To ask how on earth people pack light?!

[NeedSomeAnswersPlease]

Travelling to the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix in ten days or so

We (stupidly) booked to travel hand luggage only and I just don't understand how it's possible! The amount of things you need, I'll be due on my period that weekend too so need to take extra bits for that as well. I know everyone's answer will be "just take less clothes" but it all seems to accumulate - shorts, t-shirts, a dress or two for if we want to go out in the evening, it's not possible!😩

Packing cubes.

Complete discipline.

Don't take a single thing unless you are certain you will wear it.

Are there any items you can wear more than once.

Take only the shoes you are wearing.

Your accommodation will prob provide shampoo so limit your toiletries to deodorant, moisturiser and tampons.

With BA you can also take a small rucksack as well as your small suitcase.

You're going for 4 nights, it shouldn't be difficult.

I went for 2 weeks last summer with a large rucksack ( Ryanair priority boarding size). Did do one load of washing half way through, but that was it

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane - trainers, jeans, jacket etc. then you don't have to fit them in the suitcase. One dress & 2 scarves, necklaces etc for nights out.

Four days?

Jeans & a t-shirt + trainers on the plane.

Bag has 6 pairs of knickers, 1 bra, 4 pairs of socks, 3 tops, pair of shorts, second pair of trousers if you absolutely must, pair of shoes (with the socks stuffed into them) and a frock. Fit them into the bottom of the bag.

Toiletries in separate bag in the case over a thin/microfibre handtowel+flannel - toothbrush, mini toothpaste, floss, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, mini sunblock, deodorant stick, mini shower gel, plastic bag for underwear if you can't bear to bin them, small packet of tampax/pads, hairbrush, mascara, lip gloss, small eyeshadow compact.

Every AirBnB I've been to has had some showergel and shampoo in it (so it's unlikely to be an issue if you can't fit them in for some strange reason) and if not, there's wherever you're buying your food from for any additional tampons/pads.

Ive just done 5 nights, 2 adults and 2 tweenage girls with 1 small back pack each (easyjet under seat in front) and 1 hand luggage case of easyjet dimensions (which doesnt have a weight limit)
We had all clothes (5 outfits each and 2 pairs of PJs) squashed into the hand luggage case
1 back pack was our mini toiletries from boots, toothbrushes, electric razor + a selection of meds and pills + first aid essentials, and my daughters asthma and eczma meds / creams, hair brushes and bobbles
1 back pack was rain coats for all, and swim suits for all and 2 of the smallest camping towels (that we didnt use) and goggles
1 back was "important stuff"... purse, passports, 4 phone chargers, eu adapter plug, battery packs, glasses
1 back pack was a reading book each, a couple of small games, and some foody bits and sweets for the plane and a sharpie
After security we went to boots and bought 1 bottle of suncream, and 4 bottles of water (labelled with sharpie)
we also stuffed a pair of sandles each into the backpacks and wore trainers on the plane.

It was absolutely fine, BUT was helped by knowing the weather would be warm so we didnt need to pack lots of warm clothes.... shorts + T shirt or summer dress was enough for 1 day.

Everywhere we stayed provided towels, and (at least) the basics of soap and shower gel and hair dryer.

We traveled by plane, bus, train, boat and ferry, through 3 countries with a back pack each on our backs and 1 small wheeled case and it was fine.

For BA you can have a wheeled case this size and a bag under the seat in front which can be a rucksack, so assuming one of each of those each, you'll be fine surely? We can go skiing for a week on that and we're are about to do 10 days away on the same.

amzn.eu/d/aWRBRT8

Even with 4 day shirts, 4 evening tops/dresses, 4 lightweight trousers and jeans plus another pair of shoes, underwear, a couple of jumpers, light jacket (rain always possible at dutch GP!), plenty of room. Wear your trainers. Buy shared bigger toiletries there or after security.

Here is your answer. 😆 Even their accommodation (tent) https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24510481.ryanair-warning-lads-cheeky-hack-saves-300-fees/

It depends on where you're going and also how big you are.

I've just packed for ds3 for 10 nights in a hand luggage size case. But we're going to a hot country and he's 7 so although he has about 20 different full outfits (day and evening x 10) it's no problem at all...in fact he has space to spare!

For me, I can do 4 nights in a hot country in hand luggage without any issue. More than that though, or somewhere not hot where you need to incorporate jeans, jumpers etc and I'd need a bigger case.

Think the main problem is the weather is changing a lot - Zandvoort can be sunny for one day of the Grand Prix and then cold and rainy the next and we don't know what we'll need!

I don’t know if it's just me but I use compression packing cubes and don't find they save that much space 😩

A coat?

