Packing tips..
 

So little luggage so much to pack... <BR> <BR>We want to carry on our bags instead f checking them - more for ease of carrying than anything else. <BR> <BR>I had read/heard something about siplock bags and avoiding wrinkles and taking up less space - can anyone shed some information? <BR> <BR>An other packing tips also greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>SuzyQ

Hi Suzy <BR> <BR>The bags you mention are like zip-locks, but are thicker and have a one-way opening at the bottom so you can expel all the air. That causes your clothes to be more compact and take up less space. To find them try a travel store or travel department in a large department store. I have also been told that K-Mart and WalMart carry them. Get three or four (don't get the huge ones that are larger than your luggage). They also help to organize your clothes, and if you pack carefully, you'll find that your clothes are less wrinkled.

Another thought: stick with true travel clothes. I splurged on Ex Officio pants (four pairs) and various microfiber shirts from Columbia, Royal Robbins before I left. (Shopped on the NET just before I left at REI Outlet and Ex Officio's site). The material takes up amazingly little space and weighs next to nothing. My boyfriend packed basic cotton T-shirt and dockers--the difference in weight and space requirment was amazing--so much so that he had Ex Officio pants fed ex'd the day before we left. In addition to the packing benefit, the stuff is wonderfully comfortable, cool and PERFECT for travel--especially the pants that zipper off into shorts--perfect for Italy's churches. Enjoy!

I used the Hefty Jumbo Storage Bags bought at Giant grocery stores or Target, they are 2 1/2 gallons and you get 10-12 for about $3.50. They worked just super, I needed to pack enough clothes for a month long trip to France which included clothes for the warm south of France and cooler Paris. They worked extremely well, wrinkles weren't a problem, I kept the clothes in the bags so I could sort through my suitcase and just pull out what I wanted. The only problem was that I was able to pack so many more clothes using the ziplock bags that I went way over the weight limit for my one piece of luggage, I was using a very large suitcase!! I loved the ziplock packing technique and you don't have to purchase special travel bags.

Suzy <BR>Just one opinion-- <BR>I am one of those who urges people to keep their luggage light and manageable <BR>(something I only occasionally succeed in doing myself) because it becomes such a burden to get heavy bags on and off trains, buses, planes, through terminals, through streets, etc. <BR>However, give yourself and others a break and check your overseas bag, and just board the plane with a carryon containing the emergency or comfort items. Not only will you avoid having to carry through the airports what will probably still be a heavy bag, but after a many-hour overseas flight, waiting another 15-20 minutes at the baggage carousel shouldn't be too burdensome, unless you are truly pressed for time. <BR>You may be one of those admirable travelers who is able to pack belongings for a two-week trip into a small tote bag, but if you have anything larger or heavier than that, even if it is officially carry-on size,perhaps you don't need to drag it on and off the plane, not to mention taking up space in the overhead or under your feet. <BR>Also, some airlines limit carry ons substantially by weight in addition to exterior measurements--last time I checked, for example, British Air limited people to one-carry on weighing less than 13 lbs.

I agree with Elaine about checking your bags. My husband and I just had one backpack each (plus I had an Eagle Creek Wanderer daypack), but the backpacks still were fairly heavy and over the BA 13 lb. limit. We had a connection through Gatwick, and I was glad not to have to deal with the bag there (or on the airplane, either). When we arrived at CDG, it only took about 15 minutes for our bags to come rolling off the carosel.

We fly from Orlando to Cincinnati to Paris to Rome (using frequent flier miles through Delta/Air France). We will each have a carry on size piece of luggage. With that many plane changes, would you still advise to check our luggage? My husband's luggage was lost in Madrid last year, hence the paranoia.

