opt for a Suitcase
We are not backpackers, so our choice of luggage is always a carry-on-size suitcase. Here’s why…
A Suitcase Has Wheels
The option to roll your luggage around can save your body from additional pain. This can also save you energy. When you have a full day of travel, this is very important. For those with chronic pain, it is essential.
Easier to Stay Organized
Packing a suitcase allows for more control and organization than a backpack. Similar items can be put into smaller bags, making things more organized and easier to find. There is also less wasted space in a suitcase.
Find Items Faster
Since you open a suitcase like a book, you can see many of your items instantly. This means you can access your belongings faster. There will be no need to dig to the bottom of a backpack to find them.
Offers More Protection
A suitcase will protect your items from damage since the exterior is firmer than a backpack. This makes a big difference if you are bringing delicate souvenirs home. Plus, many new suitcases are made with a harder shell, offering even more protection.
More Convenient
The overhead compartments on airplanes are designed for carry-on suitcases. If you have a backpack, you will need to be mindful of the straps when walking down aisles or putting them on the luggage belt.
Wrinkle Free Clothes
There is always the possibility of laying your clothes flat in a suitcase. Your first business meeting or dinner out in your new destination will be wrinkle-free! Backpacks do not allow for this.
Option to Carry Additional Bags
Since suitcases are flat on all sides, you can easily put another bag or backpack on top of your suitcase. This takes the additional weight off your shoulders when going through an airport or train station.
#2 Choose Lightweight Luggage
One of the most important tips when packing for travel is to choose a lightweight suitcase no heavier than 8 pounds when empty.
We recommend this lightweight suitcase, it spins effortlessly, making it ideal for people with chronic pain and fatigue.
Plus, it expands! We love this feature and use it on almost every trip. It allows us to pack extra items that we can dispose of as we travel.
By the end of the trip, the overall weight and size of our suitcase are reduced. Of course, this means you will then have extra room for souvenirs to bring home!
#3 Watch the Overall Luggage Weight
Check the luggage policy of the airline you are flying with before you start packing. This can save you time, money, and stress at the airport.
Most airlines have a baggage weight allowance of 21kg or 46 lbs. When your suitcase is packed, ensure the total weight does not exceed this.
Remember, a heavier bag puts additional weight on someone’s shoulders. From our experience, 21 kg is a big pain to drag around. Keep that in mind if you are using any form of public transport.
When we travel, we try and stick to one carry-on suitcase each, and a single backpack. For people planning a trip with chronic pain, be honest with yourself and consider your personal limits.
#4 Make a Packing List
Prior to any trip, make a packing list of every item you plan to bring. This is an example of our packing list for a month of travel.
We start this process a couple of weeks before we leave. That way, we can add to it as we remember things. This makes packing for travel so much easier.
By creating a list, you are less likely to forget important items, like medication or sunscreen. The last thing you want to do is search for something and realize you forgot to pack it!
Stay organized by grouping similar items that can be packed together later. This can save you time when you are looking for a specific item in your luggage.
#5 Check the Weather
Make sure you pack appropriately for the weather in your destination. Remember, just because it’s a beach destination doesn’t mean you should only pack shorts and a tank top.
We went to Cancun this December. The evenings were cooler than expected. Thankfully, we checked the forecast beforehand and made sure to bring pants and a light sweater.
Also, don’t forget that airplanes can get cold. Even if your destination is hot, we recommend a sweater and pants for the trip in between.
We purchased some amazing travel hoodies during COVID when we couldn’t travel and loved them! Check these out from Tee Public.
For those with chronic pain, you know that getting a cold can intensify your pain. Take care of yourself and bring what you need to stay warm and comfortable.
Check out my tips on How to Plan a Trip with Chronic Pain.
#6 Pack Light
When packing for any trip, remember, the fewer items you pack, the lighter your bags will be. It’s as simple as that.
Whatever you pack for your trip, adds weight to your bags. Remember, you must carry (or drag) your bags through airports, train stations, on cobbled streets, up steep hills, or possibly through sandy beaches.
You will need to lift your bags into the overhead compartments of airplanes, the trunk of a taxi, or up the stairs of your hotel.
