Need tips on packing, don't want to check in baggage.
Apr 8th, 2011, 08:56 PM
#41
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I am a converted "carry-on only" traveler. DH and I each have a roller style carry-on. In our personal item ( a backpack for each of us) we carry a laptop and DSLR camera with extra lenses, travel books, and liquid items. Our last trip was 3 weeks in late September and October. I did lots of reading about what to take and how to pack on this forum, all the information was very helpful!! I wore jeans and packed 3 pairs of capris, 5 t-shirts and 2 sweaters, a rain jacket, socks and underwear and 2 pairs of sandals. I wore a good pair of walking shoes during the flight because they took up more room.
I also packed 3 medium sized microfibre towels. I used them to wring out clothes when I did laundry, used one as a table cloth when we had picnic lunches, used them as beach towels and wrapped breakables in them to come home.
Enjoy the freedom of carry-on only travel!!!!
I also packed 3 medium sized microfibre towels. I used them to wring out clothes when I did laundry, used one as a table cloth when we had picnic lunches, used them as beach towels and wrapped breakables in them to come home.
Enjoy the freedom of carry-on only travel!!!!
Apr 8th, 2011, 09:06 PM
#42
Baggallini makes a travel bag (microfiber I think? but tough) that folds into a small square but enlarges to carry on size or larger. I pack that with me and on the way home, I put the soft items (clothes we've worn etc.) in there and check it on the way back and take my purchases in the carry on on the plane.
Also -- I tried a 3 pound carry on bag with shoulder straps the trip before last and was dying...the roller bag (carry on size) is my only way to go for Italy trips with train rides, changing hotels, etc.
Finally -- hanging your clothes on hangers every night in a well ventilated area--I usually use bathroom doorway if there's moulding around the frame--or the knob of a wardrobe closet if not--makes a remarkable difference in urgency to launder. If the clothes can dry out, they will freshen up and be good for another wear at least. Makes a huge difference. Another tip is the Rick Steves clothes refresher spray -- doesn't have the tell tale scent that Fabreze has. For undies I do wash with woolite packets in the sink or if desperate use shampoo and rinse well. I use fast drying ones that are still comfy.
Also -- I tried a 3 pound carry on bag with shoulder straps the trip before last and was dying...the roller bag (carry on size) is my only way to go for Italy trips with train rides, changing hotels, etc.
Finally -- hanging your clothes on hangers every night in a well ventilated area--I usually use bathroom doorway if there's moulding around the frame--or the knob of a wardrobe closet if not--makes a remarkable difference in urgency to launder. If the clothes can dry out, they will freshen up and be good for another wear at least. Makes a huge difference. Another tip is the Rick Steves clothes refresher spray -- doesn't have the tell tale scent that Fabreze has. For undies I do wash with woolite packets in the sink or if desperate use shampoo and rinse well. I use fast drying ones that are still comfy.
Apr 8th, 2011, 09:15 PM
#43
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All of these tips are AMAZING!!! I love the idea of the baggalini, hanging up the clothes to ventilate, Rick Steves refresher, microfiber towels for picnics (love this idea, we plan on LOTS of picnics, maybe I can find some towels with grapes or italian themed ones!)
I just need to print this all out and highlight the heck out of it.
You guys will turn me into a seasoned traveler yet!!
GG
I just need to print this all out and highlight the heck out of it.
You guys will turn me into a seasoned traveler yet!!
GG
Apr 8th, 2011, 11:27 PM
#44
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In your husband's defense, bear in mind that men's clothes take up much, much more space than women's clothing. I'd estimate that, if the wife and I were to pack the same number of outfits, that I would have At least double the volume of clothing. Worse, given differential rates of stinkification (I sweat more than she does, as do most men), I probably get half the wear out of my clothing that she does. So, double the volume, and double the need. Not a great combination, and something to bear in mind when reading the packing lists and suggestions on this site, which are dominated by women's needs.
