How to Pack Like a Pro: The top 8 packing tips for seasoned travellers
As the European summer beckons, here’s our quick study of the best packing tips for a stress-free break
6 min
We’re half way through 2024, and it is about that time where people start feeling the itch to book a spontaneous trip abroad. Perhaps you have your heart set on Rome, the eternal city, to take in the sights. Or maybe it’s a trip to the French Riviera to soak up the sun and stroll the promenade in Nice. Wherever you’re wanderlust beckons, it’s clear that Australia’s aviation sector has well and truly recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel across the board returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the ACCC’s latest report.
So, if travelling is on your agenda—be it domestic or long-haul—for the remainder of 2024, there’s one underrated, unspoken skill you’ll want to have covered before jetting off: how to pack like a pro.
We’ve taken the liberty of speaking to professionals in the travel sector to unpack all there is to know about being organised ahead of your next big trip, and in the process, deciphering the age-old nuisance that is correctly packing for a holiday.
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1. Make a list
Whether you’re the organised type or not, curating a holiday “packing list” will not only save you time when it comes down to packing your suitcase, but the stress that comes with doing so.
“Always write a list before you start packing,” said Sarah Built, Etihad Airways Vice President of Sales, Australasia.
“Trust me, it’ll save you the headache of wondering if you’ve missed something, or worse, realising you have at your destination. It also helps to avoid overpacking, too!”
However, be sure to be ruthless when editing your packing list; you can’t bring everything with you, after all.
2. Pack for the season
It’s always wise to pack for the season. If you’re heading into warmer climates, don’t forget to pack breathable clothing. That could include sweat-wicking athleisure, as well as clothing made of natural fibres like cotton and linen. But consider how the temperature swings come early morning, or late at night. The same goes for the winter season – you’d be surprised how many people forget to pack thermals.
“Before you start packing, check the weather forecast for your destination, as this will help you pack smart,” says July founder, Athan Didaskalou. “And if the weather has some hot and cold moments, opt for natural fibres like merino wool – they’re excellent for layering and don’t get smelly as quickly. Choose versatile footwear and pack a cap for sun protection, warmth and bad hair days.”
The last thing you want to do is have to make an unplanned trip to the shops to buy clothing (possibly at inflated “tourist” pricing) that you may not have room for.
3. Capsule clothing can save space
Off the back of tip number two, packing for the right climate, incorporating capsule clothing is a great way to save space in your luggage — and ensure you get the most out of the clothes you take with you. The notion of a capsule wardrobe relies on having classic pieces that are interchangeable to create different looks without the need to take everything with you.
Think about staple clothing items that can be dressed up or down; for men heading to a warmer climate, double down on polo shirts that can pair over swim shorts, but look equally appropriate teamed with chino pants for the evening. For women, you can never go wrong with a classic wrap dress that can be adjusted to the occasion with well chosen accessories like scarves or costume jewellery that pack light and save on space.
You can also apply the 5-4-3-2-1 method, including five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a dressier pair), and one swimming costume.
“I’d also recommend packing clothing with universal colours,” said Ms Built. “That way, you can mix and match your outfits to last longer.”
4. Packing cubes will come in handy
Last summer, I witnessed my partner—who is otherwise a messy, free spirited traveller—become a master of packing seemingly overnight; it’s as if she became the Marie Kondo of suitcase packing. I soon discovered her secret: packing cubes.
“Packing cubes can be a lifesaver in ensuring your suitcase stays organised and repacking is easy,” said Mr Didaskalou.
Packing cubes are now available to buy everywhere from Big W to Antler, and not only save space in your suitcase, but will ensure a seamless, organised experience when travelling.
“Packing cubes are your best friend to save space, particularly for a long trip,” added Ms. Built. “I also find them useful to plan my outfits and keep everything together — it saves me rummaging through my suitcase later.”