My hit rate for baggage arriving when I do is about 60%; I do NOT want to spend my first 2 days in Europe waiting for my suitcase to show up, instead of hopping a train to wherever. I do carryon only, and here's how: <BR>1) 2 days' worth of shampoo, toothpaste, etc. I buy what I need when I get there; little foil sample packs of face cream, perfume, etc. <BR>2) everything out of the box and big container. yeah yeah you're supposed to keep your otc pills in their original containers, but I pop the Drixoral out of the foil bubble and throw it in a small bottle that has some aspirin, some ibuprofen, some sleep aid, and some cold tablets. <BR>3) every garment does double duty (my bathing suit is a maillot that doubles as a bodysuit; ballet slippers that double as bedroom slippers and dressy/non-walking shoes), every top goes with every bottom. No froufrous that take up room (narrow legged pants, no bell bottoms; no ruffled tops) <BR>4) I don't need a bathrobe, a beach cover-up, pajamas...long t-shirt does it all <BR>5) 1 book for the flight over; if I finish it, I leave it in the seat pocket. I buy books to read as I travel <BR>6) Unless you're a serious birdwatcher, you don't need giant binoculars; leave the currency converter at home and write out an index card or print something from the internet; don't bring guidebooks (print out one sheet of info per place and throw it away when you've visited; most museums have free guides/maps or buy a fancier one if you want). <BR>7) Decide what you absolutely MUST have, and get the smallest/lightest weight one you can find (I hate getting rained on, so I have a teeny Totes umbrella that weighs about 3 oz, but I don't give a damn about curly or dry hair, so no curling iron or hairdryer; you might have unruly hair and need the hairdryer, and be happy with a little plastic rainhat). <BR>8) Give up having a different outfit every day; get used to wearing the same things over and over. Everybody buys souvenir t-shirts; wear them on your trip. <BR>9) Get the lightest suitcase you can; straps, convertible backpack&gt;rolling bag, zippers, materials, etc. all add weight. Decide what you can live without, and buy a paired-down suitcase. <BR> <BR>For me, it's not a sacrifice to do this; you have to decide if it is for you. <BR>

Suzy, I agree with Elvira's comments. Traveling light is a great feeling! I suspect it might be related to the "living simply" concepts of paring down, reducing, reusing, etc. Try this website for tips on packing. <BR> <BR>http://www.oratory.com/travel/index.html

I totally agree w/ elvira and suzy. I have not chacked a bag (exept on BA with their 5 kilo rule and on a couple of small commuter planes) in over 10 years. But don't get the idea I wear the same things over and over or look like a bag lady. I can easily do 3 - 4 weeks in a 19 or 21 inch rollaboard and have plenty of variety. <BR> <BR>Usually I split my time between major cities where I like to dress up and country where I walk and hike. If every top goes with every bottom (skirts and slacks - never jeans since they are too heavy and take to long to dry) you can get 20 or 30 outfits out of a few garments. I do use broomstick or knit skirts so wrinkling isn't a problem. I wear Softspots or similar shoes that double duty for casual walking and dressy. and accessories go a long way towards making you think you are "dressed up" scarves, costume jewelery, etc really make a difference and take almost no room. <BR> <BR>You can be the best dressed person in the place and your bag only weighs 15 lbs or less. Very liberating!

Eastpack has packing bags (check travelsmith.com) which I used on my recent trip - really great. Kept the wrinkles to a minimum (comes with a folding board), allowed me to keep my clothes organized and to unpack fairly quickly. <BR>As for the 22" travel cases and not checking them so as to save time - there is still debate about if they fit in the travel compartment not to mention the amount of space you're hogging in relation to other passengers bags - of course then there is invariably some person who is all thumbs and hits someone while getting down their case. <BR>Of course the downside to checking your bag is what if the airline loses it - and it does happen. I bought a Tume 22" expandable (checked that ) and a Tumi overnight tote (which I put under my seat - which contained enough clothes for three days & toiletries). I used the packing bags for both my 22" and tote - they worked great. Just be sure to put a notecard in the bag you check with your name, the hotel's address and phone, etc.

Don't buy special bags - use Ziploc freezer (or regular) gallon size bags, put your small clothes (underwear, t-shirts, nighties, a face towel, WASHCLOTHS if you're going to Europe - there are none there)in them, kneel on them to press out the air and close. I was able to press an ankle length nightie into a nine inch square 1/2 inch thick in a ziploc bag. Use dry cleaner bags in between each layer of clothing - they don't take up any space and you won't have any wrinkles - really! You can wrap your shoes stuffed with socks in them to to keep your clothes from getting dirty.

I am a light packer and because we wanted to carry on our luggage on British Airways in April I pared our duffel-type bags to thirteen pounds. As it turned out the person at check in didn't even weigh our bags; she said she could tell by looking at them that they were acceptable. We also take travel or sample sized shampoo, tooth paste, etc. and buy those things when we arrive. We always plastic-bag our clothes. I like the bags that are made for space saving (bought on sale at Walgreens) as they are more durable than zip lock bags, but zip locks work okay. On the return trip we check our bags as it is no big deal if they don't arrive when we do. Last year one bag went to Madrid from Brussels while we went to Atlanta. (We have never lost a bag.) Elvira and Janis are my kind of packers! Happy travels!

