Whether you’re an eager packer with checklists in hand a week before the trip or prefer to wait until the last minute, the question of what to pack is one we all eventually share. But it doesn’t have to be stressful. No matter where you’re headed or why you’re going, the process should be painless if you’re armed with these travel packing tips from a professional traveler.
My 16 top travel packing tips
Have you confirmed that your bags respect the weight and size limits of the chosen airline? Prioritize that and then check out my expert tips for packing a suitcase to be a travel master.
1. Know your limits
With airlines all charging different fees for checked luggage, and sometimes even carry-on bags, it’s important to know what’s included in your ticket and how much each additional bag will cost. KAYAK’s Airline Fees page offers a quick reference to the advertised bag costs for many airlines so you’ll know what charges to expect at the airport, but you can also keep this in mind before booking if you know how much you want to bring.
When searching for flights on KAYAK, use the Fee Assistant to select your number of bags at the top of the page, and search results will include this cost in your total. This can also be adjusted afterward with the filter located on the left side of the results.
2. Comply with your limits
Having to repack your bags at the check-in counter because you exceeded the weight limit is frustrating enough – not to mention potentially embarrassing – but exceeding size limits is another matter. If your suitcase is too large, you’ll likely incur an oversize baggage fee. Meanwhile, if your carry-on is too large, it may be re-classed as checked baggage – and you’re on the hook for that fee, too.
To prevent surprise costs and airport reshuffling, which can also cause additional concerns if you’re running late, take advantage of KAYAK’s Bag Measurement tool to see if your bags comply with your specific airline’s limits. You won’t even need to physically measure anything yourself – the tool will do it for you using your phone’s camera. Honestly, it’s also just plain fun.
3. Prioritize your carry-on
4. Be ready for TSA
Security screening at airports isn’t designed to take long. Unprepared people with improperly packed bags are what often create longer lines, and you can easily ensure you’re not one of them to spend as little time as possible in your own screening.
TSA will often ask for laptops and liquids to be removed from bags, so keep them at easy access in your carry-on. Keep all medications together, too, in case of additional inspection by an agent – it’ll get you out of there faster if you do require more screening. To be prepared for the security line, read what is not allowed on a plane carry-on luggage.
5. Pack according to reality
It’s tempting to bring everything you could ever want on your trip but focus more on what you will actually need. It’s not often necessary to bring lots of entertainment on vacation (unless young children are coming along) and you don’t need more shoe options than you can possibly wear.
Look at your itinerary and streamline your selections by packing for what you’re definitely doing, not what you may do. This will save space in your suitcase and help you find what you’re looking for more quickly while you’re away.
6. Whittle down the wardrobe
If inspiring FOMO on Instagram is your number one vacation goal, then, by all means, pack a bunch of eye-popping outfits for fun photo shoots. But if you’re not an influencer on the rise, you don’t actually need endless wardrobe options on the road. Packing less will keep you more organized and less stressed, so consider solids and neutrals that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks.
Pro tip: You don’t need a completely new outfit for every day of the trip if you strategically repurpose some garments.
7. Use packing cubes
If you can’t be convinced to pack less, packing cubes will help you save room in your bag by compressing your garments to eliminate wasted space. Even if you don’t overpack, I still strongly recommend cubes to keep everything organized and more readily accessible.
Rummaging through a messy suitcase to find that one specific bathing suit can be both stressful and a serious waste of your vacation hours, so avoid chaotic bags with simple cubes. These can also come in handy at the airport if one bag is over the weight limit – just pull out a packed cube and stick it in another suitcase, or carry it on if you don’t have another suitcase.
8. Roll your clothes
9. Keep it rolling
Weekenders and duffel bags are cute, but I always use a rolling suitcase for both checked bags and carry-on, no matter how short the trip may be. Airports alone can require epically long walks through terminals, and it’s not worth the strain on my shoulders or back to lug a carry-on the entire way – especially before sitting in a potentially uncomfortable airplane seat.
Pro tip: At the destination, there may be plenty of additional walking with luggage to hotels, shuttles, and more, so it’s just as important that checked luggage rolls easily, too. Additionally, I prefer to keep my belongings off the ground and other lesser-clean surfaces, so I appreciate having all of my items elevated on wheels when I’m not holding them.
10. Stuff your shoes
I never leave my shoes empty for two important reasons: I’m a shoe lover and a space saver. Leaving shoes unstuffed subjects them to scrunching and squishing inside the suitcase, often damaging them or wearing them out more quickly.
