Ways to Pack Efficiently for Your Next Trip

pack efficiently for travel


Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile, packing light is a huge benefit. Not only will you fit more in your bag or suitcase, being organized will help you find things while you are on your trip. Here we’ve put together some useful travel tips to pack efficiently.

Don’t over pack.

While it’s sometimes difficult to make choices, consider what you pack and only bring what you will truly need. If you are traveling by airplane, or cruise ship or train, having less luggage will cost you less in baggage fees. And if you are traveling by car, less bags will free up your car for passenger space and added visibility out your windows. Last, who likes to lift heavy bags?

Start by making a list of what you need and what you need to bring. Consider the destination, weather and events. Also, choose interchangeable color-coordinating clothing. Here’s a quick list of general must haves for your trip:

1.Underwear, undershirts, bras, socks. Bring one each for each day.

2.Shirts or dresses. Pack 2 less than the number of days. Wear the same outfit to and from your trip.

3.Pants. Bring 1 pair for every 2 days you are traveling. If you need a belt, try to keep it to one.

4.Shoes. 2 pair of casual/comfortable shoes. 1 pair of formal only if needed. Pack shoes that go with many outfits.

5.Toiletries.

Make sure to follow all TSA regulations for toiletries. Regardless, bring travel-sized toiletries to save space. Choose toiletries that have multiple uses, i.e. moisturizer with sunscreen. Pack personal items like medications, glasses or contacts. Remember that many toiletries can be purchased at your destination.

Roll your clothing.

It has been well studied that rolling your clothing is the most efficient way to pack because it saves space. Rolling your clothes compresses them as well as making it easy to stack your items in your bag or suitcase.

Take any soft clothing you have, underwear, t-shirts, pjs, and tightly roll them. The stiffer fabric items, like jeans or blazers should be folded. If you are concerned about wrinkling dressier fabrics, you can carefully fold these. Regardless of rolling and folding, take care in this process to reduce wrinkling. Make sure you are strategic in fitting the most in your bag with room to spare.

It’s Packing Time.

Once your rolled or folded your clothes and gathered your toiletries, it’s time to pack your bag or suitcase. Here are some tips:

  1. Put socks/underwear into your shoes to save space. Wrap your shoes in a disposable plastic bag to keep other items in your bag clean and place shoes at the bottom of your suitcase.
  2. The next items should be heavier-weight clothing like jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, wool blazers. If you have rolled your clothing, placing items tightly together will prevent unrolling. On top of these are the lighter weight clothing items, shirts, tshirts, pants etc.
  3. Any other items that you need to fit into the crevices should be added. Belts, underwear, undershirts, bras, etc.
  4. If you have opted to fold any items, these should be placed on top. When you arrive at your destination, it’s good to remove these right away to help with wrinkling.
  5. Toiletries and extraneous items should be on top or around edges where they fit.

Final Touches.

Lay a dry-cleaning bag on top. It helps keep finer clothing wrinkle-free.

Place toiletries in a clear resealable bag. This will avoid mishaps should something spill and make finding items easier.

Store your jewelry in small containers.

Don’t forget important stuff. Pack electronic chargers, medications, passports, sunglasses and other necessary items.

Bring a compression bag. It’s a nice idea to purchase a compression bag for travel purposes. Use it to place your dirty laundry in on your trip. Simply add your dirty laundry in it and before heading home, you can compress the bag and its contents. It will easily fit into your bag and make laundry easier when you arrive home.