Packing has been a journey of personal growth for me. I used to be the person who packed everything, “just in case” I might need it. After years of lugging around suitcases filled with “what if” items, I finally learned to let go of the unnecessary and focus on packing smarter. The best part? My suitcase is so much lighter now!
Every trip is unique. The destination, the activities, the climate, and the length of the journey all play a role in what I pack. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and that’s okay.
What I’ve learned from years of overpacking—no one really notices if you wear the same shirt a few times (though repeating socks and underwear? Don’t do that.). The more efficiently I pack, the easier and more enjoyable my travels become. It makes prepping for a trip less stressful and gives me one less thing to worry about while on the go.
I’m excited to share my favorite packing tips and tricks that have helped me simplify my packing routine. Whether you’re a chronic over-packer or just looking for a few handy ideas, these suggestions will make your travel prep a breeze. Let’s get into the packing tips!
Choose the right luggage for your trip
Knowing what bag to use really comes down to your destination and how easy it is to get around. Choosing the right type of suitcase is definitely a personal decision, but if you’re planning to do a lot of exploring, only having one option to chose from can make your trip unnecessarily difficult.
Here’s how I typically think about which style to use:
- Roller suitcases: These are ideal for trips where you’re mostly shuttling between the airport and your accommodations. Opt for a hard-shell suitcase to handle the inevitable tossing around during transit.
- Backpack suitcases: Perfect for destinations with uneven streets, cobblestones, lots of stairs, or tight spaces. If you’re moving around a lot or using public transportation like metros and trains, a backpack is a lifesaver.
- Duffle bags with a shoulder strap: Honestly, I think these are the worst for travel. Every time I see someone struggling through an airport with one, switching it from shoulder to shoulder, I die a little inside. Avoid if you can – unless it’s a garment bag!
While I don’t want to judge your packing choices too harshly, some decisions—like bringing a roller suitcase to Venice, Italy—are just asking for trouble. You don’t need to splurge on the most expensive luggage, but don’t go too cheap either. Investing in good quality luggage saves you hassle and money in the long run.
Pack for what’s most likely to happen
As a naturally planful person, I know how hard this can be—trust me. But after all our trips, I can confidently say that packing for what’s most likely to happen is usually all we’ve ever needed.
This doesn’t mean you have to pack minimally; it just means you should pack smart. For me, I always pack an extra shirt or two because, well, I’m prone to spilling things. While I’d prefer not to buy extra stuff during our trip, sometimes it’s unavoidable, and that’s okay.
Give yourself permission to purchase certain items if needed. For instance, I always bring sunscreen with us. But, I don’t think it has to be a big deal to buy more at our destination if we run out. Often, many hotels or vacation rentals often have some available for guests anyways.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Traveling with kids, medical needs, or specific personal requirements may require additional planning and packing.
The key is to strike a balance between being prepared and not overburdening yourself with unnecessary items. Trust your judgment, and remember, you can always adapt and pick up essentials along the way if necessary.
Put a tag on your luggage
There are so many similar types of suitcases out there. Having a unique luggage tag on your suitcase makes it easy to spot and helps prevent someone else from mistakenly grabbing it.
A couple of years ago, I bought personalized tags from an Etsy shop, and they’ve made identifying our suitcases a breeze. I’m less worried about theft and more about someone accidentally picking up our bag. A unique tag can save you from the hassle of mix-ups, not just for checked luggage but also for carry-ons.
Ever had to stash your bag in an overhead bin far from your seat? A custom tag makes it easier for someone to recognize that it’s not their bag and also a way to contact you if a mix up happens. If you’re getting personalized tags, go for something sturdy that won’t break or be easily removed.
What contact details should you include in a personalized tag? I don’t want to give away all of our personal information so I only provide our first and last name, along with our phone number—including the country code. This makes it easy for the airline or another person to easily get in touch with us.
In addition to a luggage tag, I can’t recommend using AirTags in your luggage enough. The extra cost is worth the piece of mind to be able to track down and locate our items. And now with Airlines, like United, enabling the ability to share your AirTag location, this should make the recovery process much smoother in the future. Hopefully with other airlines following suit too.
Organize your suitcase as you pack
Avoid stuffing everything into your suitcase and struggling to zip it shut. Instead, pack strategically: place heavy items toward the bottom, line your shoes with their soles facing the suitcase shell, and roll your clothes instead of folding them. For extra organization points, use packing cubes.
Packing cubes are my absolute favorite travel trend from recent years. They limit the chaos of items scattering everywhere and help keep overpacking in check.
I prefer using small and medium-sized compression cubes. While I don’t always need the compression feature, it’s a handy option when I need extra space.
Bonus packing Tip
Place your shoes in a packing cube or wrap them in a plastic grocery bag or shower cap. This keeps dirt and grime off your clothes, ensuring they stay fresh and clean.
Pack a few household items
This tip is pretty niche, but when we’re on long trips to Europe or places where we plan to grocery shop and eat in often, I pack a few kitchen essentials:
- Ziplock bags: Vacation rentals usually don’t have these, and buying a whole box for just a few uses isn’t ideal. They take up almost no space, and I bring a few sizes for sandwiches, snacks, and other leftovers.
