Airline baggage fees continue to rise, so many travelers try to fit everything into a carry-on or small suitcase. The good news is that with the right packing strategies, you can fit far more into your luggage than you think. Whether you're traveling for a weekend getaway or a longer family vacation, these space-saving packing tips will help you maximize every inch of your suitcase.
If you want to save the most money and aren't traveling for too long, you'll probably want to travel carry-on only. Before doing this, ensure your plane ticket includes a carry-on item, not just a personal item (underseat item). Airlines have strict guidelines for carry-on item size, so know the restrictions before packing.
Read our post to learn our tips for packing a lot in a small suitcase.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
How to Pack A Lot in a Small Suitcase: Packing Tips
Remember that while you can save space when packing your bag, you cannot control weight (unless you eliminate items). Airlines have baggage weight restrictions, and you must make sure you pack within those weight limits.
In addition, you'll need to actually carry your bag, and if it's a carry-on bag, you'll need to lift it above your head and into the overhead compartment. Be aware of the weight of your bag, regardless of the packing method you choose.
Folding Method: Fold Vs. Roll Clothes
Most people choose to use the folding method. When you use this method, you simply fold your clothes and place them in the suitcase. However, folding clothes is not my preferred way to pack. There are other methods, listed below, that can help you save more space.
Use Packing Cubes
I love using packing cubes, especially for longer trips when I stay at multiple hotels. Packing cubes are flexible fabric cubes that hold clothes, underwear, and other items. They keep clothes organized and can also save some space.
I recommend purchasing compression packing cubes, which offer more space-saving functionality. These bags can then be removed from your suitcase and placed directly in your hotel room drawers, saving time when packing and unpacking.
Compression Bags
Compression bags are vacuum-sealed bags that remove all air, compressing your clothes into very small packages. While I love these for packing for my kids' college, I don't recommend them for travel.
These vacuum compression bags can wrinkle clothes quite a bit. In addition, it can be challenging to use them on the way home, so you'll have no way to get all those items back home after your vacation unless you pack a small pump.
Using compression bags can help save space, but it won't change the weight of your items. So, if you do use this method, it's important to check the weight of your bag to make sure you can lift it (for a carry-on bag) or that it doesn't go over the maximum weight (for a checked bag).
Rolling Method
The rolling method is my favorite option for travel. It's easy to use, keeps clothes relatively wrinkle-free, and works with both dirty and clean clothes.
The rolling method is simple - you just roll your clothes and place them in the suitcase. If you roll clothes tightly, you can save even more space in your suitcase. For dresses and shirts, you'll want to fold the arms of the garment first. Once you have the rolled items, you can place them side by side in the suitcase.
If you are going to roll your clothes, you'll want to choose larger items like shirts, sweaters, and pants, rather than underwear or socks.
One major benefit of rolling clothes, in addition to the space-saving aspect, is preventing wrinkles. Rolling clothes can help keep them wrinkle-free.
Wrapping Method
The wrapping method is another popular way to pack a lot of items in a small suitcase. With the wrapping method, you'll find the longest pieces, like a dress or jumpsuit. Then place those in the bottom of the suitcase (when it's lying flat open), and lay the edges over the side.
Lay each additional item inside, and then wrap the bottom item over everything. You can even pack more fragile items inside, although I generally recommend carrying those in your personal item.
People who use the wrapping method for packing a suitcase like it because it keeps items wrinkle-free. I don't love the wrapping method because, to me, it seems overly complicated and challenging to undo once you are at your destination. But it's worth a try if you are packing larger items and aren't sure how to pack them.
Packing Larger/Heavier Items
The methods above work well for clothing. But if you are packing larger or heavier items, such as pairs of shoes and boots, you'll also need to consider them.
I recommend placing your bulkiest shoes at the bottom of your suitcase (when it is standing up). You can also purchase shoe bags to keep the dirty bottoms of your shoes away from your clothes and valuables.
Some people recommend wearing your heavier items on the plane. Things like coats, thick sweaters, and boots can take up a lot of space in your suitcase. Just keep in mind that planes can be hot, so you'll want to have on layers, rather than just one bulky item.
Packing Smaller Items
When you are packing small items, like power cords, you'll have a few options. While you can tuck these items around your clothes, this isn't the most organized way. Instead, I recommend using travel pouches.
I like collecting my pouches from my travels, but you can also buy the Aloha Collection pouches, which are water-resistant. As a bonus, these are great for packing liquids like sunscreen and for packing your bathing suit if it's wet when you are traveling home.
You can also use a clear plastic bags (like Ziploc bags) if you aren't a frequent traveler and don't want to spend the extra money for something you won't use on a regular basis.
General Tips for Packing Your Suitcase
Here are some general tips for packing your suitcase to save space.
Buy high-quality luggage: Some suitcases, like those from Away, have built-in compression elements. Good luggage is a great investment if you plan to travel for a while.
Use a spacious personal item: If you are trying to save money when packing your suitcases, it's a good idea to maximize space with a personal item (the bag under the seat in front of you) that holds a lot. We have a collection of our favorite personal items in our post.
Remember that you have to pack dirty laundry: All of these methods are great for packing items on the way to your destination. But remember that you'll need to pack everything for the way back. I recommend using a laundry bag at your destination (you can buy them on Amazon) and then rolling the dirty clothes back up if possible. Just be sure to keep the dirty and clean items separate.
Use AirTags if checking your bags: If you use Apple devices and plan to check your bags, I recommend using AirTags. They are even a great idea if you'll have to check your carry-on bag because the aircraft has run out of space.
Split items if traveling with others: Instead of assigning one bag per person, spread items across bags. That way, if one bag is lost, everyone in your group will still have some clothes.
Stategize the types of clothes you bring: You can pack fewer items if you are strategic about it. Consider sticking with a similar color scheme so you can combine items. For instance, wool clothes, like those from Unbound Marino, don't need to be washed as frequently.
Leave a Reply