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!😩

Do you understand the difference between a checked in bag, that you do a bag drop, that you pick up on the carousel.

And phoning to ask for an extra carry on bag. A bigger bag that you carry on, goes above your seat, in the locker above you.

No extra time needed for the 2nd option.

Ring them. At least ask.

Old style carry on I can do pretty easily. The very tiny bags that are the only thing included with some budget airlines now are more of a challenge. My daughter is very budget conscious and is in the middle of two weeks Austria/France/Germany including a (cancelled) Taylor Swift Concert and a wedding and has doing it all with a tiny rucksack!!!. She's going to wear her dress with trainers for the concert and wore multiple skirts/dress on the plane!

How long are your there for. A few days should be perfectly do-able with a few compromises. You can only take (wear) one pair of bulky shoes. One warmer layer, which again you wear. Commit to just 2-3 bottom halves to cover all occasions. Tiny toiletries (they have to fit in a little plastic bag anyway). Kindle rather than a book. No styling tools. All more than do-able if you want to.

Travel in jeans, tee shirt, trainers, hoody and rain coat. Wear a bra that will go with all your other items.

Pack 2x team t shirts and 2x shorts for race days. Layer with hoody and rain coat as appropriate and wear trainers. One dress for the evening, and two smart tops to wear with the jeans if you’re worried about weather. That should fill no more than a medium packing cube. Sandals/flip flops/espadrilles for the evening. Travel home in what you wore there. Add knickers and socks in a small packing cube. You’ll then have plenty space for toiletries/straighteners/hair brush. Buy bulkier toiletries (shampoo, sun cream etc) at the airport or when you get there and leave behind.

I’m doing 5 nights with hand luggage case at the moment for the first time, and it’s been very doable but all my outfits were planned.

Bear in mind that you can buy most things there if you need to (eg period products).

Just bring a couple of pairs of shorts and a couple of tees then lightweight dresses/tights/sandals for the evenings. Packing cube for each day for ease.

Jumper you can wear with everything and lightweight mac just in case (wear these on plane).

Toiletries in a small bag, I find a small ziploc is fine for toothpaste/toothbrush/tinted moisturiser/mascara/lipbalm.

Pjs/hairbrush also in own packing cube.

On the flight wear leggings, top, jumper and mac with the chunky shoes. Personal item is your handbag.

The "clean clothes for the evenings" can be the same thing every evening.

But you still only need one warm jumper/sweatshirt and one lightweight waterproof to layer over your t-shirts for warmer weather. You wear the jumper to board the plane. Honestly, the BA allowance is loads. Is the free easyjet allowance which is a challenge. And I think wizzair might be even worse.

that sounds like quite a lot of clothes for 8 nights!! It's a completely different outfit for every day.

I haven't checked in luggage for years (solo traveller). Even went away for 3 months with a 30 litre backpack in carry on. I actually don't understand why people take so much stuff 🙈
Happy to help with specific questions and/or what i would take for your holiday if helpful

If you are with a race-team related group and expect any VIP entrance to the pit areas etc, don't wear shorts.

The weather forecast doesn't appear likely to need shorts anyway.

Will there be a laundry facility at the AirBnB?

I do, we are all different, when I get out the shower I want my robe.

Unnecessary for you maybe, not for me, hair straighteners are my number one item, and I do take a robe if I possibly can, would hate to get out the shower and not have one, or get up in the morning without one.

Are you sure the Airbnb doesn't have toiletries? Often they do so worth messaging to check.

Don't take pyjamas. I always shower in the morning so happy to sleep in the t-shirt/knickers I have worn that day.

Don't take options. Layer clothes if necessary.

Wear any heavy clothes to travel, regardless of the weather. If you have to take a waterproof either wear it or make sure it's very light and small. Put books, chargers etc in your pockets for travelling.

Yes I do but I never have to travel light so it’s not an issue.

My user name should give it away travelling light is not in my vocabulary!

One pair of shoes, which are on your feet, and one jacket, which is on your back.

OP is travelling with BA. They already include carry-on suitcases even in their cheapest fares. She can’t book a second carry-on suitcase, unless she upgrades to Business (Club Europe).

I can, and went handluggage only to South Africa for three weeks. During that time I of course expected to use the the washing machine.

It's really hard to pack light if you are travelling somewhere with unsettled weather (like the UK!) which means you can't just pack for one type of weather.

But for four days with uncertain weather I'd pack -

5 x knickers
5 x socks
1 x bra
1 x Jeans
2 x lightweight jumper or cardi, prefer wool as it doesn't smell for ages
3 x dresses (I have several which fold up to almost nothing and don't crease for travelling).
4 x t-shirts
1 x Sandals
1 x white trainers
Phone charger
Book
Travel sized toothpaste, toothbrush
Travel sized shampoo and conditioner unless the accommodation is guaranteed to supply. I use the shampoo as body wash too.
Eye mask
Jacket
Sunhat
Sunglasses
1 x pjs

I'd wear the jeans, trainers, one t-shirt and jacket for travelling. If it was guaranteed to be hot then I'd pack linen trousers instead of jeans, only take one cardi and only two t-shirts (for travel days).

In your scenario I'd take five outfits and in the evening I'd wear the outfit I planned to wear the next day. It won't be dirty after wearing it for a few hours at dinner.

All I can say is you're all superheroes, I'll try my hardest but I expect sacrifices will need to be made (goodbye skincare routine 😪🤣)

I wish I knew. I went to Greece for a week in June and was over the 23kg allowance - thankfully my travel companion was well under so I didn’t have to pay extra.

I’m away again next month and I’m trying really hard to cut down what I pack

We just flew hand luggage only with BA and the cabin bag size is generous, plus you can
Take a rucksack or similar. They could not have cared less how much stuff we had. As long as you can get your bag in the overhead locker you'll be fine

Packing cubes or roll up compression bag. A non wheeled bag has more useable space consider what toiletries you need limit shoes. What non clothing things are you taking?

This might be the secret. I don't use any make up, or straighten my hair etc, so only have to pack a tooth brush and clothes!

Me too! I only take a shortish cotton one, so it doesn't take up much room and always gets used. I'm wondering what everyone who's aghast at the thought of a dressing gown does post shower, getting ready etc, just sit wrapped in a towel? Some hotel towels can be pretty skimpy.