Headache-Free Packing - 10 Practical Tips

It seems obvious, but there's a catch: don't do it just before packing! A packing list for your trip requires a few days of thought. If you start creating it a week before you travel, there's a good chance you'll remember everything you want to take by the time you pack. Some ideas come to mind unexpectedly, so it's best to always have your list with you – whether on your phone or tablet, or in a notebook carried in your bag. Jot down everything that comes to mind; you can always review your needs before packing :-)

How do you choose the most practical luggage? It all depends on your needs and the nature of the trip you're embarking on. Choose your luggage wisely – even if you're attached to your cabin bag, its wheels may not be ideal for a hiking expedition on mountain trails combined with camping. A spacious shoulder bag, on the other hand, will hold everything you need for a two-day city break or a weekend getaway by the sea, but it probably won't be suitable if you plan to carry all your belongings on your back during the trip.

For most trips, you'll probably opt for a good old cabin suitcase. If you're flying, be sure to check the maximum luggage dimensions for the airline. Believe us, frantically repacking suitcases at the airport is not an adventure anyone wants to kick off their holiday with.

If you're flying and taking cosmetics in your hand luggage, it's straightforward – a transparent cosmetic bag and 100ml bottles are a must. However, it's worth getting into the habit of taking the smallest possible amount of cosmetics on every trip! This way, you'll save space in your luggage. We particularly recommend using reusable bottles that you can refill before each trip, and solid cosmetics (e.g., soap, shampoo bars, or exfoliants). The latter have an added advantage – they are not liquid, so you don't even have to take them out of your hand luggage for security checks.

Asking yourself if you really need everything in your suitcase might seem pointless – after all, we wouldn't take unnecessary things with us... would we? Or maybe? Take a peek into your luggage and consider if you're really taking a bath towel that takes up half your cabin bag because your hotel won't have any? We understand the seriousness of the situation when you're thinking about your hairstyle, but will a hairdryer with three attachments, curling tongs, and straighteners really come in handy during a two-day trip?

Check what items will be available at your destination. It might turn out that not only a hairdryer or towel, but even a travel iron, slippers, or bathrobe, are superfluous. And a weight off your mind and out of your luggage.

To pack your suitcase well and use all available space, a few important skills will come in handy, the most important of which is... playing Tetris. Arrange all items to take up as little space as possible, leaving no empty gaps in your luggage. Where do these gaps form? In shoes, a spare handbag, lunchboxes, or along the edges. You can fill these gaps with underwear, a scarf, or clothes rolled into a cylinder. Compress clothes with straps to make them take up less space – you can also use special reusable compression straps for this purpose. Just in case, it's also worth getting a digital scale to quickly check if your suitcase meets all the regulations.

You might think this advice is mainly for ladies, but nothing could be further from the truth. Gentlemen also wear their 'jewellery', especially useful during business trips, e.g., cufflinks or watches. Earrings, rings, necklaces, watches, or cufflinks – every trinket needs proper handling to keep you sparkling. All small ornaments are best taken with you in a special travel jewellery case – this way you'll be sure that nothing gets lost, damaged, or tangled.

Remember, the size of your suitcase often affects not only the price of your ticket but also the comfort of your journey. What do we recommend? Planning what you'll wear on holiday and preparing outfits for different weather. What do we not recommend? Taking 10 outfits for 3 days with the assumption that you'll choose your attire on the spot depending on your mood. In the latter scenario, you'll probably discover at the end of the trip that you took eight pairs of trousers but spent the whole two weeks in one, most comfortable skirt.

Although we don't recommend taking too many things, there are a few bits and bobs that won't take up much space in your luggage but could save your bacon in an unexpected situation. We're talking about clever personal accessories, such as a handy pill organiser with essential contents (painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medication, stomach ache remedies, plasters) or a small shoe cleaning kit, which will surely come in handy if, after a full day of sightseeing, you spontaneously decide to pop out for an elegant dinner.

A very simple, yet crucial tip: mark your bag! Not only will you instantly recognise your suitcase on the airport carousel, but you'll also spot your luggage in the coach's hold. And how do you do it? You can use a special luggage tag or put a luggage cover on your suitcase. And if you prefer an even simpler solution, just tie a patterned ribbon in an original colour around the handle. We don't recommend white, red, or black – it might turn out that your fellow passengers had the same idea, and suddenly distinguishing your luggage will become much more difficult.

... too much ;-) In reality, for most trips, unless you're heading to a wilderness far from civilisation, you only really need your documents, ticket, and money, possibly any medications you take regularly. If you forget anything else, you can always buy it on the spot, making it a practical souvenir from your travels. Happy holidays!