Give me your packing tips 🤷‍♀️

[Queenofheart]

We’re going abroad for five days, I usually take a 23kg hold case when holidaying but as it’s a short trip I don’t need that much stuff or want the wait to collect the case each end.

What would be your tips when only taking a 10kg wheely case on the aircraft?

I’m thinking of how to work my toiletry allowance, I like to use body lotion, my nail varnish will start to wear off, perfume ?..

What kind of trip? Beach? Resort? City break? Active break? What temperature/climate? Makes a difference to how and what I'd pack.

Get gel nails before you go (or a normal manicure should last a week), and cut right down on lotions etc. Buy suncream at the airport.

And limit your shoes - wear trainers, pack sandals, and make do with those (depending on the kind of holiday).

Get packing cubes. Roll your clothes.

And gel polish manicure is a good tip - these last at least two weeks

Go onto Amazon and order clear flight toiletry bags and empty 100ml containers. You can either buy minis of your usual stuff or decant into the little containers. That way everything is neatly packed before you go to the airport so you're not fiddling about before security.

Another tip is to put any electrical stuff into a carrier bag together so you just need to pull out one bag. We keep it all in the separate front section of our cases along with the toiletries.

Buy a suitcase that is exactly the right size. You'll be surprised how much fits in. Wear your bulkiest stuff on the plane, like jeans, trainers and coat and only pack the lighter things.

It's a change of mindset. Instead of taking your wardrobe with you and picking what to wear spontaneously, you need to think really carefully about what you will need to wear each day and just pack that. Maybe a couple of extras. And be prepared to rewear outfits.

We've done a one week trip to Iceland with just cabin bags and also a two week trip to Sicily and two weeks in Berlin/Dresden/Prague. You leave the airport more quickly as you skip luggage collection and also the worry about bags not turning up or getting lost.

Can you take a case and an under the seat bag. If so you're all good. The Ryan air size bag on Amazon fits loads. Wear the heavier footwear. Roll clothes, make sure everything goes with everything. Make sure liquids are packed in the correct size see through bag. They do allow a carrier bag if you buy at the airport so utilise that too.

If you are struggling moisturiser wise etc just buy airside. I like my skincare so utilise my allowance on items I can’t get quickly airside. Make up goes in my clear bag but if I’m out of allowance, I’ll get deodorant, shower gel, sun cream, etc airside.

Start with your shoes, the less pairs you can take the better, so work your outfits & accessories around 2 pairs of shoes (one you'll be travelling in)

Multi use clothing, can be used for day or night, dressed up or dow, and stick to two colours that work together

Primark do great decanting pots, squeezy bottles etc for all of your creams and lotions

Sorry everyone, we're going to Spain, so hot, beach holiday

That's easy to pack for then! Wear a jacket on the plane, take 1x long sleeve top. Wear a pair of trousers, but then only pack shorts (and tops)/light dresses. Wear a 'sturdy' (for want of a better word) sandal to fly, pack flip flops.
You've got more than enough room for hot/beach clothes in a case for 5 days. Toiletries are limited to what you can fit in your plastic bag, so for me that would be tiny shampoo, conditioner & facewash, moisturiser, hair putty (decanted into a small pot), mascara and lip gloss. I don't wear much other make up, but I'd take a powder-style foundation, eyeliner and one eyeshadow. I'd buy shower gel and sun cream at the airport and leave behind.
Whack in a bit of jewellery, a kindle, hairbrush and chargers and you're done!

Thanks everyone for some brilliant tips.

Going to pack very little make up, electricals in a carrier bag and am going to get my toiletries from the airport.

Hi Everyone, thanks again for the tips.

Just thought I'd tell you, in case you don't know, I've done an online order with Boots and got them delivered to the airside shop at the airport to collect when I've gone through passport control. That way, no queueing and I've got the 3 for 2 offers and travel size, which you don't always get when you go the shop.

Good plan if you know what you want in advance. :)