Hmm, I don’t think that is going to fit. We’ve all been there. You’re getting ready for your trip, lay out all your clothes and belongings, and realize there’s not enough space for it all. But, before you sacrifice items, there are some easy tips and tricks to make sure you can pack every little thing your heart desires!
In this article, we’re going to look at the best methods to save luggage space when traveling. Whether you’re preparing for international journeys, road trips, or quick domestic flights, we’ve got the secret sauce to make your packing experience a walk in the park!
How to Save Space When Packing a Suitcase (All Occasions)
Roll Your Clothes
Packing a suitcase takes a bit of cleverness. One sneaky way to free up more packing space is to roll your clothes. The Ranger Roll method–yes, there’s a specific method –will be your best bet for fitting all those outfits into your suitcase. Take a look at this step-by-step guide or video to learn how to roll your clothes in the most efficient way possible! When you’re done, you won’t know what to do with all the extra space.
Stick Your Socks in the Nooks and Crannies
Socks are bulky little devils that always seem to take up more space than they should! The best way to take care of that problem is to stick them in any available openings. Put them inside shoes, stuff them inside pockets, and cram them in the corners of the suitcase. It’s a simple method but one of the best packing suitcase hacks.
When trying to save space, packing cubes
are your best friends! They’ll keep all your belongings organized and allow you to put everything together like a puzzle. When you arrive at your destination, you’ll know exactly where everything is, and they act as a great place to put dirty clothes.
Only Pack Necessary Clothes
I understand. You want to bring every article of clothing for every possible situation. The reality is you don’t need to bring everything! Check the weather forecast so that you pack the appropriate type of clothing. No need to cram a bunch of jackets for a beach trip to Mexico. Once you have all your essentials packed up, you can see how much room you have for extra clothes.
Toiletries: Just the Essentials!
Sometimes when preparing for a trip, you forget that most of your toiletries can be purchased at your destination. So, don’t feel like you need to cram all your lotions, sprays, and soaps into your suitcase. Just stop by a store once you arrive! It’ll take off a lot of pressure and free up precious space.
Packing Hacks for Flying (International and Domestic)
Fly in Your Bulkiest Clothes
Don’t worry about packing your puffy jacket, thick jeans, and heavy boots because they can be your travel clothes! Once you make it onto the plane, you can start to remove layers and kick off your shoes so that you don’t overheat! Don’t forget to make use of your jacket pockets, where you can stuff a phone charger and book (if the pocket is big enough).
Pack Multifunctional Clothing (Layers!)
For those of you who are going on an international trip, packing multifunctional clothes will be a lifesaver! Pants that turn into shorts, shoes that can be used for walking and hiking, and convertible dresses will give you much more room to pack other items. Also, consider bringing clothing that can be layered to replace bulky jackets!
Camera Bag Hack
We all know the rule: one carry-on per person. Well, there’s a way to get around that. If you’re bringing a camera with you, store it in a small camera bag that goes across your chest. As long as it’s small and you keep it in your lap at all times (it’s a valuable electronic, after all), the flight attendants won’t say a word. It gives you another place to put cords and little knickknacks. In theory, you don’t even have to put a camera in the bag, freeing up more space! It’s one of the best packing hacks for flying.
Quick-Dry Clothing
Quick-dry clothes are great for flying for two reasons. Firstly, they’re lightweight and easily compressed down. Secondly, unlike other fabrics, they don’t wrinkle, so you can cram them in little open spaces without worrying about having to iron them later. To top it all off, since they dry so quickly, you can wash them in the sink or shower of your hotel to avoid going to a laundromat.
Travel-Sized Liquid Bottles
On a flight, you can only bring 3.4 ounces of liquids. Using travel-sized bottles will be the most efficient way to bring your toiletries with you. Even if a product you use is less than 3.4 ounces, chances are the bottle won’t be designed to maximize storage space. Once everything is neatly transferred into the small travel bottles, you can store them in a packing cube–easy!
Packing Hacks for Road Trips
Pack Your Belongings in a Soft Bag
Packing for a road trip is different than packing for a flight. Soft bags, like backpacks and duffle bags, are much more malleable and can be squished and crammed into the car’s open space. Hard-shell suitcases won’t be as flexible, and you’ll be left scratching your head trying to figure out how to fit everything.
The Smaller the Bag, the Better
Not only do you want to use soft bags, but you also should use small bags. The most difficult part about packing for a road trip is loading everything up and making sure it fits. Think of smaller bags as smaller puzzle pieces that will make positioning your luggage much easier. Trunk space will be used more efficiently, and little bags can go under seats!
Use Overhead Space
Don’t forget about using your vehicle’s overhead space! This will require car racks, but let me tell you, they are life-changing! Suddenly all that luggage that was about to burst out of the windows could be conveniently placed overhead. You’ll have so much extra space in the car, you might think you forgot to pack your things!
Final Packing Advice
Packing can be a little stressful. Okay, it can be very stressful! If you follow these packing suitcase hacks and other tips, you’re guaranteed to be able to fit all your essentials and more. Before you know it, you’ll be the person telling friends and family how to save space when packing a suitcase. Safe travels!
