Most of us appreciate feeling connected to home while we’re away, however, carrying half the items you own isn’t an ideal way to travel. Taking the time to research your accommodation in advance can reduce the dependence on bringing your own things in some key categories. Most hotel rooms, for instance, include an ironing board, iron and hairdryer, while accommodation with pools will usually have a basket of beach towels that are free for guests to use. If you’ve booked an Airbnb or self-service stay, check what’s in the kitchen to minimise bringing your own pantry and kitchenware essentials.

The ‘333 packing method’ or ‘the rule of three’ – which recently went viral on TikTok and Instagram – is based on the simple yet efficient principle that three shoes, three tops and three bottoms will do the trick for almost any type of holiday. This minimalist approach forces you to choose versatile items you can mix-and-match, ensuring you have a variety of outfits at your disposal without overpacking. By adhering to this rule, you’ll maximise your suitcase space and keep your packing process streamlined.

Liquid toiletries can be tricky, not least for their potential to leak and the time spent decanting them into smaller versions of themselves. Recent years have seen a considerable upgrade in products suitable for travel including an increase in the variety and quality of solid toiletries, with everything from perfume to shampoo now available on the market. Packing these down-sized essentials ensures you’re not dedicating crucial suitcase space to unnecessary bottles of all shapes and sizes. It’s also a great way to reduce waste.

If the rule of three feels too restrictive, there’s another blueprint you can use to maximise your options. Tops are the versatile heroes of your wardrobe and can help give the illusion you’ve packed more outfits  than you actually have. Choosing to take away more tops than bottoms can ensure there’s enough flexibility and variety in your travel attire, especially if your tees, jumpers and shirts can be easily paired with pants or skirts in black or blue denim.

Figuring out what to bring doesn’t have to be a guessing game, especially when there’s a range of apps ready to act as your personal packing assistant. The most popular apps, such as Packpoint and Packr, offer customisable checklists that adjust based on the length of your holiday, key activities and destination-specific weather forecasts, allowing you to whittle down your wardrobe effectively. If you’re prone to making decisions based on whim rather than necessity, give an app a try.

Although intentional packing is the most effective way to keep your suitcase manageable, we’re all guilty of slipping in an extra sweater or pair of shoes for the ‘what ifs’. To avoid this pitfall, consider the actual parameters of your trip rather than what’s purely hypothetical. Sure, it’s possible you’ll see rain during your summer holiday jaunt to Greece but do you really need to pack a bulky umbrella or raincoat? Build your decision-making process around your destination’s forecasted weather as well as your activity schedule and you’ll be less likely to deviate into ‘one more top can’t hurt’ territory.

If you’re heading somewhere with family or friends, take the time to check in with your fellow travellers and reduce doubling up on items – after all, does everyone in the group need their own tube of toothpaste? Bulkier items such as sunscreen, hair straighteners or garment steamers can likely be used by multiple members of your party so ensuring there’s just one of these shareable items guarantees more space in everyone’s bag. Just make sure each person knows exactly what they’re expected to carry for the team and divide the items equally.

For many of us, the idea of travelling without a phone or laptop is unthinkable. You could invest in smaller multifunctional pieces (an iPad, for instance, could replace your laptop, eBook and gaming console) but if you prefer carrying separate devices, don’t overlook minimising your cables as much as possible. Rather than packing individual chargers for each item, check which devices can share a cord (many newer laptops, phones and headphones use the same USB-C port) and reduce the clutter. And don’t forget to invest in a single universal adaptor for overseas travel so you don’t have to juggle more than one.

Strategic timing is a crucial piece of the pre-flight puzzle. Packing in the frantic hours before departure is an express route to overstuffing your suitcase, as practicality and reason give way to panic. You don’t have to stash your ready-and-waiting carry-on by the door two weeks in advance – just give yourself the space to reconsider any unnecessary items by starting at least a few days before takeoff.

There are some things you just can’t travel without, so it’s worth investigating whether or not you can get a smarter iteration before taking off. Replace your stainless steel flask with a rollable water bottle (caffeine enthusiasts will want to invest in a collapsible coffee cup); ditch the bulky travel neck pillow for an inflatable or slimline version and leave the fluffy towels at home in favour of a thinner (but still absorbent) microfibre or lightweight cotton option. As seasoned packers and recovering overpackers will know: it’s the little things that count.

If you have a tendency to overpack, it may mean you lean towards treating dressing for your holiday with a ‘fashion over function’ mindset. For many of us, it’s the minority of our wardrobe that we wear the majority of the time, so if you’re trying to reduce your options for maximum benefit, keep this in mind. If that white linen shirt barely gets an outing at home, chances are you won’t jump to wear it while out and about in a foreign place. Applying the lens of ‘everyday dressing’ can help reduce the likelihood of you tucking an item into your bag that will likely stay there for the majority of the trip.

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