The more the merrier, right? Not always. Especially when it comes to packing for a trip, no matter the length or whether you’re packing for an international trip or packing for a domestic trip, less is always more. For me personally I try to keep my baggage at no more than a carry on and personal item. Actually, depending on the airline I can usually travel with just a personal item alone. Even when I can take more than one bag I usually still ask myself how can I make all of this fit in a carry on. Checked bags are okay, but I kinda hate getting to my destination and having to wait at the carousel for bags to come out. I’d much rather just stand up, grab my carry on from the overhead bin and be on my way to explore! So here’s my guide for travel packing tips with 7 practical and helpful packing carry on tips that all travelers should know.
1. Choose the right bag
Okay so, you need a good bag! This will vary for everyone. What’s good for me may not be good for you depending on your travel habits and needs. Make sure whatever bag you choose fits your needs specifically. This is also something you want to invest in so you’re not having to buy new bags constantly. Get something thats good quality. When I travel I use my Vera Bradley Weekender Bag (pictured below) not only is it super cute, but it fits everything I need. Plus it has tons of interior and exterior pockets that help keep me super organized while I’m traveling. But the best part about it is it doubles as a personal item on airlines who have strict baggage limits! (You can order it here.)
For my backpackers, you might want a heavy duty, long haul backpack for hiking and backpacking. If you’re more of a stylish or tech savvy traveler you definitely will want smart luggage and this Raden A22 Carry on is exactly what you’re looking for. It has a built in USB charger, built in luggage scale, & the technology in it allows you to track your luggage from its app! Every travelers dream bag right?!
If you’re currently looking for a good travel bag I highly recommend checking Ebates.com first. You’ll earn cash back on your purchase AND you’ll get a $10 welcome bonus if you sign up with my link. You can sign up here and start earning cash back today!
2. Travel in the heavy stuff
This travel tip is pretty self explanatory. The heavy stuff takes up more room and weighs more, so this is the stuff you wanna wear or have in your hands on the plane. (i.e. a big heavy jacket and boots/sneakers for example)
3. Roll don’t fold/use packing cubes
Not only does rolling your clothes instead of folding them before packing prevent wrinkles, it also saves more space and allows for better organization of your travel bag. Speaking of organization, packing cubes are another good option! They are perfect for keeping everything in your bag organized. Plus they let you pack more in your carry on/backpack or whatever bag you’re traveling with. These ones even feature a mesh top for ventilation and easy identification of your items!
4. Pack by outfit
To make packing easier I like to put together outfits before I put items in my bag. If I have a top I wanna wear I won’t pack it until I pair it with bottoms. This prevents overpacking and just tossing random things in your bag. Think about where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Don’t pack that random skirt that you don’t have anything to wear with. It’s only gonna take up space that you could be using for something else!
5. Put items to be worn first on top
This might be one of my favorite tips. Majority of the time I’m traveling somewhere tropical and warm (say no to snow) so one of the first things I’m needing when I arrive to my destination is my bathing suit etc. So, to make life easier I make sure to pack this ON TOP! Nothing worse than having to mess up my neatly packed bag trying to scramble around and find a matching top and bottom to my bathing suit. If I pack it on the top all I have to do is open my bag and it’s already there. So, be sure to pack items you’ll need or wear first on top.
6. Put bulkier items on bottom
The reason I do this is because it makes the weight a little more distributed, and its also easier to close the zipper if you’re bulkier items aren’t in the way. Also be sure to take advantage of and fill dead space. What I mean by this is put socks and/or underwear inside shoes to save space! Socks can be bulky and can take up a good amount of space, but if you put a few pairs of socks in your shoes its basically killing 2 birds with one stone!
Bonus tip: To keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean while in transit, stick a dryer sheet in your bag!
What’s your favorite packing tip? Let me know in the comments below! Don’t forget to share, tweet, & pin this post!
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I follow all of these, except putting items to be worn first on top, which, now that I think about it, is a terrific tip! Thanks!
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I know right!? It makes everything so much easier to access!
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I do a lot of these but I haven’t thought of the dryer sheet idea! I’m definitely doing that in a few weeks when I fly to Chicago!
