1. Roll clothes in tissue paper. This surprisingly takes up less space and also prevents wrinkles.
2. Pack clothes into see-through bags. For example, t-shirts in one bag and pants in another. This means less rummaging and things are easy to find.
3. Minimize on toiletries. Most of the products we take with us are unnecessary. Toothpaste, toothbrush and soap are all you REALLY need.
4. Only pack 3 or 4 pairs of underwear. The pair you are wearing, the pair drying, the pair waiting to be washed and a emergency pair in your carry bag.
5. Shampoos and conditioners are usually provided for you by the hotel you stay at. If they don't, then you can buy a sample sized or travel sized shampoo and conditioner when you arrive.
6. Many people believe that a towel is a staple item to pack when it actually isn't, unless you are going somewhere freezing cold. It's very bulky and heavy and takes up a lot of space. Rather dry off with a shirt or use free towels given at the hotels or backpackers you are staying at. If you can't get your head around using a hotel towel pack a light weight super drying towel. Make sure it's completely dry when you pack it or else it will add even more weight to your suitcase.
7. Leave the cotton behind as it takes up space and takes ages to dry. Rather pack synthetic fibres instead.
8. Plan to do washing when you are travelling so you pack less. Pack for half your trip and then do washing half way. You don't want to be stinky but you don't want to spend your time doing laundry. Find a middle ground.
9. Find a charger that will work with a multiple of your gadgets so that you aren't lugging around wires and cables.
10. Create lists of the clothes you plan to take with you. This helps you keep to the list and also ensure that you have everything you brought with you when the time comes to leave.
11. Inflatable pillows will be a blessing in disguise when you are knackered from all the travelling. It packs light and is really a saving grace when the time comes to using it.
12. Compression bags are for the die hard I'm-going-to-make-it-fit-as-if-my-life-depends-on-it type of people. It compact packs everything you need but you may need an iron afterwards to get out creases.
13. One pair of jeans is usually is sufficient as they rarely need to be washed and take up a lot of room.
14. Find out what the weather is going to be like during you holiday one day before or the day you leave and only take one coat that you will need. Make sure you don't under pack or over pack but do take only the one you need.
15. Lay everything you are planning on packing out on the floor in front of a friend or family member and go through everything you are taking. Usually they can give you a good opinion on what you should leave behind. You will also be more sure about what needs to brought and left behind when you do this with someone else. Make a list after you are done and make an extra copy. Keep one with you so you have a check list of what you brought when you leave your destination to come home. This will prevent anything being left behind. Keep one for next time so packing will be easier.
16. Guidebooks have become unnecessary as the internet is far more information packed and easily accessible. If there is no internet access where you're going rather photocopy the pages from the guidebooks you need before hand as whole books are awkward, bulky and heavy.
17. If you are back- packing pack lighter objects in the bottom of your bag as this makes it feel lighter as less weight is put on your lower back.
18. Don't pack anything you are bringing "in case of an occasion" or "just in case". These items can usually be bought IF you need them. Leave them behind.
19. Pack clothes than can be re-worn if need be.
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