How to pack a suitcase efficiently
Fit more into less with a few proven techniques — rolling, packing cubes and smart layering — so your clothes arrive wrinkle-free and your bag stays under the limit.
Build my packing listSix ways to pack more into less
Combine these and a carry-on easily holds a week of clothes.
Roll, don't fold
Rolling soft clothes saves space and cuts creases. Fold only stiff items like blazers and jeans.
Use packing cubes
Cubes compress clothes and keep categories separate, so you unpack a shelf, not a jumble.
Heavy at the bottom
Put shoes and heavy items near the wheels so the bag stays balanced and clothes don't crush.
Fill dead space
Stuff socks and chargers inside shoes and along the edges — no gap goes to waste.
Bag your shoes
Put shoes sole-to-sole in a bag so they don't dirty clothes, and stuff them to keep their shape.
Toiletries up top
Keep liquids in a sealed pouch near the top for quick security checks and to catch leaks.
Packing cubes or vacuum bags?
Plain cubes keep you organised; compression cubes and vacuum bags are what actually reduce volume. Which one belongs in your bag depends on whether you are fighting for space or for tidiness.
Cubes vs vacuum bags, in fullDownload it as a PDF
Every packing list you build turns into a clean, printable PDF — one page per pack, ready to tick off at home or offline on the road.
See the printable packing listPacking a suitcase FAQ
Roll soft items like t-shirts and trousers to save space and avoid creases; fold structured pieces like blazers.
They mostly keep you organised and lightly compress. Compression cubes and vacuum bags save more space, but add weight to consider.
Roll them, use packing cubes, and put heavier items at the bottom so nothing gets crushed.
Get a plan sized to your airline and trip — then download it as a PDF.