Dos and don'ts of packing

Do...

• Pack anything flat and too big to roll, eg towels, in the main part of the suitcase first
• Dresses are best carried in a suit carrier. Use plastic or wooden hangers rather than wire ones
• Roll clothes tightly when packing, instead of folding, so they take up less room
• Put books down the side of the case to fill any gaps and keep the sides sturdy
• Fill any remaining space around the edges of your luggage with ties or socks
• Save shoes until last. Lie them soles-up across the top over a layer of flat clothes. Stuff them with underwear or handkerchiefs to save space. Clark's does men's shoes that fold flat to take up about half the usual packing space
• Pack bottles in individual plastic bags so there won't be any damage to clothes if they leak
• Always take travel wash with you. Doing a bit of hand-washing for underwear and small items takes only a few minutes and means children's clothes can be worn more than once
• Take a mini sewing kit. Small repairs can mean an item can be worn again if it is damaged
• Buy suncare creams and after-sun abroad as they are often much cheaper in popular holiday destinations. Bulky bottles also take up room in the suitcase
• Take toiletries that can do more than one job, such as toner/cleanser or hair and body shampoo/ conditioner. Use sample-sized toiletries to save space, and look for lightweight alternatives such as shaving oil instead of foam
• Remember your first aid kit (click here) and a travel adaptor for electrical items
• Medicines, travel documents and valuables should go in your hand luggage, along with anything you will need during the flight such as baby food
• In case your luggage goes missing en route, put a few garments in your companion's case
• Travel in your bulkiest clothes, eg jeans, trainers and jacket, to save space in your suitcase. If you have a long flight ahead, take a tracksuit or something comfy in your hand luggage to change into during the flight
• Check what is provided if you are staying in a hotel. You may not need to pack beach towels or hair-dryer
• Stick to clothes in natural fibres if you are going to a tropical destination. Look for special travel clothes
• For advice on what you absolutely must not take, for security or safety reasons, call your airline, or the Civil Aviation Authority on www.caa.co.uk tel: 01293 573800 or the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority or the American Transportation Security Administration.

TIP: Always pack a supply of plastic bags. They fold up to nothing and are so useful for everything from wrapping muddy or wet shoes and clothes before packing them, to taking your personal stereo, suntan lotion and camera down to the beach.

Don't...

• Leave packing until the last minute. Make a list in advance and go through each item to check you really need it. Put your list in the bag for your return journey and leave a copy of it at home in case your luggage is lost.
• This is Travel's Holiday Organiser has useful to-do lists - click here for details, or use the checklist below
• Pack too much. Be sensible about what you really need and leave room for bringing home any gifts
• Take heavy knitwear on a summer holiday. The best cover-up for unpredictable weather is layers of fine, breathable fabrics, such as cotton vests
• Take more than two pairs of trousers or two skirts or dresses for adults. You don't need to. Different tops will vary outfits dramatically
• Be tempted to take too many differently coloured outfits. Careful coordination works best
• Take expensive jewellery - it's not worth the risk of it being lost or stolen
• Pack too many clothes that crease easily. Fabrics such as linen end up very wrinkled after being squashed into a suitcase

TIP: If you don't have an iron, you can always hang any crumpled clothes in the bathroom and turn on the hot shower for a short time. The steam should make the creases fall out.

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