As bagging allowances shrink globally, savvy packing has become an essential part of travel.GETTY IMAGES
Does this sound familiar? You’re kneeling on your bedroom floor, suitcase half-zipped, wondering how on earth everything is supposed to fit inside. Somehow, no matter how carefully you plan, you’re still forced to leave something behind.
After all, it’s not just your imagination: baggage allowances really are shrinking around the world. For example, a BBC report found that the three biggest UK budget airlines had halved the size of the “free” item you can bring onboard compared to 2018 allowances. And in December, 2025, Indian Railway revised the luggage rules for its trains, introducing lower weight limits and additional charges for excess baggage.
But according to experts, overstuffed suitcases don’t have to be part of your travel journey. Here are six packing hacks to make sure you and your luggage go the distance on your next trip.
Select the right luggage
It all starts with picking the right bag. “I would definitely recommend a soft-sided suitcase, expandable model if possible, for the most packing flexibility,” says Vancouver-based Maurice Li, co-founder of Go Canada, a digital travel publication.
This preference could largely depend on where you’re travelling to, as he finds hard-sided suitcases difficult to maneuver in compact hotel rooms in Asia since they require more space to prop open.
Li always also packs a collapsible but sturdy duffel bag inside his luggage, so if he buys anything while away, it can be checked on the way home.
And remember: airlines don’t all have the same requirements for luggage weight and size, so do your research beforehand.
Pack travel-friendly items
Jessica Lockhart, a New Zealand-based editor at Lonely Planet originally from Cold Lake, Alta., says that instead of figuring out “how to Tetris the most amount of stuff into my suitcase,” she invests her energy into finding highly packable items.
For example, lightweight linen takes up minimal room, as do soft shoes like Toms compared to ones that have a firm upper or thick sole.
She also says travel-size versions of items you already use are worth the money. Think: foldable keyboards, mini toiletries, packable strollers.
“I swear by my travel hair straightener, which is one-fourth the size of a normal one,” she says. “And does double duty as an iron in a pinch.”
Choose a modular wardrobe
Li swears by a modular travel wardrobe, which is a selection of interchangeable clothing pieces meant to create numerous outfits with fewer items.
“I add a few weather- or destination-appropriate layers and ensure all pieces work with each other,” he says. “This makes it easy to come up with multiple outfits, from casual to minimalist-dressy, while using as little suitcase space as possible.”
Take your pick of packing method
While Li swears by packing cubes, Lockhart prefers the social-media-trending KonMari folding method or packing vertically. “This is essentially just a level-up on rolling your clothes,” she shares.
You could also try vacuum packing, a system using special bags to compress clothing by removing air, or packing fewer outfits and booking accommodation that offers laundry.
Consider checking a bag
“Carryon culture might be trending,” Lockhart says, “but I’m all about that checked luggage life.” She says it makes getting through security and connections easier and she’s never stressed about whether there will be enough room in the overhead bin.
Lockhart acknowledges “baggage separation anxiety is real,” but that airlines have introduced bag-tracking features to their apps. You can also opt for a tracking device like an AirTag or Tile.
Worried about the additional cost? “Pledge allegiance to an airline,” Lockhart says. “Status means that checked bags are often free.”
Make a list and check it twice
To ensure you don’t overpack – and nothing is left behind – Lockhart says some travellers love using spreadsheets or handwritten lists.
“I think that looking at yet another spreadsheet after a long day of work doesn’t exactly inspire ‘holiday’ vibes, but hey, to each their own,” she quips.
“I do, however, use a spreadsheet and dedicated packing list when I’m headed into the backcountry to do a multi-day hike, because buying something I’ve forgotten isn’t exactly an option.”