You’ve booked your flight. You’ve reserved your Suite at your favorite Hilton Grand Vacations location.

Now all that’s left to do is pack.

No need to panic — or overpack. While most travelers know about using packing cubes or rolling clothing to save space, here are 20 lesser-known tips to help you pack efficiently, save space and focus on the fun vacation ahead of you. 

 

Plan Ahead 

1. Start with a packing list. Write down everything you might need, including toiletries, medicine and destination-specific necessities like sunscreen. Review the list and cross off anything you could leave at home.

2. Shoes and bulky clothing tend to take up the most space. Lay out what outfits you’re bringing. Light travelers advise only bringing half of what you’ve laid out, but some experts recommend 3:1 — three tops for every bottom.

3. Losing your luggage can be a stressful way to start a vacation. If you’re checking a bag, pack necessities like a toothbrush or extra set of clothes in your carry-on. If you can fit a swimsuit in your carry-on, you can spend a day swimming in the pool or at the beach while you wait for your carry-on to make its way to you.

4. If you’re traveling with someone else, pack an outfit and some essentials in each other’s luggage. That way, you don’t have to share a toothbrush if someone’s suitcase gets lost in transit.

 

Maximize Space

5. Pack an empty duffel bag in your suitcase. That way, if you need more space for your return trip, you can fit your belongings and any new souvenirs you’ve picked up.

6. Staying at a Hilton Grand Vacations property? Ask if you have an in-Suite washer and dryer or if there are on-site laundry facilities. That way you can pack half the outfits you need and wash your clothes on a down day halfway through your vacation.

7. If you’re traveling domestically, consider shipping home things like shoes or clothes to make room for newer purchases.

8. Avoid leaky liquids. Use contact cases to hold toiletries like skin care, or switch to solid shampoo and conditioner bars. Both will take up way less space than a bag of bottles.

9. Check out backpacking forums for more tips and inspiration on how to travel light. 

 

Dress To Impress

10. Plan your outfits so they all coordinate with one pair of shoes. For example, bring a pair of sturdy sandals for beachy destinations like Orlando or Hawaii, or pack a pair of nice sneakers or flats that you can dress up or down when exploring Las Vegas or New York.

11. Layers are a vacationer’s best friend. Start with a lightweight shirt, then add a long-sleeve layer or jacket if it gets cooler.

12. If you’re venturing somewhere rainy, look into hiking clothing, which is often portable and quick drying.

13. A dress takes up less space than a top and bottom — and requires less matching.

Unexpected Essentials

14. Pack a few dryer sheets amid your clothes to keep things smelling fresh.

 

15. Bring a deck of cards or another similarly portable game. They’re a perfect way to spend a rainy day or entertain your travel party next to the pool.

16. Pick up a travel pill case. But instead of divvying up your medication by day, use the compartments to hold a variety of meds — such as ibuprofen, antacids, vitamins and melatonin — or store your jewelry and keep your necklaces from getting too tangled.

17. Digital cameras from the early aughts are making a comeback as more people want to disconnect from their phones and capture memorable moments.

18. Flying with a car seat? Airlines typically let parents check them for free, but you can buy a car seat carry bag to keep it secure in the hold. Plus, you can add anything that didn’t quite fit into your suitcase, like extra diapers or blankets.

19. Collect samples and sachets of makeup, perfume, coffee, protein powder and electrolytes for portable versions of the things you use daily.

20. Repurpose things you have at home. A carabiner can keep your hair ties in one place, and a metal mint tin can easily stack and hold other small necessities.

Check out more travel tips for every kind of vacation, and learn how Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare can help you vacation your way.