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Throughout my four months of travel in Asia this year I could pack all my belongings in just ten minutes as opposed to one-two hours packing used to take me. Not only was my husband surprised that I was always ready on time but I felt accomplished at how much my packing has improved over the years.
My secret to packing fast as lightning? Packing organizers! Read on and find out how to pack in less than 15 minutes!
How to Pack in Less than 15 Minutes
Packing organizers are the key to being an efficient and organized traveler. Each item from my travel capsule wardrobe has a dedicated place within my luggage which means not only can I find anything easily I can also unpack and especially repack in minutes!
Because every item has a home, I pack in an easy three step process:
- Look for organizer where item belongs
- Place item inside organizer
- Place organizer inside suitcase
Looking for more organizer? Here’s our recommendations for packing organizers for travel!
Take a look at how I compartmentalized my belongings for my four-month trip to Asia earlier this year so you too can pack in fifteen minutes or less! (EVERYTHING in my packing list totals 10kg!)
Compass Rose Carryon Size Packing Cubes
Packing Cubes
I’ve used a variety of packing organizers over the years but my favorite option is a set slim packing cubes. They help me organize and also maximize space (using this clever packing strategy).
I usually use three cubes for clothes and one for underwear.
- Packing Cube #1: Tops
- Packing Cube #2: Bottoms
- Packing Cube #3: Outerwear or Dresses
- Packing Cube #4: Underwear, socks, bras, and bathing suit
Learn more about why I love packing cubes in this video tutorial!
Osprey Ozone Convertible 22″/50L Wheeled Luggage
Suitcase
Osprey Ozone 22″, capacity is 50L, fits carry-on for major airlines. In addition to packing organizers, I also use the compartments within my suitcase to further organize. I use the external pockets for things I use regularly or need easy access, too (but things that are not of high value if lost). I’ve also traveled with these three other Osprey packs.
- Internal large mesh pocket contains scuba diving accessories: Aqualung rash guard, fish id booklet, dive socks, bathing suit, board shorts
- Small internal side pockets: don’t really use these only sometimes for the occasional random items
- External right pocket: outerwear such as scarves, jacket, sweater and other accessories such as (empty) purse or belt
- External left pocket: packable tote, sleeping bag liner, travel towel, silk pillowcase, inflatable neck pillow, sleepwear, and daily essentials. (Daily essentials are usually in my daypack but they’re stored here to board a carry-on flight.)
- External small top pocket: headlamp and extra travel lock
- External back pocket: important docs, notebook, laptop and separate clear pouch containing laptop cord, iphone charger, international adapter. (Items from the external back pocket are usually in my day pack but I place them in the back luggage compartment to board a flight using one carry-on.)
Read my Osprey Ozone 46 review and watch this video to find out the pros and cons and what features you should consider when choosing your own suitcase!
Gold Pattern Cosmetic Bag with Zipper
Cosmetic Case
It contains my portable charger, external hard drive, underwater camera case, camera, memory cards, keyboard brush, flash drive, portable mic, power cables.
If you’re looking for the best international travel adapter, look no further than our Compass Rose adapter!
Small Gold Pattern Cosmetic Bag with Zipper
Small Pouch
My dive gear is expensive and I like this thick fabric to protect it. It saves space as opposed to the hard plastic case it originally comes with.
Unfortunately, Built NY no longer makes these cases but I will update the post with any similar styles I find. This is where I put my scuba dive mask, dive computer, and compass.
If you’re a first time diver, these are the five scuba diving essentials to bring on your trip!
Rebecca Minkoff Nylon Cosmetics Pouch
Toiletry Bag
Expandable toiletry bag with two compartments. I usually leave for a trip with the bag expanded and then zip it up as items get used and i don’t need as much space.
- 1st compartment contains: 4 bottles of prescription medication, 1 strip of pain killers, 2 alka seltzers, 5 motion sickness tablets, 1 chapstick, ear buds, menstrual cup, wax strips
- 2nd compartment contains: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body moisturizer, face moisturizer, face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, foot scrub, loofah
Check out our list of the best toiletry bags for travel!
LeSportsac Travel Cosmetic Case
Makeup Bag
It’s a standard small easy to clean black makeup bag. It contains my eyeshadow palette of 4, eyebrow pencil, eye liner, mascara, concealer, foundation, blush brush, double sided eyeshadow brush, blush, lip gloss, ribbon hair ties, bobby pins, nail kit, chapstick.