And, yes, I know Rick Steves packs in a carry-on, but he looks like Rick Steves. Two pairs of lightweight pants, one pair of shoes, and a handful of shirts is pretty meager. He does suggest bringing a tie, though I can't figure out why, since wearing a tie with travel pants and walking shoes makes you look like a jackass.
And, yes, I know Rick Steves packs in a carry-on, but he looks like Rick Steves. Two pairs of lightweight pants, one pair of shoes, and a handful of shirts is pretty meager. He does suggest bringing a tie, though I can't figure out why, since wearing a tie with travel pants and walking shoes makes you look like a jackass.
Apr 9th, 2011, 06:30 AM
#45
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Regarding small containers for liquids my 3 tips:
(1) skip Shampoo, most hotels even low-budget now offer shampoo. Instead do a 3-oz vial of Conditioner. Often I don't want to shampoo yet again, just rinse out my hair & condition.
(2) take 2-3 small EMPTY plastic vials ... Dump hotel shampoos into one, to consolidate; PLUS hotels often have detergent around, fill a vial with that, for hand laundry.
(3) take EMPTY half-size water bottle ... fits better into day-bag, carries as much as u need
(1) skip Shampoo, most hotels even low-budget now offer shampoo. Instead do a 3-oz vial of Conditioner. Often I don't want to shampoo yet again, just rinse out my hair & condition.
(2) take 2-3 small EMPTY plastic vials ... Dump hotel shampoos into one, to consolidate; PLUS hotels often have detergent around, fill a vial with that, for hand laundry.
(3) take EMPTY half-size water bottle ... fits better into day-bag, carries as much as u need
Apr 9th, 2011, 06:47 AM
#46
The mention of Rick Steves is a good one. I like to be a little more fashionable then he dresses (lol) but go to his website for packing tips. He even has photos illustrating a carry-on only suitcase for men & women.
The airing out of clothing is a tip I learned from a girlfriend living in Europe. They don't seem to feel the need to wash everything so often, like most US folks do. I do wash out undies in the hotel sink using the hotel soap, roll in a towel then hang to dry. I pack 2 plastic hangers in the bottom of my bag for doing laundry in the room (often hotel hangers are wood and hooked to the rod).
The airing out of clothing is a tip I learned from a girlfriend living in Europe. They don't seem to feel the need to wash everything so often, like most US folks do. I do wash out undies in the hotel sink using the hotel soap, roll in a towel then hang to dry. I pack 2 plastic hangers in the bottom of my bag for doing laundry in the room (often hotel hangers are wood and hooked to the rod).
Apr 9th, 2011, 09:43 AM
#47
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Some great suggestions here!
For azzure and others recommending use of ziploc bags to compress clothing -- do you find the clothes to be extra-wrinkly on arrival? That's been my experience with using "space bags" for off-season, but maybe that's because of the length of time they are stored.
For azzure and others recommending use of ziploc bags to compress clothing -- do you find the clothes to be extra-wrinkly on arrival? That's been my experience with using "space bags" for off-season, but maybe that's because of the length of time they are stored.
Apr 9th, 2011, 09:57 AM
#49
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"He does suggest bringing a tie, though I can't figure out why, since wearing a tie with travel pants and walking shoes makes you look like a jackass."
and those shirts with short sleeves are not helping!
It is true that clothing for men takes up more space ( and it is heavier). My husband's size 12 shoes are constantly "under review".
and those shirts with short sleeves are not helping!
It is true that clothing for men takes up more space ( and it is heavier). My husband's size 12 shoes are constantly "under review".
Apr 9th, 2011, 08:26 PM
#50
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Travelgourmet,
Thanks for the info about mens clothing. My husband is a big guy both in height and umm girth
But he also has been known to wear the same pair of casual pants and polo shirt (pink in color, he tells me he is secure in his masculinity) for a week before I called my attorney. He has no hair so I do not have to worry about packing shampoo for him. I'm wondering, if he leaves his teeth behind that would be one less thing to pack and I wouldn't have to pack his adhesive junk or cleaners!
