As the current thread about taking only carry-on proves, there are plenty of people who prefer to travel without checking luggage. If you aren't one of them (us) please stick to that thread (it's actually great reading). But for those of us who do want to travel with only carry on, it's getting harder and harder with the "one-bag" rule in the UK (and a few other places I've heard of), very low weight limits on some European carriers, and the fact that once you get to the check-in desk, it doesn't really matter what exactly they post on their website, they can be (and sometimes are) stricter than they say and there's not much you can do about it.

Or is there? So I hope people will share their strategies for packing to comply with all this. I'm not talking about "cheating", but I've been on both sides of the situation where one person is allowed past with alot more than another person is. It often depends on the gate agent.

So here's my latest strategy. I have two mesh packing bags (about 10x14x3inches) into which go my clothes, separated by outfits. So each bag has a few complete outfits. Then there's the toiletries bag (with the liquids in a ziplock inside it, ready to be pulled out at security). Then there's a very thin fold up tote bag. In my purse (also very thin material and squishable) go my cameras, chargers, cell phone, ipod, etc plus guide book info, reading book, journal, etc). And then there's my rain jacket into which I've added a couple of extra interior pockets.

Everything fits into the 20x14x9 suitcase if it has to. If it's over weight I put on the raincoat and load the pockets with the heavy stuff (electronics, books). If some gate agent decides I can't take my 20 inch bag (it happened last year in Paris checking in for an easy jet flight, and one other time in Venice on my way to Prague) then I pull out the tote bag and stuff my purse and one of the mesh clothes bags and the toiletries bag into it. That's always light and small enough to count as carry on. In that case I'm only checking an almost empty suitcase with some extra clothes.

It may sound complicated but with most stuff in bags, repacking at the airport takes only about a minute, and I know where everything is.

So what are your strategies.

Isabel I fully respect your "restrictions" on this post as as someone who recently actually traveled with only carry-ons for the first time ever I can appreciate the convenience, etc.

But, I still would like to know what the "strategies" are for laundry that people like you use, especially if you are gone for two weeks?

This has been one of the biggest limiting factors for us.

<<< But, I still would like to know what the "strategies" are for laundry that people like you use, especially if you are gone for two weeks? >>>

I find washing powder, a hand basin & water works quite well

Im with Alan..I traveled for 4 month when I was back packing as a student with one bag. I only used a machine once. I still travel with a hand wash policy. It is very easy if you plan properly. All of my tops can be hand washed. I always do my good undies in the sink anyway (I must confess a jelaby addiction and they dont go in the machine). My trousers are dark colored so they last a day or 2 longer and they too can be washed. Another trick to help re packing in general is I never ever carry full size anything (except mascara and lip stick). I use samples and have small travel containers which I keep full with products I cant live without, I am off this pm to the UK and still not sure where else (business so the office tells me wish it were the other wa round). I have to pack not being sure re the second stop..oh and on a Lear so the bag is about 18x12x9.

Re the laundry issue - I actually wash out some things in the shower - using shampoo. Or else I use the sink. My travel companion on my last trip actually washed jeans in the tub, as well as other items. I know lots of people don't want to "waste" travel time doing laundry, but on a two or three week trip I actually need some downtime once in a while in the room and don't mind doing a little laundry.We're only talking abouat 15-20 minutes or so. On a trip of a week or less you might not want to "waste" the time, but then on that short a trip you won't need to.

I'm still interested if others have strategies for getting through check-in, security, etc. - ways of packing that give you more flexibility.

Regarding laundry. I travel solo and stay mostly at B&B's. I have found that if I ask the owner if I can wash out a few items by hand, they often respond by saying they will do a batch for me at no extra cost. Perhaps they take pity on an older retired guy.

Thanks for the tip about packing separate outfits in separate cubes. You are a lot classier than I. Two years ago my sister and I ran into a low cost flight where they told me my carryon was too heavy and I would have to check it. I had a couple plastic grocery store bags so I pulled out one and rummaged around for change of underwear, fresh top, toothbrush and camera and jammed them into the bright yellow "Price Chopper" bag.

My sister rolled her eyes and quickly took off. Once settled on the plane, she said, "I didn't know what was worse; to walk with a bag lady or to let you put that thing in my tote."

I have to say, I really don't understand the whole washing all of your laundry in the sink thing. Why wouldn't you just bring it to a same day or next day full service laundry? Are you trying to save money? Can you not find any where you are staying? I usually travel light (22" backpack), even if I don't carry on. I just bring 1 weeks worth of cloths and take my laundry to a full service laundromat once a week. It usually runs €10 - €20. I have never had difficulty finding one. Usually I try to find out where there is one near where ever I am staying 1, 2, 3 weeks, etc. into my trip. I can't imagine wasting time washing my underwear in the sink to save €20.

ripit - don't know about others but I don't wash things out in the sink to save money, it's more like if I end up wearing a few items more than I planned and/or they got dirty faster then I just wash out those few items. Not worth bothering finding a laundromat and spending the time to do a whole load of wash. That I only do on a long trip. A couple of light items every few days is just easier in the sink.

