So you only want to pack a carry-on suitcase (and one personal item) for your two-week trip. Mission impossible? We think not. Our team of experienced travel editors, writers, producers and photographers spend most of their time on the road. We’re frequently in airports and train stations, at rental car counters and in hotel lines. We travel all over the world, to places like Mongolia and Madagascar, Montana and Maine (all of M, really). We travel alone, in large and small groups, with young children and grandparents. We’ve done it all. We’ve seen it all.
When I asked the team for suggestions, there was a ton of advice, and I’ve distilled all that knowledge into a short list you can swear by. Without further ado, here are Lonely Planet’s 13 tried-and-tested tips for a hassle-free packing experience.
1. Make a list
Don’t start packing without writing down all the things you need or want. Make it even more valuable by writing down an outfit (or outfits) for each day or night of your trip.
Pro tip: To do this, try the Notes app on your phone. You’ll love the checkbox feature and the fact that you can reuse them.
2. Begging, borrowing or stealing
Borrow, don’t buy (or steal). Don’t have the right suitcase for your trip? Ask your friends and family to lend you one. If you want a new suitcase, buy it on Prime Day or set up alerts to be notified when your dream luggage goes on sale.
Pro tip: CalPak Luka soft carry-on luggage And Quince hand luggage hard shell are two pieces of hand luggage that we like.
3. Fits together, fits together
Plan a lightweight capsule wardrobe – every top should match every pair of pants and vice versa. You can shorten your packing list considerably if you coordinate your items in advance.
Pro tip: Give your capsule collection color-coordinated tones like black, navy, white and gray that go well together, and add one or two items in bolder colors for more spice.
4. Choose your shoes
Shoes take up a lot of space, so think carefully about what you take. Wear your bulkiest pair and pack something else to wear and another, smaller pair for everyday wear.
Pro tip: Shoes are great for storing socks, laces, bottles, etc. If you don’t like storing these items in shoes, put them in plastic bags.
5. Dress rehearsal
Once your list is in order and you’ve settled on what you’re packing, it’s time to pull everything out of the closet, drawers, and medicine cabinet to see how much stuff there is. This will give you a realistic idea of how much you can actually squeeze in.
Pro tip: Take photos of your outfits in advance so you can easily reference them.
6. Get packing cubes
Our team swears by them across the board. Compression cubes in particular squeeze everything together so that a few more things fit into your bag. Whether you roll them or fold them, packing cubes also help you organize your outfits.
Pro tip: This BAGAIL Cube are compressible and affordable.
7. Avoid lotions and potions
When you pack sunscreen, shampoo, and other everyday toiletries, you’re wasting valuable space on things that are easy to find on the go. Get smaller, reusable bottles for anything you can’t live without, and make sure they fit in a regular-sized plastic bag (see #13).
Pro tip: Buy new skin care products and the like at your local pharmacy.
8. Fill up the tank!
This seems obvious, but always pack the essentials that you absolutely must have first. Then fill in the gaps with smaller things. Use every available cubic inch in your suitcase. Roll up socks and put them in the shoes (if you don’t like doing this, put them in a ziplock bag first). Store the shoes in a tote bag that you can use on your trip.
9. Carry bulky items – and any jewelry or accessories
Wearing things like tennis shoes, sweaters and scarves on the flight can save you some space. And as a bonus: you’ll look like Joey “Could I Be wear more clothes?” Tribiani.
Pro tip: If you’re expecting bad weather, these rain jackets work wonders!
10. Wash, wash, wash
Plan to do laundry, whether in the sink, at the local laundromat, or at your rental property. You don’t need to pack laundry detergent if you’re traveling to a place where there’s an easy market.
Pro tip: Pack compostable laundry detergent sheets.
11. Download books, shows and maps to your device
Download books to read, any series or movies you’ve always wanted to watch, your favorite playlist, save maps for offline use, take photos or screenshots of anything you want to remember from the trip.
12. Pack another bag
Bring a foldable travel bag if you want to go shopping or take something home.
Pro tip: The Samsonite travel bag is a great option for your return journey.
13. Personalize your personal item
You want to have everything you need for your trip close at hand in your bags: charging cables, moisturizer, disinfectant, sunscreen, medications.
Pro tip: We love these reusable Stasher Bags for all the little things you want to access quickly.
