How to Pack for a Small Suitcase?

Make a list of things you want to take

If you want to take everything you need and pack your suitcase optimally, make a list. Thanks to it, you won’t worry until the last moment whether you have everything. The whole packing process will go more smoothly and without stress. If it turns out you are taking too many things, you have time to consider what you can give up. Don’t take things just in case. If needed, you can buy them at your destination.

Choose the right suitcase

A small suitcase can serve as carry-on luggage. Usually—in low-cost airlines—it is additionally charged, but still cheaper than a large suitcase checked in. Choose a sturdy suitcase that will serve you on many trips, whether you travel by plane, train, or car. It can be soft if you like extra external pockets, or hard, made from more or less flexible materials. Here, the choice of suitcase depends on your mode of travel. For air travel, choose suitcases made from flexible materials.

Pack items from largest to smallest

The technique of packing a suitcase from largest to smallest items is optimal. Remember to roll your clothes. This will save a lot of space in the suitcase and fill empty gaps. Secure valuable items like jewelry during the trip. A good idea is to pack them in small jewelry boxes that will protect them and won’t take up much space in the suitcase.

Put small items and underwear inside shoes

Packing smaller items inside shoes is a great way to save space. You can fill sports shoes or others you take with socks, but also place secured small devices like wireless headphones or other valuable small items inside. Don’t waste this space!

Take clothes suited to the weather at your destination

It’s worth starting to pack your suitcase by figuring out what kind of clothes you need at your destination. Of course, it’s easiest to pack when going to warm places. Light clothes fit more easily. However, it’s always good to take something warm with you. When packing clothes for worse weather, think carefully about what will go into your suitcase. It may turn out that a small suitcase won’t be enough.

Pack the most needed items on top of the suitcase

When traveling with a small suitcase, you may need small items from inside it. A warmer sweatshirt, jacket, or a change of shirt should be placed on top of the suitcase. This way, you can easily reach them without having to unpack everything. This also applies to all items that might be necessary to unpack during security checks. This mainly concerns medicines and liquid cosmetics. If you check your suitcase as registered luggage, this is not necessary.

Lay belts along the suitcase walls

It’s worth filling free spaces in a small suitcase with small items, but what about belts? Contrary to appearances, belts take up a lot of space when rolled up in a small suitcase. A good method is to lay them out and place them along the suitcase walls. This way, they take up an unnoticeable amount of space, fitting into free gaps.

Take clothes you can mix and match

If you want to pack your suitcase optimally, take as many clothes as you need, creating ready outfits for each day. Before you start packing, think about what you will wear each day. Not all wardrobe items need to be changed daily. Pants, skirts, or shorts can be worn for several days, matching tops accordingly. Create complementary sets to reduce the number of items you take. This way of packing is the most efficient.

Take one warm sweatshirt even if you’re flying to the tropics

No matter where you’re going or flying, always take one warm sweatshirt or outerwear. Even if it’s hot during the day, evenings or mornings can be quite cool. It’s always better to have something to cover yourself with. Check the weather before your trip to make sure it won’t rain. If needed, you can take a rain jacket or umbrella. If you don’t want to pack them in your suitcase, you can buy them at your destination.

Wear the biggest shoes on your feet

If you have to take more pairs of shoes, decide to travel wearing the ones that take up the most space. This way, you save that space in your suitcase for more important things. Large shoes can be very bulky, which can be quite inconvenient with a small suitcase.

Pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the suitcase

For luggage stability and practical reasons, pack the heaviest and largest items at the bottom of the suitcase. Whether you’re traveling by car on a business trip or flying on a city break, this tip will certainly make packing and traveling with your suitcase easier.

Leave space in your luggage

When packing your suitcase well, it’s worth thinking about leaving a little extra space. Why? For two reasons. First, when you return, your suitcase will contain the clothes you wore on vacation. They may take up more space than the ones you wore on the way there. Moreover, when returning, we usually pack more carelessly. More importantly, leave space for souvenirs. This way, you can bring pleasant little things from your trip home. This especially applies to holiday and leisure trips.

Label your suitcase and write down contact details

Although a small suitcase is usually treated as carry-on luggage on a plane, so you have control over it, label your suitcase. In case it gets lost or left at the airport, it will be easier to identify. Leave your contact details on it, especially your phone number and address. This way, even a random finder can quickly contact you, as can the services that find such lost luggage.

What not to pack in luggage for air travel?

It’s important to remember basic rules when packing a suitcase for a plane. You cannot have any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. This also applies to nail files or nail scissors, which are often forgotten. Be careful with cosmetics too. You can only carry liquids, such as shower gels or shampoos, in 100 ml transparent bottles on board the plane.

It’s not worth packing at the last minute. A small suitcase has its limits, so packing it well can be a condition for a successful vacation. Remember to take important documents and always keep them with you.