The art of packing a suitcase.
My favorite techniques to pack light and travel smart -regardless of the luggage size.
Few weeks ago I booked a flight with a low cost airline in Europe.
Price for a return ticket: 86 EUR. Price for adding one extra cabin baggage: 88 EUR. Literally doubling the ticket price.
Airlines nowadays earn around 15% from extras such as check-in baggage, seat selection priority boarding and so on.
My golden rule whenever I need to fly: Pack light and stick to a hand trolley. Not only do I pay less, but it also keeps me flexible in case of flight delays or cancellations.
In this Instagram story I've showed how I managed to pack enough stuff for a long weekend into a hand trolley (dimensions 45x36x20cm)
One thing to remember: Good packing requires great planning not just before, but throughout the entire trip.
Before the flight
I check the baggage allowance: Some low cost airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair allow different baggage sizes as a carry-on. Typically, non-low cost airlines will allow a bigger hand baggage.
I consider different combinations such as buying extra baggage for the return flight only (in case I'm planning to bring something back)
Before packing, I always write a list of what I really need
The heavy stuff goes at the bottom of the suitcase (where the wheels are)
I try to stick to one pair of shoes, mostly sneakers. If I need an extra pair of shoes, I fill them with socks/underwear
I use suitcases of the right size (for example, this one is allowed on EasyJet )
I roll the clothes instead of folding them
No need for packing cubes, these just add more volume
I pack a foldable duffle bag for my return flight (Nothing fancy: It just needs to serve the purpose, like this one)
I always pack a foldable rainjacket
At destination
I use accommodation facilities as much as I can: Washing machines in apartments, laundry at the hotel. This allows me to bring less clothes and use more of what I have.
In case of wrinkles on my clothes, I hang them in the hotel bathroom overnight. The steam of the shower helps. (In case you were wondering: That's what that extensible cable above the bath hub is for).
On the return flight
If I fly with a different airline that offers a more generous baggage allowance, or if I booked extra baggage, I use my foldable duffle bag for extra space.
Still not enough space? In this article I'm revealing 2 hacks that worked 95% of the times for me (+1 hack that I've never tried).
About me:
As a passionate traveler and airline & hospitality expert I've been lucky to experience travel from behind the scenes -From crossing the Andes by bus, to flying Business class to the Maldives.
Some fun facts about my trips:
I’ve visited 5 of the 7 New World Wonders
Lowest point I’ve reached: Death Valley, California at -86 mt (-282 ft) altitude
Highest point I’ve reached: The Andes, 5,050 mt (16,568 ft) altitude
I've stayed at 100+ accommodations, from a tent in the Savannah to a houseboat on a French river
I’ve travelled 350,000+ km across 45+ countries and 5 continents by bus, car, boat, bike, hiking and so much more…
In my blog Beating Jetlag I share my travel experiences, insider tips and behind-the-scenes content for smart adventurers, as well as travel marketing recommendations for Creators. You can read more about me here.
"I try to stick to one pair of shoes, mostly sneakers. If I need an extra pair of shoes, I fill them with socks/underwear"
Fantastic tip! I always travel wearing one and carrying another, and I´ve never done that!