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You're preparing for a week-long vacation packed with exciting activities, thrilling adventures, and breathtaking destinations. Now, the only question on your mind before this eagerly anticipated trip is, 'What should I bring?' We'll provide expert advice on packing for seven days, from the number of clothes to take to space-saving tips for your suitcase.
Steps
Use a carry-on or medium-sized suitcase.
A 22-inch (56 cm) suitcase is spacious enough to hold a week's worth of clothes. Carry-ons are convenient during summer months when you only need lightweight clothing and a few jackets. However, in winter, you might need a slightly larger suitcase due to bulkier outfits and more layers. For a 7-day winter trip, opt for a medium-sized suitcase measuring 24 to 27 inches (60-69 cm).
- Choose a soft-shell suitcase for flexibility and extra space (especially if you plan to buy souvenirs).
- Opt for a hard-shell suitcase if you want added protection.
- Airlines typically don't measure 22-inch (56 cm) carry-ons for domestic flights, but international flights usually allow carry-ons up to 21 inches (53 cm).
- Carry-on dimensions are usually based on height. For example, a 22-inch (56 cm) suitcase is typically 22 inches (56 cm) tall, 14 inches (35.5 cm) wide, and 9 inches (23 cm) deep.
Plan to rewear clothes from your packing list.
Bring 5 tops and 2-3 pairs of pants or skirts for a 7-day trip. Start by including at least one jacket or coat; add more if your destination is cold. Next, review your planned activities. If you have a date night or formal event, don’t forget to pack a dress or elegant top along with dressy shoes. Here’s a sample list of items to pack for a week-long trip:
- 5 tops
- 2-3 pairs of pants, shorts, or skirts
- 1-2 dressy outfits
- 1 sweater or jacket (add more if it’s colder)
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals (for beach vacations and warm weather)
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 workout outfit (add more if you’re a fitness enthusiast)
- 1-2 sets of pajamas
- 5-7 pairs of socks
- 5-7 sets of underwear
- Accessories (scarves, gloves, hats, jewelry)
Choose versatile basics that can be mixed and matched.
Select clothing items in coordinating colors for a cohesive wardrobe. For a classic 'capsule wardrobe' color scheme, opt for black, white, gray, and navy. You can easily add pops of color with accessories like scarves or hats.
- For example, pack a pair of black pants or dark denim, a white T-shirt, and a denim jacket.
Streamline your packing list.
Separate 'essentials' from 'optional items.' Lay out all your items on the floor or bed. Visualize outfits you can create and eliminate items that seem impractical. When planning outfits for the entire week, you might realize that a certain shirt doesn’t pair well with specific pants, or that a wide-brimmed straw hat might only be worn once during the trip.
- Some 'optional' items might still be necessary. For example, don’t hesitate to pack an umbrella or raincoat if rain is likely.
Use travel packing cubes.
Travel packing cubes help organize clothes and accessories neatly. These are lightweight zippered fabric bags that allow you to separate items. For instance, you can store underwear and socks in one cube and swimwear in another. These cubes stack neatly in your suitcase, making them perfect for maximizing space!
- Store chargers and cables in a separate cube for easy access.
Roll and bundle lightweight items.
Roll T-shirts and thin jackets for compact packing. Rolling clothes is faster than folding and saves more space. For shirts or lightweight sweaters, tuck the sleeves inward, fold the body vertically, and then roll tightly.
- This method works best with synthetic fabrics like polyester and lycra, as they wrinkle less than natural fibers like cotton or linen.
- Fold bulky items like coats, especially woolen ones.
- Fold (don’t roll) wrinkle-prone items like dress shirts and linen clothing.
- Feel free to combine rolling with packing cubes. You can even roll clothes and place them inside cubes for extra organization.
Stuff small items into spare shoes.
Place socks, underwear, or even sunglasses inside shoes. This saves space and can also protect fragile items. For example, if you have small items like coins or chargers, put them in a small plastic bag and tuck them into your shoes.
Wrap shoes in a shower cap.
Use this trick to prevent shoes from dirtying your clothes. Use a hotel shower cap to wrap each shoe, placing the sole in the center. If you don’t have a shower cap, a plastic bag works too.
- After wrapping each shoe individually, place them together with the soles facing outward. This is the most efficient way to pack shoes!
Place heavy items at the bottom of the suitcase.
Organize your suitcase in a specific order to save space and maintain balance. Place heavier items at the bottom of the suitcase (near the wheels) to prevent tipping. Heavy items include shoes or bulky winter clothing. Next, arrange items horizontally, starting with rolled-up clothes placed above the heavy items, and top it off with wrinkle-prone garments stored in dry-cleaning bags to protect them.
Wear your bulkiest outfit.
Layer up with a thick coat and wear boots if you're flying. There's no need to waste suitcase space on bulky, heavy items like boots and thick jackets. A multi-layered coat also keeps you warm on the plane and frees up significant luggage space. If you get too warm, you can remove the coat and roll it into a makeshift travel pillow.
- For example, if you're heading on a hiking trip, wear your heavy boots on the plane.
Pack personal care products in a separate bag.
Store personal care items in a clear plastic bag. Keep these items separate for easy access during security checks if you're carrying them on board. Remember, personal care products must not exceed 3.4 oz (100 mL). Use a clear plastic bag to protect your clothes from potential leaks during travel.
- If you travel frequently, consider purchasing small containers to decant items like shampoo or body wash instead of buying travel-sized versions.
- Want to travel light? If you're staying at a hotel, you can skip bringing shampoo, conditioner, and soap.
- Hotel hair dryers are among the dirtiest items in the room. Consider air-drying your hair or investing in a compact travel hair dryer.
Only bring essential electronics.
Limit the number of devices you carry and pack them carefully. The safest option is to store electronics in a padded laptop bag. If you don’t have a laptop bag, use clothing, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper to protect your devices. Neatly coil cables and secure them with rubber bands or twist ties to avoid tangling.
- Consider using your phone’s camera instead of a bulky camera to reduce the number of devices and cables you need to carry.
- Opt for e-books on your computer, tablet, or phone instead of bringing a separate e-reader and charger.
- In a pinch, you can use a bubble mailer as a makeshift laptop bag.
- Bring a power adapter compatible with the voltage of the country you’re visiting when traveling abroad.
- If you have devices with lithium-ion batteries, carry them in your hand luggage—they cannot be checked due to the risk of fire.
Pack some snacks.
Bring snacks to save money. Traveling on an empty stomach is no fun! You can easily carry dry food through airport security, as long as you’re prepared to remove it from your bag like other electronics. Pack small bags of fresh fruits like apples and carrots for healthy snacks. For protein, consider boiled eggs or a handful of nuts and beef jerky. If nothing else, grab a few granola bars to munch on during your journey.
- Bring an empty water bottle. You can fill it up after passing through airport security.
- Choose a water bottle with a handle or hook. This way, you can hang the empty bottle outside your luggage to save space.
