suze

I thought I'd like the blow up hangers but my clothes kept slipping off. Now I put a couple molded plastic hangers in the bottom of my suitcase. They're good for drying clothes you've hand-washed in the sink (especially if the closet is the kind that the wooden hanger is attached to the wooden pole) but also handy just to have a couple extras hangers, I've found.

MTCtravel

We bike in Europe and have found when we take our shower, after biking for the day, we put our clothes on the shower floor and stamp on them as we shower and shampoo. Then rinse them, wrap in a towel to get as much water as possible out of them, hang on plastic hangers to dry and they are ready for the next day. Really cuts down on what you have to carry with you. Also, means you and the clothes are clean in the same amount of time.

Christina

Are you serious, you mop the shower floor with your clothes? well, there isn't anything I own that I would treat that way, but it works for some people. I think taking a couple regular hangers is a good idea, actually, as they aren't really that heavy and work a lot better. I just don't wash much out on vacation except underwear and sometimes a Tshirt or tank top.

I actually agreed with a lot of what travelgourmet said actually. I don't travel super light and never have that much trouble on trains or elsewhere with a 25" suitcase. I would not go so far as to say it is as easy as a 22", (assuming both are fully packed), but I find that if I have the 25" I don't pack as heavy a carryon.

Now the issue with osteopaths is sort of opinion, but what I don't think people realize is that this is a different training and specialty in the UK than in the US, and Alanrow who first said that is in the UK. In the US, their training is very similar to regular physicians, but you won't find any surgical specialties, I believe, as they don't do surgery. I the UK, I think it is more like a chiropractor. In fact, I don't think you can be licensed as a regular doctor to practice in the US as an osteopath if your training wasn't in a US osteopath medical college because it is different. Well, I think that's a side issue, in any case, but think that may be the source of some of these comments (it being different in UK versus US).

As for people saying they took more than necessary because they could -- not sure what they meant, but I think all of us pretty much do that, as really only about one change of clothes would really be a necessity and everything else is optional from there. I take more than what is necessary because I am not interested in wearing the same clothes every day and because I do certain activities wehre I wouldn't be comfortable wearing some of the things I would have to take if I only took 1-2 outfits (eg, I go to nice theaters or something at times).

carhmil

My packing strategy is very simple. I use an excel spreadsheet with the days of our trip, then I list the cloths I will wear on each day. If I don’t list an item of clothes for more than 3 to 4 days I don’t take it. I don’t always where the clothes on the day that I list them on. But it does give you a pretty clear picture of what you are taking. I also use Eagle Creek packing system. It is excellent for organizing your clothes and also helps with less wrinkles. Before I pack I lay out my clothes and take a picture. If your luggage gets lost you know exactly what packed.

danon

it has been a very interesting thread - not only about the
quantity of luggage travelers take but also about our , so different, habits.
But, no one will ever convince me that traveling with 50 pounds of luggage is as easy as taking 10-15 pounds.

travelgourmet

<i>But, no one will ever convince me that traveling with 50 pounds of luggage is as easy as taking 10-15 pounds.</i>

That isn't the actual trade-off. 10-15 pounds would imply something like 5-7 pounds of actual stuff in a typical roll-aboard. I don't think that most people get by with that little.

Conlet

I have not read every word of all these replies, so maybe I have missed anyone who feels like I do - I don't mind spending an occasional hour at a laundromat! We have had delightful conversations with residents of many European countries in laundromats, gathering dining and other local tips. It gives us a bit of down time to replan as we go, as well as some interesting memories of friendly and helpful people.

jdtravelabroad

I've recently returned from six weeks in Europe. I traveled within Switzerland for a week, then flew to the UK where I moved only three times within five weeks. Before I left I purchased a new 25" rolling suitcase with the newer swivel wheels. This was a revelation, as I was able to "walk" the suitcase alongside me instead of pulling it. I have some shoulder problems and the pulling is more difficult for me than actually lifting a suitcase.

My case weighed 16 kg. Along with it I carried a small travel case for a mini netbook, kindle, ipod, prescription drugs, etc. which sat on my suitcase. I carried a fairly large purse and my wallet had a detachable shoulder strap so I could use it as a VERY light purse while hiking. This combination of bags was convenient, as I was able to stow the purse in the suitcase during travel. Only the 25", the largest suitcase I've ever owned, was checked. It was no trouble getting on and off trains, planes, automobiles, funiculars and gondolas.

I took four pr. slacks, seven tops, a sweater, two light cotton jackets (that went with two of the slacks for a summer suit),one pr. pajamas, two skirts, one pair of sandals, one very nice pair of walking shoes and one pair of dressier, open toed slides. I could have done without the sandals as it was chilly; midway during my trip I sent the sandals and skirts home unworn, along with books I had purchased. I took far more underwear than necessary. I did laundry (or sent it out) four times at a laundromat because I will only wear clothing twice. Everything I owned had to be ironed, and there is no way it could have been washed out in shampoo in the hotel sink.

Although it was not really hot during my stay I was glad to have fresh clothing to wear daily. Several experiences on trains, planes and buses made me wish everyone was more concerned about such things.

danon

"10-15 pounds would imply something like 5-7 pounds of actual stuff in a typical roll-aboard. I don't think that most people get by with that little."

