I used to dread packing for a trip.
Instead of a sense of excitement (I’m going on a trip! I get to do fun, travely things!), I found myself experiencing a slew of other emotions like frustration, confusion, and anxiety. It would take me forever to figure out what I wanted to bring, and then it would take at least two more hours to gather all of my clothes, shoes, accessories, and toiletries.
Not the greatest way to kick off a trip, huh? As I began traveling more frequently, I knew it was time to make a change.
Slowly, I began to evaluate my packing process and identify the steps that took longer than they should have. In doing so, I found that packing my toiletries (choosing my favorite products, and decanting them into smaller containers if needed), and my clothing (trying to figure out what on earth to wear) occupied the bulk of my packing time.
From there, it took a good deal of honing my style and a bunch of trial-and-error to cut my packing time down – but today, I can go from empty suitcase to fully packed in the blink of an eye.
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To help you drastically reduce your packing time without going through the headaches of figuring out what works and what doesn’t, today I thought I’d share some of my best tips for packing efficiently. Some of them require a little planning and setting up systems that will help you in the future, but I promise that the extra time spent today will pay off down the line.
Let’s get you out the door and on your way, shall we?
BEFORE YOU PLAN A TRIP
I know it's tough to think about packing when you don't have a trip planned - but this is exactly when you should start organizing and creating an inventory of your travel items.
Create a ready-to-go toiletry kit
This includes all of your liquids, beauty tools and products, first-aid items, and medications. A ready-made checklist would be so helpful here, but in reality, this list is going to be different for everyone. Buying and storing duplicates of products you use every day seems like a pain, but you’ll be so grateful you did when you can just grab your kit rather than trying to track down a travel-size toothbrush (don’t forget to swap it out every three months!) or a set of cotton swabs. Just be sure to refill any products after you get back from your trip so they will be ready to go for the next one.
Inventory your travel bags
Do you have all the luggage you might need – or do you know a pal who will let you borrow a suitcase? Panic-buying rarely ends well, so if you can assess your luggage needs before a trip, you’ll have plenty of time to research and find your match. My personal packing philosophy is to bring only what you need and to avoid checking a bag 99% of the time. I recommend having at least one hard-working personal item and one rolling carry-on for flying, and one duffel-style bag for road trips or camping getaways. You can find all of the bags I travel with here.
Check out your closet
Browse the hangers in your wardrobe, and consider the types of trips you tend to take. Do the clothes in your closet match your needs for these journeys? Building a hardworking wardrobe that suits all types of situations and climates is a marathon, not a sprint, and an early start will always pay off in the end. Planning a trip is enough of a challenge as it is – there’s no need to add worrying about a wedding guest dress or rugged hiking gear to your list of things to do.
Create a generic packing list
Are you an avid list-maker? Or do you find yourself constantly forgetting to pack things? Consider creating a generic packing list that suits your needs to make sure the basics are always covered (this is a particularly helpful exercise to complete after you’ve just returned from a trip!). Socks, underwear, and pajamas are bound to be on just about everyone’s list, but these seem to be some of the most forgotten items. Having the core items in your packing list written down will reduce the mental load for every trip. Why can’t you make a one-size-fits-all list for everything? Well, no two trips are ever the same – so no two packing lists will ever be the same either.
Store your travel items together
Storing your luggage and other travel accessories in the same area of your home can make retrieving them a faster process. Even though you’re storing items that don’t necessarily “fit” with one another (say, storing your mini umbrella with your clear concert bag and your compression socks), placing the items you might need for certain trips in the same vicinity as others will help reduce the time you spend searching for things and packing your bags. Short on space? Nest your bags inside each other to clear the floor.
BEFORE YOU START PACKING
Your trip is here and it's time to start packing! Well, almost. There are a few things you can do before you pull out your suitcase that will make packing a breeze.
Keep up with laundry
The feeling of going to pack your favorite dress and then finding it at the bottom of the hamper is… not great. Washing your laundry two or three days before you pack for your trip (in case items need to air-dry) is going to make things so much easier – just be sure to not wear any of those items before you go!
“Mentally” pack your bags
I like to check the weather multiple times in the days leading up to departure, and during any downtime, I start “mentally” packing in this time by considering what I might like to wear (for whatever reason, the shower is great for brainstorming!). Traveling to an unfamiliar climate or for a special event? Get some packing list inspiration from Pinterest or perhaps from your favorite travel blogger!
Divvy up responsibilities
When you’re traveling with friends or family, delegation can be a helpful tool. Perhaps one buddy is responsible for packing the road trip snacks while another brings the charcoal grill, or maybe one parent is always responsible for packing the kids’ passports. In my household, Michael is responsible for the toothpaste, and I always pack the sunscreen.
PACKING YOUR BAGS EFFICIENTLY
Let's pull the suitcase from the closet and get packing!
If you’re flying, confirm your bags fit the carrier’s requirements
Before you place a single item in your bag, double-check that it meets the standards set by the airline. Budget airlines in particular are cracking down on oversized bags, and I want to save you the time and headache of that. Figuring it out now is best – unpacking and repacking would take much more time than this, after all!
Institute a no-talking rule
It sounds extreme, but how many times have we been on our way to grab something when someone asks us a question and we end up forgetting the item we needed? I’ve found I’m a much more efficient packer when I’m not interrupted – and I bet you are too.
Pull everything out and place it in one spot
Making sure you can see all of your clothing and travel items before placing them in your bag not only acts as insurance that you’ve packed everything you needed but will help you approach folding and placing them in the bag a bit more efficiently. I love a clothes rack for this, but a bed is great, too (please, though – no shoes on the bed!).
Use packing cubes
Longtime readers are probably thinking, “Enough with the packing cubes already, lady,” but I’m a firm believer in dividing and conquering your suitcase. Whether you prefer to pack your clothing by type or by day, packing just one section at a time feels like a series of manageable tasks rather than an overwhelming amount of work. Wondering what the fuss is about? Here’s my deep dive into packing cubes.
Find a folding/rolling style and stick with it
I have no dog in the fight of rolling vs. folding clothes when packing, but whatever style you’re most comfortable with, stick with it. These repetitive motions will get faster over time, to the point where you might even just be able to pack your bags in your sleep.
Snap a photo
Once you’ve assembly-lined your suitcase full, take a photo. It will help you quickly repack your suitcase for the way home, and pack just a little faster for the next trip.
Pack some cash in exchange for peace of mind
Packing well means that we aren’t stuck spending valuable vacation time tracking down a forgotten item – but it happens to the best of us (hello from someone who has forgotten her makeup pouch not once, but twice). Having a little cushion in the travel budget for forgotten items takes the pressure off packing. Chances are, you can find what you’ve forgotten at your destination, and all will be fine. Just don’t forget your passport, keys, medications, and wallet, okay?
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING MORE EFFICIENTLY
If you’ve gotten this far and are wondering, “Why is she taking this so seriously? It’s just stuff.” I get it, I really do. It’s just packing. It’s just a trip.
But I don’t take any opportunity to explore the world for granted, so I try to do everything in my power beforehand to make sure I can enjoy each and every travel moment as much as possible. Reducing the stress around packing is one easy way to make sure I have everything I need for my trip without unnecessary suffering. And if I had to choose a moment to feel a little anxiety, I’d always prefer it to happen before my trip, not during.
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Questions for you
How will you change your packing strategy for your next trip?
What tips would you add to this list?
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Good read! “Mentally pack first” is my favorite one. It makes a world of difference if we work things out in our heads first.
So true! It far beats sitting down to pack without a plan.