Packing for your next adventure shouldn’t feel like a game of Tetris!
And with the best travel packing hacks (and a dash of common sense), it doesn’t have to!
Packing can actually be both an enjoyable (yes, really!) and satisfying experience.
That’s why I’m bringing you my 21 top packing travel hacks – they’re the literal definition of working smarter, not harder and will change your travel life… I promise!
Related Posts
- 12 Long Flight Essentials You Can’t Board Without!
- Best Carry On Packing Tips for Long Haul Flights in Economy
- Best eSIM for Travel in Europe inc the UK
#1 Packing Cubes are your Travel BFFs
Kicking things off on this packing hack list, are a top travel item I love!
No longer a secret amongst savvy travellers – they’re a necessity in my book!
Yes, I’m talking about packing cubes!
Allowing you to organise your clothes into separate compartments, which helps you locate everything easily, packing cubes remove the need to rummage through the entire suitcase, making a messy pile of clothes in the process.
You can also use packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes, while away, keeping clean clothes fresh.
Then, when you’re ready to wash your dirty clothes, your handy packing cube suddenly doubles as a dirty laundry bag – how convenient!
And finally, you can also get compression packing cubes, which not only help you stay organised, but also save you space by condensing down your clothing too – genius!
#2 Shrink It to Win It
And talking of condensing clothes, who wants to wrestle with a bursting suitcase at the airport?
Definitely not me!
Enter the vacuum pack storage cube, which is a step up from the regular packing cube!
By removing excess air, these handy guys allow you to shrink bulky items, like coats and jumpers, to a fraction of their original size by sucking air out of them.
All of a sudden, your clothes take less space than usual!
There’s lots of these travel-specific vacuum storage cubes now entering the market, which are specifically designed for suitcases and backpacks, and normally include a small, hand-held vacuum pump.
Once you’ve packed and sealed the bags, you can easily remove the air and condense those clothes right down using this handy tool.
And because the pump is small, you can easily travel with it, and then use it to condense down your clothes for your return journey too!
I find these vacuum storage products especially helpful when I’m flying with budget airlines and don’t want to pay for additional luggage, as they really do help me cram more into my under the seat bag!
Check out these travel-specific vacuum storage cubes for more ideas.
#3 Outsmart Budget Airlines and Pack like a Pro
And talking of budget airlines, it’s obvious we all stand to benefit from a few other clever travel packing hacks that help keep those baggage costs down.
Often having strict weight restrictions for carry-on bags especially, packing light is key to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to these budget flights.
With any luck (and a short trip), they’ve even helped me get away with only an under the seat bag… I know!
Kicking off my budget airline packing hacks is research.
You’ll definitely want to double check the specific baggage restrictions of the airline you’re flying with – as they do differ between companies and you don’t want to get caught out!
Remember to include the wheels and handles of your luggage in these measurements too.
Next, I suggest you invest in a luggage scale at home, which you can use to confirm how heavy your bag is.
After all, it’s not just luggage size airlines are strict on, but weight too and you don’t want checked bag fees or delayed luggage to derail your travel plans.
For toiletries, (re)use travel-sized containers to keep below any liquid restrictions and consider using solid alternatives, like shampoo bars, to save space as well.
And finally, don’t forget our friends the vacuum packing cubes – see point #2!
#4 (Hat) Clip and Carry
And another fav packing tips of mine, and one that’s great for budget airlines too, is to invest in a hat clip.
If you’ve ever packed your favourite hat, only to find it misshapen and wrinkled once you arrived in your destination, then you’ll love this top travel tip.
Hat clips are a simple, yet ingenious solution to carrying hats when you travel, as well as other holiday items like in-flight neck pillows (I love the Trtl Travel Pillow FYI).
All you have to do is attach one end of the hat clip to your hand luggage (usually it’s a metal ring with an opening and closing part) and then attach your travel items to the other, magnetic, end of the clip.
And voila, you’ve magically freed up your hands, avoided your hat getting squashed and saved valuable luggage space inside your bag as well!
Also, budget airlines, have never stopped me taking a hat and travel pillow, attached with a clip to the outside of my hand luggage, on a flight as an additional (unpaid for) cabin bag!
