How to Pack a Suitcase (2024)

1. The bigger your suitcase, the more you will put into it: The simplest way to avoid bringing too many things is to buy a hard-sided suitcase, no more than 22 inches tall (so it can work as a carry-on) with a structured shell so you can’t squeeze in any extras.

2. Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs. Throw in a swimsuit and exercise gear or a suit jacket and dress if you’ll need them.

3. Lay out what you think you’ll need, then edit ruthlessly: “Think twice about everything you want to put in your bag,” said Ben Nickel-D’Andrea, who writes about flying first-class with his husband, Jon Nickel-D’Andrea, at , part of the BoardingArea blogger network. The jet-setting couple once flew to Morocco for nine days with only carry-on bags and backpacks. “Fully get rid of the ‘just in case I need it’ category,” he said. “If and when you need it, you can buy it.”

4. Think Tetris: The best way to fit everything into one bag: Fill every inch of space. For example, footwear should be stuffed with socks. Then lay your shoes together heel to toe at the bottom of your suitcase in a plastic shopping bag to protect clothes from dirt.How exactly you arrange everything in your suitcase is a matter of personal preference.Here are some popular strategies:

• Roll your clothes. This helps to maximize space and minimize wrinkles.
• Use packing cubes. These smaller bags help you keep your clothes compact and your outfits ordered.
• Try the . Carefully , with underwear and T-shirts at the center, and large tailored items like blazers and dresses as the outer layer.

5. Keep liquids in easy reach: “Toiletries should always be placed on top of your suitcase in a clear bag since you never know when T.S.A. might be interested in looking,” said Matthew Klint, a frequent flier and the award expert at .

6. Never unpack your toiletries: “I recommend keeping a separate toiletry kit for traveling,” said Marie Kondo, author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” Keeping a set of bathroom products already packed also ensures that you don’t forget a toothbrush or contact lens case that you might use the morning of takeoff, she said. “Keep these items in a small pouch or box in the corner of a cabinet or drawer for easy access when packing for a trip.” To streamline what you need, consider all-in-one options like BB creams, which combine foundation, moisturizer and sunblock. To prevent leakage, double up that plastic bag.

For more on packing strategies, read ”The Right Way to Pack for Travel.”

You don’t need a pile of suitcases to be ready for all types of trips. Luggage essentials can be three key pieces: a carry-on bag, a check-in suitcase and a duffel bag.

This trio, said Anne McAlpin — a travel expert, frequent globetrotter and author of the packing advice book “Pack It Up” — covers the bases for trips ranging from jaunt through multiple cities to a cruise to a nature-themed journey like a safari. “It’s unnecessary and expensive to have a big collection of luggage because most travelers tend to use the same pieces again and again,” she said.

Here’s how to choose within those categories:

Though most carry-ons and suitcases have boxy proportions and hard or soft shells, they can vary widely. That makes picking the best one more complicated than choosing a duffel bag. There are three basic variables to help guide your decision:

1. Two vs. four wheels: Which is the best way to wheel? Two-wheeled bags require you to drag them behind you in a straight line, and pulling heavy ones can be real chore. Four-wheeled bags, also known as spinners, rotate 360 degrees and are easier to maneuver; they can even be wheeled when they’re upright. But their design means that the wheels are more susceptible to damage.

2. Frequent travelers vs. occasional travelers: Travelers who are on the road several times a month need sturdy luggage that won’t fail even several years down the line. The more durable a bag, the pricier it will be — think $500 and up for a carry-on and $700 and higher for a check-in. But Lyle Saltzman, the director of merchandising for Luggage Factory, a Lambertville, New Jersey company selling more than 60 brands of luggage, said high-end bags come with generous warranties. “Many premium brands have a lifetime warranty policy that protects your investment, so if the bag gets damaged, they will repair or replace it for no charge,” he said.

Since occasional travelers don’t rely on their luggage nearly as often as road warriors, they can get by with a midrange bag, which will last them several years, and may have a limited warranty.

3. Soft- vs. hard-shell suitcase: There are benefits to both hard- and soft-side suitcases; ultimately the decision should be based on personal preference. Hard bags are aesthetically sleeker, said Dan Bettinger, an owner of Altman Luggage, a New York company that sells more than 100 brands of luggage. Hard bags also offer stronger protection than soft to the items inside and are less susceptible to wear and tear. As we mentioned earlier, a hard-shelled suitcase will also strictly limit how much you can stuff into your bag — a benefit if you tend to pack too much. And since the new models are made with lightweight polycarbonate, they don’t scratch easily and aren’t heavy. In fact, some models weigh less than soft suitcases, but be wary of a bag that’s too light: its frame may be flimsy.

