Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn morePacking is overwhelming for even the most organised of travellers: forget your swimming costume and your sunbathing is ruined, but misplace your passport and your holiday will be over before it’s even begun.From the must-pack essentials to little-known add-ons that could make your trip even easier, there are plenty of budget-friendly buys to consider if you’re jetting off this summer. As a travel writer here at the Daily Mail, my work takes me all around the world – from trekking around snowy Latvia, foodie forays into Italy and even a visit to Cannes’ top Dior-designed hotel suite, ahead of the film festival. This globetrotting lifestyle means I’ve become an expert at knowing which essentials to bring with you on your travels – anti-theft bags, anyone? – to the useless items that take up valuable luggage space. The first thing you’ll need? A really good suitcase. Choosing one is tough, so it’s best to spend some time deciding.SUITCASES As a travel writer at the Daily Mail, Erin’s used to packing at a moment’s noticeIf I were to buy any large suitcase, it would be a Horizn model or the Victorinox Airox Hardside Case. A perfect blend of style and function, they are both fab additions to your travels. In terms of cabin baggage, my favourite is Kapten & Son’s Heathrow Cabin bag. Although it’s not cheap, it glides along so smoothly, making it a super useful travel companion. It’s pretty to look at, too, making it a must-have choice for anyone looking to travel in style.However, I’d be tempted by the Rock Tulum case, too – especially given the fun range of colours available, making it easy to spot your case in airports. It’s also great value for money. You can read our hand luggage guide as well as our hold luggage review to help you pick. PACKING ITEMS To pack your bag like a pro, you’ll need various add-ons to streamline your systemOnce you’ve got a bag, you’ll need to fill it – and that’s where packing gadgets come in.Washbags, packing cubes, smaller bags and compartments for your liquids should be top of the list.If you haven’t tried packing cubes, now is the time to start! These ones from Narwey are super cute too, and help make packing a suitcase (and unpacking later) far less overwhelming.Anyone who travels regularly knows how annoying it can be to bring travel-sized toiletries. For me, silicone cases are the best solution – from both a space and comfort perspective.These ones from Mountain Warehouse, which come in a pack of three, are ideal for camping because they allow you to bring your essentials in waterproof containers – so no stress if something spills in your bag or it rains!ANTI-THEFT GADGETS Erin, pictured in Cannes, says travel to popular destinations can put you at risk of pickpocketsWhen visiting a new city, you’ll want to make sure you’re well kitted-out for your travels – with a phone, wallet, camera and sunglasses.But with travel scams at an all-time high, being a tourist usually means you’re wide open to pickpockets. I know I’m always on high alert, especially in busy areas. My favourite city, Paris, might be beautiful, but it is fraught with dangers – for instance, a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower could cost you your phone!Luckily, there are lots of genius gadgets that can help prevent theft, all for under £25.Cross-body bags, phone straps and anti-theft bags that have clever straps to allow you to ‘lock’ the bag should all be on your shopping list.Few people remember to bring one, but a phone lanyard – for less than a fiver – could be a lifesaver. NIFTY GADGETSI’m an avid Kindle reader – as someone who regularly reads a book a day on holiday, I quite frankly wouldn’t have the luggage space required to keep myself entertained on holiday.With book discounts, you can easily make your money back after a fair few reads, and it’s an easy way to ensure you never run out of books while travelling.But if reading is not for you, you might want other entertainment gadgets to keep you occupied on flights, train journeys or by the pool.Don’t forget a charger – you don’t want to run out of juice halfway through an 11-hour flight! While slightly bulky and heavy, Anker’s Laptop Power Bank is probably the best portable charger we’ve ever used here at the Daily Mail Travel desk. You can read up on our thoughts on the INIU Pocket Rocket P50 power bank too. You can charge multiple devices at a time with the two in-device cables (one of which is extendable), and the power source permits multiple charges over the course of several days, meaning that for short-haul trips, you wouldn’t even need to take an adaptor.The device is also powerful enough to recharge a laptop to full power in under 90 minutes.TRAVEL BEAUTY ESSENTIALSHoliday hair, as a curly-haired girl, is one of the most frustrating parts of travelling; I often end up as dishevelled as Monica Geller from Friends with frizz up to my eyeballs.Fortunately, major travel brands have created gadgets designed to go abroad.While many people rave about the Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer, I personally am a huge fan of the GHD Flight travel hair dryer.And I never go anywhere without my Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes Volume Travel mascara 4ml – for me, it’s basically as essential as my passport. See our travel editor’s picks of the best travel minis, from toiletries to compact hair tools and tech, that are all hand luggage friendly. FAQsWhat should I avoid packing? Large bottles of toiletry items such as shower gel and shampoo should definitely be avoided.They add extra weight and take up space that could be used for other essential items.Bulky headphones can also take up unnecessary space in your bag and can easily be swapped out for smaller earphones.Take advice from the flight attendant with a decade of travel experience on what not to pack for a trip. How can I maximise space in my case? Travellers often use several techniques such as rolling up clothes, using vacuum packing bags like Jaspacks, and cutting down overall on the belongings they bring along.You could even free up room in your suitcase by stashing items on your person as this traveller did. He flew with Ryanair with nothing but a backpack and a WHSmith bag and didn’t cop any fees by packing items in his 16-pocket coat! Find some tips from a professional packer on how to fit two weeks’ worth of clothing in your carry-on. How can I stay organised during my journey? Handy items such as a Stacker’s passport holder can help keep important documents all in one place. For your cables and chargers, Thule’s Subterra 2 Powershuttle might be useful.It’s important to try and keep everything in one, easily accessible spot – you wouldn’t want to separate your boarding pass from your passport, for example!