Hi,

Not sure if this will help you.

I travelled recently and didn't want to pay for the hold baggage, so just took a cabin sized case - I took the limited 10 items within a clear bag etc however, once you have checked in through security I then purchased my other bits and pieces in Boots - they scan it on your passport what you've purchased (I believe) and was able to take this on to the aircraft no problem.

Though, I did not buy scissors or nail clippers only liquiid toiletry essentials.

Hope that this helps.

L

Thank you. That was very helpful. I had forgotten that what you purchased once the other side of security could be taken on the plane. That would certainly help with toiletries. I don't suppose they sell things like scissors or nail clippers though. And I am still stuck with disposable lenses all being in their own liquid filled blister.

with regard to the disposable lenses, I would contact the airline. Surely these are classed as medical? You may have to hand them to the stewardess (perhaps)?? worth checking :-)

This web site has some really helpful tips.
http://www.onebag.com/
I have taken my lenses through no problem. But I have found daily disposables actually can be saved and used another day, which means you can take less of them. Just take the small screw top lense carrier, and when you open a new blisterpack, tip the liquid into it, for storing the lens again.
xxAnita

Hi, I don't suppose you can find scissors or nail clippers in airports, but once you've reached your destination buy a ladies' swiss army knife; you can find them everywhere. They are light, include scissors and nail file and only cost about 10 euros, which is better value then having your nails done or buying all the parts and it can be used also with other occasion during your trip. Although you can't take it back home with you, it can make a nice gift to somebody you've met on the way at the end of your trip. I hope this helps.
There are some really great tips here and you have definitely managed to encourage me to try to travel light. Thanks
Ana

Thank you to everyone all for your help, it has been useful. It is so confusing out there. Individual airlines and airport security systems seem to give different answers, what one airline says it will allow can be banned by the security system you go through. I didn't realise swiss army knives were so cheap.
Happy travelling.

Look for a simple swiss army knife, otherwise they can be very expensive.

how is everybody else travelling ? do you find that you are using only half of what you pack ? What is in your travel bag ? Share your tips and help others travel light and avoid baggage fees. What was your last trip and how light did you manage to pack ?

What is the situation with "medical" items - do you need a letter from the GP or other evidence ? (I can never travel with just hand luggage, as I invariably have to take several different prescription items for psoriasis with me, as my skin usually flares up with different temperature, water etc.)

I have been using carry-on only for a number of years - generally for 2 week adventure-type trips. I am a bit crazy about every ounce I carry, and have even resorted to some odd things I have read about like cutting part of the end off my toothbrush and hair comb just to limit what needs to squeezed into my bag. It is all about prioritization - I would rather a spare camera in case mine dies (like it did in sandy Egypt) than carry lots of clothes and accessories.
Liquid/gel limitations are generally the biggest struggle. Purchased a package of leak-proof refillable containers, and minimize everything. Found as many things as possible that aren't liquids - just love my new the Lush Shampoo/Conditioner bar - it replaced 2 bottles in liquid contanier. Use bar laundry soap to wash lightweight quick-drying clothes in the hotel. I also love olay face wipes - I cut each into 4 before traveling and they are still plenty big to wash my face thoroughly - just another crazy thing to do to save space and not worry about heavy luggage.
I have bought nail clippers in a market in Thailand, and extra face cream in a dusty shop in Boliva as needed along the way. Can generally find what I need if I need extra. Luckily I don't have to worry about contact lenses - not sure how I would solve that one!
Would love to hear other's ideas on how to travel in one bag for longer trips!

Sooooo.... I shall go straight to Lush for my shampoo/conditioner bar - many thanks for that brilliant tip - that's a major reduction of liquids. By the same token, there's Baby Bum Bar which is a moisturizer by Moon Valley Organics - obviously it's for baby's bottom but hey, if it's good enough for baby...