I'm from the "elvira school of packing." BA losing our luggage for six days once was enough for me. My hubby and I now travel with one leather duffle each (not very large--fit easily into the overhead). As someone mentioned earlier, they never weigh it. All you have to do is get it up on your shoulder when you check in & I think they assume it can't weigh a ton (wrong, but that's what luggage carts are for). It's SO nice heading for customs when the rest of the plane is waiting for luggage at the carousel! I swear by zip lock bags, as well. Undies & socks in one, toiletries in another--you get the idea. When you get to the hotel you just toss the bags into the drawers. I travel with 2 pair of black slacks & 1 khaki, a couple of long sleeved knit shirts and a couple of short sleeved. One black wool blazer and a couple of scarfs to dress things up. If I need anything else, I buy it there. HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

anything with packing you should buy the fodors book "How to pack" it tells you every thing from how to pack to what to pack and what to pack it in. happy packing

Well, just back from 3 weeks out of a carry on bag - here are my thoughts:<BR>1)two pairs of shoes worked just fine...I bought $125 dress walking shoes a month before we went, and wore them with dresses and pants. Others were a pair of heavy walking shoes-well broken in.<BR>2)Wore two pairs of dark pants nearly all the time. Did not wear the dress I arrived in (tenslon) again as clingy rather than billowy was clearly the favored style.<BR>3)Took a really nice tailored sweater to use as an all purpose coverup (my flaws being on the bottom end) It dressed up the pants I wore, when paired with a tailored top.<BR>4)stopped wearing nylons on the second day, except when dressed for dinner.<BR>5)Was glad I took my coat - very cold in Austria and Switzerland<BR>6)Did without hairdryer - but their's are a weak subsitute.<BR>7)Bought a microfiber -Jones New York- purse for about $60 b-4 leaving - and found it light and yet expandible. I limited myself to one guidebook and map, and found my general well being much improved by not carting 50 lbs of books around like on previous adventures.<BR>8)Used a checkbook register for expenses.

I have also started using the zip-lock containers as well as the bags. I find them perfect for making little kits. I find them easier to find and pack than the bags.<BR><BR>I heartily recommend just carry on - our family of 4 flew phoenix to london via twa (1 stop) and just had carry ons. Recently I went with one carry on - my friend had a 60 opound duffle bag coming back - ugh!

KPoland, tell me about the "dress walking shoes." I'm trying to decide what to include aside from a comfortable pair of sandals. I want comfort and a covered-toe shoe, but know that sneakers are not an alternative. Describe what you bought/wore and enjoyed.

We're leaving for Amsterdam Saturday. Unfortunately, I'm one of "those" people who doesn't know what they want to wear until they get up in the morning so I have the tendancy to over-pack when taking trips not knowing what I'll need. This trip, I'm determined to pare it down drastically! I usually come back overloaded from purchases overseas. You're suggestions are great. Especially the Ziplocs. I've used them before for toiletries, etc. Great advise, ladies!

Great exchange folks! My best tips I got from Oprah - Put each dress, jacket, not to be wrinked item on hanger in it's own dry cleaner bag. Next cut a cardboad piece the size of the inside of your suitcase. Then pack shoes, undies etc in bottom of suitcase, lay cardboard on top, stack sweaters, foldable tops etc on cardboard. Lay pants with waists at lid end on top of sweaters with legs hanging out over handle. A few at a time lay hanging items in bags moving back and forth as you lower them within the suitcase. Pull pant legs over hanging things and close suicase. No creases in pants. When you get there hang up hanging items and pants, lift out cardboard and there's the rest of your stuff.

Leaving Friday and I finally starting getting my clothing together - I discovered agreat thing about summer travel - you can over pack and still travel light.<BR><BR>Summer clothes take up so much less room than winter clothes that I can afford to throw in some of the maybes and that extra pair of shoes!<BR><BR>Donna

Donna;Buon Viaggio!<BR>Pam

For Joanne....Try ECCO walkers-nubuck black. They are the most dressy comfort walking shoes on the market. A close second is Rockport World Walkers, again in black nubuck.<BR><BR>Good luck

I just bought Mephisto "Nada" sandals for 50% off at Nordstrom ($90 per pair!) and they are perfect travel shoes, as they go with skirts and dresses as easily as pants.

Please tell me, am I the only "under-packer" here? I always find that I get to my destination and decide I did not bring enough to wear. I ALWAYS pack way to light. When I get home I am dying to wear fresh clothes! :-)<BR>Anyone else?<BR>Marlena

To the top - what a great thread!!!

