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

I did a walking holiday in Europe for 9 days (so normal clothes and walking clothes plus hiking boots) and managed fine in that size.

Where are they going where they’ll need towels?
And if they do I’d buy one of those lightweight towels like those
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/ultra-compact-microfibre-towel-size-xl-110-x-175-cm-lagoon-blue/_/R-p-158653?mc=8575277

We did this between 3 of us once but it isn't that much extra when divided by so many people, we've never bothered again as it wasn't worth it for us.
I've never taken towels on holiday though, is there a reason he would be packing a towel? Everywhere I've stayed has provided towels..
Even for beach holidays, I'd just buy a beach towel out there (usually around a fiver) and leave it there.

I posted this on a similar thread. In your case I’d add combat trousers that zip off at the knee and a microfiber towel, more underwear (old stuff he can throw away) and a bush hat/baseball cap instead of scarf and gloves. If he’s hostelling, some cheap flip flops.

“I went to Dublin for 3 days in late September with Ryanair, using only an under-seat backpack. I managed to fit (rolling all clothes as tight as possible):
1 jeans, 1 leggings (not used)
2 long sleeved tshirts, 2 short sleeved
1 light jumper
4x underwear and socks (I always take 1 extra set)
1 pyjamas, cashmere infinity scarf, gloves
ziplock bag of toiletries, travel toothbrush, travel hairbrush
iPad, phone and charger, purse/documents.

I travelled in trousers, hoodie, tshirt, trainers and waterproof puffer jacket. The hoodie and the puffer jacket were must-haves and not having a spare pair of shoes was the worst thing about travelling so light.”

The duty free bag is key to getting that bit of extra space.

I also use clip on straps and hang a water bottle and extra jumper/jacket off the bag. Nobody seems to mind - if asked, you just put it on or carry it.

Your post made me laugh! I think a teenage boy could probably survive ok with less! Given they are typically not keen to change underwear, change teeshirt, wash or put on deodorant then not much is needed!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BVZJNWLK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0BVZJNWLK&pd_rd_w=t3tGb&content-id=amzn1.sym.84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_p=84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_r=YFKAPMWX4KHWZ879PQTE&pd_rd_wg=2MxM8&pd_rd_r=060d6c7a-47bc-42fb-a6a8-80d04d4f7837&s=luggage&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

Teen DD did. South of France so admittedly mostly tiny clothes and they bought sun cream etc on arrival. Underseat is definitely tight spacewise but you can get a surprising amount of stuff into something like this. Roll clothes, stuff underwear into spare shoes. If you can minimize additional shoes/hoodies I think he’d be fine. Compression cubes for laundry also helpful.

Ryanair have never argued with me having a v small handbag + duty free (not taking the piss, but lunch and any toiletries I couldn't fit in my carry on in a Boots bag) plus carry on rucksack. Plenty for a week if you're careful with what you wear to travel.

Teen lad - definitely, my DS does this regularly. More an issue may be razors and toiletries being allowed in carry on. Can just buy there tho.

Hostels you often have to pay for a towel.

DS has also done this - brought home his stuff in a black plastic bin bag decanted from mates bag 🤢

2 years for my DS.

Yes but it will be tight.

If you get a travel micro fibre towel that is less bulky.

Wear jumper/coat/hoody and decent shoes

Underwear/t-shirts etc in bag. Take toothbrush buy other toiletries there.

There are some helpful videos on youtube showing people packing a Ryanair underseat bag so you can see how they roll stuff up. Not sure on the exact dimensions of the Ryanair bag but this is a prime example of good packing technique

I should have said he'll be staying in a hostel so not sure if towels are provided, probably not.
Microfibre towels don't take up much space but they're a bit shit, maybe ok for a few days.

No problem, I go for 3 weeks on the motorcycle with only that amount of space (his stuff plus tent fills rest of bike!)

There is a lot of waste going on here, people buying towels, toiletries etc when airside or in the other country and then I assume leaving them behind. Why should you leave your rubbish in another country?

DS managed a week away with just the underseat bag and I was impressed by how much he managed to stuff into it. I could never do it. He went with a group of lads and I did suggest they got extra baggage allowance for one person to give them all a bit more space, but I think they all coped with small bag.

I did warn DS that the fine if you have too big a bag was a lot more than the cost of cabin bag allowance but he took the risk and was fine

I only ever take hand luggage for a week or so I manage perfectly fine. Just roll clothes dont fold

There is a lot of waste going on here, people buying towels, toiletries etc when airside or in the other country and then I assume leaving them behind. Why should you leave your rubbish in another country?

I can't imaging those who are suggesting buying toiletries at the airport are saving any money but not paying for a proper cabin bag

There is hand luggage and hand luggage though. This is a small bag, not a cabin sized case.

Absolutely fine. I managed for five days with a small, 35ltr rucksack in winter! Dd goes for 2-3 weeks with a Ryanair carry on but does laundry in hostels.

Every hostel I’ve stopped in does towels, like 2 euros to rent one.

Judging by what ds chooses to put to wash if he isn't nagged then he won't need any clothes other than what he stands up in for 5 days. 🤣

I’ve definitely seen tiktok videos with people saying take a WH Smith’s carrier bag or boots carrier bag with you. And at some point before boarding decant stuff from your too big but squishy rucksack into the carrier bag. Then the rucksack will be half full and meet size requirements ? I wouldn’t risk it without being prepared to pay the £35 or whatever the charge is.

Mine did 7 weeks with an overhead cabin bag (he did wash things there tho) and could easily do a week with the under the seat sized bag.

He's very happy to wear the same clothes day after day and will wash his hair with bar soap etc 🤢