44 Packing Tips That'll Help You Avoid Having To Check A Bag

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No checked baggage fees *and* no risk of lost luggage or waiting at the carousel — that's what I call a win-win-win.

BuzzFeed Staff

Navigate by the airline(s) you regularly fly, and Amazon will weed out the options that won't fit into the overhead bins. Now you can really *maximize* your size based on the airlines you fly most often.

This one checks all the boxes: super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport. And reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats!

I've traveled with this suitcase several times (including a few international trips), and it's really roomy and easy to keep organized, and it has comfy straps!

Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in four sizes and 27 colors).

Promising review: "I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack, I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" —Kelly Miller

Promising review: "This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." —AP

The amount of extra undies I bring on trips...why?!

Get this handy notepad from Amazon for $6.92 (available in two colors, plus a road trip version).

Promising review: "I just used this for a recent trip to Florida from California. It made it easier to remember things. I used to have a list, that I made, on my computer to remind me, my husband, and child what to pack. My daughter is out on her own now and my husband passed away recently. So, I just need a list for me. This helped me think of things I NEVER thought to put on my list. It has extra lines for you to add anything extra like crochet project, handicapped parking plaque, etc. It's not too big, but can easily be read. There are boxes to check off as you go and room to add quantity to clothing items. I hope these are ALWAYS available!" —Connie Woods

I gave in and bought this last year, and it's my new go-to bag for everything from grocery runs to appointments! And on all my airplane trips, I use it for my in-flight essentials: my Kindle, AirFly Bluetooth adapter, headphones, hand sanitizer, lotion, and lip balm. That way I never have to go into the overhead bin for all the stuff I forgot to take out before boarding.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly says, "I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fits around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy, and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents."

Get it from Amazon for $13.98 (available in 28 colors).

Promising review: "Got this for air travel. I normally travel with a carry-on and a backpack. Got this to hold my essentials and have them accessible. It’s big enough to hold my phone, wallet, passport, hand sanitizer, and ChapStick." —daisy rojas

Many sites will give you the seasonal average weather for that date and location so you can plan your outfits (or what you might need to buy) before the actual forecast is available closer to your trip. You can also look at *past* years for the same info! I always use this to plan the kind of things I need to bring when I travel...far in advance!

Get this one from Amazon for $55.99 (available in women's sizes XS–3XL and 25 colors).

Promising review: "I waited to do this review until after my trip to Ireland. Ireland is the land of rainy weather. This jacket passed the test with flying colors. My husband and I got caught in a downpour hiking up Slieve League! This jacket kept me completely dry ( my pants and sneakers were soaking wet). I also found it breathable and light weight. It was easy to carry around and I liked the way it looked. Comparing this rain jacket to more expensive rain jackets, this one has them beat!" —CTG

There are tonnnnns of packable puffer coat options for colder weather in men's and women's styles on Amazon too!

It's also made of UPF50 fabric, so it's also great for carrying around your own personal shade when the sun is blazing!

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors, individually, and in packs of two and three).

Promising review: "Perfect for travel. I got this to stick in my backpack or suitcase when I travel. I did not want a bulky umbrella. This fit the bill. Compact but provides enough coverage for rainy days." —Deb

The military-style roll is basically like the regular roll, but taken to ~the next level~. "Clown car" is all about ~stacking~ before folding and tucking.

And if you like a classic fold but have a hard time seeing everything in your suitcase, the front-to-back style is a good option. It's also *great* for storing tees in your drawers at home so you can see what's what.

It comes with a laundry bag to separate your dirty clothes on your way back, and the cubes have mesh tops so you can see what's inside!

Get the set of six pictured above from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 14 colors and patterns).

