How to Pack Efficiently: Maximise Space and Minimise Stress

Packing is perhaps the most underrated skill in a traveller's toolkit. Done poorly, it leads to overstuffed bags, wrinkled clothes, forgotten essentials, and the stress of not finding what you need when you need it. Done well, it transforms your travel experience—you arrive with everything you need, organised and accessible, without paying excess baggage fees or struggling to manoeuvre an overweight suitcase through crowded airports.

The good news is that efficient packing is a learnable skill. Whether you're preparing for a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, these techniques will help you pack smarter, lighter, and with less anxiety.

Start with a Packing List

Every efficient packer begins with a list. Creating a packing list a few days before your trip prevents the last-minute panic that leads to overpacking or forgetting essentials. Start by considering the specific activities you'll be doing: Will you need formal attire for a dinner? Activewear for hiking? Swimwear for beach days?

A good approach is to mentally walk through each day of your trip. Picture yourself waking up, getting dressed, going through your day's activities, and returning to your accommodation. What will you actually need at each stage? This exercise often reveals that you need far less than you initially thought.

The Rolling vs. Folding Debate

There's ongoing debate about whether rolling or folding clothes is more space-efficient. The truth is that both methods have their place, and the best packers use a combination.

When to Roll

• Casual clothes: T-shirts, casual pants, pyjamas, and underwear compress well when rolled tightly.
• Knitwear: Soft jumpers and cardigans maintain their shape better when rolled.
• Athletic wear: Moisture-wicking fabrics roll without significant wrinkling.

When to Fold

• Formal wear: Dress shirts, blazers, and trousers should be folded along their natural creases using tissue paper to prevent wrinkles.
• Structured garments: Items with collars or lapels maintain their shape better when folded flat.
• Delicate fabrics: Silk and linen should be folded carefully with layers of tissue between them.

The Bundle Wrapping Method

For travellers who prioritise wrinkle prevention, bundle wrapping is highly effective. This technique involves wrapping clothes around a central core (usually a pouch of smaller items) in a specific order. Start with the most wrinkle-prone items on the outside and work inward with more casual pieces. The continuous wrapping eliminates the fold lines that cause wrinkles.

While bundle wrapping takes more time and makes accessing specific items more difficult, it's worth learning if you frequently travel for business or events where appearance matters.

Utilising Every Pocket and Cavity

Experienced packers treat their luggage like a three-dimensional puzzle. Every gap represents wasted space. Here's how to maximise every cubic centimetre:

• Shoes: Stuff socks, underwear, or small accessories inside shoes. Place shoes along the bottom edges or sides of your suitcase in cloth bags to protect your clothes.
• Hat crowns: Fill the inside of caps or structured hats with small items to maintain their shape and use the space efficiently.
• Corners: Roll socks or underwear to fill the corners of your bag that larger items can't reach.
• Exterior pockets: Use these for items you'll need during transit: travel documents, snacks, earphones, and a book.

Packing Cubes: The Game Changer

If you haven't tried packing cubes, they might be the single most transformative upgrade to your packing system. These lightweight fabric containers compartmentalise your luggage, making it easy to find items without unpacking everything and keeping different categories of clothing separate.

A typical system includes a large cube for bulky items like jumpers, a medium cube for shirts and pants, a small cube for underwear and socks, and a separate toiletry bag. Some travellers dedicate cubes to specific outfits or separate clean clothes from worn items during their trip.

The Essentials That Go in Your Carry-On

When checking luggage, always keep essentials in your carry-on bag. Airlines occasionally misplace checked bags, and having critical items with you prevents a trip from being derailed. Your carry-on should include:

• Medications (in original containers for customs)
• One complete change of clothes
• Important documents and electronics
• Basic toiletries that comply with liquid restrictions
• Phone charger and any necessary adapters
• Valuables including jewellery and expensive electronics

Toiletries and Liquids

Australian domestic flights don't have the same liquid restrictions as international travel, but it's wise to develop habits that work for both. For international trips, liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting in a single clear bag no larger than one litre.

Many travellers find that solid alternatives—shampoo bars, solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets—eliminate the liquid issue entirely while also being lighter and longer-lasting. For items that must be liquid, purchase travel-sized bottles and refill them rather than bringing full-sized products.

The Final Check

Before zipping up, lay out everything you plan to bring and ask yourself: Have I worn this on the last three trips? If the answer is no, it probably doesn't need to come this time either. Reducing what you pack almost always improves the travel experience—you're more mobile, you spend less time managing your belongings, and you have room for souvenirs on the return journey.

Efficient packing is ultimately about intentionality. By taking time to plan, using the right techniques for different items, and continuously refining your approach based on experience, you'll develop a system that makes travel smoother and more enjoyable.