How to pack like a pro when you go on holiday

Do you tend to overpack when you go on holiday? Here are some tips on how you can cram a little bit more into your suitcase.

Transcript

00:00With the sun finally making an appearance and the school holidays just around the corner,

00:08millions of families across the UK are gearing up for their spring and summer getaways.

00:13Whether it's a coastal escape, a countryside break or a long weekend with friends, the excitement

00:19is building. But there's one familiar hurdle that comes before the fun begins – packing.

00:2414% of those surveyed said that trying to fit everything into a car boot is actually

00:29a barrier to taking a UK staycation. The younger generation seems to feel the strain even more.

00:35Among 25-34 year olds, 26% say packing the car is more overwhelming than a drive itself.

00:42And that's before even getting to the inevitable family debates. The ones about who pack too much.

00:48But it's not all bad news. Experts are at hand. Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorne,

00:53known for helping celebrities declutter and simplify their lives, is now offering practical,

00:59no-nonsense tips to help us pack smarter, reduce stress and avoid slamming the boot

01:05shut with their entire body weight to make it close. Here are some of Vicky's top tips for packing like

01:10a pro. Side pack, don't stack. Packing suitcases on their sides instead of on top of one another

01:17allows easier access without lifting everything out. Plan for your arrival. If you're arriving late,

01:22keep the items you'll need right away, like pyjamas, close to the top.

01:27Reverse the order. Start with the heavier, less used items at the bottom and layer upwards.

01:32Soft meets hard. Use soft bags to fill the gaps around hard suitcases, maximising space.

01:39Push chair placement. If you've got young children, make sure buggies and travel gear are quick to grab.

01:45Pack it tight. Prevent items from shifting during a journey by packing tightly.

01:50Have a grab and go kit. Use a small container for essentials like snacks, wipes and chargers that

01:55you might want during your journey. And finally, the golden rule. If you have to think twice about

02:01whether to bring it, then leave it behind. So if cramming bags into every corner and forcing

02:06suitcases shut is part of your usual holiday routine, this could be the summer to rethink the

02:11way you pack. With some planning and a few smart strategies, the stressful part could be a thing of

02:18the past. Now, one in five British travellers actually admitted to paying added baggage fees last year.

02:25This comes according to new figures.