5 travel packing hacks, according to a travel expert

Packing Cubes

No matter the length of your trip, using packing cubes is always a good idea. Not only do they save space, but they help you become more organized and efficient.

If you want to save space, invest in compression packing cubes – these are super if you’re restricted to a small carry-on bag. Regular packing cubes are invaluable in helping you become more organized and efficient by dividing your clothing into color-coded cubes, so you know where everything is.

Travel Pillow

Use a travel pillow instead if you’re desperately stuck for space and have no room left in your suitcase. Remove the foam from the pillow and replace it with clothing – I usually fit five tops, a dress, and jeans into my travel pillow. Also, you can bring a jacket and place bulkier items in the coat sleeves, and place them over your forearm as you go through the gate.

AirTags

Afraid of your passport or luggage going missing? Invest in the ultimate travel companion, an Apple AirTag. Pop the AirTag into the sleeve of your passport holder and your suitcase and keep track of them in the ‘Find My’ app on your iPhone and select the name; mine is “Meg’s Luggage” and “Meg’s Passport”, and I can view them on the app to see where they are at all times. I find this handy, especially with luggage after I check it in – I can check the app to make sure it’s on the plane.

Extension Leads

We’ve all been in that situation where we can’t find an additional plug in a hotel room to facilitate the multiple gadgets we brought on holidays. Avoid this by packing an extension lead with a universal travel adapter. This way, you instantly have access to various sockets at once.

Tangled Jewellery

Using a straw is my top tip to avoid necklaces becoming tangled while traveling. The trick is to loop your chain through a straw and tie the necklace at either end. This way, the necklace won’t twist when you remove it from your suitcase.

Follow Megan Virgo’s travels on Instagram at @meganvirgo.