I would LOVE to travel with only carry on for 4 days in London - I strongly believe this is VERY doable. My problem is I will be traveling with two teens - one female and one male but honestly he primps like a girl.

My question is advice from other who have traveled with teens and been able to pack light.

We have talked about the pain of wait at airport - pain of packing it on the tube and to hotel.... losing it...

I have told her I will help her pack - if she wont wear it more than twice it doesnt go - we will use trial toiletries - and share flat iron - its not negotiable!!

We will be in London March 12- 16.

will we need winter coat???? if so we can wear it... not pack

thanks in advance

You are the Mom. If you want to just do carry on, then just do carry on. She can take however much stuff she wants as long as it does not go over the weight and size for carry ons. I have a daughter that took 9 pairs of shoes to a 2 week vacation in Malta! She had to carry it though.

Yes,, I would take a coat to London in March. Perhaps something waterproof?

I haven't traveled with teens since I was one, but will attest to the pain of hauling a large suitcase around the tube, or anywhere, really. Not fun. But for four days, a carryon should be no big deal at all. A three-ounce, TSA-approved size of toiletries should easily last you that long - plus I find that I really don't need as many toiletries as I think I do.

Regarding the flatiron - if you're from the US, just wanted to make sure you're aware that most US flatirons won't work in European outlets without an adapter and converter. (And even then, I've heard that's not foolproof - I haven't tried it myself, but others have had bad results.) You might try just buying an inexpensive one in Boots or somewhere when you arrive, if it's very important to you or your daughter. It may not be a great piece of equipment, but it would get you through, and be better than hauling a converter with you or frying your nice straightener.

A pair of yoga pants, pjs, two pairs of jeans or other comfortable trousers, 5-6 shirts, two pairs of shoes and small toiletries, socks, etc. should easily fit on your person and in a carryon if you pack well. No bulky sweaters (layers are better anyway). And you'll have one "personal item" in which you can carry books, camera, iPod, etc, at least on your way there. (On my last trip you were allowed only one carryon item leaving the UK, but I think that changed fairly recently. If not, you can check the suitcase on the way back.) Really doable. And yes, take a coat! A waterproof one, to be more precise. And an umbrella. You may have great weather, but you very well may have chill and rain.

I don't know if your teens care, but I would just note that teen fashion differs from country to country, and s/he may want to take a look on the internet at what is in style currently, partly to avoid sniggers in the Tube and partly to assess what they want to buy and bring home in a checked bag. In general, what they see there this winter will be here next winter or the winter after.

We always do carryon only, and that includes our teens. On our last overseas trip, our DD was 16, so I know what you are up against

We were gone for 10 days, and still had plenty of room in our bags. We took 21" bags, wore our jackets, and had our purses out. DD did leave her flat iron at home at the last minute, and during the trip she commented that she was glad she didn't haul it with her.

She took a couple pairs of jeans, but also several skirts. Most of her items were able to be mixed and matched. Of course that is really easy with jeans, lol. Take a look at your DD's items and see which ones are the easiest to care for. Less wrinkles, packs small, etc.

When we have gone in the winter, we have still managed with just carryon, even for 3 weeks. What works for that, which might be what you need for London in March, would be some good long underwear. There are some very lightweight ones that do a great job and you don't feel so bundled up. I took one bulkier sweater, and wore that, and then had some various mock turtlenecks and shirts to wear under.

DD commented on our last trip that she was really glad we travel light. She said this after we had boarded a train

We are headed back this summer for a week, and she is already starting to think about what to take.

I taught my mother how to pack light and she was amazed. She didn't think she could do it, but now she raves about how much she loves it.

I forgot to mention shoes. On our last trip we each had 3 pair total. Wore one pair and packed two. Pack undies/socks inside the shoes to save room, and I put the shoes in dry cleaner plastic bags. Those take up no room, but keep the shoes from getting other items dirty. You definitely want at least 2 pairs of shoes so your feet stay happy.

oh2doula,

I have one teen daughter who I've been working on about this for 2 years. She has split the zipper on her carry-on but she has improved with each trip. The other daughter is not so bad.

We've been all over Europe as we are here on an assignment in Zurich. Layers are the trick - jeans, a few Ts, and a few sweaters should work for everything and everywhere. I also have my girls pack one pair of black dress slacks and ballet flats for the nicer restaurants. They wear sneakers (yes, so do European teens) and also their coats on the plane. The ballet flats take up less room in the bag. We all have tiny umbrellas from Esprit.

Things I've forbidden from their bags:

1. Hairdryers - almost every hotel will have one they can use.

2. Their large bottles of shampoo and conditioner. They must transfer this to the small travel bottles or make do with what is at the hotel. They like their own and are picky, so they do carry it even though I will use whatever is available at the hotel.

The one thing they will not get rid of:

1. These enormous hairbrushes they consider a necessity. I don't get it, but I have given up.

2. Although they often forget their cameras, they will not go anywhere without the iPods and chargers. Well, they are so small it's not a problem.

