Packing is one of my least favorite activities, mostly because I always wish that I could take everything with me, including the kitchen sink (just kidding, it would definitely weigh more than the 50 lbs limit!). But since I have gone back and forth so much between continents I like to think that I have become an expert on packing that won’t cost you the big bucks if you are flying across the country or across the sea. Here are my best tips that I have accumulated throughout the years and that have also saved me some cash:
Number 1: Invest in a suitcase scale
My mother originally purchased a suitcase scale for me as a joke because I was always using the regular weight scale at home to make sure I was not going over the designated weight limit before going to the airport. I knew I never wanted to be one of those people who had to make that quick decision to pay extra money for the excess weight or to bust open their suitcase in front of everyone to purge a precious “unnecessary” item from their suitcase last minute. For this reason, the suitcase scale has become an essential item on any trip and I literally bring it everywhere. The best feature about the scale that I have is the dual weight settings to be able to weigh my suitcase in pounds and kilos so that I can use the correct weight in the wherever I am in the world.
Number 2: When picking a suitcase, buy the one that weighs less
This tip was one of my biggest rookie mistakes when I first started traveling to Europe years ago. Weight matters, and if your suitcase has heavy plastic or fancy wheels, you might be losing out on extra space and weight for things that are more important (remember that you probably will barely use your actual suitcase when you get to your destination but an extra pair of pants might allow you more fashion freedom!). In the end, I have found that the cheapest and lightest suitcases have served me the best over the years, no need for any fancy bells and whistles, especially for the bigger 50lbs+ cases.
EXTRA PRO TIP: buy some fancy ducktape and reinforce the handles of your suitcase to make it easily recognizable at baggage claim.
Number 3: Roll your pants, stack your shirts
I have watched countless videos on how to best pack to save the most space and for some reason everyone always suggests rolling your clothes together. While this may work pants, I have always found that just a good ol’ flat fold for your shirts can save a lot of room as well. Rolling your pants is a great way to save space because you can fill the inner ridges of your suitcase, a space that would otherwise be unused by just flat folding all of your clothes. A normal stack of flat and folded shirts can then go over the top in order to better be able to close your suitcase once you’ve fit everything inside.
Number 4: Choose your shoes wisely
Shoes can be a HUGE waste of weight and space, especially if you need to pack things like winter boots. My number one rule is always to wear your heaviest and bulkiest shoes to the airport- this means I am usually sporting my classic Timberlands to the airport, even in the heat of summer. I know this may seem impractical but its usually cold on airplanes anyway and my Timbs have been one of the most versatile things in my closet, especially if you are staying somewhere during the cold winter months (I realize that this is a very Minnesotan POV, but trust me on this one, you don’t want cold feet in the winter). After you pick your most bulky shoe to wear, my usual rule of thumb is to pick one type of shoe from each shoe “genre” (ie one flat, one heel, one sandal, etc.) and 2 pairs of sneakers, since those are the shoes that you most likely will wear the most. If you “think” you might wear it, you probably won’t and you should save the weight and room for something you will actually use
Number 5: Never pack full-size beauty products
This one I feel like is obvious but also the most difficult, especially if you use products that are not available/accessible or are really expensive in the place that you are going (note to the Suave Professionals: the Spanish market is READY for your Keratin products!). I promise you that wherever you are going that you will find a similar product (or maybe a better one!) so save the weight, space, and money and just buy your beauty essentials at your destination.
Number 6: Utilize the seemingly useless small pockets on the outside of your suitcases
These pockets have been the real MVP of my international travel adventures. I usually put small things like swimsuits, bras, underwear, scarves, etc. in these pockets and it saves a lot of space in the main compartment for bigger and bulkier things like shoes and clothes.
Number 7: Know your airline limits
This is probably the most important step of all, as you need to know how much or how little you can bring so you can properly prepare your suitcase for each trip that you take. The key here is to inquire about this during the booking process as not all flights include the same baggage policies anymore. When I first started traveling internationally in 2013 it was pretty standard to have a 50 lbs checked bag, 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item included in most flights, including having your checked luggage taken all the way to your destination. Recently, however, I have noticed that this is no longer the standard, especially with cheaper flights or with lesser known airlines. For this reason, just make sure to research your airline’s baggage policy so that there are no last minute surprises at the airport
EXTRA PRO TIP: In the event that you are willing to pay a little extra cash to transport your stuff to your destination it might be cheaper to purchase an extra checked bag online before you go to the airport. Airlines will usually tell you this after you purchase your flight or when you check-in for your flight so have your credit card ready if you plan to pack an extra bag.
So there you have it, all my best secrets for all of my long trips away from home. Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!