5. Bulk up
If you’re not one of the lucky few that managed to snag a first or business class ticket, space—and the weight—of your suitcase should become a priority. To negate going over your weight limit and paying unnecessary add ons for luggage, consider wearing or carrying your bulkiest items with you, such as cumbersome shoes or a large coat. Keep in mind this could slow down your progress through airport security, so opt for zippers over laces for shoes and tied belts over buttons for coats where possible.
6. Keep your liquids and laptops at the top
This is a no brainer, but to save you a world of hassle upon arrival at your lovely destination, keep all electronics like a laptop and your toiletries separate, and near the top of your bag or luggage. Not only will this negate any unwanted damage should your cologne or toothpaste wreak havoc, but if you’re called upon to remove such items during security screening, you don’t want to be that person fishing around and wasting everybody’s time.
“I always recommend decanting toiletries into smaller containers,” said Mr Didaskalou. “It not only saves space, but also helps you comply with airline regulations.”
Check with your carrier as well as the destination airport what the requirements are before you leave.
7. Minimise your footwear inclusions
Sneaker-head or not, you really don’t need to bring both the adidas Sambas and a pair of Air Jordans. Be ruthless when it comes to packing footwear for your next holiday, and opt for shoes that are multi-functional. This will be a key factor in saving space—and weight—in your luggage.
“When it comes to shoes, I always pack a universal heel, a luxe sneaker, and a dressy pair of flats,” said Ms Built. “That way you’re covered for every occasion while still looking photo-ready on holiday.”
8. Above all, choose the right luggage
While all seven tips before you are practical in theory, they won’t come at all in handy should you not have the right type of luggage for travelling. It’s 2024; it’s time to bin your canvas two-wheel suitcase from high school and opt for modern day luggage that will have you saving on space, weight, and above all else, will ensure a smooth transit to your holiday destination that awaits.
“If you’re someone who loves to shop, opt for an expandable suitcase,” said Mr Didaskalou. “This will help you not pack too much on the way over, but give you that extra space to expand when you need it.”
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From making unpopular decisions to learning when to listen, leaders from five businesses reveal what nobody prepared them for — and how running a company has challenged their expectations.
Technology and semiconductor shares fell sharply as investors questioned the debt financing the AI infrastructure boom and confronted higher rates and Chinese competition.
Elon Musk is exploring a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX, a deal that could reshape the future of AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles and space technology. With a combined valuation potentially reaching $3.5 trillion, the move could bring Musk’s vision of an interconnected technology ecosystem closer to reality, although a deal remains uncertain.
5 min
Elon Musk has engineered ties between Tesla TSLA 3.41%increase; up pointing triangle and SpaceX SPCX 7.79%increase; up pointing triangle that are hard to break, and now he wants to fuse them together permanently.
Musk has run both Tesla and SpaceX concurrently over the past two decades, using a schedule that dictated which days he spent focused on each business.
The companies have often shared resources and personnel, signaling their close ties. Last year, SpaceX looked into creating a spacesuit for Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus, a person familiar with the matter said. Tesla last week showed off its new Roadster, a vehicle featuring SpaceX rocket thrusters that it hopes to soon bring to market.
And in recent months, Musk has repositioned both companies by expanding beyond their core operations toward a shared mission centered on artificial intelligence.
The world’s richest man on Tuesday signaled his interest in tying up SpaceX and Tesla, marking what would be the biggest corporate merger of all time. Because he serves as chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla, Musk said committees of independent directors at both companies are evaluating a possible deal, adding that a transaction might not come to fruition.
The committees will likely evaluate, with lawyers and bankers, how each company would fare in a potential deal and how a deal might best be structured. They then present their conclusions to their respective boards, who typically vote on whether to proceed.
“It’s an odd Kabuki dance where two groups of people are talking and I can’t be in the conversation,” Musk told SpaceX investors on Tuesday in response to an analyst’s question about a potential deal.
