Packing
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
When traveling with someone else, place one of your outfits in their bag and ask them to do the same for you.
This ensures both travelers have something to wear if one suitcase is lost while the other arrives safely.
3 people, independently
- Distribute family members' belongings equally across multiple bags so that if one bag is lost, everyone still has some clothing.2
Bring a small multi-outlet power strip (6-8 plugs) to share charging capacity with others at airports or in shared accommodations.
People appreciate being able to charge off your strip.
- This can trip a breaker very easily if you're not careful.
3 people, independently
- Keep a power strip with USB ports in your bag to allow multiple people to charge devices at once.1
- Pack a power strip when staying at friends' or relatives' homes to charge electronics without unplugging their devices.1
Pack a power strip and a long charging cable when traveling frequently.
The long cable is useful for charging at airports where outlets are often busy.
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- Keep an extension cord in your hand luggage to charge devices during layovers or delays.1
- Bring a standard home extension cord in your luggage to access outlets that are hard to reach.4
Use compact cube taps for travel or in your car.
They save space and can save lives.
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Clarify that you will take the power strip with you when leaving so others can use it afterward.
Most people are glad to have access to a plug at all.
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Pack worn-out socks or underwear you intend to discard. Wear them during travel and toss them afterward to make room for gifts.
Place spare clothes and items that shouldn't get wet in two-gallon Ziploc bags within your luggage.
This protects belongings from rain when bags are left on open carts at baggage claim.
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Pack worn-out socks or underwear you intend to discard. Wear them during travel and toss them afterward to make room for gifts.
This creates extra space in your bag.
4 people, independently
Use a hard-sided cooler as checked luggage to transport clothes, then fill it with ice and drinks upon arrival.
It serves as storage for clothes and later as a picnic container at the destination.
- The wheels on rolling coolers are not designed for rough baggage handling and may break after flights.
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Discard old or low-quality clothing during trips if it becomes sweaty, sandy, or covered in sunscreen, rather than trying to wash it.
There is no easy way to get gross washing home without it festering further.
- Only discard old/crappy clothing; keep nice items for dressing up.
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Zip suitcases closed when storing them to prevent mice from nesting inside.
Mice can gnaw through nylon luggage just as they can through drywall.
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If staying at a hotel, use the provided laundry bags to store worn clothes.
They are free, replenished daily, and of higher quality than trash bags.
- This only works if you are staying at a hotel; it does not apply when staying with family or friends.
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Sit or kneel on a packed trash bag to push out air, then twist the end to compress the clothes and save space.
It essentially vacuum packs the clothes.
2 people, independently
- Use vacuum-seal or roll-air-out bags to compress clothes.1
Place a garbage bag inside your suitcase and put worn clothes in it to keep them separate from clean items.
You avoid having to guess which items are clean.
2 people, independently
Check the voltage rating sticker on your devices before traveling to determine if you need only a plug adapter or also a voltage adapter.
Most devices work with common wall outlet voltages, but those not rated for foreign voltages require a voltage adapter.
- Voltage adapters are more expensive and have limitations on power capacity.
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Pack items you will use first into the bag last.
You can pull them out instantly without digging.
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Carry your bag in your hand once you are on the plane instead of rolling it.
It is far easier.
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- Carry your most cherished items on the flight with you rather than checking them to reduce the risk of lost luggage.1
Use an airplane sick bag to collect and seal grease when traveling.
It is waterproof and the top seals.
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Use the ranger roll technique to pack clothes without elastic bands so they can be thrown around without unrolling.
It saves space regardless of how the bag opens.
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Fold clothes for the outbound trip to prevent overpacking, then roll them for the return trip to create extra space for souvenirs.
Folding fills the suitcase quicker initially, while rolling on the way back provides more room.
2 people, independently
Maximize the size of your carry-ons to avoid checking bags entirely.
They can't lose what you don't check.
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Pack a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush your teeth occasionally during long flights.
It is a life changer.
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- Pack a change of underwear and shirt plus baby wipes for long-haul flights or decent stopovers.1
Include hygiene essentials like a toothbrush, wet wipes, hand soap, and toilet paper in your daily use bag or carry-on.
These items take up little room but provide necessary cleanliness and comfort during travel.
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Take photos of the exterior of your bags and the contents inside before traveling.
Photos help airport staff identify your bag and assist you in remembering what was packed for insurance claims.
2 people, independently
Bring sunblock every time, even in cold or dark climates.
Do not assume you won't get sunburned.
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Place bottles of alcohol in a dry bag inside your suitcase, surrounded by soft items like jumpers or towels.
If a bottle smashes, the liquid is contained in the dry bag, preventing damage to other belongings and clothing.
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Bring a portable battery instead of relying on wall outlets when traveling light.
Wall outlets are not always available when traveling.
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Do not gift-wrap presents before flying.
Security scanners may not see through wrapping paper, leading to manual inspection and unwrapping.
