AIBU to do a week in Rhodes with only underseat baggage?

[kitchenplans]

Having a mild wobble. Going to Rhodes next week with DH and we only booked underseat cabin luggage. I'm pretty experienced at packing light and only hand luggage/underseat luggage, but I've just realised that previous underseat only trips were 4-5 day city breaks with no swimstuff needed and maybe I've been a bit over optimistic!

Holiday is a AI in Rhodes. We've done Rhodes before, so we're mostly planning on just some much needed R&R by the pool - but will likely also do a couple of days out (Lindos, Rhodes Town) plus will likely eat out often in the evenings as we love Greek Tavernas!

Rather helpfully, I'm really low maintenance. So I won't require make-up, skin care stuff, specialist hair care stuff or any kind of hair styling equipment. Soap, shampoo, hairbrush, toothbrush and deodorant pretty much covers my needs!

We also have specialist underseat storage bags which use every cm of space and compression packing cubes, plus we're travelling EasyJet who are slightly more generous on underseat space than RyanAir and some others.

So here's my plan - is it doable?

Stuff between DH and I (will need to fit in across the 2 x bags)
2 x suncream
1 x bar of olive oil soap
1 x shampoo/conditioner all in one.
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Deodorant
Multway travel plug plus charging cables
Packaway rucksack.
Mosquito repellent
Passport/Travel Docs/Euros etc

My stuff:
3 x swimsuits/bikinis
1 x kaftan type coverup
1 x sarong
1 pair foldable beach socks
2 x hamman towels
1 x flipflops
2 x vest tops
3 x dresses
1 x shorts
7 x knickers (including some chub rub ones)
2 x bras
1 x disposable razor
1 x hairbrush with elastics round handle
1 x tablet with preloaded ebooks/audiobooks/films etc
1 x disposable razor
1 x phone in waterproof case on lanyard round my neck

I'm planning to travel in wide leg trousers/loose tshirt/cardi/comfy walking sandals, which I can re-use as necessary throughout the week.

Is this enough stuff for the week?

Me neither - i just love different clothes and cant decide until day i wear, getting better, but now i always factor in checked in luggage price in to my Holiday budget, it save so much hassle for me, plus can buy over there if i want

Could you ditch all the toiletries/sunscreen & do a Boots click & collect order for after security? It won’t count towards your luggage limit & will give you more space for clothes.
I would be very surprised if the AI didn’t provide beach/pool towels tbh.

Buy all your toiletries and sun cream there .

Sorry if someone has already suggested this but laundry sheets are fantastic ...superr light and take up less room than handwashing liquid.

The underseat backpack or shoulder strap bags specifically designed for easy jet or ryan air are really roomy. Lots of different compartments and pockets. You’d have no problem packing the items the OP mentions.

an additional cabin size suitcase won’t break the bank but surely it’s about ease as well? I’d far rather pack in a compact rucksack than have that plus a wheelie cabin suitcase. The underseat rucksack makes it so easy - both hands are free all the time and you can just zip through the airport without trundling a case. Also, because so many passengers take cabin luggage these days to avoid the hold, that a suitcase in the overhead locker can easily end up lots of rows away from your seat which takes longer to get off the plane.

Final reason for just taking an under seat bag: because of so many people taking cabin luggage, it’s not uncommon now to be stopped at the gate and have your cabin suitcase put in the hold. I know they ask, but ultimately there’s no choice - if they tell you your luggage needs to go in the hold, it’s tough. This won’t happen with an underseat bag.

Thanks OP! I've borrowed your list as DH and I are off to Crete for a week next month, and he hasn't booked luggage. I am usually not good at packing light.

Absolutely doable - and to avoid the queues / bag faff definitely recommended!
I’ve taken safety razor in hand luggage no probs. You could also pop into boots at airport (or click and collect; more variety of cheaper ranges). The hotel will def have towels available.
have a great time!

Personally I’d just buy hold luggage. I’ve never understood the pride people have on here of squeezing everything into a cabin bag. I’d rather have all my stuff, not worry about what will fit and not spend my evenings rinsing out my clothes.

Do you need the multiway travel plug? We did a similar trip and ordered European usb plugs because essentially it was just our electronics to charge. We also have electric toothbrushes which hold their charge for weeks so no need for a toothbrush charger. Used the washing sheets (just make sure they are in something waterproof). Just took small 50ml suncream for the first day and then got more out there. Do you need sunhats?

