If you’ve ever found yourself at the airport frustrated by luggage fees or overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you’re trying to fit into one personal item, this article is for you! With a few clever packing hacks, you can bring more onto the plane without having to pay for an extra checked bag. After traveling for 30 days with just one backpack, I’ve learned some tricks that will help you make the most out of your packing space, while keeping your budget intact.
1. The Shopping Bag Hack
This one’s a game changer! Most airlines allow you to bring one personal item, usually a backpack that must fit under the seat in front of you. However, there’s a clever way to sneak an extra item onto the plane: bring a shopping bag. Here’s how it works: airports are filled with stores where passengers buy clothes, electronics, and other items, and they often walk out carrying those items in shopping bags. Airlines generally don’t charge for those bags because they assume you bought them at the airport.
The hack? You don’t have to buy anything. Just carry your own shopping bag filled with stuff when you arrive at the airport. Security won’t question it, and neither will the flight attendants. You’ll essentially get a second personal item without paying for it. The only catch is that the bag shouldn’t be overly huge—something they’d assume you grabbed in the terminal.
2. Roll Your Clothes and Use Small Compartments
You’ve probably heard the advice to roll your clothes instead of folding them. It helps save space by making your clothes more compact. But here’s the next level trick: don’t just roll them—place them in the smallest compartments of your bag. For example, roll socks and underwear and tuck them into the side pockets of your backpack, leaving the main compartment free for bulkier items like shoes or electronics.
Rolling also helps prevent wrinkles, so you’ll arrive at your destination with clothes that look fresh and ready to wear. It’s all about maximizing the nooks and crannies of your bag.
3. Stuff Your Neck Pillow
Neck pillows are great for staying comfortable on flights, but did you know you can turn them into extra storage space? Many neck pillows have zippers. You can remove the cushion inside, roll up some clothes, and pack them inside the pillow. You won’t lose any comfort for your neck, but you’ll gain extra room for a few more shirts or pairs of socks.
Plus, since neck pillows are considered personal comfort items, no one’s going to stop you from bringing it on board. It’s the perfect little extra storage trick!
4. Wear and Tie Your Bulky Items
One of the easiest ways to save space in your luggage is to wear your bulkiest items to the airport. Jackets, hoodies, or even an extra pair of shoes—wear them, tie them around your waist, or strap them onto your backpack. This saves room in your bag and ensures you have more space for the smaller things.
For instance, you can tie a hoodie onto the top handle of your backpack, or even loop a pair of shoes through the straps. It might look a little funny, but it’s effective, and you won’t have to leave anything behind.
5. Board Late, Store Your Bag Overhead
If your personal item ends up being too big to fit under the seat in front of you, don’t panic! Here’s what you can do: board the plane last. Airlines are usually in a rush to take off once the last group boards, and they don’t want to waste time rearranging bags. By boarding late, you can simply place your oversized bag in the overhead compartment, where there’s usually extra space because people in your group aren’t allowed carry-ons.
It’s important to note that aisle seats often have smaller under-seat space due to bars or dividers, so boarding last also gives you the opportunity to find out if there’s room. If not, you’ll be able to store your bag above without any hassle.
With these five airport packing hacks, you’ll never have to worry about cramming everything into one tiny personal item again. Whether it’s sneaking an extra shopping bag, rolling your clothes smartly, or using your neck pillow for storage, these tricks can help you pack more efficiently and avoid unnecessary fees. Happy travels!
The TechWanderer 