How Packing Cubes Changed the Way I Travel

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Before my 3-month summer European adventure, I wanted to make sure I packed smart. I had heard about packing cubes from fellow travellers and decided to buy a set before I left.

This was my first big trip overseas and as a constant overthinker and stress head, I needed to make sure everything was in order before I left, however that will never be the case with any big overseas trip as I had learned. However, one thing that changed my experience drastically from previous smaller interstate travel was the use of packing cubes and how they kept me so organised throughout the trip, even when it felt like the constant travelling between places never ended.

From staying organised in my packing with every item being grouped into a separate cubes: linen clothing in one, casual clothing in another, underwear and swimwear in a small cube, and accessories like chargers and cables in a slim cube. From day one, my suitcase felt more organised, and I quickly noticed how much easier travelling would be.

Travelling through Europe — hopping between hostels, hotels, and Airbnb apartments — was already challenging, but with packing cubes, I could spend more time outside my accommodation enjoying the cities instead of needing to wrestle with my luggage.

If you want to travel smarter and reduce packing stress? Click below to get the exact packing cubes I used on my Europe trip:

Before using packing cubes, my suitcase was a mess after the first few days.

Every move meant:

• pulling everything out to find one item

• clothes getting wrinkled or mixed together

• overpacking “just in case” because I couldn’t see what I had

It didn’t matter how organised I was before leaving — once I started moving between cities, everything fell apart.

Packing cubes gave everything a place.

Instead of one large suitcase, I had:

• a cube for everyday clothes

• a cube for underwear

• a cube for chargers and small items

Unpacking took minutes. Repacking took even less.
If I needed something, I knew exactly where it was — even in small hotel rooms or Airbnbs

Before Packing Cubes, Travelling Was Stressful

What Changed Once I Started Using Packing Cubes

• X-Large cube: everything linen (pants, shorts & shirts)

• Large Cube: everyday casual (shorts & tops)

• Medium Cube: beachwear (bathers, singlets)

• Small Cube: underwear & socks

• x2 Utility Cubes: chargers, cables, adaptors, souvenirs

Zipping and unzipping each cube became second nature as by having everything organised and separately packed away meant that if I needed small bits of clothing, I did not need to pull out vast amounts of clothing to get what I needed. Rather it was the routine of choose the occasion, select the cubes I needed, unzip and pick what was needed. Zip it back up and place the cubes back into their packed position.

How I Used Packing Cubes While Travelling Europe

✈️ Packing Cubes I Recommend

I don’t think you need the most expensive set — but you do want something durable that keeps its shape.

Amazon Basics Packing Cubes, 4-Piece-Set

"Durable, simple, and great if you’re trying packing cubes for the first time."

Depcler - 9pcs Compression Packing Cubes Set

"Helpful if you’re moving frequently and want to maximise space without overpacking."

BAGAIL 10 Set Packing Cubes

"Ideal if you’re travelling for weeks or packing for multiple climates."

Free Europe Packing Checklist

If packing for Europe feels overwhelming, I’ve put together the exact checklist I use to stay organised and avoid overpacking.

It works alongside the packing system in this post and helps keep everything simple on travel days.

Packing cubes didn’t just save space — they saved mental energy.

On travel days, I wasn’t stressed about:

• where things were

• whether I forgot something

• unpacking just to repack again

They made moving between cities smoother and made small accommodations feel more manageable. Now, travelling without packing cubes feels unnecessarily difficult.

Packing cubes helped keep my suitcase organised — but having the right travel gadgets made the biggest difference on long travel days. If you’re planning a Europe trip, these are the 👉 essential travel gadgets that actually helped me

Even on long flights, train journeys, and hostel stays, my cubes kept my clothes compressed and ready to go. I also saved space for souvenirs, gifts, or extra layers — which is a huge bonus when hopping between multiple cities and wanting to keep something memorable from each place.

If you’re overwhelmed by packing for Europe, packing cubes are one of the simplest upgrades you can make. They won’t change your itinerary — but they will change how stressful each travel day feels.

Why I'll Never Travel Without Packing Cubes