Travelling with just a hand bag- with kids!

[WhatsHoppening]

The mayhem at most UK airports recently has made me assess our holiday in august. We have booked a 20kg hold bag but after a colleague queued for 3.5 hours to collect their bags on return I want to avoid if possible. Airline won’t let me swap a hold bag for a cabin bag now so I’d have to pay again.
Is it completely mad to attempt to holiday with 2 kids (3 and 5) with just a handbag/rucksack each? It’s a hot holiday- staying at a friends place so there will be shampoo/sun cream etc there (no need for liquid on flight). Supermarket round the corner for things like arm bands. We only need clothes. Wear a pair of sandals each and pack flip flops/beach shoes each. 5 x pairs of knickers, 5 x light summer dresses and 2 x swimsuits per child (there is a washing machine too).
Am I mad?! I think I’ll give it a go!

As long as you have a washing machine nearby and you can afford to buy some cheap clothes on your destination if necessary you’re absolutely fine. Technically you only need a passport and a credit card to travel 😁

I don’t do hold luggage any more. I roll it all into a back pack and buy sun lotion at the airport.

If there’s a washing machine and you plan to wash I wouldn’t take as much as you’re suggesting to be honest. Just 3 days worth and wash every other day.

I think it’s fine. The only thing is 3 and 5 year olds aren’t very helpful at carrying actual hand luggage. Like above mentioned, if your staying with family then you can presumably use their washing machine and I would just do an online Amazon order locally for suncream/ arm bands/ some gifts for convenience

I only take suitcase when returning back to visit family as it goes out half empty with a few gifts, and returns full with things we want to get, or gifts.

Yeah do that for clothes and post them back.

Depends on the size of backpack allowed. Can the children physically carry that size of bag? Can you carry two and maneuver children if necessary.

Have you tried a trial pack at home? Look into kankan backpacks, if it is an underseat bag the large size kanken is the biggest volume for dimensions you can get (and actually not far off some poorly designed larger roller suitcases. Kipling backpacks are also a good pick.

Have you considered electronics and chargers? Do you have a multi usb hub that charges everything? Are you someone with a complex hair, skin care and makeup routine.

You can take cabin baggage plus a laptop case on many flights which doubles your cabin baggage. I went away on a work trip for 2w recently just with a laptop bag. Washed clothes every 4 days. It was fine.

@Icedlatteplease ill look at them- I need a new bag. 5 year old could carry her bag, I’ll take a large rucksack for youngest and then a beach bag with my stuff. DH will take a rucksack and can always carry eldest if needed. I’m fairly low maintenance hair/skincare wise and don’t wear make up bar mascara on holiday usually.

What's your hand luggage allowance?

Some airlines only allow the small rucksack unless you pay for the small wheelie case, which is often bundled up with seat selection and/or priority boarding.

Other airlines allow a cabin case and a handbag/small rucksack as standard, which would be easily doable.

But you could be fine with just a rucksack each if you pack carefully, wear a your bulkiest clothes and shoes and are happy to shop and wash if necessary when away.

We're going away for 4 days on a jet2holidays package and in theory could take per person a rucksack, a cabin wheelie case and a hold case as that's what's included in the package, but like you, I'm hoping that we can just use the cabin allowance to reduce the risk of delays at the airport.

@BarbaraofSeville just the small hand luggage (not sure exact dimensions but has to fit under the seat in front so not a cabin bag!).

If you are bringing the carry on size allowed by the airline (or close to it) to maximise I think you will be fine. Some of those cabin bags are bigger than they seem. I would do a hot holiday with them okay. Check if your airline allows a duty free bag onboard too - you might pop a few extra things in there...

You're not going till August, by which time things may have improved with airports improving their staffing levels. If you're going for longer than a week just take a suitcase. Kids always want to take toys with them - where are you going to put them? And what if the washing machine breaks down at your destination? Posting things home is not a great option from many destinations post Brexit.

I wouldn’t take just rucksack though, heavy. The best hand luggage suitcases by a mile are the xs cabin suitcases by Eastpak. Not the cheapest, but have had ours 10 years +.The wheels are decent so don’t rattle and great over bumpy pavement, and as soft sides you can make smaller or squash down when less full.

two of those for you and dh luggage, and can take smaller handbags/ rucksack/ beach bag as well each as required by most airlines even Ryanair if you add priority. Ie small rucksacks for both children with their basics in for flight.

I always recommend taking a basic cotton fold down type reusable shopping bag also for flights with children. Means it fits away tiny in another bag, but you have somewhere to shove everyone’s coats and jumpers if they get hot or on arrival in hotter country when they are small enough to not want to hood and your not an octopus yourself. Can use for shopping and beach there as well

Do it! Back in the day I travelled long haul to Asia with just my small Rucksack and the kids had school Rucksack on backs. It was brilliant and freeing.

It should be fine. We used to always travel as a family of four with just cabin bags for a week holiday abroad -very doable. But check the baggage size allowance. Some companies have radically reduced theirs.

What about books, couple of toys for kids?

Snacks?
I guess things will.have changed by August as pp said.

Definitely do-able...

Capsule wardrobe for you and DH, minimum day wear for DC and use 1 bag for accessories and extras. Don't take extra shoes other than what you wear to travel and carry your sun hat in you hand.

Books should slip in the back of a rucksack and friend has children so there’s bat and balls, books, colouring bits etc out there. Also loads of swim stuff!