I also liked the idea of just using the hotel shampoos. One less thing to pack!!
GG
Thanks for the info about mens clothing. My husband is a big guy both in height and umm girth
But he also has been known to wear the same pair of casual pants and polo shirt (pink in color, he tells me he is secure in his masculinity) for a week before I called my attorney. He has no hair so I do not have to worry about packing shampoo for him. I'm wondering, if he leaves his teeth behind that would be one less thing to pack and I wouldn't have to pack his adhesive junk or cleaners! I also liked the idea of just using the hotel shampoos. One less thing to pack!!
GG
Apr 10th, 2011, 06:28 AM
#51
The thing you have to watch, in my experience, using ziplock bags to condense the size of clothes is you can in fact make them a lot smaller... which also makes them a lot heavier!
Using this method too much can make a carryon suitcase that is the correct size, overweight for some airline.
(for Moongirl, the clothes I travel with don't wrinkle bad, plus most I use the ziplock for things like socks & undies, so no that wasn't a problem)
Using this method too much can make a carryon suitcase that is the correct size, overweight for some airline.
(for Moongirl, the clothes I travel with don't wrinkle bad, plus most I use the ziplock for things like socks & undies, so no that wasn't a problem)
Apr 10th, 2011, 12:31 PM
#53
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suze, thanks for the info on the ziplock bag experience. I think I, too, be more inclined to use them for things I didn't expect or didn't care as much about getting wrinkled. (Some wrinkles are inevitable, of course, it's just those ones that appear permanently etched in your clothing I like to avoid).
Apr 10th, 2011, 01:41 PM
#54
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For what it is worth regarding wrinkling....if you roll shirts/tops they do not get as wrinkled as there are not so many fold lines. Obviously you do have to fold back the sleeves before rolling up tightly.
Apr 10th, 2011, 06:32 PM
#55
I never used to consider packing cubes and "envelopes," as they seemed like more weight and fuss. But after last couple of trips I am a believer-- I pack the clothing in the envelope (eagle creek) and pack undies and socks in a cube. Keeps me organized and adds almost no weight.
If I didn't use those I would roll the clothes as suggested above.
Btw powdered soap powder (in smaller ziplock bags) won't be a bother with the liquids limitations, but again for undies hotel shampoo will do in a pinch.
If I didn't use those I would roll the clothes as suggested above.
Btw powdered soap powder (in smaller ziplock bags) won't be a bother with the liquids limitations, but again for undies hotel shampoo will do in a pinch.
Apr 10th, 2011, 08:09 PM
#57
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Coincidence is a marvellous thing. I am in the middle of drafting a blog post on the subject and just saw this thread. Lots of good tips here.
Just a few I use, most of which have been mentioned:
I travel alone with a 10Kg carry-on and a 7kg computer bag (like the messenger bag mentioned). It's a little more difficult alone because some essential items can't be spread across another's case. Also, for that reason, on my next trip the computer bag may also have wheels. Even 7kg can get heavy when you're lugging it up a steep hill to a hostel in Aguas Calientes or any place where foot power is the only transport.
I use a EEEPC900 netbook; it weighs less than one kilo and is magic for wifi net access (which I often use for en-route bookings), storing backup emails, bookings, city guides etc. And, when you have net access, for translating some things. The netbook and all the electrical stuff - chargers, connecting leads for cameras, phones etc, power socket convertors etc - go in the computer bag.
I pack a week's underwear but only one spare pair of drip-dry trousers (I wear the jeans) and two spare "real" shirts, a couple of knit shirts and one spare pair of shoes plus thongs (flip-flops to USAians). I'm afraid as a mere male the colour co-ordination is irrelevant to me; I am only interested in functionality Zip-locs for the mandatory 3-1-1 security liquids, (be aware that medications don't need to go in that) plus a couple of spares and supermarket plastic bags for dirty laundry.
