Six Packing Hacks That Make Travel Less Stressful

Squeezing everything into a carry-on and a backpack is doable more often than you'd think, even for a full international trip. Checked bags often cost extra, and only a couple of U.S. airlines include them free, so skipping baggage claim altogether can save real money. A solid carry-on with an expandable top and spinner wheels, plus a roomy backpack as your personal item for toiletries, entertainment, and travel documents, makes carry-on-only travel far more manageable.

Airport bottled water can cost as much as $8 in some cities. Bring an empty reusable bottle through security, then fill it at a free water station or fountain afterward — a simple swap that saves money and cuts down on plastic waste.

Packing cubes let you fit more into a carry-on while keeping everything organized — group items by type, like shirts in one cube and pants in another. Whether you fold or roll your clothes, cubes free up noticeably more space, which means less to carry (or pay for).

A quick trip to a dollar store is a good source for travel-size versions of name-brand toiletries, plus sanitizing wipes for cleaning a seat, tray table, and seat-back pocket, and hand sanitizer or face wipes to stay fresh on long flights.

Snacks are allowed in a carry-on, and airport food prices add up fast — a bag of peanuts or a candy bar can run several dollars each at the airport. Packing your own snacks avoids the markup and keeps you prepared if a flight gets delayed.

Rolling clothes like shirts, dresses, jeans, and shorts saves noticeably more luggage space than folding; save folding for bulkier items like sweatshirts and jackets. Even for travelers who aren't jet-setting soon, these habits make the next trip's packing easier.