Packing tips and hacks from an expert
How to pack a suitcase

Make a packing list

Choose your luggage wisely

Be honest about what you need

Before you put anything in your suitcase, lay everything you’re taking out on your bed and be brutally honest about what you really need. Do you need three pairs of shoes when one will do? Are five t-shirts more sensible than 10? Will you ever wear that formal outfit you’ve brought just in case? (Here are 8 things you definitely don't need.) Take the bare basics and you’ll relish the simplicity. You’ll never face an excess luggage fee or waste valuable travel time desperately jumping on your suitcase in an attempt to close it.
Think strategically about your schedule

Don’t pack anything valuable in your hold luggage

Make the most of any extra space

To pack your suitcase perfectly, every single bit of space should be maximised. Any empty spaces should be stuffed with smaller items like socks, tights, underwear and belts. You should also pack these smaller items inside other things to make even more space: for example, stuffing socks into handbags or packing toiletries into shoes. We've got more tips here.
Roll & fold your clothes

Wear your bulkiest items

Be economical with toiletries

Bringing huge bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel is just asking for accidental leaks, not to mention they’ll take up lots of space and weight in your case. Instead, buy refillable toiletry bottles and fill them up with all your preferred products. If you're travelling with hand luggage only, ensure they're under 100ml and place them in a clear cosmetics bag to get through security easily. Make sure you find a set that seals tightly to eliminate the chance of spillages, or tape the caps to be on the safe side.
Pack an emergency bag in your suitcase

Take a lightweight, foldable bag in your suitcase. You never know what you’ll find on your travels: if you do end up visiting a lovely market or spotting bargains at the mall, you’ll have somewhere to pack all your new items for the return journey without having to splash out on a new suitcase or attempt to stuff everything into the original one. We love the Riut Crush bag.
Protect fragile items

Carrying breakable items like perfume bottles or sunglasses? Protect them by rolling them up in clothes, then placing them in the centre of your suitcase, in between soft items, so that if your suitcase gets bashed about, they’ll still be safe. As baggage handlers reveal in this article, it's unlikely any 'fragile' label will really make a difference.
Pack shoes in bags

Leave heavy things at home

Put heavier items at the bottom

Try bundling to avoid wrinkles

Use an app to help you pack efficiently

Bring half-used cosmetics

Make use of any extra compartments

Keep your electronics grouped together

Make sure your suitcase is identifiable

There’s no use packing a perfect suitcase only for it to be mistakenly picked up by someone else at the luggage carousel. Check out our pick of fun travel accessories, including bright luggage straps and cartoon suitcase covers, so your suitcase always stands out from the crowd and is easily identifiable.
Use the built-in tools in your suitcase

Use a drawer organiser inside your suitcase

Use compression bags

Use packing cubes

Keep your clothes smelling lovely

Group your items cleverly

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