I'm a carry-on kind of gal on the way there, and a check-in gal on the way home.

I always take an extra bag, in the bottom of my carry-on, that gets opened and filled with my 'goodies' on the way home. That bag becomes my carry-on on the return flight.

Since I don't pack 3 outfits per day, I could care less if they lose my bag on the way home, I've still got plenty of clothes in my closet!

Every trip we take to Europe (usually 2-3 weeks) we leave with only carry-on bags. We always return with many checked bags.
We often travel with another couple and they also do as we do.
The color black is part of the key. A Black sweater ,for instance,goes with anything. You will have to do laundry (we generally do it once during the trip).

You don't HAVE to do laundry, it just makes you smell nice, and your socks don't acquire a crispy texture.

Check it...

Since I fly British Air and they have a strict 13 lb. carry-on limit they enforce.

I consider myself a fairly light packer, and only use one 21-24" suitcase, but no way can I do 3 weeks with only 6 lbs. of clothes (the suitcase itself weighs 7).

I also find it more convenient because you don't have to drag your suitcase around with you (often I am solo) during airport connections.

I am also wondering - for those of you that use only a carry-on - where do you put any souvenirs you buy?? And what about scissors or other sharp bathroom products (razor, etc) - aren't those banned on a carry-on???

All your responses are great !!
Clothes are a small part of what I bring. Of course there are toiletries, camera, ipod ect....
On domestic flights I have checked clothes on the way home, but i am afraid to do this on a international flight. I do leave room for small gifts. Also I rent apts where I stay that has a washer and dryer. Well sometimes just a washer. Clothes dry fast in Italy !!

How to pack smart

When you pack, divide what you plan on taking into two groups. Pretend the checked bag won't make it. What do you absolutely have to have when you get there?

Without exceeding the airline's weight limit, put what you cannot live without in your carryon bag.

Put everything else in another suitcase. Leave that suitcase at home.

Suze, I will never fly British Air (or Alitalia) for exactly that reason. But, why do you have a 7 # carryon bag? Go out and get a lightweight gym bag, around one pound. That way you can carry 12 # of "stuff".

There ae no rules or musts when it comes to packing. Packing smart is packing the way that is best for you. If that means carry-on only fine. If it means a checked bag (or heaven forbid! two checked bags, so be it.

RufusTFirefly... I (huff-puff) am halfway (gasp) done with your (sigh, collapse) exercise.... I think I'm loving your 'in the pockets only' idea!.. Ever really done it? LOL - loving the image of stuff pinned in my hair!!

Like Bud's wife, I usually carry the kitchen sink, but I know I can't manage that this trip. I haven't bought or planned my wardrobe yet, but whatever can fit in a 21" rollaboard and a flight bag goes with me--what doesn't stays at home.

My roll-aboard weighs 7 lbs; but I really need suitcase on rollers, so if I have to check my suitcase, I will. (Although I don't think it's a problem with AA).

I am one of the people who does carry on for the trip out and checked baggage for the trip back.

Trips more than 1 week, I do laundry.

I carry on, not because its easier for flying (I think it is), but because its much easier for train travel, hotels without elevators or with broken elevators, and it fits in any trunk space.

I have an expandable suitcase and I take an empty nylon bag, so I've got plenty of room for souvenirs on the way home. If I have to check my bags, its not a big deal, I can put any valuables/breakables in the nylon bag and check my suitcase.

Why would I want to be able to lift my suitcase above my head??? I have no intention of doing that - ever. A case with wheels is a must for me.
I don't want to pack light either. I like to have lots of clothes to choose from and it's easy enough to throw it all in a case, check it in and have done with it. Better than getting somewhere and wishing I had bought more to wear.
Carolena

If you're going to put your luggage in the overhead bin in an airplane or on an overhead rack on a train, you have to lift your luggage over your head.

My checked bag is a 21' bag that could be carried on for domestic flights, but some interntational carriers have weight limits so low that the 21' is not practical as a carryon, thus I have a smaller day bag as my carryon.

As someone else mentioned, if you are having to change planes, it's nice to let someone else handle the bulk of your baggage at your intermediate destination. I do always try to check and make sure that my checked bag is tagged appropriately and carry what's asolutely necessary for a couple of day's survival in the carry on bag.

Maire's right - and to even get it ON a train, you have to get it up two or three high steps.

callalilli--actually I don't carry anything in my pockets anymore. I only take the clothes I am wearing. And I don't do laundry no matter how long the trip. After a few days I usually have entire restaurants, trams, and theater rows to myself. On the flight home, I usually end up with a whole row of empty seats for myself as people choose to stand elsewhere the entire flight.

But seriously folks--there are people where I work who bring a rolling, carry-on size suitcase full of "stuff" to work every morning. I wonder how many suitcases they take on vacation.

Carolina,

in eight trips (16 wks) to Europe, I have often brought home clothes I never wore, but I have never wished I had brought more.

No matter the length of the trip, I do carry-on only. I've actually done three months in a rollaboard carry on. As others have said, the key is laundry.

I put all my clothes in the rollaboard for the overhead bin and my personal items go in a day bag under my seat. I pack a small duffle bag in my rollaboard and pack clothes in that one as checked baggage coming home so that I can carry my souvenirs in my rollaboard as carry-on. I'd rather lose my clothes than my precious souvenirs. :D

I will admit that when I go to the US I have to check two large empty suitcases so that I can fill them with my shopping for the return trip. I hate it, but it has to be done. (Not the shopping, but the lugging and checking). :)

I agree that I would much rather pack light and do laundry than to have a bunch of heavy bags to haul around.

I'm with Suze and a couple of others here - I usually check my 21" rollaboard and carrry on a tote containing a change of clothes, my toiletries, and documents.

Those of you who *only* do carry on and actually put your totes under your seats are far more courteous than most of the people I seem to end up on planes with! Half of whom seem to get on the plane with oversized rollaboards, posters, cases of wine, and tote bags, and refuse to put *anything* under their seats. Each one of them is hogging an entire overhead bin. Thus delaying the flight, as those last to board are forced to check their carry-on items due to lack of space for them.

I wish the airlines were more consistent in enforcing their carry-on limitations.