Learn how to pack a suitcase like a pro!

It doesn’t matter how often you travel during the year, when you have to pack a suitcase it is nice to be able to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I learned how to pack a suitcase at a very young age, from my Dad. Growing up, my parents, my older brother and I used to go on several trips every year. The longest trip was always our summer vacation. Space was an issue since all of these trips were done by car, a very small car. Imagine trying to fit enough clothes and supplies inside a car to last four people for 3 1/2 weeks.

Before, overflowing suitcase – After, everything fits

Here are my Tips on How to Pack a Suitcase like a Pro:

• Before you start pulling every item of clothing out of your closet, find out what the weather is going to be like at your destination and decide accordingly.
• Bring clothes that you can layer and wear in different combinations.
• Don’t throw everything into your suitcase helter-skelter like in the picture to the left, instead lay all of the items on your bed or floor, and start with the heaviest items first.
• Spread out clothes like long pants and heavy sweaters and place them on the bottom of the suitcase.
• Decide if you want to roll up or fold your shirts. To keep dress shirts from getting wrinkled you can fold them over a magazine to hold their shape.
• Build one layer at a time and fill any small spaces with items like socks, underwear, ties, etc.
• Place your shoes in plastic bags and don’t forget to fill them with socks, toiletries and other small items.
• Wrap any liquid filled items like shampoos or perfume bottles within a plastic bag in case they start to leak. In the picture below you can see the bottle of wine we brought as a gift, wrapped in plastic. :)
• Always pack fragile items in the center of your suitcase where they will have the most protection.
• If you plan to carry your suitcase onto an airplane, use travel-size toiletries to save space (they must be 3 oz. or less). Remember, most airlines have weight restrictions.
• Try to travel light, if you can. Usually, what you don’t have, you don’t need. For a house sitting job in Belize that will last for several months, Nick and I only brought this small suitcase and one larger one.

All these items have to fit in this small suitcase

All the clothes are layered and spread out

Every item is neatly packed away

Packing a suitcase for your next trip will be easy as long as you plan ahead and follow the tips I have given above.

Once you learn how to pack a suitcase you will be save valuable time and space. Check out this article on finding a carry on bag you will love. It will answer all your suit case questions, like “Should I choose a hard or soft sided case?”.

Are you a suitcase packing pro? Leave us your tips and comments below.