Sick of spending all that hard earned money on baggage fees? Read this!

Disclaimer: Some links in this blog are affiliate links, meaning I can make money if you click and buy. 

Looking to step up your packing game to save some money on those costly flights, especially those last minute cheap airline flights? Keep reading for the best way to pack for two!

1: Check the weather for where you are going, pick appropriate outfits, and lay them out

This seems simple, but do you do it? If you do, work your way to #2, but don’t miss that bonus tip! If you don’t, then you’re in the right place.

Visually setting out your outfits will keep you from over-packing along with giving you more time to sleep on your trip since you already know what you are going to wear each day.

My favorite thing to do once everything is laid out is to take a photo and write/draw on it the days I will wear what on the trip so I can reference back on it when I am unpacking my outfits for the day!

Bonus Tip:

Style different outfits to include the same two pairs of jeans/pants or outfits that pair with the same jacket. Wearing a few pieces of clothing multiple times will save you tons of space! Also see if you can pack one piece items like dresses, jumpsuits, or rompers.

2: Transfer liquids to travel-sized containers

Again, it's no brainer, right?

No, it's not. I know a few too many people who try and pack their entire salon sized shampoo and conditioner into their bag.

First, they are asking for a soapy explosion at 30,000 ft. Second, that automatically requires you to check your bag which (usually) costs more money.

So grab yourself some travel bottles! I got mine at the container store. If you and your travel partner can share soaps for the length of your trip to save even more space then great!

I also place all of these travel-sized bottles into a Stasher silicone bag to avoid a potentially soapy explosion and as an added bonus to help the planet a little bit by using less plastic/single-use items. (Some airports may require an actual plastic zipper, think Ziploc, bag so do your research or be prepared to move your liquids at the airport.)

Bonus Tip:

If you are going to visit family or friends ask them if you and/or your travel partner can use their soaps!

3: Narrow down your makeup for each outfit

If you wear makeup you know how easy it is to overpack with overly ambitious vacation makeup.

Change that up and think simple for each outfit and maybe a pop for one evening or day.

Do your best to narrow it down to a small makeup bag like the one I use. 

Also, narrow down the jewelry/accessories you would like to wear for each outfit and put everything into a small or efficient container. 

4: Wear bigger/bulkier items onto the plane

Wearing or carrying bigger items like sweaters, hoodies, or jackets onto the plane will save you space in your carry-on bag for other essential items or for those fun souvenir collectibles! And it will keep you warm on those long cold plane rides.

5: Buy/use a hard double-sided suitcase

If you don’t have a hard suitcase and you’re a frequent traveler…what are you doing??

Okay but seriously, these types of suitcases are a game-changer in my opinion. You won’t be in the airport picking up your luggage that you let go of for half a second and watched tumble to the ground because it only has two wheels and no actual counterbalance. You won’t be struggling to zip it closed and you absolutely won’t have to have the anxiety of the zipper popping open when it gets caught on the overhead compartment and the whole line of people behind you gets to see your panties on the floor.

Above all of that, they are much easier to pack.

The shape holding hard case allows you to pack things into every nook and cranny easily and makes closing the bag a dream!

6: Roll every item to be packed

I get it, I wasn’t a believer either. But then I tried it and now all the clothes in my closet that don’t hang are rolled.

When I say roll every item I do mean you socks and underwear too. That will come into play later, but trust me, roll those small items as well.

If you are unsure how to roll your items head over to Youtube or TikTok and search for rolling clothes videos. There are so many helpful ones!

An added bonus to rolling aside from saving space is it keeps your clothes wrinkle-free if done correctly!

7: Fill your shoes with small items

This is where rolling your socks and underwear comes in handy.

Stuff your shoes with your rolled socks, underwear, or other small items so you are utilizing that space at the bottom of your bag.

I even take my small jewelry container and stick that in the heel or ankle part of the shoe.

This also keeps your shoes from getting crushed in the last minute stuffing session!

8: Pack you bulkier items first

We are finally to the actual packing tips!

And the most important thing in my opinion. Pack those bigger and bulkier items first like shoes (packed with smaller items), jackets, hoodies, jeans, etc.

Packing these items first gets your big stuff out of the way obviously, but also shows you where your smaller items can sit much easier.

Also packing your shoes first puts those dirty soles either touching each other or the outside walls of the bag and not on any of your clean clothes.

9: Pack and re-pack!

Aim to be the Tetris master, but don’t be afraid to admit you messed up that round and start over.

I often forget something small that needs to be packed and remembering it often means repacking, but since you rolled everything that means it's easy to unpack and start over!

Bonus Tip: I have seen and been told that packing cubes are life-changing! If you have any I would say all of these tips still apply but to each individual cube first and then your entire suitcase.

10: Pack your small items last

Naturally, this goes into the timeline easily but sometimes even I need a reminder.

Pack your small items last, but don’t be afraid to stick small items in places as you pack and notice an unused area (like socks and underwear inside your shoes).

Typically packing those smaller items last will also give you the chance to protect more valuable items between the soft cushion of all of your rolled clothes like camera gear or eyeshadow pallets.

If you would like to see a visual as to how I do this check out my Youtube video below where I show you exactly how I pack a carry-on suitcase for two using these tips!

Now happy packing and make sure to come back and let me know how these tips worked for you or anything you discovered on your packing journey that has been life-changing!

Disclaimer: The trip I packed for in this video was five days and four nights.