For Musk, the merger supports his vision of a world full of autonomous cars, humanoid robots and weekly rocket launches, as well as the data centers and satellites required to keep the whole thing running.
Some investors and analysts said they expect a transaction would be structured as an all-stock deal, with SpaceX potentially paying a modest premium for Tesla shares.
SpaceX, which has a market value of about $2 trillion, said it is seeing sharp growth in revenue across its businesses, which include operating data centers, launching rockets and operating satellite networks such as the internet service Starlink. Tesla is valued at about $1.5 trillion and is expanding its operations beyond its automotive and energy business. Shares in both companies traded higher following the news Tuesday.
Musk’s substantial ownership stakes in both companies, along with voting control at SpaceX, has enabled him to set the deal in motion. Analysts and investors said the deal will probably face regulatory scrutiny internationally, though some see Musk’s close relationship with the Trump administration as an asset to getting approval.
Blurred lines
The companies haven’t said which directors are on the special committees evaluating a potential deal. Several SpaceX and Tesla board members have either personal or business ties to Musk. And like Musk, venture capitalist Ira Ehrenpreis sits on both boards.
In a filing this week, Tesla outlined millions of dollars in business agreements with SpaceX and its subsidiaries last year, including $143 million in car sales to SpaceX, $3.3 million in advertising that it bought on the social-media platform X and $430 million in revenue from the sale of Megapack batteries for SpaceX’s data centers.
The companies also split the cost of resources including the use of Musk’s SpaceX jet and the bill for his personal security, which he runs through a private company.
Employees at both companies routinely move between companies to work on special projects, and some executives have dual roles, including Charles Kuehmann, vice president of materials engineering at both SpaceX and Tesla, and Ashok Elluswamy, the vice president of AI software at Tesla who runs a joint venture with SpaceX called Digital Optimus.
Over the years, Musk has launched new startups within his empire, including brain-implant company Neuralink, underground-tunnel developer the Boring Company and xAI, the AI startup that merged with SpaceX in February.
It is that AI business that Musk thinks can serve a market worth tens of trillions of dollars, justifying the need for a merger.
The business case goes like this: Tesla is developing robotaxis and robots, which it calls “physical AI.” SpaceX is working on the back end of physical AI: the data-center capacity and internet connection required for those robotaxis and robots to operate continuously.
“I don’t see what the value of Tesla is if it’s not merged with SpaceX,” said investment adviser Ross Gerber, a former Tesla bull turned critic invested in both companies. “If they don’t merge, the brains of everything that runs Tesla is owned by another company.”
On top of it all, both companies face constraints on the supply chains they need to make this world a reality, particularly when it comes to chips. To address this, Musk earlier this year announced a joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX and Intel to design and manufacture chips in Texas. “The most epic chip-building exercise by far,” he has said.
Musk at the wheel
For Musk, a merger would also solve two problems: demands on his attention and his lack of control at Tesla.
Tesla for years was Musk’s only public company, a status that came with greater scrutiny. There, Musk reports to a public board, as well as individual investors who make up around 30% of Tesla’s voting power, according to FactSet.
The question of Musk’s attention became a particular focus for investors and the board in recent years after he acquired Twitter in 2022 and launched xAI in 2023, and again in 2025 as he spent time in Washington, D.C., running the Department of Government Efficiency in the early months of President Trump’s second term.
As Tesla’s car business suffered in 2025, Musk threatened to take his AI ambitions outside the company if he wasn’t granted 25% voting control. Last November, Tesla shareholders approved a new pay package for Musk, which created a path for him to vastly expand his stake.
As of Sept. 30, Musk owned a roughly 20% stake in Tesla, according to the company’s proxy filing.
The SpaceX IPO gave Musk a different path. When SpaceX went public in June, the deal’s structure enabled him to have more than 80% voting power at the company—so much that he can’t be fired and decisions can’t be made without his support.
If SpaceX acquires Tesla, he will likely stay in control.
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