Hi, I also use the lush shampoo/conditioner bar and buy another one without the conditioner for washing clothes. Travelling for 3 months this autumn with 2 pairs of Tilley's knickers, quick dry, wicking, very little space taken up, also using quick dry super towel, packs into a small pouch. Using ziplock bags to avoid other types of containers but mostly to see items easily. Trying to cut down on packing but find an all enveloping poncho invaluable for covering me and the rucksack - cost about 50p years ago in Ecuador. Loving all the tips...

On my way to Munich. This is the first time I'M travelling just with hand luggage and I'm very excited I've managed to pack for a week without making compromises. Not bad hey for the first attempt. I'll let you know how I get on and if I've forgot anything ;))

Anybody out there trying to travel just with hand luggage for the first time? Tell us about it.

Some great tips. I don't usually go into the Lush shops, they make me sneeze! Any suggestions for where to get quick drying towels? I've tried some in the past and found them a bit odd but maybe I didn't use them properly. I have previously bought a tiny packet of soap leaves for washing clothes on a short trip, think it was from somewhere like Boots.

I agree, the Lush shop is a little overwhelming to the senses, but in a really quick trip in and out I was happy to purchase the shampoo bar.

I love my small little travel towel, it is a funny shiny polyester fabric almost like a quick dry sports top. It packs into a little ball in the bag provided, smaller than a tennis ball. It is just (and I mean just) big enough to wrap around me and cover the key parts. No special use requirements, it just soaks up so much water, especially when towel drying my hair, and dries so quickly. I had bought it at Europe Bound in Toronto, can't recall the brand name, but sure you should be able to find options at sports/travel shops.

I recently received 4 medium sized Eagle Creek Specter packing cubes for my birthday. They are featherweight, and I was shocked how much I could fit into each cube. 4 fit perfectly in 1 layer in my carry-on roller. Looks like they will be great for organizing and finding things quickly, instead of taking everything in and out of my compression bags (where you squish all the air out) every time I want to change. Will let everyone know how well these work . It seems that each night my bag explodes throughout my room, and when travelling I tend to repack and move on each day, and it really does become tiresome. Hopefully this will make packing/re-packing in hand baggage a bit easier.

hi All the cheapest plastic containers are in primark for £1 loads of bottles etc i use them for carrying vodka/gin also on a night out ! M

Michelle your a woman after my own heart i too carry the minitures for a night out only occasionally though but it does save a lot. Clever use of Primark containers

I really appreciate all your tips. Please keep them coming. I'm going to start up a new topic- markets- so if you have any suggestions at home and abroad please join in.

I hardly ever take in hold luggage and I travel all the time. I also have to take a notebook (laptop) for business. I wear an anorak with lots of large pockets including a back one I sometimes put a book in! I fill all these pockets with camara, chargers, heavy bulky items. OK I look like Michelin man but only for a short time and transfer them to a thin empty day bag for use abroad. I fill up an empty water bottle from the ladies after passport control. I take a thin pareo which does as a headscarf (for mosques, etc), a towel, a mosquito covering, a bikini wrap, tie four corners and it is a bag. Also try to take silk clothes, very thin and good for hot countries. Wear by walking boots, North Face trousers which unzilp to turn into shorts, wear layers, in fact not much clothing in my case at all. Pair of flipflops, pyjamas which double as trousers/top. Spent 3 weeks in Australia with only an inflight bag whilst my friend had so much I labelled her "the bag lady" - she spent most of the time looking for stuff in her bags! and didn't wear half of it. Nearly forgot also wear a bumbag or under clothes money bag, does not count as a handbag.

hi annie thanks for all your brilliant hints and tips really useful Michelle

I also travel only hand luggage, have done a 3 month trip this way.

I note the scissor problem but I have fold up scissors that are always in my hand luggage and never get questioned.

Had a problem when I did a short hop on a charter that allowed only 5 kilos but just wore everything all at once ( what a sight I looked ) put it all on in front of check in staff as they kept weighing it until finally down to 5 - checked in, then took it all off again. They just had to keep to the rules as to what the bag weighed at the time of check in.

There were quite a few in that queue whose bodies weighed much more than double mine but of course that isn't a problem!

Starlight, You win top prize for ingenious thinking!