11 nights - Cabin bag

[Eliza9917]

AIBU to think I can pack for 11 nights away with just a cabin bag? We will have a washing machine. Going to Spain. Early spring.

What would you pack? I haven't seen the cabin bag yet to know exactly what size it is.

I've done it a few times. Wear good walking shoes, put sandals in the suitcase.

Use toiletries at hotel or buy miniatures from Boots once you're through security.

Items of clothing that coordinate with various outfits.

I could do it if just for myself. Definitely

Perfectly doable. I've done this before on a 10 night holiday to Spain, but without access to a washing machine, which will make it even easier for you. Is there a weight limit on your case, and can you take an extra handbag as well?

For the flight out I wore my bulkiest stuff: top, cardigan, jacket, jeans, trainers.

Then I packed something like:
Four dresses (with a few different belts to accessorize them)
Two bikinis
Pyjamas
One or two lightweight cardigans, for wearing over dresses
One or two lightweight tops, to wear with jeans if it was chilly
Thin beach towel
Make-up
Toiletries decanted into miniature bottles - I bought a couple of bottles of sunscreen post-security in Boots
Hair straighteners and hair dryer
Two pairs of sandals
Socks/knickers
Beach bag
Tablet/kindle/iPod/camera/chargers etc

It all fitted in with space to spare. I'd only be worried if you're flying with someone like Thomson, who have very low weight restrictions on cabin luggage. But with someone like Ryanair you'll be fine.

Yes, DH and I did a fortnight in Portugal with just cabin bags - I still had some clothes I didn't wear! Two pairs of sandals, 3 dresses, three pairs of shorts and a few T shirts and tops + swimwear. I also made sure that the things I wore to travel in supplemented the other bits and pieces - wore long sleeved top and cardigan, jeans and trainers. We had a washing machine in two of the places we stayed. I bought my souvenirs at the airport on the way back. I did buy a few items of clothing while I was there and chucked out a couple of the items I'd taken with me to be sure I had room for them.

A suitcase both ways cost me more than my flight! Use the largest cabin bag available, they’re really quite big. I went to spain for 6 days and had 6 day, 6 night outfits, 2 heels, 2 sandals, flipflops, a wedding outfit and three evening bags. Plus 2 lots of everything in the mini toiletries. Makeup, perfume, straighteners. Swimwear. Didn’t take a towel. It’s easier than you think!

I've done it for a fortnight without a washing machine, and it turned out I'd over-packed for the weather, so I'd taken too many jumpers etc and they were a bit too warm/thick. Could have got away with about two fewer and/or taken lighter ones.

I only had one pair of shoes though (Converse), and didn't go anywhere that required dressing up. I took jeans and light trousers, jumpers/long-sleeved tops and some vest tops, plus underwear and small travel bottles of my few essential toiletries. Bought the rest after security and took on in a carrier bag.

I'd watch that you aren't spending more on airport make up and toiletries than you'd spend on checking a bag in. If you're going with someone else I'd definitely check one bag between you for all your toiletries etc and then pack one cabin bag each. That's what we did for a week's holiday for four of us last year. It worked out well.

If you can pack a capsule wardrobe and are not planning to take lots of make-up, hair straighteners etc I should say yes. I could pack for 11 days in my cabin bag. It’s just a matter of finding your ‘theme’ and packing one skirt, one pair of jeans, a few t-shirts, jacket etc that can mix and match.
Travel in your walking boots, pack your sandals.
Travel in your big coat, pack your jacket.
Wear your scarf/pashmina.
Wear your big sweater, pack your lightweight.
You’ll be fine.

I never check in luggage, it's not that difficult.
Wear several layers to the airport (vest top, t-shirt, cardi/jacket, tights, leggings/jeans, decent shoes).
Pack vest tops, shorts, floaty cotton dresses, 7 sets of undies.
Microfibre towel, cossie, sandals, toothbrush, a light cotton over shirt for if the beach/pool is breezy.
Wilkos sell travel size toothpaste, suncream, bug spray, travel wash, deodorant.
Hotel will have the rest.
Roll clothes up rather than fold them, it removes more air so they pack smaller.
This is all my packing for a week away last month, and that was without a washing machine.

I take one cabin bag on every holiday, mostly to avoid waiting around at carousels. I took a cabin bag to America for three weeks and it was fine.

It does depend though. I choose to take cheap airlines everywhere I go wherever possible because I would rather save £50-100 quid and have a cramped experience for a few hours. But if I wanted to fly on nice airlines and it was free to take two or three cases, then I'd probably do it!

