Packing Tips from Travel Experts: How to Travel Light and Smart

It’s the night before your trip. Clothes are scattered across the bed, your suitcase is bulging, and you’re silently pleading with the zipper not to betray you. Sound familiar?

Packing doesn’t have to feel like a pre-trip marathon. With a few smart packing tips, you can turn this chaotic moment into a calm, organized process—and even start your journey with a sense of ease.

Over my years of traveling and helping hundreds of clients do the same, I’ve learned this:

The more decisions you make while packing, the more present you’ll feel while traveling.

Once you’re on the road, you shouldn’t have to think about what you’re wearing or dig through an overstuffed bag. The right strategy sets you free to enjoy the places and people you’ve been so excited to see.

These are the packing tips I use myself and recommend to clients, designed to make travel smoother, lighter, and more joyful.

Key Takeaways:

• How to choose the right luggage for your trip

• My favorite insider packing strategies

• Space-saving hacks that actually work

• A curated list of must-have travel essentials

• What to confidently leave behind (and never miss)

Choosing the Right Luggage

The right bag isn’t just storage—it’s your mobile home base. How much do you absolutely need to bring with you to have a comfortable stay?

Carry-On vs. Checked Bag

Carry-ons offer freedom for city escapes or short stays, allowing you to bypass baggage claim and step directly into your adventure. Checked luggage becomes essential for longer journeys, providing space for multiple climates, evening attire, or curated collections of pieces that transform into endless outfit combinations.

Our family has lived out of a carry-on for a few weeks and lugged around a giant suitcase internationally. There are different situations when each luggage type is appropriate.

When to choose a carry-on:

• Short trips (1–5 days)

• Train travel or multiple destinations

• Avoiding baggage claim waits or extra fees

• Quick getaways where you want to move lightly

When to choose a checked bag:

• Trips 5+ days or to multiple climates

• Bulky clothing like coats or boots

• Cold-weather gear

• Formal attire or special equipment

• If you simply don’t want to trim down your packing list

Pro tip: I almost always check a bag. The freedom of walking through the airport unencumbered is worth the few extra minutes at baggage claim.

My Go-To Luggage Choices

These are my favorite pieces of luggage I’ve purchased:

• Hard-shell suitcase with four wheels: Glides easily across airports, trains, and cobblestone streets.

• “Tiny bag”: A small rolling case for essentials—think cosmetics, prescriptions, chargers, and one change of clothes.

• The sling bag secret: My personal airport hack! A small sling bag keeps my passport, phone, and readers at my fingertips. Surprisingly, gate agents rarely count it as a carry-on, which means I can also bring my tiny bag and a larger purse like tote without issue.

A Thoughtful Approach to Packing: Packing Tips to Stay Organized and Efficient

The best way to avoid overpacking is to start with intention. Rushing at the last minute almost always leads to extra weight and unnecessary stress.

Here’s my process for a stress-free packing experience:

Start with a must-have list. Write down only what you know you’ll need to have a comfortable trip.

Lay your clothes on the bed and visualize outfits instead of single pieces. Seeing everything at once helps you spot duplicates. 

Create outfits. Pack pieces that mix and match easily. A scarf that works with three tops? Yes. Three pairs of nearly identical shoes? No. This ensures nothing sits unworn at the bottom of your bag.

Rolling vs. Folding

Roll soft fabrics like cotton or linen to save space and reduce wrinkles. Fold structured items like jackets and dresses to keep their shape.

Expert Hack: Roll entire outfits together for grab-and-go simplicity.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a game-changer. They turn your suitcase into a set of tidy drawers:

• Tops in one cube

• Bottoms in another

• Accessories in a smaller zip pouch

This makes unpacking (and repacking) a breeze. You can find what you need without dumping everything out. 

By the time you zip it up, your suitcase should feel like a neat capsule of everything you’ll actually wear and use—no more, no less.