Hat clips also help keep your hat (and other items) secure – fastening them to your bag and ensuring you don’t forget them, or drop them, in the airport as I have also done in the past – DOH!
#5 Wear your Bulkiest Clothes OnBoard
And another packing hack for budget airlines especially, is to wear your heaviest clothing items on the flight.
Of course, when I say wear your bulky clothes, I don’t mean wearing so many of them that you look silly when you board the plane!
What I mean is instead of packing your coat, sweater, or other thicker clothes in your suitcase, why not layer them instead?
Not only will this save luggage space, but it can also double as a blanket during the flight.
We all know it can get chilly in the cabin sometimes!
You can layer a jacket with a jumper, t-shirt and jeans for a casual, chic vibe, or pair that lovely knit jumper you have with a pair of comfy leggings, 2 pairs of socks and a scarf.
Either way, you’ll be stylish and saving space in your bag!
And don’t forget to pack your sandals and wear your heaviest shoes onboard too – be they hiking boots or trainers, don’t have them weighing down your bag.
#6 Plan Your Packing Ahead
And talking of travel outfits, planning ahead of time, what you’re going to wear, is absolutely key when it comes to packing well.
Indeed, before you even think about opening your suitcase, you should definitely take a moment, or 2, to plan what you want to wear when away.
The key to getting this right is first checking the weather forecast in your destination – this will help you pack the right things (because there’s nothing worse than being caught in a downpour with no rain jacket!)
Secondly, think about the activities you’ll be doing when away – will you need comfy shoes for city walking? Or is it a full beach holiday with flip-flops on repeat? Fancy dress for restaurants? Or active walking for outdoor activities?
Plan accordingly!
Once you’ve got that sorted, create a packing list, jotting down everything you need to pack.
Start big, then ruthlessly whittle it down.
Trust me, you won’t need half of what you think!
#7 Mix and Match With a Capsule Wardrobe
And when it comes to whittling things down, I definitely advise you adopt a capsule wardrobe mindset for packing!
If you’ve ever wondered how some people can fit so many clothes for long trips in such a small cabin bag, this is the answer!
A capsule wardrobe requires you to put together a collection of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched in several different ways.
For example, you can plan to use the same comfy linen trousers, or tank top, in 3 separate outfits, instead of having different items per set.
Capsule wardrobes also ensure that you pack clothes of a similar colour scheme, so you can easily mix and match them.
Encouraging you to use your creativity during the packing process while helping you save space in your suitcase, travel capsule wardrobes are a win-win in my book!
#8 Choose Fabrics that Travel Well
And another thing to consider when planning your travel wardrobe is the fabrics of your soon-to-be packed clothes.
I get it: light fabrics like linen and silk are light, breathable and super comfy, and that’s always a top priority when travelling.
But the thing is, they also crease easily.
Who wants to walk around with stylish yet wrinkled linen trousers? Not me!
If you want to spend as much time as possible enjoying your destination, and not in your room ironing, then packing clothes that don’t wrinkle easily is a must.
After all, the idea is to just grab your clothes for the day and get out there!
#9 File your Clothes in a Folder
Let’s say the packing hack above just doesn’t work for you, because you simply refuse to leave home without one or two of your favourite silk tops!
Then what?
Well, here’s a top packing tip for travelling abroad with likely-to-crease fabrics… put your wrinkle-prone clothes in plastic file folders.
Now, I know that sounds strange, but here’s how it works…
You fold your garment normally and put it in the file folder, then pack them carefully into your case and then sandwich those folders between other things for extra security!
This rigid storage will stop your clothes from moving around during transit, as well as rubbing against other travel items, helping prevent friction and wrinkles.
Who said file folders are just for travel documents huh?!
#10 Stay Organised and Pack Smaller Bags
And it’s not just clothes you need to think about when packing of course.
Small bags (within bags / cases) are a secret weapon when it comes to packing like a pro.
I always throw in a tote bag or 2 for dirty laundry – they keep everything separate and tidy without taking up much room and can also be used for those random supermarket dashes!
You’ll also want to remember to pack a lightweight daypack in your case.
