19 tips from travelers

Travel experts, including airline employees and professional organizers, share their secrets on how to make packing organized, efficient, and as minimal as possible.

The years of experience of Afar employees and travel experts show that effective packing is not difficult at all. The main thing is to use the right strategies.

Here are 19 top tips to help make packing life's stuff as stress-free as possible: Create a 'capsule wardrobe': Only pack up to 30 items of clothing that go well together in your suitcase. As stylist Wendy Mack advises, "If you get 6 tops and 4 bottoms that can be matched, you already have 24 outfit combinations." folding vs. Rolling: Airline employees often prefer to roll their clothes because it takes up less space and reduces the risk of wrinkles. However A. Organizing expert Marie Kondo uses the Konmari method of folding. Experts agree that a combination of both methods works for best results. Using Packing Cubes: They help you categorize your luggage (eg daywear, linens) and make better use of space. Plan laundry on the go: When traveling long-term, don't pack a single day's worth of socks and underwear. It is better to take less and wash on the way. Invest in merino wool: Socks or t-shirts made from this material are odor-resistant and quick-drying, allowing for multiple uses. Instead of one big bag for toiletries, use several smaller ones: separate bags for hair, skin and cosmetics. This will help you find the desired item quickly. Pouring things into smaller containers: Don't take full-sized bottles of shampoo. Use reusable, small containers (such as Cadence or Hum anGear) – take as many products as you actually need. Separate your personal belongings: Keep jewelry, chargers, and other small accessories in separate, compartmentalized bags so they don't get tangled or lost. Preventing wrinkling of clothes: Use dry-cleaning plastic wrap to protect jackets and shirts. Roll up the ties and keep them in your socks. Shower cap as a shoe organizer: Hotel shower caps are perfect for packing dirty shoes so they don't clog up other items in your suitcase. Multi-port chargers: Use a multi-port charger (such as the Anker 3-in-1) that allows you to charge multiple devices simultaneously with a single cable. MULTI-PURPOSE TOWEL: Use this quick-drying Turkish cotton towel as a sarong, beach cover-up or just a towel. Attaching a carabiner to your trunk: A carabiner is useful for attaching a water bottle, hat or jacket bag to the outside if you run out of space in your suitcase is. Wear the bulkiest things: Wear your winter coat and your biggest shoes on the flight – this saves valuable space in your suitcase. Buy a smaller bag: To avoid packing too much, get a relatively small suitcase so you're forced to pack only the essentials. Take a holdover bag for shopping: If you plan to buy souvenirs or items, pack an empty, collapsible bag or duffel that you'll need on the way back. Leave 10% empty: According to Marie Kondo, leave 10% free space in your suitcase so that you can easily pack new purchases or souvenirs. Use a fanny pack for important things: To avoid panic at the airport, keep your passport, phone and other valuables in a fanny pack. Keeping your suitcase always packed: Keep a separate toiletry bag packed so the prep process is always ready for travel.