If you’re strategizing how to pack for a two-week trip with a bag that fits in an airplane’s overhead compartment, our team of experts can help you. Our travel editors, writers, producers and photographers spend most of their time on the road. We have logged many hours at airports and train stations, rental car counters and hotel check-in lines. We bounce all over the globe to places like New Zealand, Paris, Hong Kong, Iceland and Madagascar. We travel alone, in groups large and small with small kids and grandparents. And we do it easily using these clever packing tips for traveling.
We are happy to bring you a quick list that you can trust when you’re setting up what to bring. Here are Lonely Planet’s 13 road-tested tips for smart, space-savvy packing.
1. Create a packing list
Begin your packing process by writing down all the things you think you’re going to want or need. One bit of efficient carry-on packing advice we love: Write down an outfit (or outfits) for each day or night you’re on the trip.
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Pro tip: Try the Notes app on your phone for this. It has a convenient checkbox feature and the lists are reusable.
2. Borrow or buy the right suitcase
If you don’t have the right suitcase for your particular trip, ask your friends and family to lend you one. If you want a new suitcase, buy it on Prime day or set some alerts to get notified when your dream luggage goes on sale.
Pro tip: CalPak Luka Soft-Sided Carry-On and Quince Carry-On Hard Shell are two carry-on bags we like.
3. Build a coordinated capsule wardrobe
Planning a lightweight capsule wardrobe is essential when it comes to minimalist packing for travel. Every top should go with every pair of bottoms and vice versa. You can greatly minimize your packing list when you pre-coordinate your separates.
Pro tip: Color code your capsule collection with hues that match and work well together, like black, navy, white and gray, and add one or two bolder-colored items for spice.
4. Select travel-friendly shoes
Shoes take up a lot of space, so be very deliberate about what you bring. Wear your bulkiest pair, and pack something else for dressing up, plus a smaller pair for every day.
Pro tip: Shoes are great for storing socks, cords, bottles, etc. If putting these items in shoes gives you the ick, put them in plastic bags.
5. Try on outfits before packing
Once your list is in good shape and you’ve committed to your luggage, it’s time to pull everything out of the closet, drawers and medicine cabinet to see how much stuff we’re talking about. This will help you be realistic about how much you can actually squish in there.
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Pro tip: Photograph your outfits in advance for easy reference.
6. Get packing cubes
Our team universally swears by them. The compression ones in particular smush things down enough to get just a few more things in your bag. Whether you roll or fold, packing cubes also help you organize your outfits.
Pro tip: These BAGAIL cubes are compressible and affordable.
7. Ditch or decant your lotions and potions
Packing sunscreen or shampoo and other common toiletries wastes valuable space with things that are easy to find when you’re on the road. Get some smaller, reusable bottles for anything you can’t live without, and make sure they can fit in a small bag (see #13).
Pro tip: Shop for new skin care and the like from local pharmacies.
8. Start with your larger items
This seems obvious, but always pack your biggest must-have items first. Then fill in the gaps with smaller things. Take advantage of every available cubic centimeter in your suitcase. Roll socks and put them in shoes (put in a ziplock first if that gives you the ick). Store shoes in a tote bag you can use on your trip.
9. Wear bulky items – and any jewelry or accessories
Wearing things like tennis shoes, sweaters and scarves on the flight can save you some valuable room. And bonus: You’ll look like Joey “Could I be wearing any more clothes?” Tribbiani.
Pro tip: If you’re expecting inclement weather, these rain jackets work wonders!
10. Bring hand-washable clothes
Plan on doing some laundry, whether it’s in the sink, at the local laundromat or your rental accommodation. You don’t need to pack detergent if you’re traveling somewhere with easy access to a market.
Pro tip: Pack compostable laundry detergent sheets.
11. Preload your device with books, shows and maps
Download books to read, any series or films you’ve been wanting to watch, your favorite playlist; save maps for offline use; take photos or screenshots of anything you want to remember when you’re on the trip.
12. Pack a bag inside your bag
Include a collapsible duffel bag if you plan on doing any shopping or bringing anything back home. Remember, it’s about how to pack for a two-week trip plus the stuff you’ll buy on that trip.
Pro tip: This Samsonite duffel bag is a great option to bring for your return trip.
13. Stock the pouches of your personal item
One of our best packing tips for traveling is to keep everything you need for the trip handy in pouches: charging cords, moisturizer, sanitizer, sunscreen, medication.
Pro tip: We love these reusable Stasher bags for all the small things you’ll want easy access to.