What we each carry are Bree ( very light) over the shoulder bags - no wheels! I carry a good size ( light) Lacoste purse, and he has another Bree (small) bag .
I don't wish to list what I ( or my husband) take for a 2 weeks , but only on a very few occasions it was necessary to purchase additional items.
I did look into luggage with wheels - the whole world is doing it- but the weight has always been a turn off.
In all fairness, I must say that 90 percent of the time we stay in apartments ( i.e. we have a washing machine) .

scotlib

An amazing thread to read and watch grow with the diversity of opinion.

I do hope summer08bride gives an update when she is back from her trip: what did she take and was it --for her -- too much, not enough, or just right?!

travlsolo2

An amazing thread is right! I can't believe I read the whole thing! I also hope she gives an update -- and reports on whether she would pack the same way for the next trip. I pack light and only carry on, but have sent items home after a few days when I realized I wouldn't need them.

Mimar

carhmil, how do you handle variations in weather? For instance, traveling in Britain in the spring, it can be warm and sunny, light jacket at most. Or cold, windy and rainy, maybe requiring an umbrella, hat and gloves.

annabelle2

This is hilarious! (Well, except for a few nasty moments...).

Conlet, I have also enjoyed using the local laudromats on trips. In Venice it was across from my hotel. In Germany once, a lovely lady walked me to the laundromat herself.

Dear summer08bride, as you have realized by now, you have opened the proverbial can of worms. I love these insane Fodor's packing threads, but there is no definitive answer, as you have gathered by now. You just have to go with your best intentions and see what works for you.

As for me, I am in the carry-on group, but I certainly don't care if others pack steamer trunks full of stilettos & flip flops (shoes for travel is another popular topic here...). Frankly, I would much rather check the darn bag and forget about it until my destination.

So, why carry-on? Just a couple of trips where I arrived but my luggage didn't (once, to Egypt, for almost my entire trip) convinced me that I like to take it with me.

I spent a month in Europe with a small roller bag carry-on and an over the shoulder satchel-type purse. On the plane I wore boot-cut black yoga pants and a zip sweater over a nice T.

In my carry-on, I had plenty to wear: three pairs of shoes, including low hiking boots, jeans (I have to have jeans), skirt, jacket, hiking shorts, a pair of capris, a pair of lightweight pants, assorted tops, bathing suit, large scarf for a wrap or bathing suit cover up, nightgown, underwear (microfiber, several days worth, easy to wash in hotel sink).

I am an effecient packer; still had room for all those things like guide book pages, binoculars, hat, washcloth, toiletries, etc. I wash things out in the hotel sink. I bring a very packable inflatable hanger and a few clothes pins. I usually bring a packet of laundry soap, but I admit I end up just using the hotel shampoo most of the time...

Even with a small-ish bag, I still had a heck of a time hefting my suitcase up and down those train stairs. Even with your lovely husband, you are going to have to heft the bags, so please follow the advice others have given you and really try doing this up and down your stairs.

I had packed an empty lightweight duffle into my suitcase; on the way home, I checked the roller bag (I was sick of those clothes by then, so didn't care when they arrived home) and used the other bag to carry-on my purchases, especially breakables.

janisj

Mimar: "<i>how do you handle variations in weather? For instance, traveling in Britain in the spring, it can be warm and sunny, light jacket at most. Or cold, windy and rainy, maybe requiring an umbrella, hat and gloves.</i>"

A folding umbrella, gloves, scarf etc take almost no room. The light jacket works in most any weather (well except maybe winter blizzards - but then you'd take a heavier jacket instead)

You just wear more/different layers under the jacket when it is cooler. If one has a mixture of short/long sleeved tops that can be layered, you are set no matter the weather . . .

fbc34

Before I say what I'm going to say, let me tell you that I'm an obsessive light packer. (I'm going to France for 10 days in October and already have my clothes picked out.) Everything mixes and matches, Small number of "bottoms," more tops, pages rather than entire books, etc. I've done three weeks in Europe with only carry-on. But I almost never carry on the airplane anymore. Did that for years, and was always quite proud of myself. But then I realized how much more comfortable my return trips were, since I always checked my bag on the way home. No pulling a bag around the airport bookstore, no worrying about overhead storage space. On my last trip I didn't even take a small carry-on bag, just my purse with a book and shawl in it. Heaven. Air travel is so hard these days, being bag-free is almost the only way to make it tolerable. I will admit I only do this if I have a non-stop flight. With a connection I'll take a small tote with at least a change of underwear, a clean top, and a full baggie of liquids. Happy travels, no matter what you pack!

thursdaysd

fbc04 - I check my bigger bag too, so I don't have to haul it around the terminal, and so I can bring the Swiss army knife and the metal nail file, and bigger bottles of toiletries. But I still don't trust the airlines, even on direct flights. My carry-on has at least a change of underwear, socks and top, plus the mini bottles of toiletries, ALL my electronics, ALL my pharmaceuticals and the guidebook pages for at least the first destination.

zeppole

I only do carryon but I have to say:

I love travelgourmet's posts. I think he or she has Fodor's nailed.

Also, just about the ONLY thing I pack in my carryon is underwear. All 19, 20 or 35 pairs of it.

BarbBelle

I'm English and I use Easyjet a lot. They are, in general, a good cheap airline but I beg to differ about the price of overweight luggage. Each person is allowed 20kgs of hold luggage for which there is a reasonable fee. After that you pay, in Europe, £12 (or $19) for EACH KILO overweight. So if you had an extra suitcase weighing 20kilos it would cost you an extra £240 or $380 approx. Just check their site. If you are going to take lots of luggage fly British Airways. It's cheaper in the long run.