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As a frequent traveler, I have become a self-proclaimed expert when it comes to packing quickly, packing light, and packing just the right items. There are so many things to consider when packing for a trip, such as how long you’ll be gone, the climate of your destination, as well as the region (you’re going to pack very differently for the mountains than you would for the beach). Over the course of my travels, I have learned some pretty useful travel packing tips that have helped me travel more efficiently and save money!
If packing just a carry on suitcase or backpack for a long journey seems like a challenge to you, take a look at some travel packing tips I swear by:
1. Choose the Right Backpack or Suitcase
Step number one is choosing the right bag to bring on your trip. Think about how long you are traveling and where you are going. A small to medium sized suitcase is great to bring on a city or beach trip, because you can compactly pack lighter clothes. Consider the weather and if you are going to need to change throughout the day. If you’re planning an outdoorsy trip, or one where you are going to change destinations frequently, a backpack is probably the way to go. Check out one of my favorite backpack brands, Osprey, for all your travel needs.
2. Create a “Must Haves” List
You can read all the travel packing tips in the world, but in the end, you know yourself best, so creating a packing list is a great way to pack more efficiently, while making sure you’re not forgetting anything. If you’re a procrastinator (like me!) create your list a few weeks ahead of time and continue to add your essentials when you think of them. Then when it comes time to pack the day before your trip, you’ll be done in no time, without leaving anything important behind.
3. Use Packing Cubes
I can’t believe I ever traveled without packing cubes. They help compress your clothing and keep your suitcase organized. It will also help keep track of each of your clothing items. For example, shirts go into one cube, bottoms go into another, and underwear, socks and bathing suits go into another cube. When I want to wear a specific shirt, I don’t have to go digging through my suitcase to find it cause I know exactly where it is in my packing cube!
4. Pack Your Clothes Tightly
Some packers will lay their clothes flat, but did you know you can maximize your space when you pack tightly and vertically? This way, you can also see your entire wardrobe in one glance. Rolling up your thinner clothes is another great way to save space and it will help prevent wrinkles.
5. Bring Clothes That Can Multitask
By multitask, I mean versatile clothes you can wear for multiple purposes. For example, I have a black tank top that is great to wear casually with shorts or pants, but I can also dress it up and wear it with a cute skirt and sandals. Pack items that you can easily mix and match for any occasion. This is one of my favorite travel packing tips, as it allows me to get creative with my outfits, while at the same time saving space!
6. Try the Pillowcase Hack
I started doing this about a year ago and there’s no going back. One of my favorite travel packing tips is grabbing a small to medium pillowcase (preferably one that zips) and put some extra travel items in it! I like to use mine to sleep on so I’ll usually put a folded jacket and some other light clothing options inside mine when I travel.
Here is the travel pillow I have from Amazon (it comes with a blanket too). It’s the perfect size and I just clip it to my backpack strap, so I don’t have to carry it. The best part is most airlines don’t consider pillows as carry-on items, so you can take it with you on long flights free of charge!
7. Wear Your Heaviest Clothes on Your Travel Days
If your main goal is to minimize space, don’t pack your heaviest clothes in your bag or suitcase. Instead, wear them on the days you travel. It will lighten up your bag and leave room for other items you want to pack or for souvenirs you plan on buying on your adventures. This is also one of the greatest travel packing tips for anyone who can’t help but overpack or need to watch their bag’s weight.
On days I fly, I’ll wear an undershirt, 1-2 of my heaviest sweaters, and then my big jacket, along with a pair of leggings under my jeans. Of course, this isn’t the most practical option in warmer climates, but layer as much as you possibly can to make your bag lighter.
8. Do Laundry On the Go
Another one of my favorite travel packing tips: Do laundry while you travel. You can pack less when you have the option to do some laundry on your trip. I typically do this on trips longer than two weeks. Every city I’ve visited so far has had a nearby laundry service. From self-service laundromats to drop off and pick up laundromats, it’s super easy to clean your clothes on the go so you don’t have to do sink washes or wear smelly clothes (trust me, no one wants that). There was even a hotel in Guatemala that offered in house laundry service. They cleaned my clothes and left them folded in my room when I returned from a day out! 10/10!
9. Pack By Color
There’s something I learned called a capsule wardrobe. It’s essentially a selection of interchangeable clothes you can easily mix and match. Pick a specific color palette and build outfits surrounding certain events or excursions you are planning. I’ll usually pick something neutral like tans, blacks and whites so I can easily mix up a couple different outfits.
This is one of the best travel packing tips, the 5-4-3-2-1 rule, comes into play: 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses, 2 shoes/swimsuits, and 1 hat, bag, sunglasses, and watch (of course this may vary from person to person, but you get the idea). I like to use this rule when creating my own packing lists. You are more than welcome to download my free summer packing guide below for your next trip!
10. Have a Ready To Go Health Kit
Here’s one I wish I had the sense to know early on in my travels: Always bring a small first aid kit. I have dealt with foot blisters, massive scrapes and cuts, brutal bug bites, food poisoning, migraines and other ailments before I started bringing a health kit along with me on my travels. Let me tell you, dealing with all these issues without Band-Aids, disinfectants, medicine, and other treatments on hand, is a huge b*tch. If something minor does happen, you’ll have to navigate your way to a foreign pharmacy, which isn’t always easy.
Pack a compact first aid kit with Band-Aids, Neosporin, Benadryl, pain relievers, medicine for stomach problems and the cold, ear plugs, and any other prescriptions you might need. If you don’t end up using it – great! You’ll have a ready to go first aid kit for your next adventure!
About the Author: I’m Alayna, originally from Orange County, California and now traveling the globe. After being bitten by the travel bug in 2021 during my first trip to Greece, I decided to completely alter the course of my life. For so long, I was under the belief that I had to go to college, get a good job, earn enough money, save up for practical things like a house and car, and then maybe travel if I found the time. Well, taking a spontaneous trip on my own terms made me realize there is no right way and wrong way to live life, and I am choosing to do something with mine I only thought was possible in my dreams: travel the world. It is my hope that through my stories I can inspire more people to take that same, life-changing trip to the place of their dreams!
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