Rolling Or Packing Cubes: How to Save Space?

Oh my, packing for a trip is like trying to solve a puzzle while your suitcase laughs at you!

I’ve tried so many things to save space, but it is never enough…

While we have a full guide on how to pack, here I focused only on comparing two methods that get a lot of praise – just to see what works the best!

Marta here – I’m 26 years old and have travelled to 22 different countries.

I am always chasing the next adventure with my besties, and let me tell you, fitting everything into a carry-on feels like a full-time job.

I have been having a great debate with myself over these years: rolling your clothes or using packing cubes to save space? Both promise to tame the chaos of your luggage, but which one is actually useful for maximising space on a European trip?

I’ll share my packing adventures and let you sneak into my luggage, but also share my naive excitement (and occasional meltdowns) from trips across cities like Kraków and Vienna.

With tips, tricks, and a lot of positivity, let’s figure out how to pack smarter and save space!

Why Packing Is My Love-Hate Relationship

Packing is my ultimate frenemy. On one hand, I absolutely love planning outfits and I have infinite inspiration. But squeezing it all into a 55x40x20 cm carry-on? Nightmare.

Everybody from my crew—Alex the over-enthusiastic gym bro, Sophie the planner who’s basically our mom, and Marko, who’d pack his entire sneaker collection if we let him—always has an opinion on how to do it better. Obviously, all they do is just tell me to buy additional luggage or simply drop something. None of it is acceptable for me.  

On our last trip to Kraków, I was determined to fit my favourite scarf, boots, and a few souvenirs without checking a bag. Spoiler: it was a saga.

Rolling and packing cubes became my go-to methods, but they each have their own pros and cons.

Let’s break it down and see which one saves the most space.

  • Space is Precious: Airlines like Ryanair are strict with that 10 kg carry-on limit. Every centimetre counts!
  • Trip Vibes: Whether it’s a weekend in Prague or a week in Vienna, I need outfits for cafes, castles, and spontaneous pub nights.
  • Budget-Friendly: Avoiding checked baggage fees (30-60 EUR) means more money for pierogi and gelato.
  • Aesthetic Goals: A tidy suitcase makes me feel like I’ve got my life together (even if I don’t).

Fun Fact: The average carry-on holds about 30-40 litres. If you pack properly, you can use every inch of your backpack. If you don’t, it’s a waste. And it’s something that will make you look ugly in the security check when they ask you to take that suspicious nail polish that SOMEHOW ended up at the bottom of your backpack.

Rolling: The Classic Space-Saver

Rolling clothes is simple and quite useful. My first experience with it was when we were going on a trip to Rome. I desperately wanted to get the most out of all the Instagrammable spots and to have a stack of nice photos. So, I was determined to fit five dresses, two pairs of shoes, and a jacket into my tiny backpack.

Roll things as tightly as possible to push all that air out!

How It Works

The idea? Roll your clothes tightly into little burritos to save space and reduce wrinkles.

First, lay your clothes flat, fold in the sleeves or sides, and roll tightly, like, realy realy thightly from one end. You want to push out all the air.

Rolling is best for T-shirts, jeans, dresses, and lightweight jackets, basically anything that can be rolled. Bulky items like coats are trickier, also leather things may not be the rolled the best.

My Go-To: On our Vienna trip, I rolled my flowy skirts and tops, stacking them like a Tetris game in my suitcase.

My personal pro tip is once you roll a thing, put it in a sock (regular sock that you would take on the trip anyway to wear with your sneakers, say). Just make sure that sock is tight and can hold your things properly.

Pros of Rolling

  • Space-Saving: Rolling compresses clothes, letting you squeeze in more. I fit 10 outfits into a 40-liter backpack for Kraków!
  • Wrinkle-Resistant: Tightly rolled clothes, especially cotton or synthetics, stay smoother than folded stacks.
  • Flexible: No extra gear needed—just your hands and some patience.
  • Free: No need to buy fancy organizers. More euros for coffee in Vienna’s cafes.

Cons of Rolling

  • Chaos Factor: Rolled clothes can shift, turning your suitcase into a jumbled mess.
  • Not Universal: Bulky items like boots don’t roll and eat up space.
  • Time-Intensive: Rolling 20 items takes longer than tossing them in. I spent 50 minutes perfecting my rolls for Rome.
  • Hard to Find Stuff: Digging for that one top buried in a roll? Good luck.

My Rolling Adventure

In Kraków, I rolled my entire wardrobe—dresses, leggings, even a light cardigan—into my carry-on. It worked like a charm, fitting everything plus a pair of ankle boots.

But when I needed my scarf for a chilly Wawel Castle visit, I had to unroll half my bag, and my friend laughed as my neatly packed rolls turned into a laundry explosion.

Still, I saved enough space for souvenirs (hello, amber jewelry!).

So, when rolling, make a system that works for you.