Promising review: "These packing cubes exceeded my expectations!!!! I was able to pack for a seven-day cruise: seven day outfits, seven evening dresses, six swimsuits and six swim cover-ups. Along with 10 pairs of undergarments, four PJ sets, and three bras. It was wild. I highly recommend! I used a Vera Bradley weekend tote to fit my packing cubes and then a separate bag for shoes, toiletries, etc. worked perfectly! Very happy with my purchase." —Elias Zuloaga

::Cough, me studying abroad, cough::

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "My husband wanted me to take just a carry-on when we went to Paris and Switzerland last year. We were gone for 10 days and I had to pack dressy clothes, hiking clothes, clothes for the cold snowy mountains, and clothes for the warm May spring days touring Paris. I could NEVER have done it without these compression bags. I will always use these when I travel now. ALWAYS!!" —rmac

Get it from Amazon for $24.97.

Promising review: "Love this compact iron/steamer that gets the job done!! It works fabulously for International Travel with dual voltage conversion. It’s such a great compact size and light weight, it can be squeezed into luggage without taking up much space. It’s a great travel iron…but I know I’ll find amazing uses for it at home. It’s actually nicer than most irons as you can focus on ironing smaller sections at a time…results are crisp and challenging areas in between buttons, etc, as easy to navigate around! Heats up great and provides the right amount of steam." —Get thee to a nunnery

Or you can always get a travel-size spray of Downy Wrinkle Release! Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.99.

Check out more carry-on tips at One Good Thing By Jillee.

You can use zip-top bags, as pictured above, packing cubes, or whatever else you have around the house.

Promising review: "Great for a capsule wardrobe. I bought this for a summer trip to Italy. It paired beautifully with a cotton blouse. It's especially good for evening." —theof

Get it from Amazon for $31.24+ (available in women's sizes XXS–5XL and in 27 colors).

Get a pack of eight packets from Amazon for $7.99.

Promising review: "I bought a pack to take along on our UK and Ireland Christmas vacation. We were going to be gone for two weeks and I knew that there would be times where we needed to hand wash items and have them ready the next day. We were able to, throw some essential items into the hotel room sink and hand wash them and hang them to dry. It did pull out dirt and grime and left our clothes with a fresh scent. It’s a smart purchase and I will be sending a pack along with my daughter for her study abroad trip to Peru next month." —Jill Foster

Promising review: "Love this clothesline! We take this with us on resort vacations. It's nice to be able to wash out swimsuits, etc., and hang them to dry every day so they don't smell after days of nonstop ocean fun. This one is nice because you don't need clothespins, and it stretches pretty far. I could hang up two kid's swimsuits, two kid's rash guards, two adult swimsuits, and two adult rash guards, and I still had room for more. This is a must if you take any tropical vacation where it's humid and hard for clothes to dry out." —Haley G

Get it from Amazon for $11.35.

Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!

Get this cute map-print one from Amazon for $14.69 (also available in an airplane print).

Promising review: "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes and it has held up for well over a year now." —CC

I did this on a trip to Greece, and my wide-brim sun hat got there and back without a single crease!

Learn more at Collective Gen.

The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just attach around the strap/handle of your choosing!

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "The perfect travel accessory! Not sure why I hesitated to buy this for so long but I’m glad I finally did! The magnet has a very strong grip and perfect for straw hats and caps. It even grips my wool flatcaps as well. I can’t speak for thicker hats but this fits my needs perfectly. Bring on the sunny days!" —VF

Promising review: "Held strong through crowded airplane. Definitely recommend this hat magnet. I used it attached to my carry on bag. Even though it got bumped around getting on the plane & back to my seat, it never came off. My sun hat has a thick rim on it and it wasn’t an issue at all. The magnet held tight. Very good product." —CC

Then you can pack your shoes inside shoe bags (like I do) to keep the dirty soles away from your clothes, or just pop on a shower cap, like pictured here!

Get a pack of four drawstring shoe bags (they're clear tops so you can see which pair is which) for $14.39 at Amazon.

Get more inspiration at Extra Petite.

Another tip? Pull out all the clothes you want to bring, then put one-third of them away — you probably won't need 'em!

Reviewers love the one pictured above: it folds up truly tiny, has no weird plastic taste, and has an easy-to-clean wide mouth.