You can wear that on the plane - along with your bulkiest shoes and clothes.

You have to dress more boringly. It took me decades to figure it out.

I have a very 90s/00s capsule collection based round three dark jersey maxi dresses. I only wear those things when I'm travelling.

I think you’re overestimating most people’s understanding of attending a GP - it wouldn’t occur to me it was any different than going to London to watch Wimbledon. I’d assume you could wear the same single outfit of normal clothing from breakfast to bedtime - obviously if there’s specific requirements then it’ll be harder than packing light in general.

Travel in legging trainers and jacket - you can carry the jacket onboard.
Pack 3 T-shirt’s and shorts underwear a socks.
Boots airport order for a shampoo and suncream/ shower gel.
I find jersey dresses don’t crease - pack two with matching sandals.

You only wear them a couple of hours. So not dirty.

Why can't you build your capsule around the shirts?

You have to be disciplined and ruthless. For example, you dont 'need' 2 dresses, just take one.

As others have said, wear the bulkiest items on the plane. Pack items that mix and match and plan outfits before you go. Dont take anything 'just in case'.

I never take more than a backpack unless I am going for a week.

For me, the problem is always toiletries. The sooner they sort out the new scanners, the better!

It's the grand prix not a fashion parade.

Wear trousers, jersey/hoodie/waterproof and trainers outward and inward.

1 spare lightweight trousers
4 t shirts
2 casual dresses
Gauzy wrap scarf thing
4 pairs pants
Clean bra
Nightie
Pair sandals or ballerinas
4 x socks
Travel size toiletries
M&S are doing travel packs of skincare or just take a pot of nivea.
Foundation, concealer, pressed powder, Mascara, lippy.

There will be shops

"Why can't you build your capsule around the shirts?"

TBH I can understand not wanting to go out for a nice dinner wearing a bright orange McLaren team shirt (DSs team of choice. Other teams are available;))

Yeah I know but trousers and skirts can do double duty. Carefully picked shoes are adaptable. Etc.

I only ever take hand luggage only no matter where I'm going or for how long. I've had too many lost luggage instances in the past to want to risk it and you really don't need that much stuff.

Underwear, pyjamas, 1 x sandals/evening shoes (if necessary - sometimes not and I just have the trainers I wear on the plane), bikini (if relevant), a jersey dress that can be dressed up and down, t shirts, lightweight rain jacket that folds into its own little bag, chargers - job done. I wear jeans, lightweight jumper and jacket (if necessary - depends on location/time of year) on the plane, along with a handbag/rucksack that can be used as an everyday bag that has my toiletries and book in it. I never travel with a hairdryer or straighteners - airbnbs have hairdryers, hotels will have both if you ask.

I don't dress up on holiday or try and look like a fashionista. I wear plain, comfy clothing that I can mix and match. I don't dress up for dinner at home so I'm certainly not going to do that abroad. A plain black sleeveless jersey dress, hair in a bun with gold earrings and flat sandals that take up no space in my case is as dressy as it gets for me!

Can you not just log in and book extra luggage?

I am a very light packer and also get a lot of compliments on my outfits on holiday/photos. The key is to be brutal and very rational with your outfit choices.

Pick clothes that can be worn to multiple occasions. Don't take a dress because it's your favourite if it can only be worn once to one thing. And even if it's your favourite dress, does it photograph well? Shoes, again, only pick shoes that are comfortable and versatile. Jewellery - pick a couple of earrings and a bracelet that goes with everything. Jacket - one jacket only, which you wear in the airport, and which goes with both dresses and casual wear.

Really really try on every single piece of clothing and think "will I wear this and how does this look in photos?

We went to Japan for 3 weeks in spring (very changeable weather! Hot, super cold, windy, rainy, then hot again) with hand luggage only.

I've just done a six-day break with a Ryanair "small bag" (aka bloody tiny). My two tips:

1. Take a jacket with pockets
2. Change for the evening when it's cooler, then use that outfit for the following day's daywear. Repeat this step each day.

Tempted to but we have a tight turnaround between the train and the flight - any delays and we'll miss bag drop

For 4 nights I’d probably chuck 5 or 6 dresses in a bag, some underwear, 1-2 cardigans depending on the weather forecast, phone charger, toothbrush, a few mini toiletries if I had them (otherwise buy toiletries when I’m there). AirBnBs often provide shower gel and shampoo, but obviously mini ones (the only ones you’re allowed in hand luggage) don’t take much space anyway. I’d usually only take the sandals that I’m already wearing on the plane, but should be space for a 2nd pair if I fancied a change. Summer dresses are usually pretty light so maybe I’m “lucky” that that’s what I wear anyway.