I always stuff my shoes fully with socks, underwear, bathing suits, or anything that can deal with some wrinkling. It protects my shoes and it maximizes valuable space in the bag that would otherwise be wasted.
Pro tip: You can also stick small accessories in shoes, or use them to help protect souvenirs when returning.
11. Bag your shoes
Quite simply, the bottoms of shoes touch bathroom floors, streets, sidewalks, and all manner of places you wouldn’t throw your clean clothes before wearing them. Protect the contents of your suitcase by bagging shoes individually before packing (this is also super handy for keeping sand from spreading around your luggage after trips to the beach). You can find shoe bags for sale if you want to get fancy, but plastic shopping bags work, too.
12. Bring an extra bag
From last-minute trips to the pool before heading to the airport or sudden downpours on the go, you may find yourself wet just before packing for a variety of reasons while traveling. If you don’t have time to let your clothes dry fully, an extra bag will help keep the rest of your items from getting wet in the suitcase.
Extra bags also come in handy for garments that get particularly dirty, or simply for anything you want to separate from the rest of your items.
13. Secure your liquids
Avoid soaking the entire contents of your suitcase by securing all of your liquids. It’s okay to go a little overboard here – there’s a lot at stake. First, avoid glass bottles when possible – as they have more potential to break, and try not to bring full-size containers of liquids and creams – they waste too much space. T
Travel-size toiletry containers are ideal for packing reasonable amounts of product in unbreakable materials, and you can buy empty ones for little expense.
Pro tip: These may not have the highest quality lids or seals, so I encourage you to tape them shut, or at least secure them in sealed bags when packing.
14. Leave some space
If you fill your suitcase to the brim, you’ll have no space for souvenirs. Even if you don’t plan to shop, you may receive gifts from business colleagues, family visits, or a hotel amenity, so plan ahead by keeping a small bit of space empty in your bag.
Even if you use a hard-shell suitcase, don’t leave too much space empty, though, or you’ll risk damage to the bag from easier denting and crushing en route.
Pro tip: If you tend to over-shop for souvenirs and other goodies, you may want to pack an emergency duffel bag that you can fill with clothing on your way home so your plentiful purchases remain protected in your suitcase.
15. Make a list and check it twice
If you leave something behind at home, you’ll see it again after your trip, but if you leave it behind on vacation, it’s most likely gone forever.
Pro tip: If you travel frequently, it also helps to keep a core list of items you need for every trip, and simply add to it as needed when specific trips require additional items.
16. Give your bag an identity
You may have heard that you should add some flair to your checked baggage so you can easily identify it when it arrives at the baggage carousel (and prevent others from mistakenly taking it). These are wise words, and this can take the form of colorful luggage tags, stickers, or a piece of bright fabric tied to the handle.
Your bag should have even more of an identity than this. In case of lost luggage, it’s extremely helpful if your suitcase contains personal identification information, like your name, contact details, and home address. While you may not want to advertise this on exterior luggage tags, you can include it on a slip of paper inside your bag instead.
How this guide was created
I travel every week and have been maintaining this hectic schedule for years. Constantly visiting new domestic and international destinations with varied climates, cultures, and customs, I’m all too familiar with the importance of savvy packing that keeps me prepared and comfortable without taking too much thought or time. I’ve combined this extensive packing experience with KAYAK’s expert tips and tools to create this guide.
Some of our favorite flight routes
- Flights to New York
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- Flights to San Francisco
- Flights to Miami
Travel packing tips FAQs
What do I need to pack for a 7-day trip?
In general, be sure to have fresh socks and underwear for each day, along with at least four bottoms and five tops that can be mixed and matched for some re-wearing with a new look. Vary these choices based on activities (will you need pants or a long skirt for dinner, or will you be wearing shorts every day?), and add layers as needed for climate concerns, like cold temps or rainy skies. You’ll be safest with both a pair of athletic shoes and dressier footwear. As space permits, you can add more options for varied looks, conditions, and activities.
How to pack for a business trip?
Business trips often require multiple outfits for each day – business and casual – so careful packing is a must if space is limited, especially as suits and other business accouterments can be bulky. Save space by subtly repeating garments whenever possible. Casual items can be re-paired to create new outfits and neutral suits can be re-worn with different color shirts for completely new looks – anything that can be repeated should be repeated (unless you have unlimited space). Business garments should be carefully packed to require less prep at the destination and should be given priority in the suitcase – they’re the real reason for the trip.
