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!😩

Use vacuum pack bags to squeeze more in

I’m a master at packing light!

Take the number of tops you need — e.g. four, but make sure you take a cardigan/jacket and some skirts/shorts/trousers that go with all the tops. Then two dresses or jumpsuits. Wear the bulky stuff (eg trousers and jumper/cardi/jacket) on the flight. I take my le Pliage rucksack that folds up super small and can usually fit in another pair of shoes. Then enough pants for the time you’re away too!

I decant into travel bottles and just take cleanser/toner/moisturiser, sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner, plus minimal make up, mini deodorant and stuff to clean my teeth with. Plus a hairbrush and I’m ready to go. I also use a menstrual cup, which is fab when you’re travelling.

Then a good book and you’re ready to go!

We always go away in Europe with just cabin bag and and small back bag….we going for 12 days in a couple of weeks….it’s a bit of a squeeze but always fit stuff in…..roll everything don’t fold…..buy toiletries when you arrive if you going for a week or more…..use the hotel ones if going for less ….wash the top you wearing first day and wear it 3rd or 4th day….same with your knickers and bra…..at least half the people on a European flight travel without hold luggage these days…..it really isn’t difficult

Sounds like somebody really needs a Kindle!

3-5 outfits only for 10 days. Everything can be worn 2-3 times. Are you going to an AirBNB or similar (with a washing machine)? This could cut it down still further. If in a hotel you can always use the hotel cleaning service in a pinch. Take tiny toiletries only and check on what’s provided in your accommodation. Period: use a menstrual cup or disc. Takes up the least amount of space compared to a stack of tampons and pads. Or just buy tampons and pads when you get there and jettison the rest if needed.

OH and vacuum pack the clothes. Nobody cares if they’re creased and you save SO much space.

We're going to Switzerland for three days later this week, we each have a backpack that fits under the seat and they have plenty of room left over

The shampoo and shower gels we are taking are hotel toiletries from our holiday in Greece, so tiny also each have small deodorants and body sprays, travel toothbrushes etc

Small jacket/cardi for evenings will be worn on the plane, shorts tshirts and jumpsuits do not take much room, pair of lightweight sandals fit easy and then wear trainers

Trick is you wear the bulkiest outfit - my daughter (21) has gone to Tenerife before with her shorts and crop top under a jogging suit so she can strip off in the plane toilets (it was January)

This is my forte, I actually enjoy it. I go Ryanair freebie small bag option or other airline equivalent usually 3/4 days when on city breaks. As others have said you need to double up on a couple of items. Also light material dresses are perfect for rolling up. It's footwear and toiletries that are the bulk so I suggest day footwear is what you are wearing to travel, like smart trainers or comfy sandals and then another footwear for your evenings, a light sandal perhaps. Stuff pants and PJ into the footwear packed. Only take the minimum toiletries wise or the buy at airport option. I would wear

D1. Casual skirt / shorts with smart T
Then change into light weight dress
D2. Same skirt / shorts with new T
Change into another lightweight dress
D3. Casual day dress
Change into night1 dress
D4. Wear D1/D2 T with another skirt / shorts D1 T
Change into another night dress

So 2 x skirt or short, 2 x day T, day dress, 2 x night dress, sandals

But I think you've space for much more than this! This is me rolling everything into the freebie carry on, in my small backpack

A dressing gown !!

Yes, definitely you're not going to pack light if you're taking stuff like that. If you're staying in an air bnb or hotel, there will likely be a hair dryer so no need for that.

It's about multifunctional pieces like leggings and then sharing toiletries / using small ones, precharging things like electric toothbrushes or bringing small not electric ones, a tangle teezer instead of a big hairbrush etc.

Two pairs of shoes max per person including the one you're wearing - often DH make does with one. The only things you really need are your phone, passport and bank card + a charger to share.

I've just done this for 4 nights away! Pack light dresses that fold down easily. Packing cubes will help - squash them down. Blazer and bottoms can be reworn but take 4 tops. Wear your heaviest pair of shoes, jumper and coat. You can take a rucksack as your handluggage for all your liquids and chargers. Wear PJs for 2 days.

I thought you were going to say you’re on one item only - BA hand luggage allowance is huge!

I take up to 40-50 flights a year. I can do rucksack only for up to a week, and rucksack + cabin suitcase for up to 3. I only ever take checked luggage if travelling long-haul or somewhere I won’t have access to regular toiletries / specific energy snacks I need for work.

4 days (even if that means 8 outfits) can totally be done on hand luggage only.

I’ve just come back from 2.5 weeks away and packed roughly as follows.

