How long can a teen survive on the contents of a Ryanair size carry bag (40cm x 20cm x 25cm)

[CellarCaller]

My son is planning to go abroad for the first time in the summer for 5 days and will only have a carry on bag as described.
Can you fit enough in such a bag?
It's in Germany so temperature will be similar to southern England in late August, early September.
Thanks

Unless a formal event all that really needs to be packed is underwear, a couple of t-shirts, lightweight shorts to sleep in, phone, wallet, headphones, empty water bottle (which can clip on outside of bag).

Toiletries can either be decanted into small bottles, bought at the other end (and discarded), and depending on hotel they probably already supply shower gel, shampoo etc.

I also pack a small stain remover, and a spray which I think is called “day 2” to freshen up jeans.

Dd is flying Ryanair this week and has only
got the small bag thing as she is a student and didn’t want to spend extra on the proper sized cabin bag! She said she’s going to wear tights and leggings and then put jeans on for the duration of the check in process, she has several spare pairs of tights so they won’t be all sweaty And reused! 😂 she ordered the right size bag, it is tiny but will get her toiletries when she gets there. I mean if it comes to it and she needs to rewear clothes but they’re dirty she’s in an Airbnb with a washing machine and dryer so it’s not the end of the world. I’ve seen the bag, it’s about a third of the size of a regular cabin case, I’d struggle and would never bother trying, would always pay to get at least a decent sized cabin bag if not hold luggage but it’s absolutely doable if you’re prepared to make some compromises.

@WashItTomorrow

No, you wear them as layers for the journey. But I would easily wear one pair of trousers or a skirt for several days

That just sounds uncomfortable

Best bet is to get a bag that fits the exact measurements and try packing everything he would want to take. Amazon sell bags that are the right measurements (but check you've not overstuffed them as they have to fit in the Ryan Air bag measurer).
I have done this myself as an adult and been fine. I buy toiletries at the airport after security (you're allowed to take a duty free bag in addition to your carry on), and wear a couple of layers for the plane (you can take them off once you're on the plane). One time I resorted to filling my pockets on my coat with clothes.

Ah my mistake! I thought you meant a cabin bag that goes in the overhead locker. I'd really struggle with just the carry on - possibly be ok for a beach holiday. Sorry!

Tell him to channel Reacher 😉

Or buy a fishing vest and fill the pockets (seriously)

It's not that tiny, my DS recently took this size. A few small toiletries and a travel towel and underwear come nowhere near filling it.

I can kind of understand the jeans over the leggings but why the tights as well? I don't see the benefit.

Even if you’ve only opted for the smallest, under seat cabin bag you can also take a duty free bag/airport shopping bag onto the plane. At Christmas, my very skint student DNiece told us of a trick she saw on TikTok - you take two bags with you (one being a smaller, tote bag-esque affair) and when you get to duty free you buy something from Boots and get a large bag. When you are going to the gate, put your tote bag into the Boots bag and just say it’s things from the airport. She tried this successfully on a recent trip, we were all in stitches when she told us. To be 18 again!

Amazed at the teens who can survive whole holidays with a small bag. DD could probably only last until lunch time

Ds likes to take a second pair of trainers and with his size 12 feet they would take up most of that bag!

My teen dd has done this about 3 times now. You just have to pack very carefully and wear your coat/big hoody etc

He is travelling with 5 others so I guess one option would be that one of them book the extra 10kg cabin bag (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) and they split the cost (£35 for both directions) and they can all put bulky items like towels in it.

Tbf my 12yo probably could in the summer. She lives in Nike pro shorts and crop tops. Could fit a weeks worth in a handbag!

Her makeup & skincare would be the problem....

I only take an underseat bag for a week, a day back pack for a weekend

I travel in walking boots, jeans and heavy coat ( if required ) , take one pair of shoes, couple of skirts, leggings , then thinner tops that can be mixed and matched.Tights and undies and socks. Rolling rather then folding and theres loads of room

But then my flights are for city breaks where walking and more walking is the norm, a day sightseeing, then a meal and a flop in front of the tv and early night to go again the following day

I always book accommodation where toiletries and hairdryer are in the room ( short hair, it just needs dried, not styled )

Surely an underseat bag is no bigger than a day backpack- smaller if anything.

I've managed a 10 day break with the Ryan air measurements.
As others have said, wear bulky stuff. Plan what can be worn multiple times and I use a vac bag to help maximise space.

I've done two nights with this and plan to do three nights with it shortly. These days I rely on the hotel supplying shower gel and shampoo.

Not sure if I could do five.

I know a group of 50-70 year old men who do this at least twice a year.
Small toiletries, wear jeans & hoodie. Pack Shorts, T-shirts, Boxers, Socks & take spare shoes if wants/has room. Wear headphones 🎧

I did a week in Seville with this size bag. Wear lots of layers in the plane, use compression cubes to squish the rest down, buy all toiletries airside, and buy a meal deal from Boots airside with a carrier bag which won’t be counted, toiletries can go in there.

I've done 4 nights with a Ryanair 'under seat' bag, if you buy the purpose made ones that are the exact size they are deceptively big.

But then he can pack stuff inside the trainers, so they don’t take up so much room.

I think, happy to be corrected, he can also take a duty free bag on board too. Pre - Order toiletries etc. from Boots to collect once airside and get the duty free bag which he can then also empty pockets etc into.

its easy, I do this a few times a year, including Scotland in winter. But I wear my jeans and hoodie (and coat if needs must) on the plane.
In my backpack I put make up, book, iPad, lightweight trousers (gym leggings/thin joggers), a thin jumper, some T-shirts and a maxi dress, socks, underwear and make up. My bag is never more than 1/2 full when I go and I’m NOT a small girl.
If I’m planning on doing any shopping I make sure to not pack what I intend to buy. But I always end up buying way more than I intend to. It’s never a problem.

Although I never pack an extra pair of shoes or shampoo/comditioner. They take up too much space and space is a premium.

We often use these for trips from 3 to 7 days:

https://amzn.eu/d/hW8gwJP

Wear your trainers, jeans and top, and squeeze in a pair of sliders, underwear, t-shirts, shorts/swimmers/micro-towel.

If room is tight, buy deodorant, show gel and toothpaste on arrival