I’ve stood at an airport check-in desk, watching the scale tick up to 24kg on what I thought was a carry-on trip. That moment of dread, the mental math, the shuffling of items between bags while other travelers quietly judge you is a rite of passage most of us go through at least once. But it doesn’t have to be yours.
Packing mistakes are almost always avoidable, and yet they’re one of the most common ways travelers add unnecessary stress to what should be an exciting journey. Whether you’re heading out for a long weekend or a multi-week trip across continents, how you pack sets the tone for everything that follows.
In this post, I’m sharing the 8 packing mistakes to avoid before your next flight, along with what I actually do instead. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clear, practical approach to packing that makes your travel days smoother from the moment you zip up your bag.
Quick Tips to Pack Before You Read On
Before we get into the full breakdown, here are a few things I always keep in mind:
- Check your airline’s weight and size limits before you open your suitcase
- Lay everything out, then put one-third of it back
- Pack dual-purpose clothing (a light jacket that doubles as a pillow on a long-haul flight, for example)
- Always keep your portable charger in your carry-on, never in checked luggage
- Use packing cubes. They genuinely change how efficiently you use space
1. Overpacking
The mistake: Packing for every possible scenario means you end up lugging around clothes you’ll never wear. I’ve done it. I packed four pairs of shoes for a five-day trip because I “might” go somewhere fancy. I wore two pairs. The other two just took up space and added weight.
What I do instead: I plan outfits, not individual pieces. Each item has to work with at least two others. I also check the weather for every day of my trip before I pack a single thing. If I’m unsure about something, it stays home. You can buy most things at your destination if you genuinely need them.
Packing cubes help here too. When I can see everything laid out in cubes, it’s much easier to spot the extras and pull them out.
2. Ignoring Airline Baggage Policies
The mistake: Assuming your bag is fine because it “looks about the right size” is a gamble I’ve lost before. Different airlines have wildly different rules, and low-cost carriers especially will charge you at the gate if your bag doesn’t meet their specs.
What I do instead: Before I pack anything, I go directly to my airline’s website and look up the exact dimensions and weight limits for both carry-on and checked bags. I also own a small luggage scale (it cost less than $15) that I use every single time. It has saved me from baggage fees more than once.
If you’re flying with multiple carriers on one trip, check each one separately. They don’t all follow the same rules.
3. Not Leaving Room for Souvenirs
The mistake: Filling your suitcase to capacity before you leave means you’ll either have to buy an extra bag at your destination or ship things home. Both options cost more than a little planning would have.
What I do instead: I pack about 80% full on the way out. That leftover space is intentional. If I’m going somewhere I know I’ll shop, such as markets in Morocco, ceramics in Portugal, food items from Japan, I also tuck a foldable tote bag into my luggage. It weighs almost nothing and has gotten me out of tight spots more than once.
4. Packing Without Any Organization
The mistake: Throwing everything in and hoping for the best. You arrive at your hotel and spend 20 minutes digging for your phone charger at the bottom of the bag. Or worse, you do this at a security checkpoint while a line forms behind you.
What I do instead: I use packing cubes religiously. Clothes in one, tech in another, toiletries in a separate pouch. Everything has a place, and I know exactly where it is. Rolling clothes instead of folding them also cuts down on wrinkles and fits more into each cube than you’d expect.
5. Burying Your Essentials in Checked Luggage
The mistake: Checked bags get lost. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens. And if your medication, passport, or one clean outfit is in that bag, you’re in a genuinely difficult situation.
What I do instead: My carry-on always has: my passport and travel documents, any prescription medication, one full change of clothes, my laptop and chargers, and anything I’d be truly stuck without if my checked bag didn’t show up. Think of your carry-on as your “worst case” bag. Pack it like you might need to live out of it for 24 hours.
6. Forgetting to Think About Security
The mistake: Packing your carry-on without thinking about what security will flag. A multi-tool in your bag, a full-sized bottle of shampoo, a lighter you forgot was in your jacket pocket, all of these slow you down and can result in items being confiscated.
What I do instead: I keep a short mental checklist for carry-on security. No liquids over 100ml (and all of them in a clear, resealable bag). No sharp objects. Nothing that could be flagged as a weapon. I also keep my electronics and liquids in an easily accessible pocket so I’m not holding up the line unpacking everything.
If you’re traveling internationally, look up the security rules specific to your departure country. They’re not always identical to TSA guidelines.
7. Packing at the Last Minute
The mistake: Packing the night before (or, let’s be real, the morning of) your flight almost guarantees you’ll forget something. When you’re rushing, your brain skips over the things you use every day, like your toothbrush, your glasses, your charger, because they feel too obvious to forget. Then you forget them.
What I do instead: I start packing at least two days before I fly. I keep a running packing list in my phone that I’ve refined over time for different types of trips (beach, city, long-haul, weekend). Starting early also gives me time to realize I need to wash something, charge something, or pick up travel-sized toiletries before I leave.
The morning of the flight, I do one final walk-through of my checklist and nothing else. No repacking, no second-guessing.
8. Ignoring Liquid Restrictions
The mistake: Packing a full-sized face wash, serum, and conditioner in your carry-on, then watching them get thrown away at security. It’s a painful (and expensive) lesson.
What I do instead: I follow the 3-1-1 rule for every carry-on: each liquid container must be 100ml (3.4 oz) or less, everything goes into one clear, quart-sized zip bag, and you get one bag per person. For longer trips, I either use travel-sized versions or transfer products into small refillable bottles. Larger toiletries go in checked luggage.
If I’m traveling somewhere that sells my preferred brands, I sometimes just buy them there rather than deal with the liquid logistics at all.
Final Thoughts
Packing well is one of those travel skills that genuinely improves your trips in ways that are hard to quantify until you experience it. When your bag is sorted, organized, and the right weight, you move through airports differently. You feel lighter, literally and mentally.
The mistakes above aren’t rare. I’ve made most of them at some point. But each one is fixable with a little preparation and intention. Start your packing list early, check your airline’s rules, and think about your bag from the perspective of the whole journey, not just the destination.
If you found this helpful, check out my guide to traveling carry-on only for even more ways to simplify your packing routine.
What are the most common packing mistakes travelers make?
Overpacking, ignoring airline baggage rules, and leaving important items in checked luggage are the top three. Most can be avoided with a simple packing list and an early start.
How early should I start packing before a flight?
At least two days before you fly. This gives you time to wash clothes, charge devices, buy anything you’re missing, and do a calm, final check the morning of your flight.
What should always go in my carry-on?
Passport and travel documents, medication, one change of clothes, your phone charger and laptop, and anything you genuinely cannot replace if your checked bag is lost or delayed.
What is the 3-1-1 liquid rule for flights?
Each liquid must be in a container of 100ml (3.4 oz) or less, all containers must fit in one clear, quart-sized zip-lock bag, and you’re allowed one bag per passenger in your carry-on.
Are packing cubes actually worth it?
Yes. They keep your bag organized, compress your clothing, and make it much faster to find things during your trip. I wouldn’t travel without them.