Keep reading to find out our tips for packing travel makeup!
Squeeze Pod TSA Approved Clear Toiletry Bag
Clear Pouch
Zip closure clear pouch for each access to daily essentials. Small daily essentials such as chapstick, sunglasses, eyeglasses, tampons, kleenex, eye drops, pill box, dental floss, breath mints, one allergy pill, one painkiller pill, one motion sickness pill, ribbon hair tie, bobby pins, clothes pin, hair brush.
Read this post for a printable packing list that includes clothes, shoes, and more!
This packing strategy applies to when you’re already on the road and have already finalized what you plan to bring.
At this point, I know my packing organization strategy so well that I’ve completely memorized it. Each trip the organizers may vary slightly but the idea is the same. Once you’re on the road it’s easy to re-pack when everything you own has a dedicated place. Now it’s your turn to pack at lightning speed!
What’s your packing strategy? Please share it below!
For more packing tips, please read:
- 10 Step Packing Guide to Stop Overpacking
- 10 Step Guide to Packing for Any Trip
- How to Save Space in a Suitcase: 5 Simple Ideas
- Learn the Secret to Packing Light in 60 Minutes
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Thanks for all the great travel light luggage tips, just awesome 🙂
Thank you, so glad you found this helpful!
What do you do with dirty laundry when you’re on the go? Reorganize packing cube? Or laundry bag?
Hi Liza, have a look at this TFG article on how to handle your dirty laundry: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/traveling-with-dirty-laundry/ You could pack an empty packing cube which you could dedicate just for your dirty clothing so that you keep your clean clothes separate from your dirty ones. Hope this helps answer your question. Happy travels! ?
I would think with all the rolling and folding that the clothes are bound to wrinkle. Do you find that you need to touch up with an iron when you get there?
Hi April, if you are worried about your clothes getting wrinkled, then have a look at this post for some tips on how to avoid it from happening: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-pack-clothes-without-wrinkles/ Hope this helps! 🙂
I like the look of the Osprey bag, but I think it is far too expensive for the average traveller.
Hi Polly, thank you for your comment! If you are unsure about the osprey bags, have a look at our review: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/best-osprey-backpacks/ If you are looking for a different option for a backpack, then have a look at the ideas on this post: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-choose-the-best-travel-backpack-a-step-by-step-guide/ Hope this helps! 🙂
Hi Alex
Really enjoy your blog and your tips are great. I haven’t been able to fly with only carryon but I am striving to take less stuff as I travel alone a lot and getting older too. It is becoming harder to wrench the bag off the conveyor. But, one thing I have noticed is that you state 10kg is carry on. In Australia, domestically, it is 7kg!! And they weigh the bags at the gate and then charge exorbitant extra dollars if you are over.
Hi Poppy, thank you for your lovely comment! So happy you enjoy the blog and find the tips helpful! If you are interested in packing tips for the 7kg baggage allowance, then have a read of this post: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/baggage-allowance-how-to-pack/ 🙂
I put everything in packing cubes, pleased with my organizing techniques & alas they would not fit in my suitcase. I took everything out & packed it in my suitcase & behold, it fit perfectly! Have no idea what I did wrong. As for packing quickly, need more practice.
Hi Carrie, thank you for sharing! I am sorry to hear that, I am not sure what you are doing wrong either! 🙁 Have a look at the video at this post for tips on how to pack using packing cubes for some more ideas: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/packing-cubes-video-tutorial-learn-how-to-pack-light/ Hope it helps! Good luck with your packing in the future! 🙂
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the suggestions. I know what I did wrong; I used large cubes meant for large luggage. I’ll have to investigate your Compass Rose slim cubes to make it work. I still use a large cube to pack an emergency 6-8 day trip for warm & 1 for cold weather to grab when needed.
Thats awesome, to hear!! So glad you figured out where you were going wrong! Aww, thank you for your support. The Compass Rose packing cubes are unique to other styles available as they have a unique color coded and number system for maximum organization. You can learn more about them here: https://www.amazon.com/Carryon-Packing…/dp/B07BVSD4HM/ Sounds like a perfect and organised way to have a cube ready for emergencies. 🙂
Great post! I have invested in packing cubes after reading your blog, and am amazed at how much simpler and easier they made packing and travelling. Thanks Alex.
Hi Vicki, thank you so much for your lovely comment, so pleased your enjoyed the post!! 🙂
This is great, thank you!
Glad you like it! Thanks for reading 🙂