How To Make The Most Out Of Your 23kg Luggage Allowance: Packing Tactics and More
How can I make the most out of my 23kg suitcase allowance? This is a question that many travellers ask themselves before they start packing their case, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as people make it seem! As someone who has had to learn how not to overpack, here are some of my best tips on how to pack 23kg of luggage and still manage to take all the items you need with you.
Why 23kg of Luggage?
For most airlines, the maximum amount of luggage you’re allowed to take with you in a checked case is 23kg. For some budget airlines, you may find it’s closer to 20kg, in which case, all of these tips will still help you maximise the space in your suitcase.
Make Use Of Packing Cubes
One of my favourite methods for packing is to use packing cubes. These are great because they help you to fold your clothes in the best way possible, saving space and making it easier to find what you’re looking for when you need it. You can buy packing cubes from most stores or online, and I definitely recommend using them if you want to make the most out of your 23kg luggage allowance.
Six Reasons Packing Cubes Are So Great
If you’re a regular reader of my blog you will know I mention packing cubes a lot but honestly, they’re one of my best discoveries when it comes to travel. There are a few reasons why I think these handy little things are great for packing your suitcase:
- You can easily pick what clothes to put in each cube because they have zippers. This makes it easier when you’re trying to plan what outfits you’ll be wearing and also means less chance of everything getting mixed up in your suitcase.
- They keep your clothes organised and wrinkle-free. This is especially great if you’re travelling with suits or dresses – no more ironing when you get to your destination!
- The cubes take up less space than if you just fold your clothes into squares, especially if you invest in compression packing cubes.
- They help you pack your 23kg suitcase in the best way possible by saving space and making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Gone are the days of tearing your whole suitcase apart looking for that ONE item.
- They come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you can pick the perfect one(s) for your 23kg luggage allowance!
- You can buy cheaper ones that are just as good, if not better than most more expensive options (I’ve linked to my top picks at the end). You’ll save money which is great for travelling on a budget and means you can buy more souvenirs!
Packing Cubes For Every Budget
I have tried lots of different brands when it comes to packing cubes and personally, I find the more you spend, the better they’re going to be. Of course, there are affordable options available too. To help, here are some packing cubes for every budget:
Low Budget – If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful, this set of 8 packing cubes from Amazon is a winner. I’ve used them many times in the past and while they don’t last too long, they’re great as a one-off or if you’re looking for a temporary set before you invest in something else. These usually don’t offer the option to compress your clothes, so they’re not suitable if that’s what you’re looking for.
Mid Range – This set of 10 packing cubes is a little better quality than the set above, hence the price tag. What I love about this set is that they come with a cosmetics and toiletries bag too.
High Budget – Gonex are my favourite when it comes to packing cubes and this set is absolutely adorable. I love the pattern and the selection when it comes to different shapes and sizes. It even includes a laundry bag which is ideal if you don’t already have one. At almost £40 it’s definitely on the pricey side for a set, but as they’re compression cubes, you’ll find you fit so much into them. Osprey also has a high budget set, however, this is just a set of three.
Fold Clothes In A Variety Of Different Ways, Depending On The Material They’re Made From
You’ll often read tips that tell you to either fold or roll your clothes but honestly, I find that a combination of both is the best way to maximise your space. Depending on how chunky an item is and the material it’s made from, I try rolling it and folding it to see which way is easier. Referring back to my packing cubes, I then have cubes made up of folded clothes and cubes made up of rolled clothes.
Think About What You’re Packing and Plan It In Advance
A lot of the time when we’re packing, we think about what clothes and items WE want to take with us on our trip rather than thinking about what we’ll ACTUALLY need. It’s important to plan your outfits in advance so you can pack accordingly and not waste space with unnecessary items. This is where a capsule wardrobe comes in handy. More on that later 😉
Pack Multiuse Items
One of the best ways to make sure you don’t overpack is to use multi-purpose items. For example, a pashmina can be used as a scarf and a blanket on the plane or even as clothing during colder weather. Another great example is packing a shirt that can also double up as a jacket or beach coverup when needed.
Create A ‘Capsule’ Suitcase
Another great way to pack less is by creating a ‘capsule’ suitcase. This means that you’ll take out anything and everything from your luggage, then put back only the essentials. Pack items that go with multiple outfits so you can mix and match as much as possible. Don’t forget to think about practicality and whatever you do, don’t forget to keep an eye on the weather forecast for your trip!
Make Use Of Any Unused Space
Don’t forget to utilise every nook and cranny in your suitcase – this is a great way to save space. Try rolling clothes instead of folding them, or packing items vertically rather than horizontally.
When packing your case, you may be surprised at how much empty space you actually have. Whether it’s a hidden pocket or inside of your shoes, make use of any extra space you have.
The less you take, the lighter your suitcase will be and that means fewer pounds to pay for!
Plan A Time To Do Laundry While You’re Travelling
This is a great way to save space as well as time – having clean clothes while travelling can make all of the difference in feeling refreshed and ready to explore new places! All you need to do is keep a small laundry bag in your case and store any dirty clothes in there throughout your trip. When it’s time to do laundry, find your nearest laundromat or check if your hotel offers it as a service. Having a small bottle of travel wash also helps!
Stick To Travel Sized Items (Even though you can take more)
This is a great way to save space in your case – by packing only travel-sized items, you’ll be able to fit more into your luggage. Plus, it’s always handy to have some mini versions of your favourite products with you on holiday!
I have a box of travel minis at home that whenever I see any gift sets on offer (Christmas is the best time for this) I purchase them and then grab out what I need at the start of each trip. It saves so much money and honestly, is one of my favourite travel hacks.
If you don’t want to wait until Christmas, you can also buy 1 or 2 minis every week when you do your shopping. You’ll soon have a collection build-up!
Pack Some Items In Your Carry-on
Not only does this help you save on space, but it also means that you’ll have a couple of essential items with you should your luggage go missing. It’s not likely, but with delays and changes to flights due to COVID-19, it’s definitely happening much more often.
Pack Clothes Strategically
When packing clothes, try and think about what you might wear on your trip and pack those items first. This makes getting ready for a day out much easier as you can grab everything you need from one bag instead of having to rummage through various cases! This is a lot harder when using packing cubes so if that’s the route you’re taking, packing by ‘item’ is often the best way to stay organised.
In conclusion, there are so many ways you can make the most out of your luggage allowance, and we’ve only touched on a few here. The best thing to do is plan ahead and know what clothes you’ll want for each day/night and pack them accordingly. If I missed any tips, let me know in the comments.
