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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think carry-on luggage is enough for five nights in Ibiza?

75 replies

shrumps · 13/06/2026 14:21

AIBU for thinking I can manage with just carry on luggage for 5 nights in Ibiza? I was planning on buying toiletries there, small make up bag, 1 x flip flops, 1 x sandals, 2 bikinis, 2 beach cover ups, shorts, 3 evening outfits, couple of vest tops, underwear. I think it’s doable, friends are reacting in horror at the very idea 😝

OP posts:
ForBusyOliveBear · 14/06/2026 21:04

I could do carry on but not under the seat.

ERthree · 14/06/2026 21:29

5 nights = 10 pairs of knickers, at least 2 bras, 2 lots of nightwear, then clothes no way could i just use carry on.

OMGitsnotgood · 14/06/2026 21:42

ERthree · 14/06/2026 21:29

5 nights = 10 pairs of knickers, at least 2 bras, 2 lots of nightwear, then clothes no way could i just use carry on.

If you’re in the ‘I’m on holiday so. wouldn’t dream of handwashing a pair of knickers’ camo then you probably couldn’t make it work.
The reality is it takes so little time to handwash a few items it really isn’t going to ruin your break.

Greentea4 · 14/06/2026 21:53

I am about to go to Canada and Mexico with just hand luggage for 3 weeks. I always travel light. You can always use a laundrette or hand wash if needed.

BCBird · 14/06/2026 21:55

There's no way I could manage this. Wish I could.

Twilightstarbright · 14/06/2026 21:57

I could but I don’t want to! Ibiza is the type of trip I like having a fair few outfit options for but I have done two night trips there hand luggage only.

Tezza1 · 14/06/2026 22:20

JustGiveMeReason · 13/06/2026 15:00

It's an 'it depends' for me.

If you are skint, and have to, then yes, you will manage.

But that is a different question from "would you want to".

I inter-railed in my youth, and headed off to Australia another year. Managed fine with everything I needed for 6 weeks in one rucksack. However, now I'm older and have a bit more money, I prefer to give myself different choices.

I actually had the reverse experience. The older I got and the longer I travelled I managed with less and less. By my late 30s I could go away for four months with a small fabric duffle bag.

coolcahuna · 15/06/2026 06:45

I did a week in Italy recently with the small underseat rucksack bag. It was fine but mainly because it wasn't boiling hot so could wear things several times. I did miss having a bit of choice in the evenings.

WeddingInvitation · 15/06/2026 06:50

Friend and her partner in their late 60s backpacked round SEAsia just with carry on luggage for 7 weeks.

Fatiguedwithlife · 15/06/2026 06:56

I always take hand luggage (small backpack not the wheeled one!) on European holidays now.
One bikini, wear layers on the plane. Take a laundry bar.

Wexone · 15/06/2026 08:41

OMGitsnotgood · 14/06/2026 21:42

If you’re in the ‘I’m on holiday so. wouldn’t dream of handwashing a pair of knickers’ camo then you probably couldn’t make it work.
The reality is it takes so little time to handwash a few items it really isn’t going to ruin your break.

Reality is i still don't want to do that no matter what holiday am on

OMGitsnotgood · 15/06/2026 08:48

Wexone · 15/06/2026 08:41

Reality is i still don't want to do that no matter what holiday am on

That was exactly my point. It is possible to travel with just a rucksack but you need to be prepared to wash the odd thing through. So it wouldn’t work for you, it might for the OP.

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/06/2026 08:50

I did 4 days in Porto in November with a bag the fitted under seat (the trick is to take a duffle bag rather than a hard shell suitcase).

I wore jeans, t shirt, knitted jacket/cardie, coat and trainers on the journey out and packed

1 x trousers

1x jersey dress

4 x t shirts

1 x blouse

5 x pants

4 x socks

2x cami vest tops

1 x ballet pumps

Hold luggage compliant mini toileteries bag

Small make up bag

Tiddlywinks63 · 15/06/2026 08:54

If you use packing cubes you’ll be surprised at how much you can pack. I’ve done 10 days with a carry on, no problem.

PinkEasterbunny · 15/06/2026 10:55

I can't manage without my Dyson Airwrap and straighteners, this never helps with minimal packing!

Eury · 15/06/2026 11:11

Am I the only person who needs tweezers for random and sudden chin hairs at all times? This is the only reason I can't manage with hand luggage

PinkEasterbunny · 15/06/2026 11:35

There's another thread running at present, about how people are somehow seen as 'lacking' if they can't manage with hand luggage only - its an interesting debate!

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/06/2026 11:36

umm - I always take tweezers in my hand luggage.

Eury · 15/06/2026 12:48

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/06/2026 11:36

umm - I always take tweezers in my hand luggage.

seriously? I have had 3 pairs of tweezers taken off me at the airport; admittedly this was about 15 years ago. Is it no longer the case that you can't pack them? Have I been putting luggage in the hold for nothing?

bugalugs45 · 15/06/2026 12:52

Well I couldn’t do it , or more wouldn’t do it as i like to take a lot of stuff , but it’s perfectly possible of course .
I have friends that can do 2 weeks on hand luggage ,
they just rinse clothes out!

notimagain · 15/06/2026 12:57

Eury · 15/06/2026 12:48

seriously? I have had 3 pairs of tweezers taken off me at the airport; admittedly this was about 15 years ago. Is it no longer the case that you can't pack them? Have I been putting luggage in the hold for nothing?

Rules ex-UK, foreign airports might do it differently ( to cut to the chase, tweezers allowable both in carry on and checked baggage).

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/personal-items

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports - carry-on luggage, checked-in baggage, restricted items and liquids, electronic devices carried from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/personal-items

Eury · 15/06/2026 13:02

notimagain · 15/06/2026 12:57

Rules ex-UK, foreign airports might do it differently ( to cut to the chase, tweezers allowable both in carry on and checked baggage).

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/personal-items

I can't believe I didn't know this. I'm such an idiot Blush

notimagain · 15/06/2026 13:10

Oh the darned rules are always changing...I don't think anyone can really keep up and once bitten by having stuff confiscated it's kind of hard to contemplate risking it again...

Biggles27 · 15/06/2026 20:14

Compression packing cubes are your best friend! We did 4 days in Sydney (travelled from another city in Aus) with Easy Jet sized backpacks. We’re doing 5 days in Rome with just carry on and will take toiletries in the backpacks - we’re flying EasyJet. Hubby did a week in Gran Canaria on carryon only

very doable

Mypyjamasarebaggy · 15/06/2026 21:24

Im only going for 3 nights and taking a case! I’ve travelled all over the world for donkeys years but have never mastered packing light! It’s a girls trip and I want lots of options for day clubs / nights out etc. also have size 8 feet so my shoes take up a lot of space - that’s my excuse anyway 😂

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