The Do’s and Don’ts of How to Pack a Suitcase

In September of 2007, it rained 28 out of 30 days in London. I know because I was there and I counted. I counted because I wanted to quantify my misery and stupidity, states induced by the hole in my rain boot.

It was a rookie mistake, really. I was studying abroad for the semester and was permitted to bring two suitcases. Of course, like every know-it-all college student in her early twenties, I knew exactly how to pack a suitcase efficiently (yeah, right.) Rain boots, I decided, would take up too much room and were too heavy.

So there I was, combating daily downpours and forever skirmishing against a seemingly permanent state of mist with my arsenal of eight cocktail dresses, eight coordinating pairs of heels – including the essential gold glitter pair – and a giant teddy bear named in honor of my stateside boyfriend.

With a less-than-favorable exchange rate and a shoe size that didn’t quite line up with a U.K. equivalent, I bummed a pair of galoshes off another American student with a sprung hole and cursed those glitter heels with every water-soaked step.

102 National Park Attractions

See the most beautiful sights in America with help from this Your AAA guide to national parks.

Download Now!

I spent the next six months traveling Europe, mastering the “weekend-getaway-in-a-purse” and “Mediterranean-cruise-in-a-duffle-bag” packing challenges. I discovered I could fit twice as many clothes into a suitcase when I rolled them instead of folded them, how to prevent (or at least contain) toiletry explosions, and that I really only needed two or three pairs of shoes. I like to think I mastered how to pack a suitcase.

I recently returned to London, traveling with my best friend, who laughed when I showed up to the airport wearing my rain boots. They were too heavy for my suitcase and took up too much room, but there was no way I was I leaving them behind this time.

Fortunately, you have the advantage of benefiting from my mistakes and my chronically wet right pinky toe circa 2007. Whether you’re traveling abroad, to a beach destination, waterpark or theme park or are headed out on a camping or road trip, we’ve put together a fool-proof list of dos and don’ts when it comes to how to pack your suitcase.

How to Pack a Suitcase for…

A Wilderness Adventure

If you’re headed into the great outdoors for a camping or hiking trip, you’ll have to make a few tweaks to your packing list. Make sure your clothing is quick-drying or wicking, switch out the fancy attire for rain gear and be sure to pack a warm hat and gloves. If you are traveling by plane, use your backpack as your carry-on and wear your hiking boots on the flight to save space and weight in your baggage.

The Beach or a Cruise

If you’re headed for a warm, sandy locale or are counting down the moments until you’ll be sunbathing on the deck of an ocean liner, you’ll definitely need a swim suit. Gentlemen should pack two to three pairs of trunks. Ladies can double the number of suits they bring by packing solid color tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched. Choose a floppy hat that will fold in your suitcase versus a straw one, opt for the Kindle instead of a book (don’t forget the charger!) and pack lots of island white (it goes with everything!).

A Theme Park or Water Park

Heading out into the jungle of a Florida theme park is a completely different type of adventure and requires a unique form of preparation. Being ready for the unexpected is the name of the game. Tackle long days of walking and waiting on lines in the heat by bringing your own water bottles, sunblock, cool clothing and most importantly, comfy sneakers. When it comes to water rides and unexpected thunder storms, you’ll want to be ready with a poncho and maybe even a dry change of clothes for the little ones.

A Road Trip

Ward off road trip boredom by putting together a list of road games and making themed playlists for each leg of the journey before you go. Whenever traveling by car, it’s also important to have a properly stocked emergency kit with essentials like a first aid kit, flares, snacks, flashlights and blankets. Remember to download the AAA mobile app or have your card handy in case you need to request require roadside assistance.

Don’t Forget!

Double check that you have these essential items before walking out the door: phones, chargers, wallets, IDs and passports.

Now that you know the dos and dont’s of how to pack a suitcase, find hotels and book your next trip today at AAA.com/Travel.

What was your worst packing mistake that you will never repeat? Tell us in the comments.