For instance, I would roll leggings and place them on the bottom of my backpack, then sweater(s), and t-shirts and shirts go over them. In the corners, I would put underwear to fill the empty space, I have separate pockets for jewelry and accessories, and I keep all the security-check-risky things on the very top of the backpack. Then, all of the cosmetics is in one transparent bag, all the possibly suspicious things (chargers, earphones, etc) are on the top also, or in my front pocket, so that I can reach them easily.

Personal Impression: Rolling is great, but be patient. Unroll everything as soon as you arrive in your accommodation and dedicate enough time to rolling everything again when you are preparing for a departure.

Packing Cubes: The Organized Dream

Packing cubes are like the chic, put-together sister of rolling. These zippered bags come in various sizes, turning your suitcase into a filing cabinet. Sophie swears by them, and she was determined to convince me to try them. My first thought was: “Do I really need to buy more stuff to pack?” I’m trying to cut on the things I put in my carry-on.

But they absolutely changed the game.

How It Works

The idea is to have everything neatly packed in cubes. Sort clothes into categories (tops, bottoms, undies), fold or roll them – you can absolutely combine the two methods, and pack into cubes. Zip them up and stack in your luggage. It works better for suitcases, but it can be applied even when you have just a backpack, but you need cubes of appropriate dimensions.

Packing cubes are great for everything from dresses to jackets. Different cube sizes handle bulky or small items, just see how you’re going to fit it in your luggage.

My Go-To: In Vienna, I used three cubes: one for dresses, one for tops and leggings, one for accessories. So tidy! It’s great because you dont have to unpack everything when you arrive. Therefore, if you’re going on a short trip or simply don’t have much space in your accommodation, this saves your nerves.

Pros of Packing Cubes

  • Cubes keep everything in place. I found my scarf in seconds at Schönbrunn Palace.
  • Compression cubes (like Eagle Creek’s) squish clothes down, saving up to 30% space. I fit a week’s worth of outfits in a 40-litre bag.
  • Need your PJs? Grab the cube, unzip, done. No digging required.
  • You can roll inside cubes for double the space-saving magic.

Cons of Packing Cubes

  • Cost: Decent cubes cost 20-40 EUR for a set. My budget cried a little.
  • Figuring out what goes in which cube takes practice. Alex overpacked his cube and broke the zipper.
  • Cubes add a bit of weight (200-500 grams), which matters for strict airline limits.
  • Overstuff them, and they won’t save space. I learned this the hard way.

My Packing Cube Experience

For Vienna, I splurged on a set of four compression cubes (25 EUR on Amazon). I folded my dresses, rolled my tops, and stuffed everything into cubes labelled with pink sticky notes (cute and practical). My carry-on looked like a Pinterest board, and I managed to fit everything I wore for a week, plus souvenirs (a Klimt-inspired scarf, obviously). But when I overpacked my cube with sweaters, it wouldn’t zip, and I had a mini meltdown. Sophie jumped in and we made it work. The cubes kept my suitcase so organized, I felt like a travel influencer.

Rolling vs. Packing Cubes

So, which method wins?

Let’s see the pros of rolling:

  • Saves about 20-25% space by compressing soft clothes tightly. I fit 8 tops, 3 dresses, 2 pairs of leggings, 1 skirt, plus accessories, chargers, powerbank and other gandgets, cosmetics, in a 40-liter bag for Rome;
  • If you use my special socks trick, you can have it quite organized in your backpack. It looks funny though, so brace yourself for the security check and just keep smiling at the weird looks you might get;
  • Best for short trips with lightweight clothes, especially for summer city breaks and if you’re not going to pack heels;
  • Bulky items like jackets or boots take up too much room and can’t be rolled.

In the other corner… packing cubes!

  • Compression cubes save even more space by squishing clothes flat. I packed 8 tops, 4 dresses, 2 sweaters, and accessories for Vienna in the same bag. Just make sure that you push all the air out. I would suggest combining packing cubes with vacuum bags and voila! you just saved up to 50% of the space in your luggage;
  • Best for longer trips (5+ days) or mixed wardrobes (bulky and light items), plus great for winter trips with sweaters;
  • Non-compression cubes don’t save much space, and overstuffing negates the benefits.

So the winner is…

Depends!

Depends on the time of the year and type of clothes you’re carrying, the shape of your luggage, the time and resources (the packing cubes need to be bought) you have.

Some experiences suggest compression cubes can reduce volume by up to 30%, while rolling averages 20%.

My verdict? Cubes edge out for longer trips, but rolling’s great for quick getaways. Still, I find that combining the two methods, as well as using vacuum bags is the best you can do.

Aside from testing rolling and packing cubes, we have some more tips for you on how to travel like a pro and save maximum space.

Combine these two methods for maximum effect!

Cubes made me feel like a packing princess, but rolling’s simplicity is my go-to for quick trips, as well as when you still don’t have the cubes.

