Packing a 20kg suitcase efficiently can be a challenge. It is easy to fill your luggage with clothes, shoes and toiletries, only to discover at the airport that your suitcase is over the weight limit. Overpacking can also make your luggage harder to move, particularly if you have a long journey involving airports, trains, taxis or public transport.
The good news is that you do not need to sacrifice everything you want to take with you. With a little planning, the right suitcase and a few simple packing techniques, you can make better use of your available space while keeping your luggage within a 20kg allowance.
Here are some practical tips for packing a 20kg suitcase, including how to choose your luggage, plan what to take and avoid unnecessary weight.
What can you pack in a 20kg suitcase?
A 20kg suitcase can hold a substantial amount of clothing and travel essentials, but the exact amount will depend on the weight of your suitcase, the type of clothing you take and how efficiently you pack.
Rather than focusing on how full your suitcase looks, pay attention to its weight. A large suitcase that is only partly full can still exceed your airline's allowance if you have packed heavy items. Similarly, a lightweight suitcase gives you more of your baggage allowance to use for your belongings.
Before travelling, always check your airline's current baggage allowance, as permitted weights and dimensions vary between airlines and ticket types.
1. Make a packing list before you start
One of the simplest ways to avoid overpacking is to decide what you need before opening your suitcase. Make a packing list based on your destination, the length of your trip and the activities you have planned.
Separate your list into essentials and optional items. Once you have finished packing, go back through the optional items and ask yourself whether you are realistically going to use them. If the answer is no, leave them at home.
A packing list is particularly useful for avoiding those last-minute additions that seem harmless individually but can quickly push your suitcase over 20kg.
2. Choose a lightweight suitcase
Your suitcase itself contributes to your overall baggage weight, so choosing lightweight luggage can make a significant difference. The less your empty suitcase weighs, the more of your 20kg allowance is available for clothing and other belongings.
When choosing your luggage, look at both its capacity and its empty weight. A large suitcase may offer plenty of room, but that extra capacity can encourage you to pack more than you actually need.
You can explore our lightweight suitcases if keeping the weight of your luggage down is a priority. Our large suitcases are also worth considering if you need more capacity for a longer trip.
3. Plan your outfits before packing
Packing individual items without considering how they work together can leave you with a suitcase full of clothes but surprisingly few complete outfits.
Instead, plan outfits around versatile pieces that can be worn in different combinations. Neutral colours and items that work for more than one occasion can help you reduce the number of clothes you need to take.
You also do not necessarily need a completely different outfit for every day. If appropriate for your destination, some clothing can be worn more than once, while lightweight layers can help you adapt to changing temperatures without packing a separate outfit for every possible weather condition.
4. Limit the number of shoes you take
Shoes are among the easiest items to overpack because they are bulky and can be surprisingly heavy. Unless your trip requires specialist footwear, try to take two or three versatile pairs at most.
Think about the activities you have planned and choose shoes that can work for several situations. If possible, wear your heaviest pair while travelling rather than placing them inside your suitcase.
Make use of the space inside shoes too. Small items such as socks can often be placed inside them rather than taking up additional space elsewhere in your case.
5. Keep toiletries to a minimum
Toiletries can add more weight than you might expect, particularly when you pack full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and skincare products.
Use travel-sized containers where appropriate and only take the amount you are likely to use during your trip. For some journeys, it may also be more practical to buy everyday toiletries at your destination rather than carrying large bottles with you.
Remember that liquids in cabin baggage are subject to additional airline and airport security requirements, so check the latest rules that apply to your journey.
6. Use packing cubes to organise your suitcase
Packing cubes can help organise your belongings by keeping similar items together. You could use separate cubes for tops, underwear, swimwear or accessories, making it easier to find what you need without disturbing the rest of your suitcase.
They can also make efficient use of the available space, particularly when packing soft clothing. However, packing cubes do not reduce the actual weight of your belongings, so do not use them as a reason to pack more. The 20kg limit still applies.
For other ways to organise your luggage, take a look at our range of travel accessories.
7. Weigh your suitcase before you leave
One of the best ways to avoid an overweight suitcase at the airport is to weigh it at home. A suitcase can feel manageable when you lift it, but that does not necessarily mean it is within your airline's allowance.
Weigh your suitcase once you have finished packing and leave yourself a small margin below the 20kg limit where possible. This gives you some flexibility if you add anything at the last minute or if your home scales and the airport scales give slightly different readings.
If your suitcase is over the limit, remove the heaviest non-essential items first rather than simply taking out whichever items are easiest to reach.
8. Avoid packing items "just in case"
"Just in case" packing is one of the biggest causes of an overweight suitcase. It is easy to add an extra jumper, another pair of shoes or clothing for a weather forecast that may never happen.
Before packing something, consider how likely you are to use it. If you are only taking an item because you might possibly need it, it may be better left at home. Most popular destinations have shops where you can buy basic items if something genuinely unexpected happens.
9. Wear your bulkiest clothes while travelling
If you are travelling with a heavy coat, boots or bulky jumper, consider wearing them during your journey instead of packing them in your suitcase. This can free up valuable luggage space and reduce the weight of your checked baggage.
Layers are particularly useful for travel. You can remove a jacket or jumper if you become warm rather than having to find space for it in an already full suitcase.
10. Use every part of your suitcase
Efficient packing is not just about reducing what you take. It is also about making better use of the space available.
Fill gaps between larger items with smaller belongings, use the inside of shoes for socks or accessories and make use of internal compartments where your suitcase has them. Rolling some soft clothing can also help you make use of awkward spaces, although the best folding or rolling method will depend on the items you are packing.
If you regularly struggle to fit everything into your luggage, an expandable suitcase can provide additional flexibility. Just remember that extra capacity does not mean you can exceed your airline's weight or size allowance.
How to pack a 20kg suitcase: a quick checklist
| Packing step | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Make a packing list | Stops you adding unnecessary items and helps you pack only what you need. |
| Choose lightweight luggage | Leaves more of your 20kg allowance available for your belongings. |
| Plan your outfits | Reduces duplicate clothing and makes it easier to mix and match. |
| Limit your shoes | Shoes can be bulky and heavy, so taking fewer pairs can make a noticeable difference. |
| Reduce toiletries | Travel-sized quantities can reduce unnecessary weight. |
| Organise your luggage | Packing cubes and compartments can help you use your available space efficiently. |
| Weigh before travelling | Lets you remove items before reaching the airport if your suitcase is too heavy. |
| Leave "just in case" items behind | Prevents unnecessary belongings from taking up space and adding weight. |
What is the best suitcase for a 20kg baggage allowance?
The best suitcase for a 20kg allowance is one that gives you enough capacity for your trip without using too much of your weight allowance when empty. For many travellers, a lightweight medium or large suitcase can provide a good balance between capacity and weight.
The ideal choice will depend on the length of your trip and how much you need to take. If you are looking for more space, explore our large suitcases. If keeping the empty weight as low as possible is your priority, browse our lightweight suitcase options.
Final tips for packing a 20kg suitcase
Packing a 20kg suitcase efficiently is mainly about making deliberate choices. Start with a list, choose luggage that does not waste your weight allowance, plan your outfits and avoid packing items you are unlikely to use.
Most importantly, weigh your suitcase before you leave home and check your airline's current baggage requirements. A few minutes of preparation can help you avoid excess baggage charges and make your journey much easier.
With the right approach, a 20kg allowance can be more than enough for a well-planned trip. The key is not simply to pack less, but to pack more thoughtfully.