Travel’s back and many of us are dusting off our suitcases to take that next big adventure. However, after two years of staying at home, it appears a lot of us have forgotten how to pack.
More than a third of travellers admit they find packing stressful, while one in 10 say they find it so stressful they don’t want to go on holiday at all, according to MSC Cruises.
Indeed, nearly a quarter claim to have forgotten how to pack entirely thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, and that percentage doubles for parents with three or more children. Students were among the biggest worriers, with a third admitting they were more concerned about packing now than pre-pandemic.
But packing needn’t be stressful, once you remember how. Practice makes perfect and, in the meantime, here are some top tips to maximise that suitcase space.
1. Check your luggage allowance
First things first, check your baggage limits for whatever trip you’re taking so you know what you’re working with. Whether you’re on a two-day city break or a two-week cruise, you don’t want to get caught out at the airport by going over your luggage limits.
2. Decant your toiletries
If you’re flying hand luggage only, you’ll need to make sure any toiletries are in containers of under 100ml to get them through security. Buy travel versions or, even better, decant them into small bottles – which is worth it to reduce weight even if you’re not travelling by plane.
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3. Choose a capsule wardrobe
While the requirements of a capsule wardrobe may vary greatly between a cruise trip and a ski break, having a limited selection of complementary and interchangeable pieces of clothing means you can pack less – think matching colours, layers and accessories.
4. Packing cubes and plastic bags
Dividers like packing cubes, vacuum bags and sandwich bags can act as a suitcase within a suitcase and help keep each person’s clothing separate. Having a few spare plastic bags in hand luggage is also extremely useful for family travel in case of emergencies.
5. Wear your luggage
If you’re concerned about exceeding your airline’s hand luggage allowance, one way of getting it all on the plane is by wearing it onboard. However, do be wary if you’re travelling somewhere hot, as the odd passenger has been known to overheat en route.
6. Take a decent rain jacket
If you’re going on a camping or walking holiday, particularly one in the UK, it’s well worth taking a lightweight but fully waterproof rain jacket. Not only will it protect you from getting wet, it can also act as a good windbreaker if the temperature drops.
7. Don’t pack a case each
If you’re travelling with your partner and/or your family, it’s worth mixing up people’s outfits across suitcases in case one of the bags goes missing. If you’re travelling long haul, consider taking a spare pair of clothes in hand luggage for comfort and in case of delays.
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8. Pack valuables in hand luggage
Medication, jewellery and any other smaller valuables are best carried in your hand luggage, in case you or your bags get delayed or lost – no-one wants to start their holiday in tears. Same goes for phone, laptop and camera chargers!
9. Roll up your clothes
A common trick among frequent travellers is to fold up clothes and then roll them up to both save space in a bag and keep clothes relatively unwrinkled. Although bulky items such as cardigans and jumpers are best folded flat – or worn while travelling.
10. Keep the kids entertained
Whether you’ve got a long car journey, a train trip or a flight ahead of you, be sure to have some small toys and items to keep any children entertained on the way. Save space by taking games out of their boxes and putting the pieces into zip-up plastic bags.
11. Pack appropriate footwear
Flip flops are ideal footwear and perfect packing material for sunny climates, but less so for more temperature destinations or a hiking holiday. A pair of trainers is generally a must, but you may well need some more formal options for nights out.
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12. Take a light cover-up
A light and broad scarf, or a pashmina, is possibly the world’s most useful travel accessory. You can use it to keep warm or cover up from the sun, as a shawl at a formal cruise dinner, and as a blanket to sit on at the beach… the possibilities are endless.
13. Ask: ‘do I really need that?’
Sounds obvious, but consider how long you’re away for, what kind of holiday you’re on and whether you really need so much clothing when packing. All-inclusive, activity and cruise holidays may have certain requirements, but otherwise you’re likely to take too much.
14. Pack around sports equipment
If you’re paying to take your skis or other sports equipment on a plane, you can often pack your clothes in the bag you’re transporting them in. Conversely, if you don’t want to pay extra to take your ski boots, put them in your case – but beware of going over any weight limit.
15. Leave some space to spare
Finally, always try and leave a little bit of space in your luggage for any souvenirs or last-minute purchases. Also, remember that your perfectly folded clothes on your outgoing journey are very unlikely to pack quite so flat on the return.
Lead image: American Green Travel/Shutterstock