Packing your suitcase correctly: Tips for space-saving and efficient packing
Before the summer vacation with the family or the relaxing city trip alone, packing your suitcase is always a tedious, yet unfortunately necessary evil. However, with the right preparation, packing your suitcase becomes child's play and space-saving, efficient packing allows you to safely and compactly store necessary items in your luggage. We provide you with practical tips and tricks to properly pack your suitcase or bag and explain what questions you should ask yourself when preparing for your trip.
Our 8 tips for space-saving packing
With these tips, your suitcase will remain compact and organized:
1. Roll your clothes
Instead of awkwardly folding your clothes, you can simply roll them. This way, the clothes are wrinkle-free after the trip. This method hardly creates any wrinkles and also saves a lot of storage space in your suitcase or backpack.
2. Use Packing Cubes
Another space-saving tip is packing cubes. With their help, you can store clothes and accessories in an organized way and make optimal use of the available space. Simply divide your wardrobe into categories, e.g., jewelry, underwear, shirts, and pack them in separate cubes.
3. Pack heavy items at the bottom
Heavy items, such as towels or shoes, are best packed at the bottom of your luggage to provide stability and structure.
4. Plan outfits in advance
Before packing, consider what you want to wear on each day of the vacation and match the clothes accordingly. This way, you know which clothes need to be washed before the vacation, can pack your suitcase specifically, and avoid taking unnecessary items. If you want to buy clothing and souvenirs during your vacation, you should plan enough space in your suitcase or bag for your return trip.
5. Choose the right shoes
When it comes to shoes, less is more. It's best to choose one or two pairs that can be combined with different outfits and occasions, e.g., comfortable sneakers for the day and stylish, light shoes for the evening. Shoes also offer this space-saving trick - small items like socks, underwear, and jewelry can be stored inside the shoes.
6. Use vacuum bags
Vacuum bags are a real insider tip when it comes to saving space in your suitcase. They are ideal for bulky clothing items like jackets, sweaters, or bedding. The air is simply sucked out - either with a small pump or by compressing - and the items are reduced to a minimum.
7. Use travel containers for toiletries
Large shampoo and shower gel bottles not only take up a lot of space in your suitcase but also weigh quite a bit. A space-saving and environmentally friendly solution is to refill your toiletries into small, reusable travel containers. These are available in many drugstores and fit perfectly into your hand luggage. Make sure the containers are leak-proof to avoid unpleasant surprises in your suitcase and extensive washing on vacation.
8. Wear heavy clothing
Simple, but effective - to save space in your suitcase, you can simply wear heavy clothing during the trip. Instead of storing the thick hoodie in your suitcase, just wear it when you're on the go. This leaves more space in the suitcase for other things, and you avoid extra weight in your luggage.
Packing your suitcase sensibly - preparation as a travel pro
However, before you pack your suitcase, it's important to make some basic considerations to ensure you don't forget anything and your luggage is well organized. Refresh your memory before each trip and follow the EU guidelines for carry-on and checked luggage, so you can start your journey at the airport in peace.
With the following points, you pack your suitcase sensibly and thoughtfully:
- Climate & Weather: Inform yourself about the weather conditions at your destination to decide what kind of clothing you need, e.g., light or warm clothing.
- Regional Specialties: Check in advance if there are any cultural dress codes at your holiday destination that you need to consider.
- Duration of the Trip: How many clothes, change of clothes, and shoes you need depends on the duration of your trip.
- Activities: Whether hiking, beach, or business meetings - choose your wardrobe according to the occasion or planned vacation activity.
- Packing List: Create a detailed packing or checklist that includes everything you need during your trip, e.g., clothing, hygiene items, medications, travel documents. With our printable PDF suitcase packing list, you can start packing right away.
- Checked or Carry-On Luggage: If you are flying on vacation, you should inform yourself about the size and weight restrictions of the airline to know which backpack or suitcase sizes are allowed.
Well packed is half the journey! To ensure you don't miss anything on the go, we have put together the most important packing tips for you:
| Category | Tips |
| Weight Distribution | Distribute the weight evenly on the front and rear wheel to maintain balance. |
| Accessibility | Store frequently needed items within easy reach (e.g., snacks, maps, rain jacket). |
| Weather Protection | Check the weather report and use waterproof bags in case of rain. |
| Safety | Keep important items like money and papers safe and close to your body. |
| Emergency Equipment | Always carry a spare tube, multitool, and first aid kit. |
| Energy Supply | Consider bringing a power bank and possibly a dynamo charger for long trips. |
The most important tip at the end: Take enough time to pack your suitcase! Packing under time pressure often leads to either packing too much or the wrong things. Plan enough time a few days before your trip to create a list and pack everything systematically. This way, you can calmly check if you really have everything and save yourself the hustle and bustle just before departure.
With good preparation and the right strategies, packing your suitcase will not only be stress-free but also efficient. And the best part: You can start your trip relaxed, knowing that you are perfectly organized!
