Whether you're the kind of traveller who needs to take 12 pairs of shoes on holiday, or you have a tendency to buy too many souvenirs, there's no need to get caught out at the airport counter with excess baggage. These expert packing tips will make travelling easy and efficient on your next trip.

1. Make a list

Toothbrush? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Charger and adaptor? Check. A simple packing list is the easiest way to make sure nothing essential gets left behind, and it takes the last-minute panic out of packing the night before you fly.

2. Protect your liquids and make-up

Ever arrived at your destination, opened your bag and found a shampoo bottle has exploded all over your clothes? The change in cabin air pressure can cause the air in your toiletries to expand and leak. An easy hack is to pop your bottles in a sealed plastic bag, or put a little beeswax wrap over the top before you screw the lids back on. While you're at it, place a flat cotton wool pad between your pressed powder or eye shadow and the lid to stop it cracking in transit. Remember that on international flights, liquids in your carry-on must be in containers of 100ml or less and fit inside a single one-litre clear bag, so anything larger goes in your checked luggage.

3. Roll, cube or compress

To save space and stop creasing, roll your clothes instead of folding them. For extra room, place them in vacuum compression bags: put your clothes in, seal the bag, then squeeze the air out. Packing cubes are another great option: these fabric organisers separate your items and help you find things quickly once you arrive. They're a blessing for carry-on only travellers in particular. Mind the weight (a tightly packed suitcase can climb up in kgs).

4. Distribute weight evenly

Pack your heaviest items, like shoes and toiletry bags, at the bottom of the case near the wheels. This keeps your suitcase balanced and easy to wheel, and stops lighter items from getting crushed underneath.

5. Fill dead space

Make use of every inch of suitcase space. Roll tops, underwear, socks and other small items and stuff them into your shoes to fill every nook and cranny, protect the shape of your shoes and squeeze in a little extra.

6. Pack gadgets in reusable ziplock bags

How do you usually organise your electronics, cables and all those fiddly bits that take ages to dig out at security? Reuse some old ziplock bags to keep things tidy. Phone charger, camera charger, adaptors, headphones: sort them into clear bags so it's obvious which item is where. You can do the same for things you'll need on the journey home, like house keys, parking ticket and car keys, plus medication and other loose accessories. Your blind rummaging days will be left behind.

7. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane

Jackets, boots and jumpers take up the most room and weigh the most, so wear them rather than pack them. It frees up valuable case space and weight, and you'll be grateful for the extra layer in a chilly cabin.

8. Leave books at home

Save the space and weight for your holiday. Whether it's a steamy romance novel, thrilling sci-fi or a dog-eared travel guide, download the ebook before your trip. That way you don't have to count on wifi to jump back into the story from your perfectly positioned beach chair. If you're using an e-reader, pop it in a water-resistant cover.

9. Pack a foldable spare bag

If you're the souvenir-buying type, tuck a lightweight foldable tote or duffel into your case. It weighs almost nothing on the way out and gives you extra room for shopping, gifts and overflow on the way home, without having to buy an emergency bag at the airport.

10. Use your personal item wisely

Most airlines let you bring a small personal item as well as your carry-on, so make it count. A backpack or tote that fits under the seat in front is perfect for the things you'll want during the flight, and using it well can save you paying for a second bag altogether.

11. Weigh your luggage to avoid extra fees

Weigh your bags on both legs of the journey to see how close you are to the weight limit. If your kilos are teetering towards the high end, consider wearing some of the heavier items or cutting back on what you pack in the first place.

12. Buy a lightweight suitcase

Buying the most expensive designer suitcase won't get you an upgrade. A hardshell case can add up to four kilos of weight before you've even started packing, so a lightweight option leaves you more allowance for the things you actually want to bring. Expensive isn't always best. In the market for a new one? These are the best suitcases for Australian travellers.

13. Know your luggage limits

Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline. Some, but not all, carriers will let you check in two bags, and the weight allowance can vary. Make sure you understand both your checked and hand luggage limits before you reach the airport so you can avoid costly charges at the gate.

14. Spruce up your suitcase

Don't be faced with a baggage carousel crisis, searching for your suitcase amid its identical neighbours. Add a luggage tag and give your case a bit of a makeover to help it stand out: ribbons, stickers or even colourful shoelaces make it instantly recognisable.

15. Make the most of your hand luggage

No matter how well you decorate your suitcase, bags can go missing. Keep your valuables in your hand luggage and always pack a spare change of clothes in your carry-on too, just in case your checked bag is lost or delayed. To stay inconspicuous, don't flash cash or expensive jewellery, and it's worth considering travel insurance for extra peace of mind. Familiarise yourself with any unusual items that aren't allowed in the cabin, as some might surprise you.

16. Organise for each family member

Give everyone in the family their own packing cube or colour so you can find whose socks are whose without unpacking the whole case. For younger kids, pack a small backpack they can carry themselves with a few toys, snacks and a change of clothes, which keeps them occupied on the plane and means the essentials are always within reach.

For more packing inspiration, check out our family packing hacks for travelling with kids, and brush up on exactly what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on before you fly. It's also worth knowing your cabin bag allowances, sizes and weight restrictions to avoid surprises at the gate. If you'd rather skip checked luggage altogether, our guide to travelling with carry-on only has you covered, and if you're looking for a new suitcase, see how eight bags held up in our luggage review.