The upside to soft bags: They tend to be light and have external pockets, which some travelers use to keep items like books or jackets handy. Many soft bags also have some give, a bonus if you like to cram as much as possible into a bag.

Duffel is a catch-all term for any large bag made of fabric or leather. Their flexibility is useful on car trips, safaris, ski vacations or any other getaway that requires hauling bulky, odd-shaped gear. Another advantage: Traditional duffels fold up easily when empty, requiring little storage space. Additional features include shoulder straps and wheels that keep them feeling light, and external and internal pockets that keep smaller items from getting lost in the bag.

Recommended Duffel:

$150

This water-resistant, large duffel is sturdy and easy to lug around: It has wheels, a removable shoulder strap that’s padded and adjustable, an external pocket and lockable zippers. And, it folds compactly into the accompanying pouch.

There are bags (almost always hard-cased bags) with GPS tracking, phone chargers, built-in scales, biometric fingerprint locks and other tech features. But both Mr. Saltzman and Mr. Bettinger say you should not necessarily buy one of these yet; the category is new, so kinks in these bags are sometimes still being worked out. They’re also pricey.

You could also turn your current piece of luggage into something more high-tech with minimal effort, and at a lower cost. For ideas on how to do this, read The most useful add-on is a Bluetooth tracker to improve your chances of finding lost luggage.

Packing overwhelms even the savviest travelers. What do you really need, and how much should you bring? While the answers may be partly subjective, the experts we spoke to agreed: Whatever the destination, and no matter how long or quick the trip, the biggest mistake is to overpack. “Most people bring along too much stuff and don’t end up using half of it,” said Hitha Palepu, author of “How to Pack: Travel Smart for Every Trip.”

Lugging unnecessary items is time-consuming and cumbersome, she said, because there’s more to pack and unpack and more to keep track of when you’re on the road.

Lists are key to streamlining the process, so we’ve created lists to take the stress out of packing. Christine Sarkis, deputy executive editor of the online travel magazine SmarterTravel, said the secret to packing well is to adapt a packing list to your travel style. “You’ll hone it as you go, and it may change over time, but ultimately, relying on a list is a huge time-saver,” she said. Our suggestions are pared down to the absolute musts for a basic, seven-day trip.

Clothing

Stick to one or two color palettes so outfits are easier to coordinate.

• 4 to 5 tops, types will depend on the weather and reason for travel
• 3 bottoms, types will depend on the weather and reason for travel
• 1 semi-formal outfit, like a dress or a suit
• 7 undergarments
• 7 socks/stockings
• 2 sets of separate exercise clothes including socks, if needed
• 2 sets of pajamas or other sleepwear
• 1 lightweight foldable jacket or other outerwear, climate-appropriate
• foldable rain jacket

Accessories:

• 3 pairs of shoes: a dressy pair, stylish sneakers that double as workout and walking shoes, and flip-flops for your hotel room, the pool or spa
• 2 bags: a tote or backpack and a smaller crossbody or clutch.
• Sunglasses
• Inexpensive jewelry, if needed
• A voltage adapter, if traveling internationally

Toiletries

• Dental supplies: toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Soap, shampoo and conditioner
• Deodorant
• Makeup and makeup remover, if needed
• A hairbrush and accessories like bobby pins, if needed
• Sunscreen
• Face cleanser and moisturizer
• Body moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Shaving supplies, if needed
• Laundry soap sheets or packets of travel-sized laundry detergent, if needed

For Your Carry-On

• Eyeglasses, if needed
• Prescription medication and vitamins, if needed
• A mini-medical kit: bandages, a pain reliever, a topical analgesic and diarrhea medication
• Chargers for your electronics
• Travel documents, including passport if traveling internationally, along with copies of your passport, identification and copies of your identification.
• T.S.A. size-approved toiletries
• Earplugs
• Lip balm (helpful for chapped lips, common in-flight)
• Valuables: jewelry, camera, tablet and/or laptop
• Headphones
• Neck pillow and blanket
• A change of clothes
• Melatonin or other sleep aid to help with jet lag, if crossing time zones
• An empty water bottle (fill this post-security)
• Entertainment: books, magazines, iPad
• A pen
• Travel-friendly food: nuts, energy bars, whole fruit or a sandwich

At most beach destinations you can easily find essentials like the sunscreen you forgot to pack or an extra bathing suit, said Gabe Saglie, a senior editor at the travel deals and advice site Travelzoo. And many hotels lend guests beach toys, beach towels, snorkeling sets and flotation devices; they may also dispense sunscreen by the pool or the beach. “The beauty of a beach vacation is how unencumbered it can be,” he said.