I once went to visit a friend who had been living abroad but was due to come back to the UK shortly after. Because I only had a cabin bag and due to the destination I had to go on a major airline with a free luggage allowance, I agreed to take one of my friend's cases home with me so that their move home was easier.

It had three expensive dresses in it, which were in total worth over a grand (mad). Of course, when I turned up at Heathrow the case had gone missing. Cue a load of stress, form filling, will-it-won't-it bets on whether it would turn up...

Two weeks later it arrived, dresses intact. Ever since then I've just become more and more pro-cabin bag!

You can do it! buy toiletries from departures once through security and have them in a carrier bag. Pack flip flops wear heels. Don't bother with a hairdryer.

When T5 were losing everyone's luggage I went to Thailand for 2 weeks with hand luggage, I love getting off the flight and just walking, no baggage reclaim is bliss.

Yes double and triple check sizes as the airlines are all slightly different.

Packing cubes are great your mind boggles st how much goes in, also means if you do have to open it at security everything doesn’t fall outs for you can realise you bag with ease.

In the plain I would wear jeans, trainers, long sleeve top, hoody and have a thin waterproof jacket/ pac-a-mac.

Yes.

I almost never take more than a cabin bag for any holiday now.

Maybe you don't need to pack a towel, if you are staying somewhere which provides them.

I wish airlines could cut down on the size of cabin bags, so we could all be guaranteed a space in the lockers, or wouldn't have to travel squeezed in because small bags are being taken off to leave space for other people's suitcases!

Anyway, do check the size AND THE WEIGHT some airlines have started to put limit on that too!
I couldn't do it, because my hand luggage is full enough with food and entertainment for my kids!

Wow my auto correct went crazy on that post.

Close bag with ease. on the plane.

I didn't think about towels! I'll buy one out there and leave it there, although maybe the villa might have them?

I don't mind buying stuff when there, we are going to see if we would like to live there so we will need to shop for things.

The airline says cabin bag only, not even a handbag but there's no way I'm putting handbag things/passports etc in my bag in case it gets put in the hold. I was going to take a cross body bag and pay for a handbag if I have to, but there wasn't an option to do that on the website so I might just put it under my clothes. They say you can have a carrier bag from the airport so I could stick my handbag in there if they kick up a fuss.

We will be doing a lot of walking about/seeing the area so I was going to wear trainers, jeans, t-shirt, hoody & jacket there. Then pack a swimming costume and cover up thing, a pair of flip-flops, a pair of leggings and a couple of tops, a couple of vest tops, a couple of dresses, my hair straighteners & make up. I'll buy toiletries there.

If there's no iron I'll wet stuff and hang it. I'll hang things that can crease as soon as I get there, but tbh, I never iron anything here anyway, all my stuff is material that doesn't need it.

Do I have to have all liquids in a bag to show them in the airport? It can't all just go in the cabin bag?

twer 😂 now I thought I was bad.....

maybe the villa might have them? Most rental places specify whether or not they have towels on their websites. Often IME they provide bath towels but not beach ones.

The airline says cabin bag only, not even a handbag but there's no way I'm putting handbag things/passports etc in my bag in case it gets put in the hold. I pack essentials like this in my day bag and pack it in my cabin bag; I can then pull it out easily at security and/or if I had to put my bag in the hold.

Do I have to have all liquids in a bag to show them in the airport? It can't all just go in the cabin bag? Yes, you still need to show all liquids in one clear bag under a certain size (the size is given on airline and airport websites). Liquids need to be in bottles of under, I think, 100ml. And it includes pastes, creams etc, so be careful.

@TomRavenscroft Thank you, the miniatures from boots will do us, we will have two bags between us so should be ok. I'll stick some bar soap in the case so we don't need bottles of body wash.

hat includes toothpaste, hair wax, foundation, any creams. Bear in mind some airports only allow you ONE standard size plastic bag that zips across the top with your pastes and liquids in, max 100ml each. I travel lots and I've seen bags of toiletries taken at security.

We are a family of five and go away for a month every year to a holiday rental and for the last few years all our luggage has come in under 55kgs in total. I even take 5 pairs of shoes. I travel in trainers and my warm layers, as do the kids. We buy all toiletries there.

I’d put a small cross the body bag under a zipped hoodie they wouldn’t see it Radly ones are quite small and flat. You’ve then got a small purse and your passports with you.

Personally I wouldn’t but each to their own.

@Roussette Bear in mind some airports only allow you ONE standard size plastic bag that zips across the top with your pastes and liquids in, max 100ml each

That's each though isn't it? DP won't be putting anything in his, he just needs his deodorant and out toiletries. I'll suggest he uses a solid crystal deodorant instead of spray.