Staying organized while you travel is essential. There’s nothing worse than stressing over if you’ve forgotten something, dealing with a shampoo leak, or trying to keep things neat and folded throughout your vacation. I’m also someone who can’t think straight if my surroundings are disorganized, and there have been trips where I’ve unpacked and repacked several times out of frustration. Now that I’ve figured out a system that works for me, I fortunately don’t do this anymore and travel is much more enjoyable, whether the trip is a quick weekend getaway or a two-month extended stay. Below are my top tips for keeping everything organized while you travel, ensuring you don’t forget anything and can focus on enjoying your trip.

tips for keeping your suitcase organized while you travel

Keep a packing list note in your phone. If you tend to forget things, keep a packing list note on your phone, which allows you to edit and update in real time while you travel. I break mine down into categories – carry-on, snacks, beauty, clothes, health, and tech, as well as a list of things I may need to buy on the trip. Format it as a checklist so that you can check as you pack and again when you re-pack to head home; this helps you avoid forgetting anything in the room. Keeping a packing list on your phone is great because it doubles as a shopping list when you’re out getting last-minute things for a trip, and you can share the note to coordinate who will bring what if you’re traveling with someone else.

Everything goes in a bag or packing cube. Other than shoes, everything goes in a bag or cube in my suitcase. I recommend color-coding for added organization, and this is probably the only time I’ll advise against getting something in black; the brighter colors make it easier to see what’s what in your suitcase. I prefer to use more of the small size packing cubes as opposed to fewer large packing cubes. Some people like to organize their packing cubes by outfit, but I keep workout clothes in one, pajamas in another, and then separate my tops, bottoms, and sweaters/ jackets. Don’t feel like you have to spend a lot on packing cubes; these on Amazon are cheap and work really well. I also love these small zippered pouches on CalPak, which I use on every trip I take.

Don’t fill toiletry bottles all the way. This is one of my biggest hacks to avoid things spilling everywhere. Overfilling your shampoo or body wash bottles is usually what causes things to leak, so I try to only fill the bottles as full as I will need. This also slightly helps you with the weight limits on airlines – every little bit counts.

Break up with the oversized toiletry bag. One big bag can get cluttered and overwhelming. Stay organized by separating products into categories - skincare, shower, and makeup, with a separate bag for each. It’s easier to see exactly what you have, you decrease the likelihood of something leaking all over everything, and it makes getting ready a breeze, especially since there’s limited space in a hotel room.

Bring a laundry bag. I love these laundry bags from Amazon, and having a specific place for dirty clothes makes post-trip laundry that much easier.

Use a tech case. The hard shell protects your electronics better than a plastic bag, and having a designated spot for all of your chargers helps you visibly see what you might be forgetting.

Use a travel jewelry organizer. Avoid tangles and knots by using an organizer for your necklaces and accessories; this is also lightweight, compact, and takes up minimal space in your suitcase.

Keep travel-sized items packed. I have a drawer in my bathroom designated for travel, and I try to keep 3oz bottles of all of my beauty products stocked and ready to go. I travel enough that I don’t have to worry about things expiring, and it’s much easier to refill bottles than start from scratch.

Bring a travel tray. Most people have a little tray in their entryway where they keep their wallet, keys, and phone charger, and those are the things you tend to lose track of or forget while traveling. It’s nothing fancy, but I bring a little plastic tray that I can keep on the desk or nightstand of my hotel. This keeps the muscle memory of my at-home habit while traveling and helps make sure I don’t misplace my wallet or room key.

Bring extra Ziploc bags. Keep a handful of snack, sandwich, and gallon bags in the front pouch of your suitcase. These come in handy when you are packing snacks for your return trip, or want to put toiletries in fresh bags in case something leaked.

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