Best Tricks for Smart Luggage Packing

How to fit more in your hand luggage?

55 cm high, 40 cm wide, and 23 cm deep – these are the typical dimensions of carry-on luggage. Fitting all your outfits for a week-long trip or longer getaway into such a suitcase is a difficult, but achievable, challenge! Start by making a list of the things you'll need for your trip. This will give you a clear picture of what you need. The list will also be useful for any pre-trip shopping you might need. It will also help you avoid the stress of buying essentials during your trip in random places. When preparing for your trip, it's worth following a few universal tips. Above all, pack your things calmly, without rushing. What else should you consider when packing your suitcase?

Instead of folding your clothes, roll them

You can find various methods online for effectively packing clothes. The most popular are:

• Rolling - rolling clothes into rolls

• Folding - packing a suitcase by placing clothes as they hang in the closet

• Bundling - placing clothes directly on top of each other, folding the outer parts inwards

• Folded back-to-front - folding clothes into rectangles and arranging them vertically

• Vacuum packaging involves placing items in bags, extracting the air using a special vacuum cleaner, and tightly sealing the bag or compression bag (packing cube). Vacuum packaging blocks moisture, dust, and bacteria from entering the clothes , leaving them dry, clean, and microbe-free after unpacking.

Benefits of rolling clothes

It's no coincidence that we've chosen to prioritize rolling clothes as our go-to method for packing a suitcase. This packing method is accessible to everyone and far superior to traditional folding. It doesn't require any special skills or specialized tools. Rolled clothes will be less wrinkled, and most importantly, they'll take up less space . How to roll clothes? First, iron them, then gently roll them. The tighter the rolls, the better!

Pack the heaviest items at the bottom of your suitcase

You can also save space by packing your clothes in the correct order. To do this:

1. Place the heaviest items at the bottom of your suitcase. Start packing with the largest and most bulky items first. If you have a small suitcase, keep heavy items to a minimum.

2. You can also pack shoes and high heels into the bottom of your suitcase. They'll stay there securely and safely, even when the suitcase is rolled vertically or shaken during a flight. Sports shoes or shoes with protruding embellishments are best packed in a fabric bag.

3. Fill the space between them with smaller items like T-shirts, shorts, and swimsuits. For vacation, pack bath towels in your suitcase, too.

4. You can place lighter shoes, such as flip-flops or ballet flats, on the edges of the bag.

5. Accessories and clothing made of hard materials - such as a belt or thick trousers - should be straightened and placed along the walls of the suitcase.

6. Place the hat with the brim down.

7. Place socks, underwear and other small accessories in free spaces, e.g. inside shoes or a hat.

8. To prevent spillage while traveling, it is best to pack your cosmetics in a protective cosmetics bag or use a separate suitcase for them.

9. Pack the most necessary things in a suitcase or carry-on bag.

Pack your earrings and chains cleverly

A woman's attribute, even when traveling, is chic jewelry. Don't pack stud earrings loosely in your suitcase. Instead, clip them onto cardboard boxes with holes—original or homemade. You can thread chains and bracelets through a similar box, only longer and with two holes. Larger earrings, such as dangling hoops, are safest to store in a hard-sided box. Medication containers available at the pharmacy are perfect for this purpose. Sunglasses are also considered jewelry. For safety reasons, store them in their original hard-sided cases.

Leave room in your hand luggage

Remember to leave room in your suitcase for your clothes. We don't recommend storing dirty clothes directly in your suitcase. It's better to keep them in cotton or linen bags. Also pack a warm sweatshirt in your suitcase (it'll be useful during the flight). If you're planning a business trip, you can put shirts and suits in garment bags instead of in your suitcase. Just in case, pack at least two pairs of shoes in your carry-on luggage: a spare pair will come in handy in case of rain or if your favorite pair gets dirty.

We recommend packing your most valuable items in a carry-on bag.

Also, pack essential documents in your carry-on luggage: ID card, passport, driver's license, airline tickets, and hotel reservations. Try to keep valuables and most important items with you at all times. To avoid a thorough search, place them in plastic baskets placed on a special belt during security checks.

Secure your suitcase to avoid damage

If you're concerned about security, you can put your valuables in a suitcase with a combination lock. TSA-style locks are accepted at airports , which both allow security personnel to open your suitcase and protect it from unauthorized access. To avoid missing your luggage in the arrivals hall upon arrival, mark your suitcase with a brightly colored ribbon or tag.

An additional way to protect your luggage from theft and mechanical damage is to wrap it in plastic. This will make your suitcase resistant to moisture, scratches, and dirt. You can also affix a "Fragile" sticker to the case. This will alert airport security to any items transported inside that are susceptible to damage or breakage.

Additionally, before each trip, check the condition of your luggage. Make sure it's not dirty or damaged.

Packing a suitcase - additional tricks

If you're going on vacation, make sure you have room in your luggage for souvenirs on the way home. You can also bring earplugs to prevent ear blockage during takeoff and landing. Remember to turn off electronic devices during the flight! Reading a book, which you can pack in your purse, for example, will make your journey more enjoyable. You can also bring a change of clothes with you, for example, to put on upon arrival at the airport or your hotel.

Is your packing list too long? Purchase checked baggage allowance.

Need extra space? In that case, a second suitcase will be perfect. Remember that checked baggage you check in at the airport must meet the airline's weight limit. This usually ranges between 15 and 23 kg. Did you manage to pack your suitcase? To stay within this limit, weigh your luggage. Subtract the suitcase's weight from the displayed weight, which is usually 2.5-4 kg.

What if I can't afford checked baggage?

Depending on the airline you choose, checked baggage prices can range from around 30 to as much as 250 PLN! If you don't want to waste extra money, limit your baggage allowance. Before baggage check, put on or sling a coat, jacket, or sweatshirt that takes up a lot of space in your suitcase. Creating neutral-colored outfits and creating a capsule wardrobe —clothes and accessories that, in various configurations, create complete outfits, perfect for any occasion: sightseeing, a business lunch, or a candlelit dinner—can also help reduce baggage allowance.

Packing Luggage - Summary

Don't have time to read our entire article? Check out our best suitcase packing tips, in a nutshell.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding them.

• Separate dirty clothes from clean ones.

• Don't leave packing until the last minute!

• If you are carrying valuable items, choose a suitcase with a TSA combination lock.

• If you want to pack more, purchase extra luggage.