Do your best to avoid bringing extra items. It may seem like a challenging task, but the lighter you can pack, the easier your trip will be.
Check out our tips for Surviving Air Travel too!
#7 Narrow Your List
We’ve all been there. You pack way too many clothes that you never end up wearing on your trip. This adds weight and takes up space for items or souvenirs you may want to buy later.
Everyone thinks they will need a few dressy outfits for nights out on the town. We were no exception. However, in our experience, we learned that ONE dressy outfit is enough.
Don’t worry about packing a different outfit for every possible situation. People usually prefer to travel in comfort, not style.
Pack items that are versatile and can be dressed up or down.
#8 Leave Valuables at Home
Thankfully, we have not been robbed on our travels… yet. But we have heard horror stories just like you.
Although it may be more of a possibility in certain countries, we choose to minimize our risk anywhere we go.
Leave your expensive jewelry at home. We travel with our wedding bands, and nothing else. Expensive jewelry or small valuables can make you more visible and a target to thieves.
Plus, small items have a higher chance of getting lost in the chaos of packing/unpacking in different locations. Save yourself the hassle and just leave them at home.
#9 Organize with Small Packing Bags
One of the best tricks when packing for travel is to pack similar items together in small packing bags. This trick can greatly improve the organization of items in your suitcase.
Plus, it is efficient and can significantly cut down on time when searching for an item in your bag!
We always use several small organizer bags on every trip we take for things like electronics or first aid.
We do our best to travel sustainably and, if possible, will reuse small cloth bags we receive from things like make-up promotions.
We have purchased larger organizer cubes for things like toiletries or medications. They fit together so nicely too. We find that transparent, waterproof bags work best for us, both at home and while traveling.
#10 Yes, You Can Bring Liquids
We always try to avoid checking a bag if possible. Most times one piece of luggage is included in the airline ticket you purchase… but not always.
Traveling with only a carry-on suitcase could save you the cost of paying for a checked bag, and time once you arrive at your destination.
With a carry-on, there is no need to stand amongst the herd staring at the empty conveyor belt as it circles the terminal.
If you decide to bring only a carry-on suitcase, then remember the rules about liquids. Nothing over 3.4 ounces or 100ml. Items like toothpaste, hair gel, shampoo, sunscreen, and lotions fit into this category.
We like to transfer larger liquids from home, like that huge bottle of shampoo you own, into a smaller reusable container of 100ml. This way, you limit the amount of shampoo you bring, and reduce your plastic waste.
Nevertheless, all liquids will need to be kept together when going through airport security. So, keeping them in the same small packing bag will save you additional stress at the airport!
#11 Purchase Items Abroad
If you are concerned that your suitcase might be overweight, rest assured, almost any item can be purchased at your destination.
This includes everything from phone cards, books, clothing, medications, toiletries, backpacks, winter accessories, or beach items. Thanks to globalization… our big, beautiful world has everything!
#12 Wrap Shoes in Plastic Bags
We use this packing trick on every trip we take. Protect your clothes by wrapping your shoes in a plastic bag before you place them in a suitcase.
With a layer of plastic around your shoes, there will be no transfer of dirt onto your clean clothes.
Plus, there are so many uses for plastic bags when you travel. It can serve as a laundry bag, a cheap shopping bag, a seat protector for a dirty bench, or a place for your wet swimsuit when you’re in a rush.
#13 Pack Heavy Items on the Bottom
Always pack heavier items like books or shoes at the bottom of your suitcase, close to where the wheels are.
This way, when the suitcase is upright, you reduce the chance of squishing lighter or more delicate items.
This travel packing tip should be considered when traveling to and from your destination.
Wrap any delicate or breakable souvenirs in thick clothing, before placing them in your luggage. This provides extra padding for the journey home.
#14 Roll… Don’t Fold
Rolling your clothes is a huge space saver as it takes up less space than folded clothes. This allows you to maximize the space in your luggage.
It might sound crazy, but rolled clothes are also less likely to wrinkle. We tend to roll as many pieces of clothing as possible. When you arrive at your destination, you can unpack and flatten (or iron) your clothes.
When we moved abroad, we purchased a travel iron before we left. Consider the Sunbeam Travel Iron if you are traveling for work or a special event.
