How much do you pack for a 2 night trip?

[EastofNorth]

I'm taking a work trip next week. It's only 2 nights so figured I'd only need hand luggage but... my holdall is looking very full and feeling very heavy!

How much do you normally take for a couple of nights trip?

Wearing comfy clothes on the flight out.
An outfit for the first evening, planning to go out with colleagues.
Jeans + jumper for day 1 wear.
A dress for evening out with colleagues again.
Jumpsuit for the day 2 wear.
Planning to wear the comfies home again but packed a spare tshirt just in case.

Undies x2 pairs per day.
Pyjamas x1 pair.
1 pair of more formal work/going out shoes.

Struggling to fit all my toiletries/liquids into the tiny 20x20 bag... shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, deodorant, perfume, moisturiser, nasal spray (needed), makeup, toothpaste.

Not bothering with a hairdryer.. hotel surely has one. Need straighteners, hairbrush, bobbles, hair clips.

I've been told before that I overpack, but is this normal or not?

@EastofNorth get yourself to Superdrug or Boots and buy some small toiletry containers. Decant a couple days’ worth of toiletries instead of taking the big containers. The small Dove roll on deodorants are really good too I’ve found.

I always take a small handluggage suitcase for this, not hold-all. Then a handbag or small backpack for laptop and essentials. If it’s a budget airline I (or work) pay for the extra bag if it’s a one bag only.

I wouldn’t take all those day clothes. My jeans are super comfy. So in your senario I would be travelling in jeans and wearing them the next two days as day outfit. Then you’re just packing spare tops to go with ( can be casual or fancier). And a dress or two for evenings out, plus underwear. Often I would just wear the jeans ( decent black ones) one evening also with just a nice silk shirt or similar if needed

We went away for a holiday for 5 days and took a light weight wheelie suitcase and a backpack which meant we fitted loads in!

Hmmm I always overpack but I am also going on a work trip for two days next week and will be taking very similar. I will be wearing jeans and a nice top tho so will take two pairs rather than a dress plus jeans.

I would perhaps leave the jeans/jumper as they are big and bulky, travel in your work shoes maybe a skirt you could wear both days with a clean top each day or could you wear the outfit you wore on the first night and go get mini shampoos etc or decant what you normally use in to small travel pots go through all your makeup and only take the basics

I'd take a couple of pairs of jeans for flight/day wear withjumperandcomft nice tshirt. Evening trousers/skirt with a couple of smart tops. One pair pants each day plus spare. You can always give them a quick wash in sink if needs be. Personally, I'd only take a comb for my hair. If you're in hotel accommodation, you usually get toiletries.

Why 2 jeans those who say this?

You can always wear your hair up op? Maybe take travel size dry shampoo? You can't take masses of liquid anyway at some airports.

You can take a holdall or backpack as well as a carry on case as long as holdall fits under the seat(ish) They don't even weigh carry on. 10kg is usual weight and they wouldn't weigh the backpack. I put a handbag inside the backpack. I can pack for a week's holiday that way. And means no queueing for case.

I've done 5 nights with a carry on suitcase - wheels make it easier! And that was with dressing up for a few fancy nights out.

I can't use hotel shampoo as it turns my hair to straw! I decant everything, have mini toothpaste and deodorant, use bar soap to wash face and body (doesn't count towards liquids) decant some Aveeno as can use on face, hands and body, or I take some little Clarins sample tubes of moisturiser for my face. Mineral foundation/make up.

I don't wear anything to sleep in - do your PJs take up a lot of space? Could you take a very thin nighty or something?

Hairdryer - I would check with the hotel. I fitted my straighteners and Revlon One Step in my cabin suitcase!

I visit my mum regularly over 2 nights. I've got a cabinmax rucksack and packing cube. I go as basic as possible. I wear a pair of jeans, t-shirt and hoodie with/without coat. I take in the bag a nightie, a pair of jeans, t-shirt/top x2, a thin jumper, undies, basic toiletries, my phone & other personal effects. Hair brush. I borrow Mum's hairdryer if I need it.

Thank you, everyone. I have moved everything from my holdall to my case and although it feels heavier, everything fits I'll even get my laptop etc in there.

I've checked my reservation and my company has booked me an under seat bag, an overhead cabin bag, and a hold bag so even if the case is too heavy, I can always check it if needs be.

My toiletries are still a struggle. I've got all the mini travel size ones of everything but didn't realise mascara, foundation, concealer etc had to go in the wee bag too!

That sounds about right. I tend to travel on the first morning of work so go in office attire. I take 2 days of clean work clothes (if wearing trousers on day 1 I’d wear them again on day 3 with a clean top), a change of clothes for the evenings (but something I can wear with office footwear), and a set of running / gym kit and trainers. Always pack an extra pair of knickers and yes, I’d put clean ones on if I showered before going out for dinner.

You can buy minis airside at the airport. I don’t like hotel toiletries as they knacker my hair and I’ve got sensitive skin. Decant and take in your wee bag your favourites and then buy airside what won’t fit and you’re not bothered about brand etc, ie deodorant.

Good shout. I've brought a Dove roll-on which is under the 100ml limit but quite bulky. I'll ditch it and buy one at the airport

Yes and all liquids must be under 1lt total.
Well done on rearranging.

Can you decant some foundation?

Oh no So it can only be a maximum of 10 things then???

I could. I've got some mini travel pot things. I was reading another thread on here though that all containers now need to have the volume printed on the bottle. Mine are just plain and don't have that on.

I last flew a year ago, and had decanted stuff in my liquids bag, with no issue 🤷‍♀️

I would take about the same. Don’t want to wear the same clothes for two days (maybe the same trousers, but would want a clean dress/top. It’s the wash bag stuff that is tricky, as I take the same for two night or a week.

They won’t weight your cabin bag, though, it just has to be small enough to fit the states dimensions.

Double check with your airline about liquids. You can buy anything in duty free and carry that on once through security.

This is the thread I saw. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/4836561-manchester-airport-taking-liquids-in-cabin-luggage

Check each airports rules, but I have never come across a 1l max limit, just that they must all fit in ONE plastic back of prescribed dimensions.

My packing list for 2 nights in a European city next month:
I will travel in black leggings , T-shirt and lightweight jumper plus my boots and long coat and scarf - hat and gloves in pocket. Same jewellery for whole trip. Wearing a crossbody bag for purse, phone, passport, glasses, sunglasses etc.

Silk blouse and black cropped wide leg trousers (to wear with boots and coat) First night dinner and drinks.

Long sleeve top (to wear with cropped trousers, boots and coat) Daytime sightseeing.

Dress and tights (to wear with boots and coat) Dinner and drinks.

Leggings from travel, fresh vest and jumper (with boots and coat) Brunch/Museum/Travel home.

So in my case I need:

1 black cropped wide leg trouser
1 silk blouse
1 long sleeve top
1 dress
1 jumper
1 vest
1 pair of pyjamas
1 swimsuit (hotel has a spa and robes/slippers)
1 x tights, 3 x pants, 1 x bra, 3 x socks

Hairbrush, straighteners, bobble.
Decant shampoo I use, deodorant, basic make up and medication. I find lip to cheek products handy - Chanel do a good one etc. Perfume too.
Book, charger cables.

Happy to use Hotel hairdryer, body wash etc.

Alternatively purchase shampoo, body wash etc after security but for a short trip I wouldn’t bother.

Is your hold-all the maximum size? I take a small suitcase with wheels & a big handbag that goes under the seat in front of me.

I just did