Are you planning on traveling this year? Whether you’re set to travel to some place nearby or are going to a more far-flung holiday destination, packing can be a stressful task, especially if you’re planning on going on a long vacation and are vacationing with the rest of the family.
So, just for you, we’ve detailed our top packing tips below to help you make the most of your luggage allowance or trunk space.
Our Top 5 Packing Tips
1. Roll Instead of Folding
Rolling is usually the best way to pack your clothes, as it makes them more compact and therefore allows you to fit more into a particular suitcase. Furthermore, rolling clothes also reduces the risk of them getting very deep creases as a result of them being folded up for a long period of time.
2. Adhere to the 3-1-1 Rule
The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 rule only applies to carry-on luggage (so any baggage that you take onto the plane with you) and it specifies that passengers may only carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are up to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Furthermore, each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.
It’s important to check if a certain product is classified as a liquid or gel well in advance, as it’s easy to get caught out and trying to bring certain products onto a plane will result in them potentially being confiscated and destroyed.
Remember – liquid prescription medicine is exempt from this rule.
3. Carefully Think About What to Pack In Your Carry-On
In addition to the suitcase you store in the overhead bins of a plane, most airlines typically allow passengers to bring on another piece of carry-on luggage, such as a handbag, a messenger bag or a backpack.
You should try to be strategic when deciding what to pack in this bag. First and foremost, you should make sure that you don’t try to bring anything that’s not allowed, as this will most likely lead to it being confiscated.
Aside from that, try to think about what you want to have easy access to during your flight and upon arriving at the airport.
4. Take Dual-Purpose Clothing
Taking dual-purpose clothing, such as a pair of pants that have a removable element that can turn them into a pair of shorts, can allow you to get away with packing fewer items. So, this can be a great way to make the most of your baggage allowance.
5. Utilize Packing Aids
Packing aids can be an awesome way to help you organize your belongings in a suitcase and best utilize your baggage allowance. There are countless different packing aids on the market (often sold in sets), so it’s advisable to read reviews and buying guides to help you decide which is best for you. Check out some awesome packing aids you can purchase from Amazon below.
Final Thoughts
Packing is one of the most stressful parts of traveling, but being organized and following our packing tips can make a big difference with regards to how much you’re able to fit into a particular suitcase. In some cases, our tips may even save you money as you won’t need to buy costly additional luggage allowance.
Furthermore, it’s really important to check your specific baggage allowance in advance, as this may vary from airline and airline and it may also be affected by what class you’re flying in.
A Quick Summary
- Packing can be a stressful task, but following our 5 top packing tips can help you better utilize your baggage allowance.
- You should be sure to follow the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule and to roll your clothes instead of folding them, as this makes them more compact.
- Furthermore, you should carefully decide what to pack in your carry-on luggage.
- Taking dual-purpose is also a good idea, as it can help you make the most of your baggage allowance.
- Lastly, utilizing packing aids can help you better organize your belongings.