A ski vacation means packing enough cold-weather essentials. But rather than loading your bags with bulky sweaters, Ms. Palepu recommends taking tops and bottoms made with Thinsulate, a lightweight, thin material to guard against the chill. They take far less room in your suitcase. You can find Thinsulate clothing at most sporting goods stores.

Note: If bringing your own ski gear, expect to pay a few hundred dollars in checked baggage fees for oversize luggage.

Ms. Sarkis of SmarterTravel has a packing strategy for business trips: “Since the schedule for most work trips is set in advance, and I know exactly what I’m going to be doing when, I plan out my outfits in advance and use most pieces of clothing three times.”

If you’re headed to a far-flung region your packing list should include items that protect you against mosquitos and potentially contaminated water or food. Your nicest clothes aren’t compatible with visits to small villages or going on safari. “Assume everything you own is going to have an impermeable layer of dust,” said Ms. Palepu.

A cruise is one of the most difficult trips to pack for because your wardrobe has to cover many occasions, Ms. Sarkis said. You may need casual clothing for daytime shore excursions, dressier clothing for onboard dinners and one black-tie outfit for the formal night (standard on many cruises). And it may include stops in different climates.

Camping trips have a packing upside: Since most campers get to their destination by car, they don’t have to pack as compactly as for a flight. Camping doesn’t require dressy clothes; bring rugged gear and base your wardrobe on the climate.

On a road trip, Mr. Saglie said, you have more space for luggage than on an airline, and you’ll need it for items in case your car breaks down or you get a flat. For that reason, many essentials for road trips focus on emergencies rather than efficient use of space.

Packing for a family vacation isn’t easy. Besides keeping on top of your own list, you must anticipate the needs of children who don’t pack for themselves. And while you may survive without any item you forgot to bring, your children likely won’t fare as well without their must-haves, whether it’s a comfort blanket, bedtime book or electronic gadget.

Here’s how to take the headache out of packing for your family getaway.

Family travel experts agreed on two essentials for any trip, no matter the ages of your kids: packing cubes and a first-aid kit.

Packing cubes: Inexpensive fabric containers (square or rectangular) that zip closed and fit into carry-on bags and suitcases are an efficient way to separate and organize items for multiple family members, said Rainer Jenss, the president and founder of the , a trade group. “Each person gets his or her own cube so you know exactly whose stuff is whose,” he said.

The cubes, sold on Amazon.com or at a retailers like or Walmart, come in varying sizes, and Eric Stoen, the founder of the online family travel site , recommends using three or four cubes for each average-size check-in suitcase, in addition to saving a small area of the bag for shoes or toiletries.

If you’re staying in multiple hotel rooms or renting a house with several bedrooms, packing cubes act as mini-suitcases and can be divided among the various rooms. And one packing cube that everyone in the family can share: the one for dirty laundry.

First-aid kit: A well-stocked first-aid kit should be a non-negotiable for any family getaway. Mr. Stoen said that he’s rarely been on a vacation with his three children, now ages 7, 9 and 11, without relying on the kit. “It could be a stomach bug, an allergic reaction or a scrape, but there’s always something we turn to our kit for,” he said. (The first-aid kit may also be needed by a grown-up.)

The first-aid kit should include:

• Bandages of varying sizes
• An antibiotic ointment like Neosporin
• Children’s fever and pain medicine
• Children’s motion sickness remedy
• Thermometer
• Anti-itch cream
• Children’s allergy medicine
• Children’s medicine for stomach flu and constipation
• Children’s cold and flu medication
• Rehydration tablets suitable for children

Clothes

• Underwear
• Pants and/or shorts, depending on the destination
• Shirts (long- or short-sleeve, depending on the destination)
• Pajamas
• 1 rain jacket
• One dressy outfit
• Sweaters or a jacket
• Cold weather gear, like hat and gloves, if needed
• 1 sun hat, if needed
• 1 swimsuit
• Shoes (flip-flops, sneakers and nicer shoes, if needed) and socks.

Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair brush and barrettes, if needed
• Body lotion
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Bug spray
• Deodorant, depending on the age

They’re the smallest people in your household, but babies need an inordinate amount of gear when they travel, said Lissa Poirot, the editor-in-chief of the online magazine . But the biggest help is that many hotels today lend guests strollers, car seats, baby bathtubs and other infant essentials during their stay. “Depending on where you’re going, you may not have to pack as much as you think,” Ms. Poirot said.And, if traveling in the United States, another way to lighten your load is to order diapers, wipes, baby food and other basics on Amazon.com or Diapers.com, and have these items shipped directly to your destination so that they’re waiting for you upon arrival.