In Kraków, rolling got me through a 5-day trip with a 40-liter carry-on, but I struggled to find specific items. In Vienna, cubes let me pack more (including a chunky sweater) and stay organized, but I had to Tetris them carefully to fit my boots.

However, when you save a lot of space and keep adding stuff, you may end up going well over the weight limit. Be careful!

Personally:

  • In Rome, I rolled everything for a 4-day trip. It worked, but digging for my sunglasses was like a treasure hunt gone wrong.
  • In Kraków, I stuck with rolling but added a small packing cube for some things (game-changer for organization).
  • By Vienna, I went full cube mode, and oh my gosh, my suitcase was so tidy I could’ve cried. But when I overpacked a cube with sweaters, it bulged like a marshmallow, and I had to sit on my bag to close it. It’s easier and nicer with vacuum bags. In my case, as I didn’t use them, Alex laughed, Sophie fixed it, and Marko made a TikTok of my struggle.

Memorable Moments

  • Rome: Rolled dresses perfectly, but unpacking at the hostel was chaos.
  • Kraków: Combined rolling with one cube for accessories. Fit souvenirs.
  • Vienna: Cubes made me feel like a pro, but the cost and weight had me doubting.

Criticisms: What’s Not So Fab

Neither method is perfect:

To begin with criticising rolling:

  • It’s a pain to re-roll when you are packing to go home. You are already tired, probably would rather walk more and explore than spend a frustrating hour trying to pack only to see that dirty t-shirt hanging from a chair and realising you do not have any more space.
  • Hard to keep tidy without extra organizers.
  • Not great for heavy coats or formal dresses.

Now, packing cubes are equally imperfect:

  • The upfront cost feels steep for a budget traveler like me. 25 EUR for cubes could’ve bought me a nice dinner in Kraków. I love spending on experiences, so if that’s also the case for you.. maybe try finding an alternative;
  • Overpacking cubes makes them bulky, so what’s the purpose? I learned this the hard way;
  • They add weight, which stings with Ryanair’s weight limit. One wont change much, but stack 5 of them, and you’ll notice the difference. And I’m sure you also hate the feeling when the weighing scale shows 10.2kg !!!

Practical Tips for Packing Like a Pro

To save space and keep your suitcase slay-worthy, here’s my girly guide:

  • Packing Essentials:
    • Lightweight, versatile clothes (think mix-and-match dresses and tops);
    • Compression packing cubes (you can find them online for 20-60 EUR or even cheaper if you’re ordering from China);
    • Travel-sized toiletries to save space. I recommend that instead of buying them in this travel-sized packages, you simply buy empty 100ml bottles and fill them with your skincare products, shampoo, etc. (saves a lot of money, plus it’s reusable – you do not know how many times we found a hair product abroad, bought one bottle of it and shared it to test it, so every one of the girls took 100ml home);
    • Reusable tote for souvenirs (I got a cute one in Kraków for 2 EUR);
    • Scarf or shawl for chilly evenings and church visits.
  • Rolling Tips:
    • Roll tightly and stack vertically for easy access.
    • Use plastic bags for shoes to keep rolls clean.
    • Pack heavy items (like boots) at the bottom near the wheels.
  • Packing Cube Tips:
    • [–] Buy compression cubes for max space-saving.
    • Sort by category (tops, bottoms, undies) for organization.
    • Don’t overstuff—leave a little wiggle room.
    • Label cubes with tags for quick finds.
  • Combo Hack: Roll clothes inside compression cubes for ultimate space-saving (I tried it in Vienna—worked like magic).
  • Money Matters: Budget 20-40 EUR for a cube set; rolling is free. Carry euros for airport shops (1 EUR = ~1 EUR).
  • Luggage Limits: Ryanair allows 55x40x20 cm (10 kg); Wizz Air is similar. Weigh your bag before the airport!
  • Safety:
    • Check airline rules (ryanair.com, wizzair.com).
    • Keep valuables in a small cube or bag for easy access.
    • Emergency number: 112 in Europe.

My Take: I weighed my bag in Vienna and was 0.5 kg under—felt like winning the lottery!

Final Thoughts

Rolling or packing cubes?

Both methods do save a lot of space, but they’re like choosing between a latte and a cappuccino: it depends on your vibe, your needs, what you want and prefer, as well as what you can tolerate:

Rolling’s free and great for short trips with light clothes, but it can get messy. Cubes are the opposite: they are the organized, chic choice for longer hauls.

It’s a toss-up, but both are space-saving superstars. My crew’s trips taught me that mixing both—rolling inside compression cubes—is the ultimate hack, squeezing every centimetre out of a carry-on. So, pick your method, pack that cute dress, and jet off to Europe. Those cobblestone streets and cosy cafes are waiting for your perfectly packed suitcase!

Ready to Pack? Grab compression cubes or roll like a pro.

Check airline rules and save space for that extra souvenir!