Ashley24

First of all, if I use a 21" luggage, I can bring it with me on the plane, right? We are staying at places with a washer/dryer for most of our time, so I am planning on not checking luggage this trip. However, how do you find room for the souvenirs you buy? Do you ship them home or send some of the bulkier clothes home? I am hoping to only pack a pair of jeans (hiking Volcano, horseback riding), 3 pairs of shorts, 3 t-shirts, 2 bathing suits and a coverup, shoes (TEVA sandles, hiking shoes, tennies) nicer outfit for dinner at Beachhouse(sundress), and my makeup (yes, I need to bring it!)and personal products. Does that sound about right? Also, does anyone highly recommend those bags that suction out the air? The ones that don't require a vacuum are sounding very good to me. However, couldn't you do the same thing with ziploc bags? Thanks for your help!

kate_kate

I highly recommend the vac-paks, you can pack twice as much. Yes, you can bring the 21" onboard. Your wardrobe seems fine, just handwash in the sink and air dry.

gail

It's always the shoes that do me in!

iceeu2

Ashley, your plan sounds great and the vac pack things are really neat to use.

For your souvenirs and bulky items, just buy an extra inexpensive suitcase to check for coming home or head to the UPS store and they will pack everything for you.

joan

If you vacpack on the outbound trip, how do you fit all that stuff back into your suitcase for the return trip? Or do you bring the vacpack thing with you?

iceeu2

joan, they have the ones that you don't need a vacuum for.

Ashley, I don't know if ziplocs would work or not, but, if they did would they be large enough? The largest I have found a 2 gallon.

Anonymous

Your packing list is pretty good, though I'd take fewer shorts and a couple more tops, including one lightweight long-sleeve shirt for multipurpose coverup (beach, chilly restaurants, etc.) and perhaps short-sleeve shirts that will dry faster than average T-shirts. If you roll things tightly, this is almost as good as a suction bag and also reduces wrinkling.

I do the carryon thing when traveling outbound and pack a collapsible tote that zips shut. This serves as daybag, beach bag, etc. during the trip, and then when I'm heading home, I fill it with laundry, check it, and use my carryon for souvenirs!

Most luggage problems are delays or thefts of contens, rather than outright loss, so I don't worry too much about checking the laundry.

althom1122

Where are you going? I missed that and think it helps us in giving advice. If it's somewhere that gets cold at night, for instance, one pair jeans may not be enough.
As for the ziplocs - yes - they work pretty well. I've gone that route myself. The one gallon and two gallon sizes are great.
And lastly, I take a Baggallini expandable tote for souvenirs. It's small, lightweight, folds up flat into its own pocket - and when you need to fill it with stuff, it expands into a very large tote (which you can stuff with clothing and check on the way home!).

http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/expa...?modelid=19226

Annabel

Ziplock bags work great. When packing in carryons, every inch counts. I pack as much as I can in ziplocks. I seal the top and leave a small opening then roll out the air then zip ip completly closed. That will take out all the air and it will be as flat as a pancake. You don't need the suction aou air bags for larger items, jeans will not get any smaller, just fold them flat on the bottom of the case and wedge your shoes in where ever you can. It's like putting together a puzzle. You will be amazed on how much you can fit in a ziplock. Also make sure you pack all your liquid stuff in a ziplock bag in case it spills you will not destroy your clothes. When I do carry on only I pack all clothes in the suitcase and personal items in the shoulder bag. You are allowed 2 carry ons per person, so take advantage of it.

I always pack a small bottle of laundry detergent in case I have to wash out a stain or something.

Stephanie

The key to not taking much is for a week vacation take only 4 outfits, with mix and match color schemes. Roll your clothing when packing. Take no more than 3 pr of shoes which includes the ones you are wearing. If you are going to a beach vacation take more swimwear as you are going to be wearing this type outfit most of the time anyway. If you want to buy souvenirs just buy a sturdy plastic shopping bag while on vacation and then check in your pilot case.

Ashley24

Great ideas! Thanks so much! I am excited to try this! We are going to Hawaii for 11 nights plus 2 more nights in LA. I like the idea of using a expandable tote inside my luggage and then checking it on the way home.

pspercy

We always take a collapsible cooler that doubles as checked baggage on the return journey - full of laundry LOL.

iamq

We do the same thing as pspercy.

