To ask how on earth people pack light?!

@NeedSomeAnswersPlease the BA allowance is huge! I don't think you should have any problems at all - I hear what you are saying about needing lots of clothes but clothes aren't the main issue with packing light. You can take fresh clothes for the evening, rewear the bottom half during the day a couple of times and you'll be fine. Day shoes are travel shoes so you one have to pack one pair of sandals for the evening. Light weight Mac, one warm jumper and one evening cardi.

Toiletries etc are where the problems lie. Sounds like you are going as part of a couple? Can you either share items with your partner if he or she is high maintenance or slip a few bits into their case if he or she are low maintenance??

How about you write down everything you feel you need to bring and people can suggest areas you can trim?

I thought you were going to say you’re on one item only - BA hand luggage allowance is huge!

I take up to 40-50 flights a year. I can do rucksack only for up to a week, and rucksack + cabin suitcase for up to 3. I only ever take checked luggage if travelling long-haul or somewhere I won’t have access to regular toiletries / specific energy snacks I need for work.

4 days (even if that means 8 outfits) can totally be done on hand luggage only.

I’ve just come back from 2.5 weeks away and packed roughly as follows.

Cabin suitcase:

• 3 pairs long summer trousers
• 1 pair shorts
• 4 dresses
• 5-6 tops
• 2 jumpers (thin Primark type ones)
• 2 pairs of sandals - wore trainers on plane both ways
• Complete work outfit consisting of pant suit, top, blazer and flat shoes
• Underwear, socks, bras (about 4-5 of each)
• Bikini
• Hair straighteners
• Make-up bag (brushes, powders, mirror, hair ties, razors, cotton pads etc, see below for liquids)
• Chargers - phone, iPad, laptop, kindle, battery pack, headphones - these add up

Backpack:

• All tech
• Wallet
• Another jumper for plane
• Books + work gear
• Water bottle
• Liquids (took only perfume, moisturiser, foundation, and some liquid medication. Rest can be bought cheaply at destination)

I am already unpacking otherwise I would attach a photo. I don’t get why people always book hold luggage for short trips (unless for pure comfort, in which case fair enough!).

It can be done OP. The suitcase doesn’t need to close nicely while half-empty like you see on TV. You might need to squeeze it a bit, but it will fit.

You can rewear stuff. You can give it a quick wash at the Airbnb in the evening, get excess water out by tightly rolling and squeezing stuff into a towel, then air overnight and it will be dry by morning.

When I don’t have access to a washing machine past those 7-8 days’ worth of clean clothes, it’s a great and easy solution. Takes 5 mins tops.

Edit to add 2 pair of PJs to that list - have just taken them out of the suitcase 😂 and to second the idea of rolling stuff into footwear - socks, underwear, other small bits. Wrapped in a clean plastic bag if you already need to do it on way out. Way back who cares, they’re already going straight into the laundry.

I've just done this for 4 nights away! Pack light dresses that fold down easily. Packing cubes will help - squash them down. Blazer and bottoms can be reworn but take 4 tops. Wear your heaviest pair of shoes, jumper and coat. You can take a rucksack as your handluggage for all your liquids and chargers. Wear PJs for 2 days.

A dressing gown !!

Yes, definitely you're not going to pack light if you're taking stuff like that. If you're staying in an air bnb or hotel, there will likely be a hair dryer so no need for that.

It's about multifunctional pieces like leggings and then sharing toiletries / using small ones, precharging things like electric toothbrushes or bringing small not electric ones, a tangle teezer instead of a big hairbrush etc.

Two pairs of shoes max per person including the one you're wearing - often DH make does with one. The only things you really need are your phone, passport and bank card + a charger to share.

