A pillowcase is this summer's must-have travel accessory – 9 genius ways to use it on your next holiday

The Sun

14-07-2025

YOUR humble pillowcase might just be the ultimate travel companion - and not just for sleeping.
Savvy jet-setters are using it in surprising ways to save space, stay organised and even dodge airline fees.
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Even if you're not planning to smuggle clothes aboard disguised as a pillow, there's still a strong case for packing an empty pillowcase.
It's light as a feather, takes up barely any room in your bag, and proves surprisingly useful.
Here are six genius hacks that prove a simple pillowcase can make your next trip smoother, cheaper, and a whole lot comfier.
Travel pillow and extra bag
Clever travellers are dodging baggage fees with a genius hack – and all you need is a pillowcase.
Instead of coughing up for extra carry-ons or cramming your hand luggage to bursting, simply stuff a pillowcase with soft clothes like T-shirts, leggings and swimwear - and carry it on as a makeshift travel pillow.
Airlines don't count pillows as part of your baggage allowance, meaning you can sneak on extra gear without spending a penny more.
Laundry bag
No more rummaging through your suitcase only to find it smells like your gym kit.
A pillowcase makes the perfect lightweight laundry bag, keeping sweaty clothes, damp swimsuits or grubby socks separate from your clean gear.
No need to rely on flimsy hotel sacks or plastic carrier bags.
Beach Bag Backup
Forgot your beach bag or don't want to bring a bulky tote?
The deeply selfish holiday trend sweeping Europe's beaches this summer – and it's WORSE than sunbed hogging
A pillowcase works a treat.
Just toss in your suncream, towel, book and shades and you've got an instant, sand-friendly carryall that's easy to wash after.
Bag Liner
Got a cute straw bag but worried about leaks or mess?
Toss a pillowcase inside as a makeshift liner.
It'll catch wet swimsuits, sandy flip-flops, or rogue sunscreen bottles that love to burst at the worst time - keeping your beach bag clean and stress-free.
Shoe Cover
Don't want dirty soles messing up your clean clothes?
Wrap your shoes in a pillowcase and keep the mud, sand and street gunk contained.
Plus, it's a more sustainable choice compared to single-use plastic.
Snack Stash
Do you ever feel peckish during road trips or long journeys?
Use your pillowcase to carry crisps, sweets and snacks without using a plastic bag or bulky lunchbox.
It is easy to tuck into your backpack and reuse again and again.
Emergency Clothes Bag
Spilled something on your outfit mid-flight?
A pillowcase can come to the rescue.
Store a backup outfit inside and keep it handy - no rummaging through your entire suitcase needed.
Packing Cube Dupe
No fancy packing cubes? No problem. A pillowcase can do the job just as well.
Use it to group together smaller items like underwear, socks, or swimwear so your suitcase stays neat, tidy and easy to unpack.
Bonus: it takes up less space and weighs next to nothing.
Emergency Extra Layer
Caught out without a towel or cover-up?
A pillowcase can step in as a head wrap, sun shield, or makeshift towel at the beach or pool.
It's not plush, but when you're dripping wet or need quick shade, it gets the job done.
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How to make travelling with kids a breeze
IT can be stressful travelling with kids, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Here's five we'd recommend:
Snacks
It might sound simple, but it's a good idea to pack a LOT of snacks. Think of how much you might need, and double it. After all, it doesn't matter if you have too much - your kids can eat it another time - but it will be a big issue if you run out. There are also snack boxes with lots of little dividers that are great for long journeys as kids can pick at those throughout.
Entertainment
This covers a whole range of things - from a tablet to watch films or play games if you've got older kids, to books and colouring. It's advisable to pack a variety of options, especially if you're on a long journey or have various legs on your haul.
Toys
If you've got a baby or a toddler, there are some sensory-type toys you can buy that can really help keep little ones entertained. These include ones that you stick on the windows of a plane, or on a tray on a highchair, that they can spin and play with to their hearts' content.
Equipment
There are a whole host of things on the market that aim to make sleeping on a plane loads easier. These include a hammock that you can attack to your tray which hangs down to put your feet on. You can also get blow up cushions to turn a seat into a bed for littles, and neck cushions that boast you will be able to use for a decent night's sleep wherever you are.
Yourselves!
Don't underestimate how entertaining you are to your kids. Learn some games you can play with them, and songs you can sing, as kids always love the opportunity to have one-on-one time with their parents.