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Wear specific 'plane clothes' and distinct shirts for each day of the trip.
When reviewing photos later, the shirt identifies which day the picture was taken.
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Place shampoos, soaps, and other leak-prone items in Ziploc bags before packing them in your suitcase.
This contains potential leaks or ruptures.
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Keep spare clothes in your hand luggage in case of spills, accidents, or other bodily issues during the flight.
3 people, independently
- Pack more undergarments than outerwear when preparing for trips.1
Carry a block adapter or splitter for compact travel when outlet access is limited.
They are more portable and allow sharing limited sockets among multiple people.
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If you have ADHD, organize your packing list by room to help you remember what is needed from each specific location.
It prevents forgetting items required from particular rooms.
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Check your purse for prohibited items like pepper spray before checking your bag.
Prohibited items may be confiscated at the airport.
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Carry a portable fan when traveling in hot regions.
It improves air circulation and reduces CO2 buildup in rooms with no circulation.
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Fit everything into one bag to avoid extra baggage fees.
Extra bag fees are high nowadays.
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Squeeze air out of liquid containers before packing to create negative internal pressure.
This reduces the chance of the container exploding due to pressure changes.
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Note that in Europe, most duty-free items cannot be taken through security due to liquid restrictions.
Liquid restrictions apply.
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If you use a hard case with straps, tape a polite note to the inside asking TSA agents to re-secure them after inspection.
One traveler reported that this ensured agents always redid the strap, preventing damage to their case.
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- Use a luggage strap on cases that have a history of bursting open.1
Bring powdered detergent and a drain stopper to wash clothes in hotel sinks.
Hotel sinks sometimes don't hold water for soaking.
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Be cautious of overweight luggage fees when using compression methods; consider buying a smaller bag if overfilled.
Overfilling can cause luggage to exceed weight limits, leading to fees.
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If you are traveling to destinations where contraband planting is a risk, seal your luggage with locks and plastic wrapping.
To prevent someone from planting items like narcotics, which could lead to severe legal consequences without a fair investigation.
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Avoid packing heat-generating appliances that are not dual-voltage for international travel.
Using them with higher voltage will burn up and completely ruin the device, wasting luggage space.
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Pack pajamas, night items, and toiletries on top of the suitcase for immediate access upon arrival.
Avoids digging through luggage to find essential items when arriving at the destination.
- Consider packing items on top based on the specific time of arrival.
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Use compression bags for backpacking to make packing easier and quicker.
One person reported they were amazing for backpacking across Europe, making packing much easier and quicker compared to rolling clothes.
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Use a colored pillowcase as a laundry bag to avoid plastic waste and prevent housekeepers from mistaking it for hotel linens.
Colored cases signal to staff that the item is not theirs.
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Secure a regular pillowcase around a coat with safety pins if a zippered case is unavailable.
To be more frugal.
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Attach a single international adapter to a power strip rather than using individual adapters for every device.
This requires bringing only one adapter and eliminates worries about plug availability.
3 people, independently
Invest in vacuum seal bags or use resealable bags to vacuum seal items to save space.
3 people, independently
Pack basic, neutral-colored, and layerable items instead of many unique outfits.
This minimizes the total number of clothes needed for a trip.
- Extended work trips may require more specific clothing.
one person who lived it
Avoid checking fragile electronics like laptops in checked luggage to prevent damage from rough handling.
Laptops can be completely smashed during transport.
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Dress in layers so you can add or remove clothes if you are unsure about the temperature.
so that you can adjust to uncertain temperatures
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Order gifts online to be shipped directly to your destination or shop upon arrival.
This avoids security issues with wrapped packages.
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Tape beard trimmers in the off position to prevent accidental activation during travel.
Accidental activation can occur in planes, cabs, and airports, causing embarrassment as others may mistake the sound for a vibrator.
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If you have recessed buttons on devices that are prone to accidental activation, tape a coin over them to block pressure.
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Roll pants, underwear, and socks in addition to shirts.
They roll up just as easily.
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Avoid rolling long skirts if you want to cut down on wrinkles.
One person found that rolling long skirts resulted in more wrinkles.
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Adapt sleeve rolling techniques based on clothing fit; fold back extra material on loose uniforms, while tighter civilian clothes require different handling.
Extra material on loose uniforms looks bad if not folded back, while tighter clothes lack this excess.
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Use mesh laundry bags for wet items to allow drying and prevent mold.
closed wet bags make dirty clothes smell worse and are more likely to develop mold
- mesh bags do not stop wet clothes from getting other clothes dry
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Carry hand sanitizer to wipe down armpits or feet if water and soap are unavailable.
It kills the bacteria that cause odor.
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Place dirty laundry in a scented trash bag to prevent odors from affecting clean clothes.
to stop the smell of dirty clothes from ruining the rest of your luggage
2 people, independently
Wear leather shoes instead of synthetic ones for better breathability and less smell.
They are more breathable and don't smell as easily.
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