Cabin suitcase:

• 3 pairs long summer trousers
• 1 pair shorts
• 4 dresses
• 5-6 tops
• 2 jumpers (thin Primark type ones)
• 2 pairs of sandals - wore trainers on plane both ways
• Complete work outfit consisting of pant suit, top, blazer and flat shoes
• Underwear, socks, bras (about 4-5 of each)
• Bikini
• Hair straighteners
• Make-up bag (brushes, powders, mirror, hair ties, razors, cotton pads etc, see below for liquids)
• Chargers - phone, iPad, laptop, kindle, battery pack, headphones - these add up

Backpack:

• All tech
• Wallet
• Another jumper for plane
• Books + work gear
• Water bottle
• Liquids (took only perfume, moisturiser, foundation, and some liquid medication. Rest can be bought cheaply at destination)

I am already unpacking otherwise I would attach a photo. I don’t get why people always book hold luggage for short trips (unless for pure comfort, in which case fair enough!).

It can be done OP. The suitcase doesn’t need to close nicely while half-empty like you see on TV. You might need to squeeze it a bit, but it will fit.

You can rewear stuff. You can give it a quick wash at the Airbnb in the evening, get excess water out by tightly rolling and squeezing stuff into a towel, then air overnight and it will be dry by morning.

When I don’t have access to a washing machine past those 7-8 days’ worth of clean clothes, it’s a great and easy solution. Takes 5 mins tops.

Edit to add 2 pair of PJs to that list - have just taken them out of the suitcase 😂 and to second the idea of rolling stuff into footwear - socks, underwear, other small bits. Wrapped in a clean plastic bag if you already need to do it on way out. Way back who cares, they’re already going straight into the laundry.

@NeedSomeAnswersPlease the BA allowance is huge! I don't think you should have any problems at all - I hear what you are saying about needing lots of clothes but clothes aren't the main issue with packing light. You can take fresh clothes for the evening, rewear the bottom half during the day a couple of times and you'll be fine. Day shoes are travel shoes so you one have to pack one pair of sandals for the evening. Light weight Mac, one warm jumper and one evening cardi.

Toiletries etc are where the problems lie. Sounds like you are going as part of a couple? Can you either share items with your partner if he or she is high maintenance or slip a few bits into their case if he or she are low maintenance??

How about you write down everything you feel you need to bring and people can suggest areas you can trim?

Going with my dad 😩 I'll figure it out, I just find it so hard to not take stuff 🤣

Oh! Dad does make it a bit harder. Still I bet you could pop a couple of bits in his bag if you need to.

I don’t often do it but absolutely can.

I choose lightweight clothes (usually wrap dresses with tights & leggings/tunic tops with a thin cardigan, underwear & socks. I use hotel shampoo/soap & take travel toothpaste/moisturiser/conditioner, use your phone apps for any reading & puzzles. I have a usb plug for Europe & US so don’t need an adaptor just a cable. I always wear flat boots that work for walking long distances and can go with both dresses and trousers and pack ballet flats for a change some evenings. I have a sarong wrap that works as a lightweight towel if we will be swimming.

I never take extras of anything & just launder something if needs be. I have managed a fortnight away for work with hand luggage before. I did do a load of washing the middle weekend though so I really only had 8 days worth of stuff.

Do you have a list of the clothes you absolutely need & maybe people can help you figure out what could feasibly fit with them?

Can you just change the booking so that you are allowed luggage? Sorry if that is a silly suggestion and not possible.

Roll everything - it not only makes them small, it makes them less wrinkly. Put stuff inside shoes and don’t take too many pairs. Bags for make up and anything else. Use hotel hairdryer.

I have attended motorsports events for 40 years and have it down to a science.

Are you required to wear the team shirts?
If so, black or white cropped trousers look better and are lighter to pack than jeans.

If not, I have taken to wearing maxi dresses. Might sound weird but they work fine at track.

Black and white patterned dresses when possible (floral, geometric, etc) with silver sandals and a black or white sun hat.

Minimal silver jewelry. Small black crossbody purse will be your best friend for a race weekend, to hold phone, money, ticket, credit card, lipstick or lip balm. Sunglasses.

For a four day weekend I would wear white jeans and black top & cardigan on plane with the sandals. As long as you don't spill anything on the jeans they can be reworn.

Three maxi dresses and a couple of extra tops plus maybe the pair of cropped black trousers in the luggage. Underwear, small bag of toiletries, job done. If you prefer trainers to sandals wear them on plane.

Don't worry about rain gear etc.; even if it does rain you'll huddle somewhere sheltered. Your hat will do. I used to take waterproofs and rain ponchos and all that folderal and never used. Take a clip in case you need to pull your hair up.

Everyone will be in the same boat so don't worry too much; it difficult to stay glamorous at the track.

Btw look on eBay and vinted for black & white clothing if you decide to go that route; some fab maxi dresses in no-wrinkle fabric.

Have you tried ringing them, sometimes they are more helpful on the phone.

If you ring them you might be able to book a BA carry on 23kg bags.

You can, but as I've said elsewhere we don't have time to do the bag drop

They have shops in the Netherlands? Just buy shampoo/deoderant/tampons etc at Albert Heijn/Kruidvat when you get there.

No bag drop for an extra carry on the plane bag!