A lot of people hate packing. For many travelers, packing is stressful, time-consuming and boring. But, with these 10 tips on how to pack fast for a trip and how to pack efficiently for a trip, you’ll be able to pack faster, smarter and stress-free.
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How Long Does It Take To Pack For A Trip?
With the right strategies and packing tips in place, you can easily pack for an entire trip in one hour or less. This timeline includes packing your clothes, toiletries, carry-on and personal item bag to ensure you’re completely packed and ready for your trip. Even though stressed travelers often spend days, or sometimes weeks, packing for a single trip, there are much faster and more efficient ways to pack. So, now, let’s get into exactly how to pack fast and efficiently for a trip.
Use The Day-By-Day Packing List
My number one tip to pack faster and more efficiently is to start with a written packing list. Writing a physical packing list will help brain-dump all of the stressful details needed for packing that can easily overwhelm anxious travelers. Overwhelm leads to overthinking, which will slow down your packing process. These details include how many outfits you need, what types of outfits you need, the weather forecasted for your trip, what shoes you need, the activities you’ll be doing on your trip, etc.
To quickly and efficiently organize all of these details, I highly recommend downloading and using my free day-by-day packing list. I swear by this packing method and use it for all of my trips. I specifically designed this packing list to walk you through every important trip detail you need to know in order to pack fast. Filling out the packing list should take you no more than 5-10 minutes, especially if your trip itinerary is already planned out. Download the free day-by-day packing list here.
In the day-by-day method, you start your packing list by listing each date and/or weekday of your trip from travel day to travel day. Then, next to each day, list the main itinerary spots and activities planned. This will enable you to visualize what types of outfits you’ll need every day (i.e. fancy, casual, hiking, swimwear, etc.). Then, make a note of the forecasted weather, how many days and nights you’ll be traveling, and any other details that stick out most to you. We’ll discuss a few more of these details in the next packing tips.
Check The Weather Forecast
Next, as you write your packing list, check the forecasted weather for your destination. My pre-made day-by-day packing list has a whole section for weather, which makes this packing tip super easy. Specifically, check for temperature and weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, rainy, stormy, windy, etc.). Knowing the weather forecast before you pack will help you know exactly what type of clothing you’ll need versus what clothing articles you won’t need. Checking the weather only takes 30 seconds. Not only will checking the weather help you confidently pack faster, but it will also help you pack lighter and avoid packing anything unnecessary. Read my other tips to pack lighter here.
Consider Trip Laundry Days + Rewear Days
Another note to make on your packing list is whether you will do laundry on your trip (and if so, how many laundry days). With access to laundry, you’ll be able to double up outfits across multiple days. Similarly, make a note of any days you can rewear outfits. For example, if you have two trip days that are alike in terms of activities (non-sweaty activities, to be exact), than you can probably get by with rewearing the same outfit on both of these days. Again, filling out the itinerary portion of the day-by-day packing list will make this step very fast and visualizable.
Lay Out Your Trip Outfits
Next, after your packing list is all planned out, which should only take you about 10 minutes maximum, then you can lay out all of your trip outfits. I always pack whole outfits instead of individual clothing articles, as this helps me pack lighter. Packing whole outfits also helps me pack faster and more efficiently because then I don’t have to attempt piecing together random clothing articles as I pack nor on my trip.
Implement A No-Sitting Rule
Implementing a no-sitting rule for yourself is a game-changer to pack fast and efficiently. When packing takes me a long time, I find that one of the main reasons is that I get distracted. Whether the distraction is my outfit-making indecisiveness, travel anxiety, or stress-induced doom-scrolling on my phone, most of these distractions are a thief my time as soon as I sit down. So, now, I implement a no-sitting rule when I pack. As long as I keep standing and moving, I finish packing way faster.
Organize Outfits Into Packing Cubes
Once your outfits are planned out, all you have to do to finish packing is organize your outfits into packing cubes. This really only takes five minutes if you keep moving. And, packing cubes will keep you organized throughout your whole trip. I use the Beis compression packing cubes because they fit perfectly in my Beis carry-on luggage. Selecting packing cubes that fit well in your luggage makes packing faster and more efficient. This way, you don’t have to spend time or energy puzzling your suitcase shut. Then, put the filled packing cubes into your suitcase, and your clothes are officially packed. The most time-consuming part of packing is done.
Save Coats + Blankets For Last
Another quick tip to pack fast is to save your heaviest items, such as coats and blankets, for last. It’s miserable when you’ve nearly finished packing and realize that your clothes don’t fit with the coat/blanket you packed at the very bottom of your suitcase — forcing you to completely repack. Instead, pack your coat/blanket last. Best case, you’ll have space on top of your packing cubes to store your heavy coat/blanket. Worst case, you have to carry your coat/blanket through the airport, which won’t count toward your personal item allowance. Either way, you can still bring the coat/blanket.
Pack Personal Item Bag
During your no-sitting rule, pack your personal item essentials. You can see my go-to personal item packing list here. I find it tempting to pack my personal item last minute, but it always takes more time than I expect it to. If I’m already in a packing flow state, it only takes me about 10 minutes to pack my personal item. There are various personal item essentials you’ll want on your flight, such as headphones, snacks, portable charger, etc., so it’s best to get the personal item packed right away. If you pack your personal item without sitting, it should only take you 10 minutes. Don’t get distracted!
Pack Toiletries As You Use Them At Home
Finally, the best way to pack toiletries fast and efficiently is by packing them as you use them the night and morning before you leave. You’ll likely have to use most of your toiletries the night and morning before you leave anyway, so why not pack as you complete your daily nighttime and morning routines? Not only is this a huge timesaver, but this also ensures that you won’t forget to pack any important toiletries. Because, if you use the toiletry during your nighttime/morning routine, you know you’ll need it on your trip.
More Tips To Pack Fast + Efficiently
Download The Free Day-By-Day Packing List
17 Carry-On Packing Tips You’ve Never Heard Before
How To Pack Lighter For Any Length Trip
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