How to save space in your suitcase?

Packing a suitcase is always a challenge, and sometimes even stressful. How do you take all the necessary things without worrying about lack of space or having to give up anything? It’s not an easy task, especially if you plan to travel by plane with carry-on luggage. Here are some life hacks for packing a suitcase for any trip!

Make a list – avoid stress and unpleasant surprises

Making a list of things you want to take is a way to reduce tension during packing and worries about forgetting something. It’s especially worth doing when traveling with children. The number of accessories needed for a comfortable trip is much greater. It’s a good idea to put everything on a list so you can set off without worries and have peace of mind from the start of your journey.

Choose the right suitcase, bag, or backpack

If you are traveling far and for a longer time, a large suitcase will be the best solution. For flights, it can be checked luggage, so it’s worth choosing one that is sturdy and won’t get damaged while handled by airport staff. You can protect such a suitcase by using a cover. For shorter trips, a medium suitcase works well. A small cabin suitcase, a backpack, or a bag are worth taking as carry-on luggage, which helps reduce flight costs.

Roll clothes – they take up less space in the suitcase

Rolling clothes saves space in your suitcase or travel bag, allowing you to bring more! Rolled clothes not only take up less space but can also fill all the empty gaps. So if you want to pack your suitcase optimally, use this trick that lets you fit even more items into both carry-on luggage and a large suitcase.

Pack the most needed items on top

Distribute the heaviest items evenly in the suitcase. Place things you might need during the trip on top so they are easy to reach. Soft suitcases with pockets and compartments are a good solution. They give you access to items stored there without opening the entire suitcase. Even if you don’t plan to take anything out during the trip, it’s worth following this rule because trips don’t always go as planned, and sometimes a warmer sweatshirt or extra underwear can be essential.

Check the weather at your destination

Before packing a lot of unnecessary things just in case, check what you really need and should pack. Take clothes suited to the weather conditions of your destination. Excess clothing in your luggage can unnecessarily increase costs if you’re flying, so it’s worth carefully considering what you’ll wear during your vacation and not packing extras just in case.

Take only what you really need

To save space in your suitcase, besides thinking about the types of clothes you bring, also consider toiletries. Most hotels provide shower gels and shampoos. This means you don’t have to bring them with you. They take up a lot of space in your suitcase. You can use the hotel’s products or buy them locally. Their cost is relatively low, so it’s worth considering this option instead of packing heavy and bulky products. You can also take mini toiletries available in drugstores. If you pack toiletries in your carry-on luggage, remember that liquid products must be in plastic, transparent bottles of 100 ml capacity inside a bag or transparent toiletry bag. These are airport security requirements.

Use vacuum bags

Vacuum bags are a good idea to reduce the volume of your belongings. They are even more effective than rolling clothes. However, keep in mind that vacuum bags will also be needed on the return trip, and it’s not always possible to use them. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons of this solution to save space in your suitcase in the best way for you.

Invest in a luggage scale

The weight of your suitcase matters especially at airports where limits are enforced. It’s worth investing in a luggage scale and taking it with you. Why? On the way back, your suitcase is usually heavier because it’s filled with souvenirs. Surprisingly, their weight can cause you to pay extra baggage fees. To avoid this, check your suitcase’s weight before departure, even at the hotel. A luggage scale takes very little space and makes packing easier by considering weight even during your vacation.

Trick for packing belts

Belts are usually packed by rolling them up. Although rolling clothes saves space, belts can be packed even better due to their shape by using empty spaces in the suitcase. How to do it? The belt should be unrolled and placed along the edges of the suitcase, even between clothes. Packed this way, it takes up much less space than rolled into a coil.

Take the most important items with you in your carry-on luggage

Necessary items like payment cards, documents, and money should be packed in your carry-on luggage to keep them handy. You can also keep your glasses case and other small items needed during the flight in your carry-on. If you’re flying only with carry-on luggage, think carefully about what you’ll need on the trip because you have to fit everything—cosmetics, clothes, and small items—into a relatively small suitcase, backpack, or travel bag.

Wear your biggest shoes during the trip

Shoes usually take up a lot of space in a suitcase. If you want to bring more pairs, wear the biggest ones, like sports shoes, during the trip. This way, you can pack flip-flops or sandals, which take up much less space in the suitcase. You can fill empty spaces in your checked luggage with them without worrying about taking up too much room.

Don’t keep money and cards in one place

Cash and payment cards are usually kept in a wallet. During travel, this is very risky. Losing your wallet blocks access to all payments. Sometimes paying via phone apps is a solution. In the worst case, your bag or backpack containing all important items, including documents, could be stolen. Such a situation causes many problems, so it’s better to spread your money and payment cards across different bags, especially when traveling with someone. This way, losing one bag or backpack won’t cut you off from your money.

Take a photo of your suitcase contents

Once you’ve packed your suitcase, it’s worth taking a photo of its contents. Why? In case your luggage is lost or damaged, you can quickly check if anything is missing. After closing your luggage, check its weight and whether it exceeds allowed limits to avoid extra fees at the airport.

Pack all the necessary items in your suitcase using clever tricks that let you bring what you need for your trip.