Do you need a waterproof? You can wear it on the plane. So much easier wandering through the airport with just hand luggage. You can always buy a bag out there and pay for that on the way back if you want to buy stuff.

I went to Gran Canaria last year for a week with only hand luggage. I did click and collect at Boots though so didn’t have any toiletries in it.

For me it’s the freedom of not having to physically check in/pick up luggage. Also no risk of anything going missing or getting damaged.

Definitely, me and my son are gingers and we got through 1.5 bottles over a week in Greece - if I'd been with another adult we'd have got through 2.

I know you’ve said you’re not worried about it fitting under the seats but I’ve seen tons of people with those packing cubes held up at the gates because it doesn’t quite fit. They’re super strict about it even being half a cm too big and make everyone put it in the space to prove it fits in fully. I’ve seen so many people madly repacking and wearing more layers etc.

All my short haul holidays are with Carry on only.
Wear your heaviest clothes/shoes to the airport, basically what you intend to return home in. I usually do trainers and cropped trousers/t shirt and a hoodie.

Minimal toiletries and a couple of evening outfits along with a couple of day sundresses, swimwear, daily undies, 2 bras, 2 shorts, 4 tops. A couple of beach sarongs that can double as evening wear. Flip flops for day/evening.

Get some compression bags, they are brilliant and save a lot of space.

I’ve seen that mostly with people who have some kind of bag or rucksack which isn’t the actual easyJet/ Ryanair bag. If you pack an easyJet/ryanair bag properly you can fit loads in and there’s no problem fitting it in the required space - and no risk the staff will take it off you at the gate to go in the hold, which is a very real risk with the larger cabin suitcases.

I'd do one hammam towel, 2 swimsuits and 1 coverup.

Ah, each to their own! I could probably pack every single item of summer clothing I own into a hold bag! And the hassle of folding/packing/unpacking/repacking/reunpacking it all would be far more stressful than re-wearing an outfit!

Genuinuely, I prefer the freedom of cabin luggage only. That said, last time I did this it was when it was an overhead locker bag plus an underseat bag (which would be more than enough for my needs with room to spare). Just an underseat bag does need more planning.

We've used these bags many times. They're completely compliant and fit easily into the measuring baskets and easily under the seats.

Re the convenience of underseat or cabin luggage only - I use a slightly larger backpack with wheels (Cabin Max) and put that overhead. I also have a large soft cross body bag that has adjustable straps so it can turn into a backpack too. So when I am gadding about getting on and off trains, buses, boats etc. I put the backpack on my back, the crossbody well.... across my body and away I go. If I need to I can also wheel the backpack as well as use the crossbody as a backpack. Years of trying out different packing solutions led me to this!

I'm a bit of a mad 68 year old and don't do sun hols, but travel from place to place a lot in Europe only now, and find this combo is brilliant. Keeps me fit!

Great constructive advice here! Our multiway things are plugs with multi USB ports, and small (I'll try and attached a pic of something similar), so one of these plus 4 cables means we can charge all our electronics at once (2×phones, 2×tablets). We won't take anything else that needs plugging in.

We're taking suncream as we're blonde and burn easily. Not being able to get good, high enough SPF suncream would ruin our holiday! Probably should pack sun caps and sunglasses though, will add to my list.

No waterproof. Don't think it's going to rain, but if it does, I'll be sitting in the bar drinking my all inclusive cocktails.

Lots of posters have suggested washing sheets/leaves. That's a fabulous idea!

Just be aware, Easyjet are not quite as relaxed as they were previously. I've stopped flying with them for work now as they got so stringent. I couldn't be bothered with the stress, pay for a bag!

The bag is fully compliant.

Generally don't queue up too early or too late. Be in with the scrum and they don't have as much time to check bags.

I think what you've listed sounds fine. I don't think I'd bother with a kaftan and and a sarong, but if they fit then why not. Thinking I'd just want to leave a little breathing space in the cabin bag for a souvenir or two. I usually squeeze in a tote bag as well for carrying stuff down to the pool or the beach, is that what you intend using the rucksack for?

It sounds fab, I'm really envious

I don't pack toiletries I order them to the airport and take them in the sealed bag.