Well I am the "slightly wrong" packer. I remember what I didn't have or needed to have differently from the previous trip -- I change for the next trip and then find the first trip "assortment" would have worked better for the current trip! I chalk it up to some, as yet unnamed, universal law.

What is the weight limit on international flights? I always found that my backpack was OK on flights. I think the Eagle Creek packing system works great. Nothing wrinkles and the pouches keep everything orderly in the backpack.

My corollary for s. fowler's unnamed universal law is that it doesn't matter what I pack because it's always the wrong thing! Seriously, I find it more difficult to pack when I'm spanning seasons. For example, we're going to Italy in October when the weather will probably vary. So do I pack for hot weather or cold weather? If we were travelling in January the weather would be more consistently cold, so it'd be easier to decide what to take.

YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK. I cannot travel with less than 3 bags (including my camera bag) I carry 2 changes of clothes which fill up one bag. My carry on bag is on wheels with a strap to hold my checked in bag.

I have traveled to Europe 17 times and the airlines have NEVER lost my luggage (and each of my trips have involved connections out of London or Amsterdam).<BR><BR>Couple of tips on how to lessen the chances of losing your luggage (I've learned these from talking to airline desk clerks, baggage handlers, and people who continually lose their luggage!):<BR><BR>Remove ALL tags from previous trips. If your ID tag is from an airline that is different from the one your are currently flying on, fill out a new one from the current airline.<BR><BR>Show up to the airport on time. Late arrivals tend to lose their luggage.<BR><BR>Don't overpack your bags. Heavy bags seem to get lost more often.<BR><BR>Have some sort of unique identifier on your bag, like a sticker or ribbon.<BR><BR>Obviously, things can still go wrong, but I'm not about to give the airlines any additional help when it comes to losing luggage.<BR><BR>Double-check that the desk clerk has the correct connection information, if your luggage is being checked through.<BR><BR>Be nice to the desk clerk! People can be vengeful!

I find that when I check my bags in late they are the first to come off the plane...I don't check them in late intentionally though...

Thanks for all the wonderful tips. <BR><BR>Tonight is packing night so I sure can use them.<BR><BR>This board is a wonderful place!<BR><BR>Donna<BR>

To the top!<BR>I have been acquiring a black and white wardrobe for traveling, but would still like more advise on shoes and weather for London and Paris in August. Thanks for all the great tips!

Mine is black, beige and a kind of green/gray -- white [for me at least] gets too dirty too fast! <BR><BR>Shoes are a personal matter. I wear easy spirit tie shoes that are not clunkers and ecco sandals, which,while not the last word in "chic", have a certain panache to them. My feet are happy -- that means *I'm* happy:)<BR><BR>Now a question: What's wrong with black socks and sandals?? Granted I wouldn't wear them with a light beige outfit, but with a dark gray and or black outfit I think they look better than light colored socks. I LIKE wearing socks with sandals for a little protection and to absorb some of the foot ummmmmm.... "dew"?

sfowler-you're a Brit, aren't you? Are you also wondering what's wrong with wearing a hanky on your head?<BR><BR>Socks should never, ever be worn with sandals. Light or dark. After all, what's the point of sandals if you're going to wear socks?

Now *thats* funny:) I'm quite "American" indeed! [But I live in the midwest, which might or might not explain anything:]<BR><BR>And I'm going to need a better reason that it just isn't done:) The advantage? It is cooler than closed shoes and I feel a little more protected.<BR><BR>More voices here?

Sally: Sandals with socks?? Huuuh *never* !<BR><BR>You can find nice comfortable shoes, something between closed shoes and sandals that look great without socks. I usually take very soft and almost flat Italian loafers that I have been wearing some time already and I normally change the shoes in the evening. However, for myself, which shoes to take is always kind of a challenge.<BR><BR>

I don't get the ziplock bag thing. I guess I will have to try it when I get home, but I would think this would take up just as much if not more room?

John - I had never tried the ziploc bag thing before either. Until last night when I finally decided it was time to pack (I leave in 2 days). It worked wonders! If you roll your clothes and put them in the large freezer size bags and push all the air out of them, it's great! Not only is everything spill/leak-proofed, but organized! (which is something I'm not) If I'm looking for something, I don't need to go rooting through my bag to get it! I managed to get all of my clothes in 4 large freezer bags - and I'm going away for a month!