I really admire you for managing this! I have only managed, so far, to downsize my suitcase. But not to carry on size!

It will be interesting to hear how you get on .... especially as it seems to me to be a place where I know I would go mad, buying stuff. How will you handle that? Buy another bag there, and pay the charge?

I am trying to think just WHAT takes up so much space, every time I try to cut back, and of course it's clothes, and product (hair, body, etc.)

I do colour coordinate.
I do buy small bottles, but just yesterday bought dedicated travel bottles for future use. I'm not aiming for just a carry-on yet, as I don't go anywhere I have to pay for checked bags, but I never seem to have enough space.

When you get back, let us know did you regret taking so little?
If not, then you will be an inspiration, to me at least.

Thanks for the tips, and good luck!!

It's interesting to hear how others like to prepare luggage for their trips.
In all the years I've been travelling I've never taken anything bigger than a rucksack. I've got packing it down to a fine art! Once you've done it, got used to rolling small items inside of other items, leaving unnecessary stuff out, you'll never look back.

I treat it like I'm about to go on a desert island. It works for me but we're all different.

Happy travels ladies and a merry Christmas to you all xx

Packing has always been a nightmare for me! Mainly due to having motorhomes for nearly 40 years and I could take 'everything' including the kitchen sink!! When I have to fly anywhere I just work myself into a nervous breakdown trying to keep it to one case and hand luggage.
My family & friends all make fun of me!
Jackie

Corkscrew!! dont use the bottles i suggested from primark put my white rum in them and they leaked so spelt fragrent all holiday wondered why all the wasps were following me................. M

Hey Jackie.
You're right about the motor home and not having to worry about a thing because you have it all with you.
I got rid of mine in March as I just wasn't finding I used it as much. My brothers now got it in France, plus it being left hand drive, suits the roads better there.
He absolutely loves it, but then he would....it's fully equipped right down to toothpaste and deodorant! :)

Just checked my flight details and its 23kg plus a laptop or handbag - thats fine - a small trolly bag is enough. Summer stuff is light and rolls up - its the shoes. Most hotels/whatever have decent toiletries for showering..also sometime we split the toiletries - one takes the toothpaste, one something else & so on. Unless you're going to the jungle - you can always get something if you need it.

Hi Ladies,
l think 4 days is relatively easy to do as most airlines will give you 10kg hand luggage allowance as long as you can lift it into the overhead locker.. One exception is Thomson's which l have just been on - only 5kg - so we had no choice to pay for hold luggage for a week.

Have a mighty 30kg for Emirates flight next month so l will be able to include a well wrapped box of wine - lol...

Where are you off to Sharyn ?

Val.

Hello Val Hope you had a great break...

So 23kg is brilliant then...?

Am off to Marrakesch also, beginning March - been before so know what to expect. Same as anywhere else apart from covering up a bit more. respecting their culture. I didnt see anyone wearing anything any different...apart from the locals but even then some dress European. You dont need a lot, we are there same 4 nights 5 days. it should be warmer then so get to chill on those lovely sunbeds..... Our hotel has lovely toiletries so will def be using their bath stuff..oh, took loads of wet wipes, used everywhere when we were out for hands as you cant be too careful as its not the most cleanest of places also my feet were black as I wore flip flops. Nxt time will wear plimmys...

Spk soon x

Hi Sharyn think the wet wipes are a good idea in Marrakesh - and like you Helena, Liz and I dressed with discretion to respect the more mature men in Marrakesh. The young guys wear western clothes but you are best not to go out with low cut clothing.
We were lucky this time going to budapest with Ryan Air they did not weigh our cases ! could have taken some wine with me although the local wine was wonderful bfn Michelle

This thread was purely for Carry on cases hints and tips and not check in luggage.

But thank you all for your input.

EasyJet have no weight allowance, as long as the carry on case is a specific size - that's all!

Please can we keep to ideas for "How you pack a carry on case" as not to confuse readers. Thanks.

FYI

•You are allowed one piece of hand baggage plus a laptop or handbag.
•A 23kg (51lbs) maximum bag weight applies and you must be able to lift the bag unaided into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin. Im sure no-one is confused.

PS - All airlines will vary on this

Hi Everyone enjoyed reading all the hints and tips brilliant Michelle

Yes maybe if quoting allowances you can also quote the airline travelling with - again as not to confuse readers.

Thanks.

My handbaggage quote is for British Airways - should any one of us get confused!. Im sure we are all quite capable of looking on our tickets.:O))

Hi Sharyn,
Had a great warm break thanks with lovely company - a bit of a shock to come home to this cold weather after enjoying 24 degrees....
Yes your weight allowance is good and no worries! Your holiday sounds great and l hope you enjoy it, something to look forward to.
Also agree with you nobody should be confused as we are all well travelled....l would pack hand luggage only -- as if l was going for a weekend away - easy.

Val.

Hi All not confused have travelled all my life but enjoy the forums to hear everyone's take on their travelling tips keep it coming thanks Sharyn - M

I have never had any trouble packing when I'm going away, but coming home my things seems to expande. Sure I am not the only one that experienced this weird phenomenon. I usually end up wearing an extra jumper and hide the big book on the sleave of my coat, which I am allowed to hold on my sholder ;-)

When you pack for a carry on suitcase, you need to be prepared for the most unkind size/ weight allowences. I speak from experience, trust me. To confuse even more the situation here is what happened to me 2 years ago. I was in Barcelona for 3 days in November. On the way out I flew Easyjet. Barcelona was lovely, sunny, 16 degrees and pleasantly warm. I looked out of my hotel window and saw Sagrada Familia, it was perfect, what could go wrong? Soon I heard that in the UK it started snowing. My first reaction was of regret that I was missing out on the lovely first snow flakes, but then it snowed for the next 2 days and caused major traffic problems in the south east, do you remember ? And when EasyJet emailed me to announce that they've cancelled my flight, it wasn't funny. I had to go back home! So I've ended up flying Barcelona - Madrid - Zurich - London with various airlines. In Spain I used a small local company, which I can't remember what was it called, but I can tell you that considering the competition for that flight all my stuff had to fit in my carry on bag as there was no way I wanted to pay to have my bag checked in for 3 flights. I learned my lesson, always be prepred for the unexpected.

Happy travels!

I used the very helpful tips that I got on this site back in July and August when I asked for suggestions on travelling only with hand luggage( one of them that I took up was yours, Morning Star, about buying liquid stuff in Boots once one had passed through security) and took a 30 litre rucksack for 12 days in Europe- hotels and hostelling, city visiting and hill walking- and still had space for the maps I accquired on the way. I did mean to get one of those lightweight towels recommended by one of the people who responded but forgot. Luckily, I only missed not having one once, as most of the places I stayed provided them, and it is amazing how well you can dry yourself with a cotton scarf. My biggest space saving tip will probably have the Fashion Police up in arms- make your own handbag. I've made a couple now out of fabric so they just fold up completely flat; the linings are waterproof and thus good for carrying wet swimming costumes. And make use of the all the pockets that trekking trousers have, however you may look a funny shape with extra socks and underpants stuffed in them .
Bon voyage in 2013