This is my forte, I actually enjoy it. I go Ryanair freebie small bag option or other airline equivalent usually 3/4 days when on city breaks. As others have said you need to double up on a couple of items. Also light material dresses are perfect for rolling up. It's footwear and toiletries that are the bulk so I suggest day footwear is what you are wearing to travel, like smart trainers or comfy sandals and then another footwear for your evenings, a light sandal perhaps. Stuff pants and PJ into the footwear packed. Only take the minimum toiletries wise or the buy at airport option. I would wear

D1. Casual skirt / shorts with smart T
Then change into light weight dress
D2. Same skirt / shorts with new T
Change into another lightweight dress
D3. Casual day dress
Change into night1 dress
D4. Wear D1/D2 T with another skirt / shorts D1 T
Change into another night dress

So 2 x skirt or short, 2 x day T, day dress, 2 x night dress, sandals

But I think you've space for much more than this! This is me rolling everything into the freebie carry on, in my small backpack

We're going to Switzerland for three days later this week, we each have a backpack that fits under the seat and they have plenty of room left over

The shampoo and shower gels we are taking are hotel toiletries from our holiday in Greece, so tiny also each have small deodorants and body sprays, travel toothbrushes etc

Small jacket/cardi for evenings will be worn on the plane, shorts tshirts and jumpsuits do not take much room, pair of lightweight sandals fit easy and then wear trainers

Trick is you wear the bulkiest outfit - my daughter (21) has gone to Tenerife before with her shorts and crop top under a jogging suit so she can strip off in the plane toilets (it was January)

OH and vacuum pack the clothes. Nobody cares if they’re creased and you save SO much space.

3-5 outfits only for 10 days. Everything can be worn 2-3 times. Are you going to an AirBNB or similar (with a washing machine)? This could cut it down still further. If in a hotel you can always use the hotel cleaning service in a pinch. Take tiny toiletries only and check on what’s provided in your accommodation. Period: use a menstrual cup or disc. Takes up the least amount of space compared to a stack of tampons and pads. Or just buy tampons and pads when you get there and jettison the rest if needed.

Sounds like somebody really needs a Kindle!

We always go away in Europe with just cabin bag and and small back bag….we going for 12 days in a couple of weeks….it’s a bit of a squeeze but always fit stuff in…..roll everything don’t fold…..buy toiletries when you arrive if you going for a week or more…..use the hotel ones if going for less ….wash the top you wearing first day and wear it 3rd or 4th day….same with your knickers and bra…..at least half the people on a European flight travel without hold luggage these days…..it really isn’t difficult

I’m a master at packing light!

Take the number of tops you need — e.g. four, but make sure you take a cardigan/jacket and some skirts/shorts/trousers that go with all the tops. Then two dresses or jumpsuits. Wear the bulky stuff (eg trousers and jumper/cardi/jacket) on the flight. I take my le Pliage rucksack that folds up super small and can usually fit in another pair of shoes. Then enough pants for the time you’re away too!

I decant into travel bottles and just take cleanser/toner/moisturiser, sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner, plus minimal make up, mini deodorant and stuff to clean my teeth with. Plus a hairbrush and I’m ready to go. I also use a menstrual cup, which is fab when you’re travelling.

Then a good book and you’re ready to go!

Use vacuum pack bags to squeeze more in

I had a similar dilemma recently, 4 days abroad for a hen do, with multiple different activities booked that required different clothing, fancy dress etc.
I needed a new hand luggage case anyway, so I got this https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8672557?clickPR=plp:22:37
It was brilliant, fit everything in - it has SO much more space than my previous Tripp case. Highly recommend this!

@dizzydizzydizzy But the OP has the most generous carry on allowance on I've ever seen. She doesn't need special clothes or to spend her evenings washing everything out.

She could probably take 6-8 complete outfits, shoes, toiletries, sanitary protection, electronics and chargers and it would all go in the bags they're allowed.

It can be done. You have to be brutal in deciding what to take. Buying lightweight clothes that dry quickly when washed is essential. So no denim, a fleece rather than a sweater. Be prepared to wash out clothes before you go to bed.

I lived for 9 months with 2 pairs of trousers, 2 shirts, a fleece and a waterproof jacket, and a swimming costume. I was backpacking in Latin America in all kinds of climates.

Its easy. Plan properly. Roll your clothes dont fold

I adopt the "I've got my passport and a credit card" approach. I can buy anything I need desperately out there. 4 sets of knickers, two pairs of socks, leggings, a dress, shorts, a vest and a t-shirt. Pajamas, my toothbrush and travel size shampoo and conditioner. A pair of practical but smart shoes. Wear trainers and a hoodie plus jeans. What else do you possibly need?