-Bill

Vera

Jeans are too bulky. Either plan on wearing them on the plane, or get some of the lightweight travel jeans. Instead of jeans I use the (seemingly indestructable) pants that zip off to make shorts.
MHO
Vera

amwosu

Just repeating advice you've already gottne but, take khakis, not jeans and definitely take a collapsible tote for taking home extras that you buy. You can get a 21" one at Target that zips into a small rectangle for about $9.99-14.99. Their brand is cheaper than some of the name brands they also sell.

june

I have found the 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags only at Target. They are great but not terribly sturdy so bring extras for the return trip. I can fit four ladies' shirts or three men's golf shirts or a coat or all socks and undies in each one. I zip them 3/4 shot and then sit on them to get out the rest of the sir. You will be amazed how much you can get in one. I wouldn't travel without them. It sure makes packing easy.

Ashley24

WOW! What great ideas! How large is the collapsible cooler? I am assuming that you take that to the beach with food in it? I will definately go to Target for the ziplock bags and look for the collapsible tote or cooler. Thanks for your help! Now I just need to decide if I should buy a blow up travel pillow for the long plane ride! Also, ladies, what do you use for a purse on your travels? I have a shoulder bag (has a rounded triangular shape) that I can put a smaller purse in. Is that what you do too or is there a better idea? My shoulder bag cannot hold very much. Anyone have a bag that you would highly recommend?

Anonymous

One secret to packing light is that everything must serve more than one purpose. Thus, even a blow-up travel pillow is suspect. Why not just take out one of your clothing-filled Ziplocks and use that!

I like to travel with a tiny purse for essentials (wallet stuff, chapstick, kleenex) that I can use by itself when I go out for the evening or otherwise want to travel light (some museums prohibit backpacks and larger bags), but for regular touristy activities I put that inside a tote that can hold a water bottle, souvenir purchases, a lightweight shirt in case of excessive air conditioning, etc. Yes, this is the same tote that later gets filled with laundry and checked through.

TC

The key to packing light is that everything must go with everything else. Pick one color family for your base and stick with it - black, brown, gray, tan, or navy - then add a couple of vibrant accent colors in tops, scarves, jewelry, etc.

I agree that jeans are too bulky and too hot for this trip. I pack the poly/spandex yoga pants from Target in black or tan. They are very lightweight and comfortable, take up hardly any room in a suitcase, and look like silk. The cropped length ones serve as both long and short pants. In black, I add a dressy sandal, a strappy tank and a sparkly or colorful lightweight sweater to go to dinner in the same pants. They are also perfect to pull on over a swimsuit - saving the need for a cover up. They are hand-washable and dry in a flash with no ironing needed. At $20 a pair, these may be the perfect travel pants.

As for shoes, do you really need "hiking shoes" as well as tennies? Could a pair of cross trainers (worn on the plane) work for both occassions? Your TEVAS for hiking could work as well and then you would only need some sparkly little dress up sandals. Those cheap jeweled flip flops pack flat and look cute - some even have a sexy little kitten heel.

Keep in mind that you can buy a cooler in Hawaii (those stirofoam ones) for pennies. Use it while there and toss it - or pack it full, tape it shut, and use it as checked bags on the way home. Depending on what you buy as a souvenior, you can always FED EX or UPS it home - in the stiro cooler. I have also used the softside coolers as my camera bag/carry-on on trips.

I do use the big ziplocks from Target and they really work well. Taking extras is a good idea, but they are so cheap that its easy to do.

Buy heavy/bulky stuff after you arrive - like sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray or shaving cream - or use the little travel size bottles. Don't pack a hair drier. Your hotel will surely have one.

For a purse, I have a casual black canvas style, big enough that it doubles as a carry-on for a book, etc. Then I add a little black silk fabric bag (folds to nothing) for evening or dress up.

Best place to buy "typical" souveniors in Hawaii - Wal-Mart. I was surprised that they have the same items as the high end shops at half the price.

Have fun!

girlonthego

Great info above. I also carry a tote bag as my pocket book. This holds my toiletries and a good book and a tiny purse with passport and money. Then I carry the 21 inch carry on (in it the folded tote bag for souvenoirs). I like to travel light. It is easier and when I arrive, I have all of my things.