There's more, but that's enough for my memory span for a brief post.
Cheers, Alan, Australia.
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com (Travel Tips From a Peripatetic Wanderer)
Just a few I use, most of which have been mentioned:
I travel alone with a 10Kg carry-on and a 7kg computer bag (like the messenger bag mentioned). It's a little more difficult alone because some essential items can't be spread across another's case. Also, for that reason, on my next trip the computer bag may also have wheels. Even 7kg can get heavy when you're lugging it up a steep hill to a hostel in Aguas Calientes or any place where foot power is the only transport.
I use a EEEPC900 netbook; it weighs less than one kilo and is magic for wifi net access (which I often use for en-route bookings), storing backup emails, bookings, city guides etc. And, when you have net access, for translating some things. The netbook and all the electrical stuff - chargers, connecting leads for cameras, phones etc, power socket convertors etc - go in the computer bag.
I pack a week's underwear but only one spare pair of drip-dry trousers (I wear the jeans) and two spare "real" shirts, a couple of knit shirts and one spare pair of shoes plus thongs (flip-flops to USAians). I'm afraid as a mere male the colour co-ordination is irrelevant to me; I am only interested in functionality
Zip-locs for the mandatory 3-1-1 security liquids, (be aware that medications don't need to go in that) plus a couple of spares and supermarket plastic bags for dirty laundry. There's more, but that's enough for my memory span for a brief post.
Cheers, Alan, Australia.
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com (Travel Tips From a Peripatetic Wanderer)
Apr 10th, 2011, 09:09 PM
#58
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<I>I travel alone with a 10Kg carry-on and a 7kg computer bag (like the messenger bag mentioned). </I>
FWIW, this exceeds the published coach limits on virtually every European carrier. Enforcement of those rules is sporadic, but if one is flying on European carriers, make sure you have a back-up plan, in case you have to check a bag or two.
FWIW, this exceeds the published coach limits on virtually every European carrier. Enforcement of those rules is sporadic, but if one is flying on European carriers, make sure you have a back-up plan, in case you have to check a bag or two.
Apr 10th, 2011, 10:01 PM
#59
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"FWIW, this exceeds the published coach limits on virtually every European carrier."
I've found that depends. Most allow a computer bag as well as carry-on. Most also allow a quite large women's handbag as well as the carry-on.
However the el cheapos like Ryanair (strictly one of 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm) or AirBerlin (must not weigh more than 6 kg (8 kg incl. laptop) and the dimensions must not exceed 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm) are stricter, as you say. I always check the carrier's or airport's rules in advance and I am always prepared to check the heavier bag if required.
I've found that depends. Most allow a computer bag as well as carry-on. Most also allow a quite large women's handbag as well as the carry-on.
However the el cheapos like Ryanair (strictly one of 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm) or AirBerlin (must not weigh more than 6 kg (8 kg incl. laptop) and the dimensions must not exceed 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm) are stricter, as you say. I always check the carrier's or airport's rules in advance and I am always prepared to check the heavier bag if required.
Apr 10th, 2011, 10:08 PM
#60
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A Fall wardrobe is easier to organize in one roller carry on.