Get it from Amazon for $11.90+ (available in nine colors).

Promising review: "I took this water bottle on a recent trip to Iceland. In Iceland, water from any tap is glacier water and is absolutely delicious. This bottle made it easy to fill up whenever I wanted, even in I stream near a waterfall! It rolls up so it takes up little space. I never dribbled any while drinking, so I would say it's easy to drink from. It has a clip that would fit on a belt or belt loop, but I wear neither so I carried it easily with one finger in the clip. I found it easy to rinse. I'm 100% happy with the quality of this bottle." —nanykin

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in nine colors).

Promising review: "Really amazing value – it looks pretty luxe but I can't believe the price I bought it for — especially considering how expensive jewelry boxes can be. I use this one for travel and it's perfect (I have a larger one for all my jewelry as well. I really like that you can move the little dividers in the bottom compartment around too that's been very helpful" —Dee

They also come with blank label stickers so you can note which pills are in which compartment.

Get the set of three from Amazon for $8.97 (available in two color sets).

Promising review: "I love these! I have pretty severe ADHD, and I am constantly forgetting my meds when camping or hiking or just generally leaving the house for extended periods of time. These make it so much easier for me to just squirrel away in my backpack and be so pleased when I find them again. The labels are great, they are durable, and I'm no longer finding stray pills of unknown origin in the bottom of my bag. Highly recommend." —Eliza

And it's machine washable, so key!

Get it from Amazon for $45.49+ (available in five colors).

Promising review: "This is hands-down, the most functional, supportive, and comfortable, travel pillow I’ve ever used. It fully supports the weight of your neck in any position. It’s soft and lightweight and hooks onto your luggage. I’m recommending this to every person I know." —Amazon Customer

Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage.

Promising review: "The Tube Pillow was a savior on my last trip. It held a surprising amount of clothes and doubled as a dirty laundry bag. I used it as an on-the-lap pillow... for extra storage without extra fees, it's worth it!" —Sharon

Get it from Amazon for $49.95.

No more holding up the security line triple-checking to see if you still have your passport. Just a touch of first-class style, at an economy price. It's made of RFID-blocking material, too.

Get the one pictured above from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 37 colors).

Promising review: "I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! Boarding pass, passport, ID and credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, etc.! Yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. Just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese Yen (¥), which are larger. I didn’t use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu

Get the set of four containers, plus the clear case pictured above from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 12 color sets).

Promising review: "I love these bottles. The suction in the cap is one way, so air does not filter back into the container. This means it will be so much easier to get the product out — you won't have to squeeze the air out first and then the product. They are such high quality and feel amazing. I love that they come with a carrying case to keep them all together!" —Katherine Milesusnich

Promising review: "I bought these for a ten day trip. No leaks!! Plenty of product capacity for the entire time." —wendy smith

Learn more at The Beauty Department.

Get the Cosrx snail mucin set (which includes Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Moisturizing Essence, Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream, and Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream) from Amazon for $20.

Promising review: "I ordered these to try all these products. Loved them all so bought the larger size to keep these for travel. Just make sure you mist face with water before putting on the mucin it does make a difference!" —kelly heinnbockel

You can also get similar kits from CeraVe, Peach & Lily, Belif, Tatcha, E.l.f., Innisfree, and more.

I bought this for a recent trip, and I was legit shocked at how much I could fit inside — and it zips up to be surprisingly small! I bought the "medium" which was plenty big for my needs, especially if you're packing in a carry-on.

Promising review: "Seriously?! Do you see how much this holds?! Full shampoo bottles, face washes, hair brush...everything I could need or want to bring, FITS IN THIS ONE BAG! And it’s so cute! Feels like great quality too — all the hardware came with protective wraps to keep from scratching and the zippers feel very hardy. The hook at the top is also VERY WELL-SECURED to the bag, it’s double stitched to the top panel and almost feels like seatbelt material. And I love the extra pockets and netting inside. I would absolutely recommend this!" —mahea_c

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors).