Whether you’re hitting the markets, going on a hike, or just wandering through town, a small backpack is perfect for carrying snacks, water, suncream, and all the little things you don’t want weighing down your shoulders all day.
Bonus points if it folds up small when not in use too!
Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!
Information will be sent to the email provided above
#11 The Magic of Travel Handwash
And travel handwash is another non-clothes item I always pack… and recommend you do too!
This is an absolute game-changer and a pro tip for the light packers out there!
Instead of over-compensating with pair after pair of underwear, socks, or t-shirts (we’ve all been there), bring just enough for a few days and give them a quick wash as you go.
No need to look for a laundry service, spend hours handwashing or or have giant suitcases stuffed with a week’s worth of gear (not to mention the cost if you’re flying with such a large suitcase!), a small bottle of travel handwash takes up virtually no space and lets you freshen up your essentials anywhere, anytime – think showers or sinks!
With this fab packing item, you can reduce the amount you’re hauling around and always have fresh clothes on hand without overstuffing your bag.
#12 Protect Liquids with Plastic Wrap
And on the subject of liquid packing items, it’s clear leaky toiletries / handwash do have the potential to ruin your clothes and other packed items – we’ve all had a shampoo burst in our travel bag I’m sure!
But thankfully, there is a simple trick to prevent this – enter plastic wrap!
A top hack of mine, simply place a small piece of plastic wrap over the opening of your shampoo, conditioner, or face wash bottles before screwing the lid on them and you’ve just created a tight seal that helps prevent leaks.
You can also use this technique on travel-sized bottles to prevent them from spilling in your hand luggage.
#13 Reuse and Refill Your Small Toiletry Bottles
And don’t forget to reuse and refill your travel size toiletry bottles too – you don’t need to buy new every time.
Using small toiletry bottles also helps you keep your luggage weight down, which could make the difference between having to pay for a checked bag and bringing it as carry-on luggage.
It can also make your experience at the security line a bit easier. Just grab your toiletry bag full of small bottles, and off you go.
Plus, refilling your bottles and not always buying travel-sized products, adds two more great benefits to this hack – 1. it will help you save money in the long run and 2. it helps you reduce plastic waste.
Who doesn’t want to travel green nowadays?
Ps. Packing your own toiletries is always a better option than relying on the products provided at your accommodation in my opinion.
#14 Secure Jewellery with a Pill Organiser
And when it comes to keeping your jewellery organised and untangled during travel – a pill organiser offers a simple solution.
Each compartment can hold different pieces, making sure necklaces don’t tangle and earrings stay paired.
This means you don’t have to keep untangling jewellery; everything is easy to find and less likely to get damaged or broken as well.
Compact and lightweight, pill organisers can even fit into your hand luggage without taking up much space and can also be used to store small items like hair ties, safety pins and buttons too.
#15 Roll up, Then Roll Out Your Clothes
And now we come to the art of packing itself.
No one likes wrinkled clothes, especially when travelling, but who has time to iron wrinkles away in a hotel room when there are so many sights to see and things to do?!
That’s why rolling your clothes is a great way to pack.
The rolling method prevents wrinkles, which is the last thing we want to see on holiday.
And if you pack cleverly, you can arrange your rolled clothes in a way that visually helps you pick out precisely what you need as well.
Forget folding, I’m all about the roll!
#16 Pack Vertically
And then, once you’ve rolled all your clothes and put them into packing or vacuum cubes, you’ll want to lie out your suitcase and begin packing from the bottom.
Sticking to this simple method will give you a quick visual packing list of everything you have in your suitcase.
That means no more forgotten or missed clothes or travel items you thought you’d packed!
#17 Put Heavy Things at the Bottom of Your Suitcase
No, I don’t mean put them at the “bottom,” i.e. the back of the suitcase – I mean put them at the bottom end, where your suitcase wheels are.
But what to put at the bottom first?
Well, I definitely advise the heavier packing cubes with bulkier clothes.
The idea here is to help your suitcase be as stable as possible when you stand it up and roll it, because when a suitcase is stable, it’s easier to clip or balance other things, like hand luggage, travel pillows and hats to the outside, without it tumbling over.