Contrary to others, I recommend jeans, 2 pairs each of both black and blue denim with some spandex for comfort. Hems can be tucked under for heel heights. Leggings are also easy. Flat boots are more comfortable and give better support when walking. They will work with jeans, leggings and a skirt. Two or three longer style sweaters, and an anorak style jacket (detachable hood is even better) will service you well. Take a half dozen lightweight long sleeve tops in basic colors with varying necklines, 2 or 3 camisoles or tanks, which can be layered, or worn under sweaters for a dressier evening look. A pashmina and several brightly hued scarves will complete your look. Throw in an extra pair of shoes, or buy something special in Italy. Ballet flats can double as slippers. Pack a cute rain hat, just in case, and a compact light weight umbrella. Utilize a small zip lock bag for your make up. Sample size cosmetics are perfect. Large zip lock bags hold travel size items, toiletries, etc. Double or triple up for 3 weeks worth. Speciality creams and liquids should be transferred to 3 oz. plastic bottles and jars. Hotel soap, shampoo, conditioners, and moisture creams are fine. Use shampoo for washing lingerie. Some will object, but I purchase some toiletries at my destination and discard unused portion when leaving. The cost is moderate. I am a clean and modest person, but I have never washed my jeans. I am traveling....not digging ditches. And inexpensive clothing is abundant in Europe, should you required it. Four sets each of lingerie will do the trick...wear, wash, dry, extra. You can make do with 3 pairs of PJ's. Store hair brushes, etc in another zip lock bag. Store all prescription and necessary medications in a zip lock bag. And, yes, you can find whatever else you may need in the local pharmacy. A cross-over body style handbag is safe and functional. Mine holds more than enough and includes my Nook, global phone, traveling documents, cosmetics, money/credit cards (of course), and personal items.
To pack my clothing by category, I utilize lightweight, zippered sweater bags which I purchase at my local discount/dollar store. They hold more than zip locks, weigh and cost less, and make traveling and packing a breeze. Never travel with expensive jewelry or sentimental items which cannot be replaced.
I always pack a lightweight soft duffle and check my roller bag for the return flight home. Italian indulgences are hard to resist.
Believe me, the items I have suggested will serve you well for 3 weeks.
Have a wonderful time!
Contrary to others, I recommend jeans, 2 pairs each of both black and blue denim with some spandex for comfort. Hems can be tucked under for heel heights. Leggings are also easy. Flat boots are more comfortable and give better support when walking. They will work with jeans, leggings and a skirt. Two or three longer style sweaters, and an anorak style jacket (detachable hood is even better) will service you well. Take a half dozen lightweight long sleeve tops in basic colors with varying necklines, 2 or 3 camisoles or tanks, which can be layered, or worn under sweaters for a dressier evening look. A pashmina and several brightly hued scarves will complete your look. Throw in an extra pair of shoes, or buy something special in Italy. Ballet flats can double as slippers. Pack a cute rain hat, just in case, and a compact light weight umbrella. Utilize a small zip lock bag for your make up. Sample size cosmetics are perfect. Large zip lock bags hold travel size items, toiletries, etc. Double or triple up for 3 weeks worth. Speciality creams and liquids should be transferred to 3 oz. plastic bottles and jars. Hotel soap, shampoo, conditioners, and moisture creams are fine. Use shampoo for washing lingerie. Some will object, but I purchase some toiletries at my destination and discard unused portion when leaving. The cost is moderate. I am a clean and modest person, but I have never washed my jeans. I am traveling....not digging ditches. And inexpensive clothing is abundant in Europe, should you required it. Four sets each of lingerie will do the trick...wear, wash, dry, extra. You can make do with 3 pairs of PJ's. Store hair brushes, etc in another zip lock bag. Store all prescription and necessary medications in a zip lock bag. And, yes, you can find whatever else you may need in the local pharmacy. A cross-over body style handbag is safe and functional. Mine holds more than enough and includes my Nook, global phone, traveling documents, cosmetics, money/credit cards (of course), and personal items.
To pack my clothing by category, I utilize lightweight, zippered sweater bags which I purchase at my local discount/dollar store. They hold more than zip locks, weigh and cost less, and make traveling and packing a breeze. Never travel with expensive jewelry or sentimental items which cannot be replaced.
I always pack a lightweight soft duffle and check my roller bag for the return flight home. Italian indulgences are hard to resist.
Believe me, the items I have suggested will serve you well for 3 weeks.
Have a wonderful time!