- Reusable grocery bags: I pack one or two, depending on our grocery needs. They’re handy for carrying groceries, especially if walking is involved. It also helps to avoid buying bags, which is common in Europe and some places in the U.S.. Plus, they can double as beach or laundry bags, taking up minimal space.
- Ice pack: It might sound odd, but a small ice pack is great for day trips or transporting extra food. It’s useful for packed lunches or long train rides, helping us avoid food waste. The only trick is remembering to bring it between stops. If space is tight, it’s one of the first things I’ll skip. I freeze it before packing in my carry-on, so it doesn’t count as a liquid.
have dedicated Travel Toiletries
If you travel a few times a year, this tip is for you. Having a dedicated set of travel toiletries is a game changer—I’m talking everything you need, not just shampoo and toothpaste. We typically travel every other month, and I finally put together toiletry kits with all the essentials. Now, I just restock or refill as needed.
Before this, I might forget basics like mascara or a hairbrush. It would add unnecessary stress, especially with early flights or last-minute packing. With our kits always ready, to go I no longer scramble before flights, simplifying packing and avoiding overpriced replacements. You don’t need to splurge on travel-sized versions of your favorite products. Refillable containers work just as well!
Don’t expand your suitcase
If you have to unzip the expander on your suitcase before you leave home, you’ve packed too much. Take a moment to re-evaluate what you really need. Edit your items down so you can comfortably zip your suitcase without needing to expand it.
Ideally, you want to leave a bit of extra space in your suitcase before you go, so you have room for souvenirs or any purchases made during your trip.
As a general rule, I avoid using the expander on my suitcase, especially when checking a bag. I’ve seen too many expanded suitcases come off the baggage carousel with rips or busted seams, and that’s a hassle you don’t want to deal with.
Pack essentials in your carryon
If you have to check a bag (and have a layover), be sure to pack an outfit and essential items in your carry-on. That way, if your luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination when you do, you’ll still have what you need to start enjoying your trip right away.
Here’s what I consider Essential items:
- Necessary toiletries (contacts, medications, sunscreen, mascara, and deodorant).
- Swimsuit and sandals (if you are heading somewhere tropical).
- Electronics (charging cords, power bank, computer, etc.).
ways to pay
Anytime we travel I always have at least three different ways I can pay:
- Main Credit/Debit Card: we use cards that reimburse us for ATM withdrawals and have no foreign transaction fees.
- Backup Credit/Debit Card: Life happens, things get lost, things get stolen, and cards get compromised. I always have an extra card and with me. If we are traveling abroad, I might keep it separate from my main wallet/purse, as an extra precaution.
- Cash: I typically will have $150-300 to carry with us. If we are traveling abroad, I typically make the withdrawal at the Airport ATM when we get to our destination. It’s safe, easier, and I’ll get reimbursed for the ATM fee.
- Having cash is a good precaution in the event your card(s) get compromised, lost, or stolen.
- We typically use some cash for tipping tour guides. Some for small dollar transactions where there are purchase limits to use a credit card. And sometimes being able to pay in cash will move us through a line faster.
- And while this is a no brainer, having too much cash isn’t safe either. Be reasonable with how much you bring with you. Split up the cash between your suitcase and wallet, so you won’t be totally screwed if something happens to either one.
Always have a copy of your passport and important documents
Another no-brainer here but it’s so easy to forget and having quick (but secure) access to them will be helpful if things get lost, stolen, etc. I always have a picture of my license, passport, and travel visas as a minimum.
Having a picture is be a good place to start. Even better? Having a copy in your email, Google Drive, personal cloud, etc. allows you to access them if your phone gets broken or stolen.
Take pictures of your suitcase and packed items
In the event your suitcase gets lost, stolen, or damaged, having a few pictures of what you packed and what your suitcase looks like will help with filing your claim with your travel insurance or the airline.
It can be easy to forget this step, so add it to your packing checklist to remember to do it!
Don’t break in shoes on your trip
I can’t tell you how many times I have not taken my own advice on this tip. So if there is one piece of advice you listen to, I can’t stress enough it’s this one. Your feet will thank you.
Whether it’s a pair of dress shoes hiking boots, or tennis shoes, buy them well in advance of your departure. Wear them around to get and get them nice and broken in for your trip.
Seriously, walking around with blisters on the back of your heels is one of the worst things. Break in your shoes.
But if you forget and need a pair that won’t kill your heel or toes, here are my recommendations:
- I love these Nike Flyknits if I am going to be doing a lot of walking.
- I love these Reef Neptune sneakers that I can dress up or dress down. Plus, they’re washable when they are looking a little haggard.
Less Stress, More Space—check back for more tips!
Packing might not be the most exciting part of travel, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be a headache. I’ll keep adding more tips as I learn new tricks—because while I’ve gotten much better over the years, I can still improve too!
Check back for updates, and if you have a packing tip or hack that’s changed your life, I’d love to hear it! The more we share, the smoother our travels get.
With joy,
Bri