#18 Stuff Those Shoes
And then we come to the shoes.
If you’re packing any pairs with you, why not utilise the extra room inside them by stuffing them?
Shoes may be rigid, but that doesn’t mean you need to lose all of the real estate they occupy in your suitcase.
Instead of wondering where socks and underwear can go, why not stuff them in your shoes?
Then you’re free to use other compartments and packing cubes in your suitcase as you wish.
If you’re worried about a slightly smelly shoe, don’t be – you can put your socks and undies in zip-lock bags before stuffing them in the shoe.
That way, the smell won’t transfer!
And if you’re concerned about the outside of your shoes soiling your other items, why not consider plastic bags or shower caps over the soles?
A a couple of dryer sheets snuck in there too will also help minimise any smells!
#19 DIY Travel Pillow With a Pillowcase or Stuff a Travel Pillow With Clothes
And now we come to packing those items you’re going to take on the plane, train or bus.
If you think your pillowcases only belong at home, think again!
Pillowcases are your unsung travel heroes, and here’s why: They help you save money on a travel pillow and save you suitcase space!
All you have to do is grab a small pillowcase and then stuff it with some soft clothes you’re planning to wear on your travels – like jumpers, scarfs and leggings.
Another trick to try is stuffing a neck pillow with your smaller items like socks, underwear, or even a T-shirt.
This will free up valuable space in your hand luggage or suitcase and is an ingenious way to carry those essential smaller items without incurring extra baggage fees, especially if travelling with just hand luggage!
#20 Use a Shoulder Bag as an Undercover Personal Item
Any extra places for us to store small items, like a credit cards, phones, chargers or water bottles during travels are always a lifesaver, especially when you don’t have to pay to bring it onboard!
With most airlines, a small bag as hand luggage is included in your basic fare, but you still need somewhere to put your passport, wallet sunglasses and emergency change of undies!
The perfect place for these is a soft and discreet shoulder bag, which can even be hidden underneath your coat or jacket!
Not only do you have an extra bag now, but you also have easy access to your valuables and can keep them secure next to you in-flight as well.
Now, how’s that for multifunctional hacks?!
#21 Create a Travel Document Folder on Google Drive
And finally, we need to talk about prepping your travel documents when it comes to travel hacks.
Keeping all your travel documents organised and accessible is one of the most important stages of packing – it will make your life a lot easier on holiday if anything does go wrong.
My advice is to create a dedicated folder on Google Drive to store digital copies of essential documents such as your passport, travel insurance, flight tickets, and hotel reservations.
This way, you’ll always have access to them, even if you lose the physical copies.
Sharing the folder with a trusted friend or family member is also a good idea in emergencies.
You should also save important information such as local emergency numbers, vaccination records, the address of your accommodation, and copies of any important prescriptions.
A Google Drive folder can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, so you’ll always be prepared!
LIKE IT? PIN IT!
Saving you space, time, and money, these excellent packing travel hacks should serve you well in your travels.
Do you think I missed anything, or do you know a clever packing travel hack that no one knows yet?
Let me know by dropping it into the comments box below…
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
Love the tips! I suck at packing!
Glad you might find them useful Priya! Yes, I am a terrible packer too and even though I’m committed to journeying light, it always takes me about 6 repacks and several hours to get there! Tips like these help though, especially if you’re looking to conserve space!
Some great tips – we prefer to fold rather than roll our clothes as we find these work better with our eBag packing cubes. Help us to keep our stuff organised and avoid emptying the bag completely for that overnight stop.
Thanks guys, I’ve been hearing more and more about these packing cubes and how great they are. Will have to check them out, so thanks for reminding me!
Great tips! Sometimes it is really confusing how to manage your bags. Best regards
Agree Cindy, packing confuses the bleeps out of me normally! Glad you found the tips helpful!
Great tips all seen before though. One that’s also a good one is use a pen’s spring to protect your power cord from getting bent from rolling up.
That’s genius David – had never heard of that packing hack. Thanks for sharing!
Great tips! 🙂
Thanks Heliana 🙂
Really so helpful and informative post. I like this post. Thanks for the good post to sharing it with us.
Thank you