Until recently, I had them put everything they were taking on their beds for me to look over - I suggest they adopt a color theme and usually at least one black sweater. Then have them put one or two outfits back in their closet. If they roll up their pants and sweaters they will be able to fit everything much better and it won't wrinkle. This is an army trick my Dad taught me.

Try to discourage sweatshirts with hoods. My girls love to bring them, but they take up a lot of space.

Have fun!

gruezi

Oh, one more thing, instead of PJs, have them bring lightweight black sweatpants. These are good for lounging around the hotel room and also for wearing to bed.

For 4 days all you need to pack is one pair of jeans, one sweatpants and 4 tops if she refuses to wear the same one twice. A thin sweater or two to put over top. Yes you will want winter coats at that time of year. And good footwear for all the walking.

I can't recall which city you are from, but chances are it won't be as crowded as London is. Getting on and off the tube, you need to move smartly, and not take up too much room or cause too much uproar. There isn't time to play around with heavy suitcases. It's not scary or anything, you just need to be aware and considerate of fellow passengers. The tube can get crowded with people - visitors, and those getting to and from work - depending on the time of day.

thanks for all the great advice. we have talked about two pairs of jeans - comfy pants to wear there and back - layers - limited shoes - not planning on too dressy restaurants.

my other concern is buying goodies while in London -

one bag full of out clothes and one personal item carry on - bag/purse.

can we carry a "bag" with all of our souveniors in it in addition to carry on and purse???

shipping would also be option.

travelodge said they have hairdryers at reception - should we worry about having one availabe??

I'm sure they have enough hairdryers on hand - you could make them reserve one for you if you are really worried. North American hairdryers get kind of wrecked anyway with the voltage difference - they're never quite the same when you get back home.

Check with your airline about the personal bag coming home from London. It may have changed since last winter, but Heathrow had a restriction that you could have a purse OR a carrybag as your personal bag, but not both. I had to put my purse inside my carryon bag (no mean feat). This rule might have been changed (I am leaving in about 10 days so I guess I should double check as well!) When you see the lineups for security you'll understand why they need to restrict people!

Shipping is indeed an option, but pricey!!! So try to pack it all if you can. You could always pack a small foldup bag that you could check on the way home.

I know its really early but I did a trial run - NO problem using a carry on - two jeans - 5 shirts- undies, socks, flatiron, toiletries and stil half a bag for goodies - camera and travel guide will be in my purse with passport...

if i can do it she can do it!!

thanks

shoes is an issue - i only want to take one pair for walking and maybe pair of flats but i hate tennis shoes with jeans and i have a black pair that would be good for walking but with my comfy pants on the plane not lookin good - maybe a black pair of comfy pants...

You wont need long underwear in London in March. You don't need long underwear in London ever.

CarrieAnn--Our DD was glad to have her long underwear in London. The time we were there, it was the last week of Feb. and snowing. So it just depends on the weather,IME.

I'm from Missouri, United States - it gets really cold here - dont want to take the long underwear unless i need it.

we will be there march 12 - 16

You won't need the long underwear in March. Even during this latest so-called "cold snap" in England a person wouldn't need it, especially since you're well used to winter temperatures.
Gosh, I frequent places that go down to 30 below and I never need it.

Regarding the question about being able to take a bag of souvenirs in addition to your carry-on and purse - nope, it won't be allowed.

I pick up a cheap duffel bag and pack up all my souvenirs. Then I check my dirty laundry back to the states and carry my precious souvenirs on - after all, it's easier to replace clothes than souvenirs you had to travel thousands of miles to get. (And if my bags get lost going home, no big deal.)

any MUST that i might not think of???

gloves?

had thought about packing a compass any thoughts??

as far as shopping with a teen - on a budget - where do you suggest?

hoping to hit Portobello - Borough - spitfields -

cool funky fun stuff

&quot;<i>You don't need long underwear in London ever. </i>&quot;

I just about always take a silk long underwear top on any UK trip between Oct and April. It takes up literally NO space in the carry on and is very warm. It means having to wear fewer layers on cold days and being warm enough on REALLY cold days. I take silk bottoms on Dec-Feb trips - but just tights the rest of the time.

I've been known to more than once wear the top alone under a cardigan or nice jacket in the evenings. Plus they dry in an hour or two.

Yes, take gloves... if you need a winter coat (which you will) I'd take gloves, scarf, even a hat. None will take up much room. I think the long underwear question depends on your tolerance for cold. Check the weather forecast before you go, but janisj is right - they take up very little space, if you get the right kind. I'd rather have them than not if I'm spending a lot of my day walking outside, which you probably will be.

As far as shopping, there are a lot of British chains that have trendy clothing. A walk down Oxford Street will take you to several (try Next, Primark, I'm forgetting some). Honestly, the clothes aren't that different than in the States and the prices definitely aren't cheaper (except for Primark, in my experience, and you get what you pay for), but if she just wants to say she got something in London, it's a start. Others will know more about markets, but you might look into Camden Market. I always hit H&amp;M because I'm not near one at home, but if you're close to St. Louis then you have a few there. I'd stick a flat duffel bag in the bottom of your carryon - takes up no room, and you can check that with dirty clothes on the way home, as others suggested.