The Best Packing Tips from Travel Editors

The SmarterTravel team racks up a lot of miles every year, and we’ve become experts in packing. From weekend getaways to extended international journeys, our seasoned editors have encountered and overcome a wide array of packing challenges, developing some great strategies along the way.

The tips we’ve gathered can help streamline your packing process, maximize your luggage space, and ensure you’re well-prepared for any trip. We’re excited to share our favorite packing tips, each based on real-world travel experiences and lessons learned on the road. These insights will help you pack smarter and travel lighter. 

Use Packing Cubes (in the Right Situation)

I always use packing cubes if I’m traveling with a duffle bag or backpack as my primary luggage. Otherwise, I wind up getting annoyed digging around trying to find the one item I need that’s inevitably at the bottom. My favorite packing cubes are Eagle Creek’s Pack-Its, which compress your clothes so you can fit even more in.

Depending on what makes sense for my trip, I organize my packing cubes in one of two ways:

1. By day: Each cube contains a complete outfit for a specific day.
2. By category: Separate cubes for pants, tops, and other clothing types.

I label each cube using a piece of tape with a written description of what’s inside. This allows me to quickly see what’s inside without opening them.

However, I never use packing cubes if I’m traveling with a wheeled suitcase—in that case, I prefer to roll my clothes to keep them wrinkle-free (and to fit more in my bag.)

Keep a Travel Go-Bag

Packing is the worst part of preparing for a trip. To save time, I keep two small bags packed and ready to go at all times. One is my toiletries kit, which I refill after each trip. The second is my in-flight bag, a small pouch I keep stocked with any essentials I’ll need on the plane (headphones, hand sanitizer, charging cable, lip balm, and tissues.)

When it’s time to hit the road again, it feels like my packing is already halfway done.

Combine Rolling and Folding

When it comes to the rolling versus folding debate, I stand right in the middle. The best way to pack a suitcase is to combine both strategies.

I fold thicker, heavy-weight items like sweaters and jeans and lay them flat at the bottom of the suitcase. Lightweight items like t-shirts and tank tops get rolled up and layered on top.

Finally, I squeeze small miscellaneous items like socks, undergarments, and swimsuits into the empty spaces in between (Bonus tip: if packing a pair of shoes, stuff your socks inside to save space).

Use a Packing Planner

Creating a packing list based on your plans for each day of your trip can help prevent overpacking. All our editors swear by SmarterTravel’s Packing Planner, a free downloadable PDF that allows you to fill in the weather forecast and your planned daily activities to help you decide what outfits and shoes you’ll need. 

Having each day broken down is helpful for eliminating the urge to throw in unnecessary clothing “just in case.”