How to pack a Suitcase

Packing may seem simple, but it is a science with rules that travelers often learn the hard way over thousands of miles on the road.

Doing it strategically can be the difference between a harried vacation with countless detours to local drugstores and a streamlined one with everything you need at your fingertips. Here’s our shortcut to packing the right way: how to find the best suitcase, minimize your load, pack what you need on a beach trip or a business trip and cut down on wrinkles.

6 Packing Tips

Follow these basic tips to pack efficiently and effectively for any trip.

1. The bigger your suitcase, the more you will put into it

The simplest way to avoid bringing too many things is to buy a hard-sided suitcase, with a structured shell so you can’t squeeze in any extras.

2. Do the clothing countdown

If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs. Throw in a swimsuit and exercise gear or a suit jacket and dress if you’ll need them.

3. Lay out what you think you’ll need, then edit ruthlessly

Think twice about everything you want to put in your bag.

4. Think Tetris

The best way to fit everything into one bag: Fill every inch of space. For example, footwear should be stuffed with socks. Then lay your shoes together heel to toe at the bottom of your suitcase in a plastic shopping bag to protect clothes from dirt. How exactly you arrange everything in your suitcase is a matter of personal preference. Here are some popular strategies:

. Roll your clothes. This helps to maximize space and minimize wrinkles.
. Use packing cubes. These smaller bags help you keep your clothes compact and your outfits ordered.

5. Keep liquids in easy reach

Toiletries should always be placed on top of your suitcase in a clear bag.

6. Never unpack your toiletries

We recommend keeping a separate toiletry kit for traveling. Keeping a set of bathroom products already packed also ensures that you don’t forget a toothbrush or contact lens case that you might use the morning of takeoff. Keep these items in a small pouch or box in the corner of a cabinet or drawer for easy access when packing for a trip.