#15 Use Every Inch of Your Suitcase
Your suitcase is bigger than you think! Consider these space-saving tricks when you pack for your next trip!
Bottom Layer
Stuff shoes with socks or underwear, before wrapping them in a plastic bag. Layer heavy and non-essentials at the bottom. This layer helps add protection for delicate items.
Middle Layer
Create the perfect puzzle with your smaller organizer bags and rolled clothes. They fit nicely together and help ensure a flat surface for the final layer.
Top Layer
This layer is reserved for delicate clothes or anything you need immediately when you first arrive. We prefer to use this space for our computer, which we wrap in a sweater for protection.
Outside Pockets
Front external pockets allow quick access to anything important. If you are carrying on your suitcase, this is a great spot for keys, masks, medications, and travel documents.
#16 Choose One Personal Item
Each passenger is allowed one carry-on suitcase and one personal item on board the aircraft. This item can be a purse, laptop bag, or a small backpack and must follow specific size requirements.
It is best to check with your airline beforehand.
When we check our luggage, my carry-on is our camera bag and Gavin has a backpack with our laptop, and other items we prefer to have on the plane.
We learned a valuable lesson when our checked luggage never arrived on our trip to Greece. Not only did this cause some anxiety, but we were stuck in our long pants and hoodies until our bags arrived the next day.
Greece… in the summer… sweat everywhere. Lesson learned, universe.
From now on, if we decide to check luggage, we make sure to pack a weather-friendly change of clothes and a toothbrush in our personal item for the plane. We suggest you do the same.
#17 Keep Medications on You
This is one of the most important tips when packing for travel. It is essential that you keep all necessary prescribed medication on you.
Even if you pack them in your carry-on suitcase, there is still a risk the overhead bins on the airplane will fill up. When this happens, flight attendants can instruct you to check your luggage.
To avoid any missed doses of important medication, always keep it in your purse or laptop bag. That way, you can ensure you take your medications at the correct time.
Check out our tips for Surviving Air Travel too!
#18 Keep Travel Documents on You
As with our medication, we keep all travel documents on us in our personal carry-on.
We do not want to risk losing them if our checked luggage gets lost. This includes passports, immigration/visa documents, vaccine information, airplane tickets, hotel, and car rental reservations.
Although we are living in a digital age, we still prefer to print out all travel forms and reservations.
This system works for us and helps us stay organized. For example, if our cell phones cannot connect to the spotty airport Wi-Fi, we can still present a copy of our reservation to the car rental company.
Anything you can do to reduce your stress on travel days… do it!
Remember to Go with the Flow
Just like life, traveling comes with its fair share of surprises – good and bad. There is no need to panic.
So, it is best to plan ahead. There is always a possibility that something could go wrong. And of course, this can make us feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or intensify our pain levels.
The more you can plan in advance – the easier it will be to jump through those hurdles when they happen.
Whether it is missing a train, a delayed flight, or losing a bag – breath. Try not to let it get to you. Go with the flow and know that someone will help you if you need it.
FAQ’s: How to Pack for Travel
What is the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method?
This is a countdown, 5 socks and underwear, 4 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 shoes, 1 hat.
How many bras to pack for 2 weeks?
3 Bras minimum, but you will probably need to do a bit of laundry.
How do you pack everything for travel?
We like the individual containers in the suitcase for organization. And take a look at our tips above, like rolling things.
How many clothes to pack for 10 days?
Our recommendation would be to pack for 5 different outfits, and do laundry… then mix and match.
Is it better to roll or fold clothes in a suitcase?
Ultimately, it depends on the item… but roll if you can!
Are packing cubes really worth it?
If you are needing organization, packing cubes can definitely help. You can also use zippered bags and ziplock.
Final Thoughts: How to Pack for Travel
Hopefully, you found these 18 tips on how to pack for your next travel destination insightful and helpful.
Maybe this post will alleviate some pressure and help you get over that first hurdle, so you can focus on the exciting part of traveling!
Just remember, the lighter you pack and the more organized you are… the easier and more enjoyable everything will be.
And that’s what we all want – right? A travel experience that is carefree, relaxing, and amazing!
Let us know if you have any questions… otherwise, enjoy your journey!
