Holiday packing tips

Holiday packing can be stress-free, just follow these 8 steps...

The holiday season is fast approaching, and that means sun, sea and suitcase packing. (Sighhhh!)

Historically, one of the major pet peeves of jetting off on holiday is packing your suitcase. Admit it, we’ve all, at one point in time, sat on our suitcase in a desperate attempt to get the thing shut, right?

It’s a delicate science, fitting holiday essentials in your case in a way that meets airline baggage limitations. But don’t fret, follow these 8 simple packing tips and learn how to save space in your suitcase.

Wherever in the world you’re travelling, from a long weekend in an upbeat city to a rural escape in the mountains, you’ll need to pack your suitcase efficiently, so you get the most out of your trip.

Be organised

Before you even contemplate stuffing your case, make a list of all the items you think you will need to travel with. Alternatively, you can find a ready-made list here.

With list in hand, separate your essentials from your desirables. Be realistic with your luggage limitations and keep in mind your baggage allowance.

There are a number of things you should think twice about bringing on holiday with you. To free up storage space in your suitcase remove valuables such as jewellery, and bulky items like guidebooks.

Top tip – photocopy the pages you need from your guidebooks and take only the bare essentials rather than the whole book. This frees up both storage and weight in your suitcase.

Weigh your suitcase

Check with your booking agent or airline to find out your baggage allowance. One thing’s for certain, there’s next to no leniency when it comes to your baggage allowance. Weigh your cases before you arrive at the airport to make sure you are well within the weight restrictions. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself being forced to pay a substantial fee or throw some of your items away.

Wear your heaviest clothing on the plane journey

By wearing your heaviest items of clothing on the plane journey (jeans, hats, boots, coats…), you reduce the amount of weight in your suitcase. Airlines weigh cases, and not you. So, if you’re travelling with an airline that implements strict baggage allowances, reduce the risk of incurring a baggage fee by keeping all your heaviest items on your person.

Obviously, consider the implications of travelling with all your weightiest items on your person upon arrival at your destination. Make sure that once you land you have room in your case to put the additional items. That way, you don’t have to wear these on the journey to your resort.

Lightweight suitcase

Invest in a lightweight suitcase. However, don’t make the assumption that the more expensive a case is, the more lightweight it will be, because this certainly isn’t the case (seriously, no pun intended).

A hard-shell suitcase is better if you’re travelling with fragile items, but on average they add an additional 4 kilos onto the weight of your luggage.

Soft-sided suitcases will generally come in lighter in weight, and with the ability to expand to fit more into them, they leave you with more storage space.

Pack a first aid kit

Take a small bag with all the essential medicines you might need while away. You might find that medication in the country you visit may be limited to prescription-only. The last thing you want is to be struck down by a gruelling headache, high-climate fever, poorly stomach or all three during a holiday.

Roll your clothes

By rolling your clothes, rather than folding, you not only save storage space in your suitcase, you also reduce the number of creases your clothes will suffer whilst stored in your suitcase. Starting from the bottom up, roll your clothes into tight tubes and stack them neatly throughout your suitcase.

Top tip - Roll up underwear & socks and stuff them inside shoes to free-up even more storage space.

Protect your possessions

If you’re taking away items that hold sentimental or financial value, make sure they are protected from breaks and spills whilst your suitcase is in the hands of always (read: 'rarely') careful baggage handlers and in storage in the plane's hold.

Any liquid items, store in zip-lock bags. That way, if there are any spills or explosions, the liquid stays compact in its bag and isn’t dispersed throughout your suitcase. Another top tip is to take off the lids from all your liquid bottles, place a tight layer of cling film over the neck of the bottle and secure it down by fastening the lid back on. You can further secure these bottles by taping the lid down with clear tape.

Pack any valuables that have the potential to break or smash, due to heavy handling, in the centre of your case, surrounded by soft, impact absorbing items such as towels and flip flops.

Carry-on luggage

Remember, all airlines permit you to carry up to 10kg of carry-on luggage. So, if you’re struggling to fit all your essentials in your hold luggage, utilise this extra luggage option.

Airlines have strict carry-on luggage restrictions. Make sure you have a read through this prior to packing your carry-on to avoid any unnecessary waste of property.

Nobody likes to think about it happening to them, but luggage goes missing. So, pack the bare essentials in your carry-on to get you through the first day in your destination should your luggage be delayed. Pack a swimsuit, change of underwear and fresh clothes, makeup and toothbrush and you’ll reduce the risk of having to rush out and spend your hard-saved holiday spends on additional items.

Have any of your own great storage tips for holiday packing? Tweet them to us @Storefirst_UK