It has a swiveling, tangle-free cord, too.

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (also available in white).

Promising review: "I bought this for a trip to Italy, as I didn't have a dual-voltage iron (and you can't just use a converter-adapter combination with things that heat up). I liked that it was a flat iron and curling iron combo, so I could change things up as I desired. It worked beautifully on our trip — I look nice in all my selfies ;) — and continues to work beautifully at home. In fact, I've replaced my old flat iron with this because of the versatility and now use this one every day. BTW, in case you are wondering, it automatically switches to the appropriate voltage, no looking for a switch or anything. You don't need to do anything but plug it in! Great product!" —Diane Field

I bought this little guy before a recent trip — and I am in love. I keep it on fan 1 (there are *three* different fan sound options), and it helped me sleep better in hotel rooms — and even a bit better next to a very loud snorer. I used it every night (for eight hours at a time) on a two-week trip, and I only had to charge it *twice*! And if you prefer, there are also several auto-shut off timer options too.

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in nine colors, plus two packs and packs that come with a travel case).

Promising review: "I was certainly skeptical regarding this sound machine. I mean, how could this little round thing produce big noise? Well, I'm here to tell you it does! I was astounded that after I had charged it up, and turned it on the huge sound that came out of this! I enjoy the fan noise the best. I read the reviews beforehand and most were very positive....so I know I had to try it out as I don't go anywhere without my every night plug in (big) noise machine...but that one is bulky...and I needed a smaller one for travel. The other wonderful thing about this little baby is that it is rechargeable! You don't need an outlet to use it unless you are charging it up. The directions were a little....well, let's just say there wasn't much to the directions...but if you have any common sense, it won't take you to long to figure out how it works. Just buy it! Especially for travel!" —T. Bellati

Shop Delsey luggage like the one pictured here on Amazon.

Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (women's size 6.5 shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in nine colors and patterns).

Hot take: As long as you have SOCKS ON and you don't usually have a super-aggressive foot odor (I'm sorry!), it's 100% OK to take your shoes off on a long international flight.

BTW, you can get the chunky sneakers pictured above from Amazon for $42.99 (available in women's sizes 6–11 and 22 colors and styles). One reviewer traveled in them all summer, and *27* reviewers said they feel like you're "walking on clouds"!

I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and of course traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life.

Get the 2024 version of the basic Kindle from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha). Or shop the newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite ($159.99) for poolside or beach reading — it's WATERPROOF *and* has an adjustable warm backlight!

It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. I have this and use it whenever I fly — it's great! Just be sure you charge it before you go, and I have found it's easiest to pair your headphones to your device at home — just plug it into your computer or any audio device to make sure the sound works, and pair!

See one TikTok user using it with their AirPod Pros here.

Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry more than one headset! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy

Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in eight styles and two colors).

Promising review: "This is my new favorite travel gadget! Super compact and sleek, so far no issues with charging my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and performance remains consistent. This charger has eliminated at least two additional cords and I deeply appreciate not having to shuffle chargers around when packing for travel. The charging light has an on/off feature by the watch pad, so I’m able to keep it on the bedside table at night without a bright green light shining in my face. It’s also hard to overlook when packing back up to leave a hotel, which might be the second most important feature! Overall a great value for the money and such a great tool for staying organized during travel." —Cassandra

Get it from Amazon for $22.78+ (also available in white).

This one folds into a teensy pouch when not in use, is tear- and water-resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. Aaaaand it has a strap on the side that slides easily over your roller luggage handle.

Just keep it in your regular suitcase between trips, and you'll never forget it. Fold-up duffels like these are my GO-TO when going on a vacation I know will be shopping heavy. And then you can bring your new finds on the plane to ensure they don't get lost (it's 20 inches, so it'll fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment).

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in 12 colors and patterns).

Promising review: "We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." —Tosa Mom

The stroller is supposed to fit kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 5 years).

Get it from Amazon for $118.51+ (available in three colors and configurations).

Promising review: "This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." —Nai Len

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.