How to pack a suitcase compactly

Seasons and destinations

In summer, people fly from Almaty to the sea, in winter — to warmth or to ski resorts. Packing a suitcase for a hot beach and for snow are two different tasks. Things are packed compactly in layers, starting with the heavy bottom. In heat, light fabrics are taken, in cold — insulated layers and waterproof shoes.

A suitcase for the south should not be heavier than reasonable, since some things will not be needed there at all.

What to take into the cabin

Medications, electronics, chargers and a change of underwear are taken into the cabin in case of a flight delay. Packing a suitcase so that what is needed is at hand is more important than perfect order. Outer clothing is rolled compactly rather than folded in a stack. A suitcase in the baggage compartment may be delayed, while hand luggage is always nearby.

A warm scarf and socks will come in handy in a cold cabin on a night flight.

Clothing for the weather

Clothing is selected for the climate of the place the tourist is flying to, not for the weather in Almaty. Packing a suitcase for a week is realistic with ten items if they match in color. Compactly packed clothing wrinkles less and is easier to wash on the trip. Two pairs of shoes are taken: comfortable for every day and dressy for the evening. A suitcase with tightly rolled T-shirts takes up half the space.

A raincoat or umbrella is packed even for warm regions.

Heavy — at the bottom

Heavy items are placed at the bottom, closer to the wheels, so that the suitcase does not tip over. Packing a suitcase correctly means distributing weight evenly across the entire area. Compactly folded clothing takes the middle, and small items go along the edges. Fragile things are wrapped in clothing and placed in the center.

A suitcase with well-distributed weight is easy to roll with one hand through the airport.

Packing a suitcase compactly is helped by a simple order: start three days before departure, weigh your luggage at home and pack things in rolls vertically. Put heavy items toward the wheels, fill empty spaces with small items, and put a warm item for the air conditioner in your carry-on.

This way you will stay within the weight limit, not overpay for excess weight and easily close the suitcase before departure from Almaty.

How many days before departure to start packing

To understand how to pack a suitcase compactly, start with a simple rule: first clothes for the weather, then small items, and only at the end weighing. Start packing your suitcase three days before departure, not the night before the flight. During this time things have time to “settle”: you will remember the charger, medications and a second pair of shoes.

On the first day, pack clothes for the weather at your destination, on the second — small items, on the third — weigh the suitcase and remove excess. Tourists from Almaty often depart on night flights, so it is better to leave the last evening free. Check the weather forecast in the arrival city the day before departure.

If you are traveling as a family, pack the children's things in a separate suitcase so as not to search for what you need throughout all the luggage.

What to weigh and measure before leaving for the airport

Weigh the suitcase at home on a floor scale and measure it on three sides. In Almaty, carry-on luggage is weighed right at the boarding gate, so it is better to move the extra 1–2 kg into checked baggage in advance. The sum of the three measurements of the suitcase must fit within the norm of the chosen airline. Keep a tag with the weight at hand: this makes it easier to decide what to leave at home.

For long trips of two weeks or more, take clothes of one color so that all things match each other. A folding bag in the suitcase will come in handy for souvenirs on the way back.

How to pack things that are easy to take off in the cabin

Choose outerwear and shoes so that they are convenient to take off and put away in the cabin. A bulky down jacket for winter destinations takes up half the suitcase, so it is worn on yourself or packed in a vacuum bag. Put one warm item in your carry-on: on flights to Southeast Asia the air conditioner works strongly. A light sweater and socks take up little space, but save you on a six-to-ten-hour flight.

Shoes without laces are removed faster at security. A suitcase packed this way will not have to be opened in the cabin.

Different baggage allowances on connecting flights

Packing techniques that save space

Fold things into dense rolls and place them vertically, like books on a shelf. This way you see every item at once and do not rummage through the whole suitcase looking for a T-shirt. Put heavy items — shoes, cosmetics, books — along the wall where the wheels are. Put socks and underwear inside shoes so that they do not wrinkle and do not take up empty space. Twist belts into a ring and place them along the sides.

Dense packing works better if items of the same size lie next to each other. A packed suitcase closes without effort: if you have to press with your knee, some things are unnecessary.

What to put in empty spaces and at the bottom

Fill the empty spaces in the corners of the suitcase with small items that are still needed on the trip. Put at the bottom what you will not take out soon: spare shoes, a first aid kit, warm things for a cold destination. Chargers, adapters, travel cosmetics in a sealed bag go into the empty spaces between the rolls. Small souvenirs and gifts are also convenient to carry in these gaps.

If air remains, add a folding bag or raincoat. This way every centimeter of the suitcase works instead of staying empty.

Packing for cold destinations

For winter destinations from Almaty — Moscow, Astana, Novosibirsk — take thermal underwear and warm socks. A bulky down jacket takes up half the suitcase, so it is worn on the journey or packed in a vacuum bag. For ski resorts like Shymbulak, Karakol or Sochi, rent equipment on site, and put only thermal underwear and gloves in the suitcase. A turtleneck sweater takes up less space than three thin sweaters.

Choose shoes with snow and road salt in mind. A suitcase packed for frost should close easily even with a spare pair of boots.

Packing for hot countries and beaches

For beach destinations — Phuket, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh — three or four sets of clothes are enough. The rest of the space in the suitcase is taken up by swimsuits, sandals and light fabrics. Sunscreen and repellent are often cheaper to buy on site than to bring from Almaty. Take a light long-sleeved shirt: it protects from the sun better than a T-shirt.

A warm item is needed for the air conditioner on the plane and bus. A suitcase packed for heat should be twice as light as a winter one.

Folder with documents and copies in case of loss

Keep your documents in a separate folder in your carry-on, and copies in your suitcase in case they are lost. Keep the main set with you, not in your checked baggage: that way you can quickly get what you need at the counter. Put the copies in a sealed bag and place them in your suitcase separately from the originals.

Divide your money into three parts: exchange cash tenge in advance, leave part on a card, and part in dollars or euros for small expenses. Small bills are more convenient for taxis and tips. Check the expiration dates of all documents before departure. A suitcase packed this way will not let you down, even if the folder is lost.

First aid kit, electronics and transportation prohibitions