7 travel packing tips to save space in your luggage
As a traveler, I'm a proud member of team carry-on. Each time I fly, whether it be for a few days or a few weeks, I strive to fit everything into a carry-on bag.
There are plenty of other people who prefer to check a bag, though.
Whether you're with me on team carry-on or you belong to team checked baggage, there are some universal tips that can be helpful when packing, regardless of your suitcase size.
Read on for TPG's best general packing tips.
General packing tips
Organization hacks
Packing cubes are a popular topic of discussion here at TPG. Some of us, including TPG editorial director Summer Hull, go so far as to say they will "change your life."
As a mom of two who travels nearly 100,000 miles yearly, Summer recommends using cubes for family packing. She uses them specifically to divide up the packing by activity and day rather than have each person use a cube for all of their items.
If you're looking to get started with packing cubes, Summer's favorite is a $68 five-pack from Calpak.
She likes these for their "thick mesh and polyester material that has held up extraordinarily well across our theme park trips, ski adventures, cruises and beyond." She also noted that they've survived multiple rounds of heat in the dryer without any noticeable impact.
"Additionally, the cubes have waterproof pockets that you can use to keep wet or especially dirty items separate from the rest of the items, meaning that the last morning's jump in the pool won't make your whole bag a bit soupy," she reported.
The great thing about packing cubes is that you can use them to organize your items by whatever method you prefer. For example, TPG managing editor Madison Blancaflor prefers to divide her items in packing cubes by type (tops in one, bottoms in another, for example).
"Packing cubes, packing cubes, packing cubes is my number-one tip," she said. "Not only do they help you fit more stuff, but they help you stay organized while you're traveling."
She also suggests tucking some things inside of others to save space in each cube, a practice known as "nesting."
"Knowing how to nest things is helpful — having your belts lay around the outside edges, fitting socks inside your shoes, putting underwear inside bra cups, etc.," Madison said. "Those small space-saving things add up to a lot more space by the end of it."
Another tip to help you stay organized while packing is to color coordinate your outfits, per TPG managing editor Erica Silverstein.
"I color coordinate outfits to reduce the number of shoes I need to bring and try to pack pieces that I can dress up or down," she shared. "For example, I could wear a top with a skirt at night and then with jeans the next day."
Another space-saving tip that I've been practicing for a few years is rolling clothes versus folding them, a technique I learned from my aunt.
How to keep your clothes wrinkle-free
One inevitable issue I always seem to run into when packing is keeping my clothes from wrinkling while in my suitcase. I've long placed tissue paper between clothing articles — a tactic from my mother.
Though this works to an extent, some recommend using plastic dry cleaner bags to keep your clothes from wrinkling. Essentially, you pop one item in each bag and then fold them all on top of your bag. The bags stop the friction and thus keep your clothes from wrinkling.
Tips for packing carry-on only
One of my favorite features of my Away carry-on is the built-in battery pack, because I know I'll always have access to a charger for my phone if needed.
I always advise travelers to keep a portable charger in their carry-on. You never know when you may find yourself at the airport or on an airplane without a charging port.
During the holiday travel season, many of us may be packing winter clothing items. Whether you're departing for a cold destination or heading to the ski slopes, TPG senior editor Christine Gallipeau reminds us to wear those heavy items rather than take up precious packing space.
"I wear my bulkiest items, which in the winter usually means jeans, my thicker coat and boots," she said. "That way, I don't have to use valuable carry-on space for them since I never fly with a checked bag."
Bottom line
As you head out on your next flight, keep these simple packing tips in mind.
Whether you try out packing cubes for the first time or try rolling instead of folding your clothes (or both), these tips should make packing a little less stressful while saving you space, which is the ultimate goal.
Related reading:
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| Up to 21X | Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status. |
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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card is a good choice for those who spend time at Marriott properties. While it’s not a great choice for everyday spending, this card does earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You can also redeem Marriott points at more than 8,000 Marriott locations globally. (Partner offer)Pros
- Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide
- 1 free night award (up to 85,000 points) every year after your card renewal month; certain hotels have resort fees
- Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required)
- Automatic Platinum Elite status
Cons
- Pricey $650 annual fee
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- A Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees