How to Pack for a Plane Ride As a Teen Girl

Co-authored by Amy Tan

Last Updated: May 7, 2022 Approved

Packing for a trip can be stressful and take more time than it should. It all starts with choosing the right suitcase, and then packing it correctly. If you break it into steps, you can pack stress-free in very little time. Once you have your suitcase packed, you can add some things into your personal bag and you’ll be ready to fly!

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Choosing the Right Suitcase

1
Know if you are going to use a carry on or a checked bag for a suitcase. This will determine the amount and type of things you can bring.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.}
- Know that you will also have your purse as a second bag to fit some of the smaller essentials.
- If you are planning on bringing full size liquids or aerosols, a carry-on is out of the question. You will need to check your bag if your containers are more than 100ml (3.3814 fl oz). ^{[2]
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  Research source} Things such as perfume, shampoo, body lotion, and sunblock must be under the size limit.
2
Pick the right size. Whether you decide on a carry-on or a checked suit case, think about what size you will need.
- If you chose to bring a carry-on, it must fit within the dimensions outlined by the airline you’re using. Most bags will need to be under 22”x14”x9” for domestic flights. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source} However, check with your airline before packing to be sure your bag is the right size because the allowed size differs from airline to airline. Most of the time, you can check the allowed size on the airline's website.
- Think about the amount of clothes you will need to fit in the bag. Clothes will take up the majority of the space in your bag. Think about how many days you’ll be gone for, and therefore how many outfits you’ll need.
- Depending on the time of the year and where you’re travelling to, you may need a different sized bag. Winter clothes take up more space than summer clothes.
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3
Keep in mind what you can carry. If you pack too heavily, you may have difficulty picking up your bag.
- Shoes add weight quickly to luggage. Be smart about how many pairs, and what kind, of shoes you’ll need for you trip.
- The luggage itself weighs a certain amount. If it has wheels, you will be able to carry more items than if you have to carry the bag on your shoulder.
- Along with dimension limitations, most airlines have weight limitations for carry-on and checked bags. Check with your airline for these limits.
4
Try not to over-pack. It costs quite a bit to pay for another bag. Using compression bags to shrink clothes and other essentials you have is a good idea, although then you need to worry about the weight of your bags.

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Choosing Clothes

1
Figure out the weather for your trip. Check the 10-day weather forecast. If your trip is longer than the time available, you can check for the weather, bring a few of your favorite fashion items for the weather you are planning to encounter, and otherwise bring blacks and neutrals. This makes it simpler to mix and match with clothing and make lots of different outfits. Even if the weather should be nice and sunny, pack long trousers or leggings and a cardigan or a jacket in case the weather changes.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.}
2
Think about who you’re visiting. It matters when choosing clothes. If you’re visiting someone you are close to, you may be able to use their clothes.
- If you are the same size as the person you are visiting, you can borrow their clothes. This works more easily for heavy things like jackets and sweatshirts. Ask them before you travel if you can borrow their clothes.
- Are you going to buy clothes while you’re there? If so, you’ll need to leave some room in your suitcase for the return flight.
3
Lay out your clothes. Don’t pack directly out of your closet. Lay your clothes out in outfits on your bed to see everything you’re bringing.
- Pants are re-wearable. It is easy to get a couple wears out of jeans before they are considered dirty or stretched out. Keep this in mind when you’re choosing your outfits.
- Know what kind of things you’ll be doing. If you need a fancy dress, some hiking clothes, or anything in between, it’s important that you pack the right clothes.
- Bring one extra outfit in case of emergency.
4
Roll clothes instead of folding them. Once you’ve picked out your outfits, roll the softer, wrinkle-resistant garments like T-shirts, cotton pants, and jeans. ^{[5]
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Research source}
- Rolling clothes will save space. Keep in mind that it may wrinkle your clothes, so fold clothes that you can’t have be wrinkled, like cotton dresses.
- You can put rolled clothes inside your shoes as another space saver.

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Choosing Other Items

1
Bag your jewelry. Jewelry should be wrapped separately. Using separate baggies for each piece of jewelry will keep it from tangling while you travel.
- You can spread these separate baggies out among your suitcase.
- Keep pairs of earrings together just in case a baggie gets lost. An empty plastic-pill box is a great way to store earrings for travel.
2
Think about what hair supplies you really need. Hair supplies take up a lot of room. If the person you’re visiting has them, don’t bring double.
- Hair straighteners, curling irons, and hair dryers are basic appliances that most girls have at home.
- Specific sized wands, hairbrushes, or hair ties are more likely to have to travel with you.
3
Remember, you can buy some things there. Toiletries add weight quickly to your bag. Go through the list and think about what you need to bring versus what you can buy there.
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Face wash
- Deodorant
- Body wash
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Shaving cream and razor
- Hand sanitizer
- Body spray
- Body lotion
- Make-up
- Sunblock.

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Packing Your Suitcase

1
Pack the large items first. You’ll be able to tell early in your packing if you need a different sized bag, or if you need to remove some clothes from what you planned on bringing.
- Rolled clothes and shoes should go on the bottom.
- Place the folded items on top of the rolled items.
- Alternate hem-lines to avoid uneven packing.
2
Fill the nooks and crannies with smaller items. Socks, jewelry, and accessories are perfect items to fill spots between clothes.
- Stuff the cups of your bra with rolled up socks to help them keep shape.
- Belts can easily line the perimeter of your bag.
- Stuff your shoes with small items to save space.
- Stick your underwear and socks in the sneakers, then put the shoes in a plastic bag, so that the rest of the luggage doesn't get dirty.
- Stick your pillow in a compression bag. Squeeze the air out of the compression bag, then pack that between the two ridges in the middle.
- Pack your solid toiletries in the front pouch, then stuff your quart-size bag of liquids into the little remaining space in your bag.
- It is good if you have a little extra space, it is good for souvenirs, and if you are bringing a pet, you can put their food in.
3
Have the important things on you. Just in case anything happens to your suitcase, keep all your expensive and important things in your purse.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.}

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Packing Your Personal Bag

1
Bring your purse. Your purse is usually your personal bag. All airlines will allow you to have a personal bag along with your carry-on suitcase. Make sure to keep all of your important, personal items in this bag because it will stay with you at all times. (If a plane’s overhead storage gets too full, the airlines will ask you to check your suitcase.)
- Laptop
- Passport/picture ID
- Travelers checks
- Wallet
- Expensive jewelry
- Phone
- Chargers
- Emergency snacks (peanuts, pretzels, trail mix, etc.)
2
Bring things for entertainment. Along with your important items, you should pack some things to keep you entertained during the flight. If you’re on a long flight, they might offer you a choice of movies. More often, you’ll be on your own for entertainment.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.}
- Headphones
- Puzzle book
- Cards
- IPod
- Books
- Magazines
3
Remember airplane mode. Just because you have your phone, laptop and/or tablet, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use them. Some of your games and music sources won’t be available to you while you’re in the air. Having other sources of entertainment will come in handy.
- More and more airlines are beginning to equip their planes with Wi-Fi for you while you’re in flight. This is only available through purchase on a credit card and ranges from $5-$28 per flight.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I avoid losing my luggage?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Answer

Don't use a black suitcase. It's easy to miss your luggage at the airport if you have a black bag that looks like everyone else's suitcase. Also, be sure to put a luggage tag on your suitcase with your email and phone number. Be sure to include your country code with your phone number if you're flying internationally.
Question

What should I bring in case I get bored and don't want to use my phone?

Community Answer

Try bringing a: book, journal, music player, sketchbook, or tablet. Some planes even have screens on the back of seats that you can watch movies on.
Question

Does it matter which bag you put your personal items in, namely, pads and tampons?

Community Answer

It doesn't but it'd probably be best to put them in your carry on bag, so that they are with you at all times. Also good If you need them during the plane ride.

Warnings

If your bag is overweight, the airline will charge you.

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Be aware of your surroundings. If traveling alone, always keep your luggage with you, or leave it where you are staying. Don’t trust strangers with your things.

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