Maximize Space and Minimize Weight with These Packing Hacks

Every inch of your suitcase counts. Each item has its place, nothing shifts or spills, and the bag feels light enough to lift without strain. 

These space-saving packing tips make your bag feel lighter and more manageable:

• Wear bulky items on the plane: Boots, coats, and sweaters should be worn, not packed.

• Contain small items: Use pouches for chargers, cords, and adapters.

• Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes: Fashion sneakers, dressy-but-comfortable pair, and neutral everyday shoes

• Liquids in a clear pouch: TSA-friendly and leak-proof.

• Minimal jewelry: Bring just a couple of versatile pieces

Think of your bag as a puzzle—everything fits when you think creatively. With preparation and intention, packing can give great satisfaction.

These travel tips turn chaos into calm, helping you glide from plane to train to hotel with ease and confidence.

Curated Packing List: Must-Have Travel Essentials

Here’s my refined list of what always earns a spot in my suitcase:

Documents and Money

• Passport and digital backup

• Credit cards and local currency

• Travel wallet

Clothing and Accessories

• Light layers for chilly planes

• Comfortable walking shoes

• A versatile, packable coat

Toiletries

• Travel-size or solid essentials

• Minimal makeup and skincare

• Leak-proof pouches for organization

We are obsessed with all these toiletry and makeup bag options from Elizabeth Scarlett! They are functional and come in sleek designs.

Technology

• Phone, charger, universal adapter

• Portable battery

• Optional: compact travel camera

Health and Wellness

• Prescriptions packed in carry-on

• Mini first-aid kit

• Reusable water bottle and snacks

• Optional: small travel pillow—offers comfort and care at every step. 

By anticipating your needs, you create a foundation of ease, allowing you to arrive at your destination fully present, refreshed, and ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and elegance of your journey.

Extras for Comfort and Convenience

The little details often make the greatest difference, transforming travel from functional into effortlessly indulgent. A silk eye mask and compact travel pillow ensure a restful flight so you’re ready to explore once you land.

A foldable tote or duffle takes up no space but is a versatile item to bring on your trip, ready to unfold as a chic companion for day trips, market strolls, or spontaneous picnics.

These thoughtfully chosen extras elevate every moment, allowing you to move gracefully with comfort, elegance, and the freedom to fully enjoy each experience.

Items to Leave at Home

The biggest mistake travelers make is packing for “just in case.” Those items almost always go unused.

Leave these behind:

• Full-size toiletries (heavy and prone to leaks)

• Duplicate shoes or near-identical outfits

• Valuables or sentimental jewelry

• Bulky hair tools (use the hotel’s instead)

• Guidebooks (download digital versions)

• Gear you won’t absolutely need

The lightness of a well-edited suitcase makes every part of your journey easier. That’s the gift of leaving things behind.

Travel Light, Travel Confidently

Packing well isn’t about squeezing more into your suitcase—it’s about curating thoughtfully so every piece earns its place. These packing tips will help you move through airports, cities, and adventures with ease.

And if you want your entire trip—not just your suitcase—to feel seamless and stress-free, consider working with a trusted travel advisor.

We specialize in designing effortless, elevated travel experiences where every detail is handled, from luggage to logistics. You focus on the adventure—we take care of the rest.

We’ve created a Packing Made Perfect checklist to help you simplify your suitcase and travel with confidence.

Download it here—and take the guesswork out of packing.

FAQs About Packing Tips

Is it better to fold or roll clothes when packing?

Roll soft fabrics to save space and reduce wrinkles. Fold structured items to maintain their shape.

How to pack clothes in a suitcase without wrinkles?

Use tissue paper between layers and fold along seams. Packing cubes keep items secure.

Can I carry snacks in my hand luggage internationally?

Yes! Stick to shelf-stable items like nuts or protein bars. Fresh produce is often restricted.

Is hotel laundry worth it?

Absolutely. Use it for a few key pieces to refresh your wardrobe and pack lighter overall.