People are simply realising they’ve been packing their suitcases ‘the other way up’
This packing hack is said to allow you to pack ‘twice as much’
Between chunky knitwear, warm coats and bulky shoes, packing for a winter getaway can feel like a logistical nightmare – and that’s before you add in toiletries and other travel essentials.
However, packing too much can leave you with a hefty fee to pay at the airport. Excess baggage charges tend to cost between £11 to £13 per extra kilo, meaning passengers have to choose between paying the extra or ditching some of the excess.
But packing for cold weather holidays doesn’t need to be a big task. To help holidaymakers avoid hidden costs and pack smarter, the travel experts at Club Med have shared some top tips to making the most of your space.
And if you haven’t seen the viral TikTok video with over four million views, you’re probably not packing your suitcase correctly.
Aline Lowry demonstrated her go-to hack by standing her suitcase upright and packing it vertically instead of laying everything flat. As winter brings its luggage challenges, the timing is perfect for this vertical packing trend to take off, reports the Express.
Social media users are all in for this method, with one writing: “I do this. Start with heavier items. I put shoes closest to wheels then toiletry bag, underwear, socks because they won’t show wrinkles, pants, blouses on top.”
Another said: “That’s how I always pack. I am able to do two weeks in Europe with a carry-on only packing this way.”
A third person shared: “No way I have been doing this for five years. You get 50% more stuff in there than packing the normal way.”
With that in mind, here are five more easy packing hacks recommended by the experts at Club Med.
Roll, don’t fold
Ditch the folds and start rolling your clothes instead; it’s not just a space-saver but also keeps your threads wrinkle-free. Just be careful not to be caught out by the weight of your luggage.
Stuff your shoes
Shoes can take up a lot of space in any suitcase. So to get the most out of your footwear, fill them with small items like socks or accessories, making sure every space is used.
Wear bulky items to the airport
Save space in your suitcase by wearing your bulkiest or heaviest clothes to the airport. Think heavy boots, a jumper and your coat.
Use vacuum bags
Compress larger items like coats, scarves and jumpers with vacuum bags. They work by shrinking down the volume of your clothes and squeezing out excess air, allowing you more space for other essentials.
Maximise every corner
Get inventive with your packing strategy; every little angle in your suitcase can be utilised.
To pack smart, you need to utilise every nook and cranny in your suitcase. Fill the spaces between items, stuff underwear into hats, or thread belts through shirt collars to maximise space.
This way, you can fit everything you need without overstuffing your luggage.
