How to Pack Efficiently

Once you've decided on what to take on holiday, follow these space-saving packing tricks:

Blazers

Avoid packing if possible - wear them on the journey. However, make sure that you take them off after boarding and hang or fold gently; if you wear them whilst seated in the plane, they will become shapeless and wrinkled.

Coats and Jackets

These can take up a tremendous amount of space. Fold and roll the best way you can. However, if you are going to an area with a mild climate, try to find a lightweight coat that can be rolled in a small space.

Dress Clothes

Fold neatly and place between layers of plastic (such as dry-cleaning bags) to prevent wrinkling.

Trousers

Fold along creases, then fold in half and carefully roll into a tube shape.

Sweaters

Fold and roll up.

Casual Blouses and Shirts

Neatly fold and then roll into tube shape.

T-shirts and Underwear

Roll into a tube shape. Put some inside the shoes you're packing, and place the rest around the edges of the suitcase.

Toiletries

Place in plastic bags to contain any spills or leaks.

Socks

Roll them up and use them to fill in any gaps.

Shoes

Fill them with balled socks or rolled underwear.

What Not to Pack

It's important to remember that travelling always has its risks, and it's never a good idea to pack (or sometime even to take) expensive items or belongings that are hard or impossible to replace.

If you are taking any valuables, always take these with you in your carry-on luggage, along with any travel documents, prescriptions and cash. Make sure that any expensive equipment or jewellery is covered adequately by an insurance policy.

Identify Your Luggage

Make sure that your bags are all adequately identified; inside and out (see here for tips on labelling). Include a copy of your itinerary inside your suitcase, so that you can be easily contacted by the airlines if your baggage goes astray.

You should also label anything else that might go missing, such as your carry-on luggage, camera bag or glasses case. If you leave these items behind on the plane, it's essential that they are clearly marked so that they can be returned to you.

It's a good idea to make your luggage easily identifiable to prevent another passenger from taking your bag from the carousel by mistake. Tie a coloured ribbon on the handle or secure a coloured band around your suitcase to avoid this type of mix-up.