A Guide to Packing Your Holiday Suitcase Smartly
Packing the suitcase hours before leaving for holiday leads to both forgetfulness and unnecessary weight. Smart packing both shortens the check-in queue and makes life easier throughout the trip. Here is a systematic guide to packing — from airline baggage rules to tips for fitting everything into a small suitcase.
Cabin Baggage or a Large Suitcase?
Baggage strategy varies by airline and flight duration. Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, Pegasus) may charge even for cabin baggage; always check your included baggage allowance when buying the ticket. Adding 20 kg of hold baggage can sometimes reach 30–50% of the ticket price.
Travelling with cabin baggage (carry-on only) eliminates both waiting time and the risk of lost luggage. For trips of up to 7 days, you can carry all your needs with a 40x30x20 cm personal item + a 55x40x20 cm cabin suitcase combination — with the right folding technique.
A Not-to-Forget Items List
Documents: passport/ID (check the expiry date!), ticket confirmation printout/digital, travel insurance policy, hotel booking document, international driving permit (if you'll rent a car). Electronics: phone + charger, universal adapter, power bank, headphones, camera memory card.
Health and personal care: medicines (an English doctor's note for prescription drugs), sunscreen, plug converters, a small first-aid kit. Clothing: check the weather in advance; a combination of insoles, walking shoes and one smart shoe covers most routes.
Smart Packing Techniques
The rolling method opens up 20–30% more space than flat folding and reduces creasing in clothes. Packing cubes both keep order and gain volume by compressing — a set of 3–4 cubes optimises a small suitcase.
Stuff socks or small items inside shoes; no space is wasted when filling the corners of the suitcase. The liquids rule: liquids over 100 ml aren't allowed in cabin baggage; solid shampoo, toothpaste tablets and squeezable tubes are cabin-friendly alternatives.
Baggage Weight Limits and Tips
Hold-baggage weight limits vary by airline: Turkish Airlines Economy is usually 23 kg, Pegasus 20 kg, Ryanair 20 kg (paid). The excess fee can sometimes be €15–30 per kg — weigh at home before packing.
Weighing trick: measure the suitcase's weight at home on a kitchen scale or bathroom scale. If you exceed the limit, distribute heavy items across your outer clothing — wearing a thick coat at check-in is technically valid. If you'll shop on the way back, taking a small foldable bag avoids extra baggage fees.
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