Hand luggage - does this sound do-able

[scrumbrum12]

Hi
Us four are planning a 3 way trip to Cyprus and Malta in October. Now the kids are teens we want to do hand luggage only to avoid the waiting for baggage faff. I have checked the three airlines and we can take one small bag plus a cabin bag (wheelie type or soft), max 10 kg. We don't need many clothes, will wear the shoes and jackets and have use washing machines etc, kindles and devices. The only thing is sensitive skin to suncream so we want to take our own. if each of us takes 2x100ml bottles in our hand luggage is that ok do you think? The only other thing is lots of medication and I'm hoping they will let me take that on separately in a special meds bag. Anyone else done similar with sunscreen? IE family of four, 2 bottles each plus devices and minimal clothes?
Thanks

Depends entirely on how the individual likes to travel. I could do two weeks worth of clothes including one posh outfit and one warmer outfit. My OH will use up a 25kg allowance as he has never quite understood what ‘travelling light’ means.

I couldn't do this but my BIL does. I need a suitcase. Very expensive at ~£120 return just for the suitcase but so much less hassle!

That’s definitely doable. If struggling with the liquids, just leave shampoo / shower gel and home and buy a cheap supermarket bottle once you’re there. Alternatively you could do the same for sunscreen. Medication will be ok.

I haven't taken suitcases for years. Just learn to roll clothes. You can get as much in as a big case flat packed. Be economical with shoes. Wear your clumpy ones. Flip flops in your case or handbag

You can have as many bottles as you like, as long as they are each 100ml or under, if that helps. It's definitely do'able based on what you've said though. There are some really good You Tube videos on how to pack really efficiently to maximise space in your bag. Although weight can become an issue, you could also use compression packing cubes to save some space.

I have just travelled with epi pens and lots of other meds. No one said a thing .
I just had it all in a separate ziplock back to put on the security tray and no issues whatsoever .

Instead of trying to take multiple 100ml sun lotions might it be easier to buy from boots in the airport? Once you are though security you can buy as much as you need. Otherwise I think it's fine - I assume the typo is that it's a 3 week trip but I still think it's doable.

Get the liquids you'll need between the four of you, four see through bags of the right size (Birmingham says 20x20cm for example, which I think is standard) and see if you can get your stuff to fit.

Clothes... wear the heavy stuff like coat, jumper and jeans, trainers (although you will probably just need a light waterproof).

You can get a lot in a Cabin bag (as long as you don't mean the new easyjet size!)

Very useful thanks, I forgot to check size of the see through bags and remember now flying to ibiza and having to dump stuff as it wouldn't fit in one bag.

Thanks everyone, really useful. It;s a 3 way (3 flight) trip for 10 days. Can you usually take on a Boots bag as well full of purchases from airside? Would need to check they have cream good for our sensitive skin though

Can you do a click and collect order for a branch of boots at the airport you are flying from? Although I’ve never done it, I’m sure I’ve heard others talking about it to get round the same problem.

Not true. You’re limited to 1litre in total.

Your meds should be in either your small bag or your 10kg bag. You don't get to take an extra bag in addition to these by saying it's for meds (nice try though!) when you're not willing to pay for hold luggage.

We did a 3 week roadtrip in South Africa with 9 and 7 year olds with just handluggage. It was fine, though the kids' clothes were obviously small and we had to ditch most of our shoes coming back to make way for souvenirs. We haven't brought hold luggage anywhere since.

You can (usually) take an extra bag of boots stuff/duty free that you buy after security yes but the problem you will have is that you will need it to be under 100ml for your next flight so you might be better off going with your original plan

Meds can definitely be extra from the liquid bag - you don't have to keep meds under 100ml or fit them all in one bag but I don't know whether you can have an extra bag for them. Might it not be easier to pay for one checked bag between all of you and put all liquids plus heavy stuff in there?

Don't know about the meds, but I recently went on a ski trip with only a cabin bag so the rest of it is doable.
Depending on which airport you're flying from there should be a Boots and they always stock loads of different types of sunscreen.

Oh sorry just spotted you have more than one flight. In which case bring some 100mls of your own sun cream plus buy Boots brand for the first leg.

Yes, sunscreen is the sticking point with liquids only. It's expensive abroad and may not suit your skin. Otherwise a wheelie case and a rucksack or whatever is plenty.

You can buy some airside on leg 1, but you won't be able to take it with you on leg 2 because the bottles will be too big.

But as to how much you need depends on your skin and what type of holiday it is, plus whether you mean early or late October and what the weather is like.

I'm very pale and burn easily and would use at least a 200 ml bottle, possibly more if I'm outside all day, on the beach etc in those places, even in October, whereas DP is quite dark skinned and doesn't burn so just uses a tiny bit on the first couple of days.

I'd take small bottles if you can, buy a bottle or two after the first airport but accept I'm throwing away whatever I don't use and then use the small bottles in your second destination. Or you could buy some locally and either suck up the price or see if it's available cheaply anywhere, but in my experience it seems to be 15-20 euro a bottle.

I live in Malta. I can guarantee you can buy sunscreen here - even for sensitive skin. If you tell me what brand you want I’ll even check the pharmacy on the school run today and let you know the price.

If your meds are on prescription and you have a copy of your prescription with you they are absolutely carried as 'extra' so the above is incorrect.

If there is someone with specifically sensitive skin see if you GP will add suncream to their prescription (less likely now but possible!)

I love mumsnet sometimes. This is such a great response.

oh wow amazing, I did ask my husband's (quite elderly) maltese family a month ago but so far heard nothing! They may eventually get back to me so only if not too much trouble for you. Ultrasun is the best , thank you xx

I use a smallish backpack for the "extra" handbag allowed in addition to the 10kg bag. Fits loads, fits under the seat (essential) and once on your back crew never notice it.

I also have a neck pouch that I wear as a crossover. It holds emergency meds (pill form), passport, phone and wallet. Easy access to everything I need at the gate.

You will manage fine. In general we bring far too much stuff. You are allowed to re wear clothes, no one will care so uncrushable fabrics are the biz. You live and learn! footwear can be a bogey. So I wear trainers and bring one pair of good sandals for going out. I can buy cheapo flip flops where I am and leave them behind if necessary.

If you want to ensure you get the sunscreen you need, click and collect at the airport Boots. That is allowed on board in addition to the 100ml bottles (max 1 litre in total). Or if a pp's very kind offer to check works out, you can buy it there.

Have a great trip!

This from my little tiny corner pharmacy. €20.
she’s said they don’t always have on the shelf but can get from the distributor at a couple of days notice. Where are you staying?