10 must-know tips to packing light and fast for a holiday

1. Make a list

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Just like with almost any task in life, it helps to make a list before you start on anything. Your packing list should include everything you're taking with you, right down to essentials you think you won't possibly forget, like your passport, mobile phone and toothbrush – trust us, you might actually forget them especially when you're pressed for time and you find yourself running out of the house before your flight.

We recommend organising your list into different categories – clothes, toiletries, tech etc – to get organised from the start.

 

2. Roll your clothes

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Instead of folding your clothes, roll them. Why? It saves space in your suitcase and reduces creases in your clothing. If you want to save even more space, roll your clothes and seal them in vacuum compression bags.

3. Leave the dirt at home

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Turn light-coloured clothes inside out before placing them in your suitcase. If they do get stained, it won’t be visible. You’ll be packing your shoes in plastic bags, but here’s a way to keep even the plastic bag clean. Pick up the disposable shower caps from hotels you’ve stayed in and use them to cover the bottom of your shoes.

4. Pick the right shoes

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It's best to wear your most comfortable walking shoes on your flight as these tend to take up the most space in a suitcase. Plus, you never know how much walking you'll have to do to and from your plane and airport terminal.

Other essential footwear: a pair of casual shoes, chic heels or wedges, and flip-flops.

Never pack new shoes on a holiday as you never know if they’ll fit well or cause issues like blisters. Make the best of suitcase space and only take shoes that have been tried and tested.

5. Leave some space for shopping

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If your suitcase is already filled to the brim before you’ve left on your holiday, switch to a larger one. There should be enough room for your shopping.

We recommend investing in a portable luggage scale so you'll never have to stress about your bag's weight at the airport. There's nothing worse than having to unpack at the airport, when you've been told by the airline desk staff that your luggage exceeds the baggage allowance.

6. Always pack a scarf

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This multi-functional item can be used to wrap up if you're feeling chilly, to cover up (on your shoulders), dress up an outfit, or even to sit on if you need a bit of cushioning.

7. The right scent

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You know how sometimes, especially after a long flight, the clothes in your suitcase smell like the plane when you reach your destination? Avoid this by putting a small bag of potpourri or some scented drawer liners in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh for days. On top of that, be sure to also pack a travel-sized bottle of perfume in your handcarry to spritz on after your flight.

8. Say no to dead space

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Packing smart means using every available inch of space in your suitcase. For example, you can stuff items like socks or underwear into your shoes, or sunglasses into handbags, to save space.

9. Don't forget your accessories

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Instead of packing extra outfits, a smarter way of maximising your wardrobe is to choose accessories that can dial up any outfit. A few nice pieces of jewellery will take a simple outfit from casual to dressy.

10. Keep toiletries light

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Big bottles of toiletries add a lot of unnecessary weight. Decant them into plastic travel bottles or buy travel-size toiletries instead. If you know the hotel you're staying at provides items like shower gel and shampoo, use them and only pack items you won't get, like sunscreen and face wash.

If you're on any kind of medication, take only the amount you'll need for the duration of your trip. Unless you're travelling to the middle of nowhere, there's no need to pack too much emergency medicine too – perhaps a pack of painkillers, just in case; anything else can be bought from a local pharmacy if you need it.