OK reading other posts now - people take hairdryer and dressing gown on holiday?? It's another world out there

Agree with others re decanting shampoo etc into 100ml bottle - between you - will be plenty. Minimal make-up - who's gonna see you? I took too much make-up to Paris this week and it was so so hot I never wore it.

Shoes are the issue - someone says wear trainers and take xyz other shoes - I suggest literally one other pair and they need to be tiny, so wear your bigger shoes and then pack a pair of either flipflops or flattttt sandals - whchever is better for your evenings. We used to go to the seaside UK for a fortnight and I found that walking boots and flip flops covered literally every possible need apart from going for a run.

Travel clothes is a really good idea - who cares what you look like on the journey home so for sure you can wear them again.

This

Four days on the BA cabin allowance should be easy. It's not even really packing that light, I did a week's hiking and swimming holiday in Spain on the Jet2 allowance which is not quite as generous, including fresh clothes to go out in the evening and a big towelling robe because it was in November so not that warm after a sea swim.

4 nights is not long at all. I would do:
Travel day: trousers, t shirt and a hoody plus trainers
2 evening outfits and one pair of shoes
2 daytime dresses, 2 pairs of shorts, 4 t shirts, another cardigan. Light rain jacket if needed. One pair of flip flops. Underwear doesn’t take up much room and I’d take a small tube of travel wash in case of period problems.
A wash bag with travel toiletries and make up. A wash bag with painkillers and pads/tampons.
phone charger, battery pack, iPad and headphones.
I am not sure what else I’d need as an adult and it should easily fit in 10kg

I love hand luggage only. We are going away next week for 8 nights and I am taking

3x swim suits
3x daytime dresses
2x beach cover ups
1xdaytime flip flops
2xevening flip flops
5xevening outfits

We are staying in a hotel so pool towels provided and hairdryer in room. I just take make up as liquids and buy everything else either at the airport or when we get there.

Or Dr. Beckmann Magic Leaves Laundry Bio Sheets, you can easily tear them to size and they're flat like paper so easy to pack. Don't need to take the whole pack, just what you might need.

I can't do it. used to have to do it when travelling for work drove me mad. now I pay for a checked in bag 20kg regardless of cost. is this an option ? I like a choice specific items and also like to buy when there

Hey @NeedSomeAnswersPlease only read your posts but the BA hand luggage allowance is more than generous - 23kg plus a handbag!

Make the handbag a small rucksack and you can get a lot in there. Then wear the heaviest shoes and pack a pair of light sandals. Wear trousers or shorts twice. Take spare tops and one dress for evenings - if that's all you are using it for you can rewear it unless you are very messy (! I am!)

We recently flew with Ryanair which allows a single bag of 20x25x40 IIRC - not much bigger than the BA handbag - and I easily got in enough for three nights in an Air BnB so no hotel toiletries. Took three dresses, flipflops, underwear and tiny skincare items, a (paperback) book, an empty handbag, it was fine. Wore trainers, dress, cardigan, sunglasses. Less is more.

(I should add that I will avoid at all costs checking luggage in as an airline lost my luggage for about four days once. But that's just my stuff.)

One pair black linen trousers
Denim shorts
Dress that could be a day dress or dressed up with jewellery - I have a camel shirt dress that is good for this.

Smart trainers - wear on plane.
Sandals
Thin jacket wear on plane
Cropped trousers/ jeans wear on plane
2 t shirts one light one dark or coloured maybe one fitted and one baggy and maybe cropped plus one shirt / blouse
Some accessories to dress up outfits.
Possible a jumper or cardi.

Travel day - cropped jeans / trousers t- shirt, jacket and trainers
Evening - linen trousers, t shirt with sandals jacket and jewellery
Day - denim shorts and t shirt from night before plus trainers
Evening -cropped trousers, shirt and smart trainers plus jewellery
Day - cropped trousers and t shirt with shirt open over top
Evening - dress with Jacket and trainers or sandals
Day - dress with sandals and jacket
Evening - Linen trousers and fitted t shirt, shirt over and trainers

Then repeat some previous days. If you can fit another t shirt or vest top in even better.