I still hope someone has some clever ideas to share about ways of packing, etc to comply with the one-bag and weight rules. Anyone?

ripit

Main reason is that I never have too much to wash at any one time. On a 2 week trip it's mostly underwear & socks that get washed. Most of my other clothing dries overnight & I would never take jeans on a holiday as they are a pain to dry in under 24 hours without outside assistance

And anyway it only takes 5-10 minutes to do a couple times a week. I spend more time than that waiting for a kettle to boil

Hi, y'all

"I find washing powder, a hand basin & water works quite well"

well, what else are bidets for?

regards, ann

Not with my back - besides I know what people do in bidets, putting MY smalls in the same place is not my idea of fun

Isabel,
It sounds to me like you have the best plan. We just finished a 2 week trip with only carry on bags. I did a similar thing with the tote, but we weren't flying to the U.K.

I found a small nylon (lightweight) duffle and stuck my purse inside it along with a book, chargers, phone and few other odds & ends. Then I cinched up the ends of the duffle to make it look as small as the top of my rollaboard.

If you're worried about the weight, you should start with the lightest weight bag you can find and pick clothes that don't wiegh very much.

Some toiletries, like lotion & shampoo & stuff you can buy when you get there or use the hotel stuff. Things you can't live without like makeup, take only enough to see you through your trip.

You'll do fine.

Some of them you've mentioned --

I wear my sweatshirt (bulky + heavy for carryon) -- or tie it around my waist. I make sure I'm wearing the 'heaviest' pants, shoes, etc. most times, you can even hand carry an extra sweatshirt or sweater or coat as necessary.

I buy the liquids that I need that are too big for my quart bag -- shampoo, conditioner. I find its fun to go on a 'search' mission for those things and if you make a mistake, it won't bankrupt you.

If its winter and I'm taking a coat, I use my Columbia coat with lots of pockets. I fill those pockets with heavy things -- cell charger, battery charger, etc. Small books can fit in the pockets, too. I realize that my coat may target me as an American, but I find the pockets invaluable. You could probably buy cargo pants and load the pockets too

Since I weigh significantly less than a full bodied male, I feel justified adding 15 or so lbs. and off-loading my carryon...

Carryon only person here - on one trip, halfway through while staying in San Gimignano, we had our used clothes dry cleaned overnight. Worked great - you're right about it being a "strategy" now. I also take individual packets of Woolite to handwash smaller, lightweight items which would be inappropriate to dryclean.

ripit: I very seldom have enough laundry to go to a launderette. Just a few undergarments, socks maybe a blouse. Takes 3 minutes in the bathroom basin. If I did have a ton of laundry, then I would use a wash/dry/fold service at a neighborhood launderette.

But for 3 or 4 things that easily dry overnight it is just faster and more convenient to do it myself.

My best strategy is to use those mesh packing cubes. The standard set of three: two small and one larger exactly fit in my carry-on bag. I use the smallest for underwear and a set of pajamas and maybe socks, the other small one for tanks/tees and an electrical adapter and the largest for my bottom skirts/pants. By this point there is barely room for my small toiletries case (squoosed almost flat since I have to wait to fill it until after security)and a pair of flip flop sandals for the hotel and shower. I scatter some Woolite and Shout wipes packets here and there and can usually add my first aid kit and a flat expandable tote for shopping. (On the trip home I sometimes stuff this with what is now laundry and ship it through, using the carry-on for the souvenirs or breakables bought on the trip.)Sticking to the rule that if can't fit in the cubes it can't come forces me to streamline my wardrobe choices. I am really fastidious but when traveling have no problem wearing the same bottom piece at least three times in a row. This way you pack the same for one week as for longer- hand wash the undies and tees if you can, and do-or pay for- laundry on a day when you aren't on the move. If I am traveling for more than two weeks I like to have a day to sleep in, do the laundry, and then do something later in the day. That's my strategy: try the cubes and stick to only one week of clothes- about three tops and three bottom pieces. Oh- and you can't take a lot of shoes! My method means wearing my heavy pair on the plane and my ugly Crocs in the suitcase..

When I was younger I could travel anyplace with a pair of black jeans and wear them, well, A LONG TIME. After a week or so I'd go to a laundromat.

Now, I do Chicos stuff - the synthetics that dry really quickly.

When my hubby and I went to Ireland last month, we only took carry-ons. Granted, we were only gone for a week, but hubby is 6'1, 250 lbs so his clothes are probably larger than average. Our strategies were:

l. Only take clothes that can be layered & mix/matched. For us, 3 prs jeans/slacks each, 4 colored Tshirts each, 3 camisoles for me, 4 pr thin socks each, 4 shirts for DH, 2 sweaters for me, 1 lightweight jacket for me, rain jackets for each, 2 prs shoes each and a week's worth of underwear each. This list included what we were wearing when we boarded the plane.

2. We have found the packing light method works best for us. http://www.packinglight.net/plight/text_1.asp?tx_id=90 We once traveled from FL to NJ for our son's wedding and even packed a suit and long gown using this method. Everything arrived wrinkle-free.

3. We only used travel size everything.
(toiletries, umbrellas, etc)

HTH!

I had always hated the idea of wasting time doing laundry while on a trip. My mom, on the other hand, considers it a necessity. In recent years I have become more flexible.

On a recent two-week trip the the UK, mom and I actually stopped twice to do laundry-once in England and once in Scotland. I found it to be a nice break, and it gave us the opportunity to chat with the locals. I did not consider it to be a waste of time at all. Plus, having freshly laundered clothes was a big bonus.