How do I pack a suitcase efficiently?

Packing efficiently is mostly about deciding what not to take. Once the volume is right, the techniques — rolling, cubes, weight distribution — make the difference between a case that closes easily and one you sit on.

What you'll need

• Suitcase
• Packing cubes (optional)
• Zip bags for liquids (optional)
• Luggage scales or bathroom scales

Step by step

1. Lay everything you intend to take out on the bed.Seeing it all at once is what makes it possible to remove things. Packing straight into the case never works.
2. Remove about a third.Almost everyone over-packs clothing and under-packs the practical items. Plan outfits rather than items.
3. Roll soft items — t-shirts, jeans, knitwear — and fold structured ones.Rolling saves space and reduces creasing on soft fabrics. Shirts and tailoring fold better.
4. Use packing cubes to separate categories.The real benefit is at the destination — you unpack a cube rather than the whole case, and it stays organised all trip.
5. Put heavy items — shoes, toiletries — at the wheel end of the case.The case is upright when wheeled, so weight near the wheels keeps it stable rather than top-heavy.
6. Fill shoes with socks and small items.Otherwise you're transporting shoe-shaped volumes of air. Put shoes in bags to keep the soles off clothing.
7. Keep liquids in a clear resealable bag, within the airline's limits.Check current rules for your airport — they've been changing, and they still vary considerably by location.
8. Put medication, chargers, documents, valuables and one change of clothes in hand luggage.Anything you'd need if the hold bag were delayed. This is the packing decision that matters most.
9. Weigh the case before leaving.Bathroom scales work — weigh yourself, then yourself holding the case. Excess baggage charges are disproportionate.

Tips

• Photograph the contents of your case before travelling. It's invaluable for an insurance claim if it's lost.
• Wear the bulkiest items — boots, coat — rather than packing them.
• Leave 10–15% of the space free if you'll be bringing anything back.
• A small folded bag inside the case handles the return trip when you've bought more than you expected.

Common mistakes

• Packing directly into the case — You can't see the total, so you can't judge what to remove.
• Putting medication in hold luggage — Delayed bags happen. Anything you can't do without goes in hand luggage.
• Weight at the top of the case — It tips over constantly when wheeled.
• Not checking current liquid rules — They vary by airport and have been changing. Check for your specific departure point.

Questions people ask