Children between the ages of 2 and 4 still need a lot of gear when traveling. In addition, their packing list should include plenty of things to keep them entertained. “Toddlers get very squirmy on plane and car rides and need fun ways to stay busy,” Ms. Poirot said.

When your children turn 5, packing gets easier. Since your kids are used to carrying a backpack to school, they can also carry a backpack on the trip. This is also the age that children may get their first piece of luggage. Mr. Jenss recommends that parents, for the most part, make children responsible for what goes in the bag. “The more involved your kids are in the packing process, the more vested in the trip they’ll be,” he said.

While teens should pack and carry their own bags, parents should double-check for the essentials, like a cellphone charger, their I.D., any prescription medicine and eyeglasses, Ms. Poirot said. “Your packing job as a parent at this stage is minimal,” she said.

It depends on how long you’re going for, according to Pavia Rosati, chief executive and founder of the online travel magazine There’s no need to unpack for overnight or weekend trips, but if you’re not unpacking, you should be especially careful of your packing strategy so that the items in your bag don’t end up a jumbled mess.

Ms. Rosati’s top tip: Pack your items in the order you’ll be using them — the items you want to use first should be packed last. If you’re arriving at your destination in the evening, for example, and plan on heading straight to bed, pack your pajamas last so that they’re the first thing you see when you open your bag. Have a plastic bag to keep dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes.

For trips longer than two nights, Ms. Rosati said, unpacking is the way to go. “Unpacking gives you a better sense of being in place as opposed to just breezing through it, and it’s a job that takes only five to seven minutes,” she said.

When unpacking, store your belongings in one area instead of spreading them out — it makes repacking easier and reduces the chances of forgetting to repack what you took out of your bags. If your hotel room has two chests of drawers, for example, use only one.

Depends who you ask. There are advantages to checking bags: You navigate airports without being weighed down. And once on board, you don’t jockey for overhead space.

But some airlines charge to check in bags, and exiting the airport takes longer because of the wait at baggage claim. Worst of all, there’s always a chance of a bag getting lost.

Checking items may be necessary on certain trips like a ski vacation, where you’ll be lugging bulky sweaters, boots and other equipment that require more than a carry-on bag. Family vacations, too, especially with young or school-aged children, may mean checking bags because of the sheer amount of items you need to pack.

Don’t let the length of the trip dictate whether or not you check in a bag: Ms. McAlpin, the packing expert, traveled for three weeks through Asia and the Middle East with only a carry-on, she said, and all travelers on multi-week trips could do the same. “You can get all your essentials and then some into a carry-on bag, and it’s not a catastrophe if you forget anything because you can always buy it along the way,” she said.

The guidelines depend on whether you’re checking luggage or not. Don’t pack anything in checked bags you can’t bear the thought of losing, like valuables fine jewelry or a pricey camera) or sentimental items (old family photos that you don’t have any other copies of).

Security should also dictate what you bring. The T.S.A. has a of items that are prohibited in carry-on and checked luggage. While certain items, like flammable liquids and gels, aren’t allowed in either instance, others are allowed in one but not the other. You can pack a disposable lighter with fuel in your carry-on bag, for example, but not in your checked luggage.

Weight isn’t usually a consideration for carry-on luggage: Rick Seaney, chief of the airfare comparison site FareCompare.com, said that most airlines have a size limit, but not a weight limit for carry-on bags. “Some small aircrafts, such as those that fly regionally, may have weight maximums for carry-ons, but these planes are few and far between,” he said.

The factors are different for checked bags: Most United States airlines don’t charge excess-weight baggage fees for bags up to 50 pounds each. Bags that are heavier tend to be considered overweight and are subject to excess baggage fees. These fees tend to be hefty and vary by airline and whether you’re flying domestically or internationally.

On domestic flights, Delta Air Lines charges economy passengers an overage fee of $100 each way for bags from 51 to 70 pounds and $200 each way for bags from 71 and 100 pounds. Bags over 100 pounds can’t be checked in at all. By comparison, the fee to check a bag that weighs 50 pounds or less is $25 one way.

The fees and weight limits are different for Delta’s business-class fliers and for international routes.

If you’re surprised upon check-in to find that your bag falls into the overweight category, consider the following two options: for bags that are overweight by a few pounds, Mr. Seaney advised taking out the heaviest few items and repacking them into your carry-on or a second checked bag, if you have one. For bags overweight by 10 pounds or more, buy another bag at the airport and pay the fee for a second checked bag — according to Mr. Seaney, this strategy is often cheaper than the overage bag fee.