7 Golden Rules For Packing

What is it about packing that ties so many of us in knots? Unless you’re among the rare breed who takes pride in a meticulously arranged suitcase, chances are your pre-trip ritual involves a last-minute scramble that involves chaos and unhinged slapstick moments.

While such misadventures can make for amusing anecdotes in hindsight, there’s something to be said for beginning a journey, at least as far as the airport, in a state of calm and control. Despite the illusion that packing the night before a trip is entirely manageable, it frequently devolves into a mad dash, forgotten items, and an overall sense of frenzy that is anything but relaxing.

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To help ease your transition from work mode to holiday mindset, here are seven golden rules of packing that's time-tested and promises reducing chaos.

Start Sooner Than You Think You Should

Packing has an uncanny ability to summon procrastination. But the earlier you begin, the less mental bandwidth it occupies, and the more deliberate your choices become.

Begin at least a week before departure. This doesn't mean placing items in the suitcase immediately, but rather mentally shifting into travel mode. Assess what you’ll need, identify anything that must be purchased, and start setting things aside. By the time you’re zipping up your bag, it’ll feel like a seamless transition not a sprint.

Make Two Lists: One Master, One Morning

Never—repeat, never—pack without a list. Whether it’s a handwritten checklist or a digital note on your phone, lists save both time and sanity. The first should be your master packing list: clothes, shoes, electronics, books, essentials. The second and arguably more important is the "morning list".

This includes everything you can’t pack in advance: your phone charger, wallet, passport, keys, toothbrush, laptop, or work essentials. These are the items most often forgotten and most likely to derail your travel plans if left behind.

Embrace the Power of Compression Cubes

You can tell a seasoned traveler not by their luggage brand, but by the way they use space. Compression cubes or packing organisers are the secret weapon of organised travellers. They not only help save space, but also impose a natural order, separating categories of clothing and preventing the dreaded suitcase rummage. And on days, you're running late for an outing, it'll save you so much time.

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More importantly, they force you to pack with intent. If an item won’t fit neatly in a cube, it probably doesn’t deserve a place in your bag. And here’s a golden rule within the golden rules: if you don’t wear it at home, you won’t wear it on vacation. So i you have an item like that in your bag, skip it!

Give Your Grooming Kit a Proper Home

Toiletries deserve more respect than being tossed into the void of your suitcase. A good Dopp kit (or toiletry bag) is essential not only to prevent spills and chaos but to streamline your routine when you arrive. Keep it pre-packed with travel-sized versions of your daily essentials, and you'll never be scrambling for toothpaste again. Plus, there’s a certain pleasure in knowing that everything you need for a refreshing shower or grooming ritual is neatly zipped up and ready to go.

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Track Your Bags

Assuming your checked baggage will arrive safely at your destination is a gamble not necessarily a guarantee.So, if your luggage goes missing more often than you think, it is best you get your hands on an air tag or similar tracking device.

Airtag a small investment for peace of mind. Slip one into each suitcase, and you’ll know exactly where your bags are, even if the airline doesn’t. In the unfortunate event your bag is misrouted, having a tracking device significantly increases the chances of a swift recovery.

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Weigh Before You Wander

No one wants to be that person at the check-in counter, frantically unzipping a suitcase to remove overweight items while a queue forms behind them.

Avoid the embarrassment and the extra fees by weighing your luggage in advance. If you don’t own a luggage scale, you can improvise: weigh yourself holding the suitcase, then weigh yourself alone, and subtract. Alternatively, a portable hook-style luggage scale is inexpensive and pays for itself in peace of mind.

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Leave Room for the Unexpected (a.k.a. Souvenirs)

You’re going to shop. Whether it's a quirky local trinket, a bottle from duty-free, or that pair of shoes you didn’t plan on but had to have—souvenirs will find their way into your life.

So, don’t pack your bag to the brim. Leave at least 20 per cent of space empty. That way, you won’t be struggling to cram things in or find yourself needing to buy an extra bag on the return leg.