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thanks! My friend who’s a flight attendant actually is the one who gave me that awesome idea! -Diam
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I really need to remember these. I hate doing laundry while I’m traveling but otherwise yeah, I have 35 outfits. ha ha
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I need to remember these tips! I hate doing laundry while I’m traveling but yeah, otherwise I have 35 outfits. ha ha
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Great tips!! #2 was a good one. I never thought about that.
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Good information! I use packing cubes to sort clothes, outfits and more.
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Packing tips are so helpful! I love how they keep everything sorted, but also save space in your bag
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Great tips. I’ve been doing the rolling thing for years. Probably before it became THE way to pack. I will say I did just discover packing cubes this summer. I used them when I went on a cruise and they made packing and unpacking so much easier.
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Thanks !
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Great tips! Love that weekender bag, and those packing cubes sound amazing!
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Thanks! It is my favorite bag ever! It keeps everything so organized and has so many compartments so its the perfect size!
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Nice Tips! Found your blog from the Helene Facebook group!! I do find packing cubes help organizing and fitting everything in your luggage easier!
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Absolutely love the Vera Bradley weekender bag! I have one too!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
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Yes! I’m such an organized freak and love tips like these! I’ve discovered recently that rather than choosing outfits for the number of days and nights, it suits me better to chose outfits relative to the kind of activities I’ll be doing.
For example, I’ve just come back from a trip to Scotland with the ‘inlaws.’ Its not really in their culture to dress up and go to a nice restaurant. So there was no point taking my heels and dresses! I opted for nice blouses/tops and smart pants instead 🙂
Thanks for the great tips!
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Rolling and packing cubes are a must!
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I always use to overpack and planning by outfits definitely would’ve helped! I’m going to Portugal in November and not carrying a checked bag, so I have no choice but to be better organised ha
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Great tips, especially the shoes and sock bits 😊
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Thanks! Such a simple, but useful idea right? Thanks for stopping by!
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That is so genius! Can you create somethings like a check-list, so I could save it in my social media? Thanks for great content!
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Great idea! Definitely gonna work on making a check list tonight. Thanks for the idea Roman!
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I agree about packing cubes. They make a huge space difference
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So many good ideas for me to try! Thanks for sharing!
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Great tips, I also leave no empty space wasted. Shoes get filled with socks or underwear, hats are stuffed full so they don’t collapse. Every bit of space is precious!
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Holy Moly I need some packing cubes! What? That would make things so much easier!
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I roll all of my clothes when I pack. It’s so much better and I use my shoes to stow socks in etc. You gotta find all the extra space that you can wherever you can find it! #FlyAwayFriday
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I always struggle with packing so these tips will definitely help, thanks! #flyawayfriday
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I’m an outfit planner too – if you don’t have the choice then you don’t spend hours choosing and changing! Besides, you never wear half the stuff you take anyway! Great post. But, do you really think rolling stops creases? I really ought to try this technique but it just seems so wrong! 😉 #flyawayfriday
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I follow most of these tips. I wish that I could travel with just a carry on but traveling with kids is a whole different ballgame than traveling by myself. #FlyAwayFriday
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Yup, I follow most of these! I have a sturdy bag that helps me keep things under control. I always roll (with few exceptions) and try to be realistic about what I am going to really use on a trip. In the past, I have packed way too much stuff that I never used (but still had to carry). #FlyAwayFriday
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I definitely follow this. Especially traveling in heavier clothing haha. What a seasoned traveller you are 🙂 #FlyAwayFriday
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I hate waiting for my stuff at the carousel too, carry-on’s all the way!
#flyawayfriday
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Roll don’t fold is SUCH a great tip that my parents taught me when I was little! Traveling with heavy items is another great tip, too! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday Diam – hope to see you again this week! xo
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I use those cubes and love them! I also agree with rolling over folding. I live by the quote of packing more just in case and it seriously kills me with overweight fees at the airport! hope to see you at Fly Away friday tomorrow!
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Those cubes def come in handy!
I’m so indecisive, so I typically pack what I will definitely wear (I always put outfits together in advance) otherwise it’ll take me foreverrrrr to decide what to wear while I’m traveling.
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SUch good tips!
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Love these tips! I’m the worst at packing, I always take way too much with me! Great post!
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Love these tips! Does anyone have any recommendations for a good set of packing cubes? I bought some cheap ones for my last trip but I’m not in love with them because they are pretty shallow.
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Good practical tips! I’d never heard the dryer sheet idea before.
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