One 20KG suitcase for 4 people? Is this doable?

[WhyAreHolidaysSoStressful]

I've messed up. We're flying with Ryan Air (never again and we've not even left yet!) and I've only booked one 20kg suitcase for 4 of us. We managed this last time but also took small suitcases as hand luggage. I didn't realise that Ryan air hand luggage is now literally just a small backpack.

It's now going to cost £112 for another 20kg bag (the first one was only £40 when I booked).

I'm very reluctant so spend so much on extra luggage when it was supposed to be a cheap holiday in the first place.

It's a beach holiday, only six full days there with two days travelling - is it doable if we take maybe 3 lightweight outfits each?

Roll your clothes and take only necessities. You can buy stuff at your destination if you need it.

Are you all adults? I couldn’t do it but I know DH and teen DS could. DS went on a week’s holiday with just the small backpack

Yes it’s possible. You can easily get 3 or 4 days worth of stuff each into your small backpacks and the rest in the larger case.

I've done a 3-day trip with one of the special backpacks made for underseat. (Amazon had them). You'll be fine.
Also, if that's the only issue, you can't really blame Ryanair for your misunderstanding of their policies. They're pretty clear about it.

Doable. Hotel or apartment with washing machine?

Buy shampoo, conditioner , sun cream

• any heavy toiletries over there.

Wear extra stuff on the plane or layer up. If you're taking a jumper then tie round your waist or carry

Wear heaviest shoes on plane.

Next time if just booking flights then look at Jet2. They allow 10kg carry on included.

Will it be possible to rinse and dry clothes where you are going? How much is a cabin bag rather than hold bag. I know Easijet have 2 classifications for non hold luggage, one is the small rucksack (free) and then you can pay for cabin bag which you put in the overhead locker

Can't you just pack the suitcase as a trial run with what you think you need and see if it all fits?

We're a family of 4 and we always take 1 big and at least 2 small suitcases. I can't imagine getting everything in one for all of us but everyone 's definition of what they "need" is different.

I used to do this quite a lot as I was a single mum of three and could only manage one case. How old are the people you are travelling with?

Be ruthless, don’t pack towels or toiletries, travel in your evening sandals so you only need to pack a pair of light flip flops each. Roll everything very tightly.

I took hand luggage only for a ten day honeymoon recently, it’s doable!

Don't you have one backpack and one 10kg per person? Then the 20kg bag for one? I assume it depends what ticket you select but that's what we have on the Family bundle thing and it's been fine.

If that is what you have, then that is what you have, but I wouldn't want to do on holiday with that little stuff, no.

I mean, just beach towels take up a chunk of that weight and volume.

For £112 if you can afford it I’d add it on. It’ll just be stressful otherwise and ruin the fun.

Roll clothes. Knickers are weirdly heavy. Toiletries heaviest of all, so cut those to minimum/ buy on arrival.

I would swallow the extra cost and pay for another checked bag.

Otherwise you will spend so much time carefully selecting what to pack, rolling everything tightly, and cramming it all in. You won't be able to bring everything you want and might have to wash clothes while you're away. And you won't be able to bring back any purchases or souvenirs. None of this is the end of the world obviously and I know £112 is a lot, but for the sake of your own sanity and enjoyment it's probably worth it.

If you have the ability to wash things whilst you are there, perhaps it is possible.

Please make this your last ever flight with Ryanair. Don't support the nasty Mr O'Leary again.

Have a lovely time whilst you are there.

Yes! Wear your heaviest shoes and take only one other pair. No beach towels!!!

My mum uses this company as she struggles to carry a big case.
www.sendmybag.com/en-gb/

What's provided where you're staying? Beach towels, washing machine? Weigh up the cost of what you might need to buy because you can't take it v paying for extra baggage. Can you not add on a cabin bag or two for less than £112? Their website takes a bit of reading to make sure you understand each baggage deal but it's a way for you to control the price you pay.

Handwashing while you are there. doesn't everyone? You can get travel detergent in small quantities.

I would only need the small backpack for 6 days at the beach, but if you're not sure do a dry run and see how much over the 4 backpacks + 20 kg you are.

It's me, two teenage girls and youngest who is 6. We will need to take suncream due to skin allergies. Maybe 3 dresses each plus one bikini and swimsuit each. No spare shoes. We can probably share most toiletries.

I was thinking of buying more lightweight towels - I have one already and it is fab.

Easily!

We take one case between 5, because who can be arsed with baggage if it's avoidable. The biggest issues are beach towels, which can take up a lot of space, so pack thin ones. It's about what you need, not everything that might be suitable, and knowing you'll probably only wear a few anyway.

It should be fine if you take the one big case and four backpack/small cabin bags that fit within the Ryanair cabin allowance.

I've got a bag that is at the cabin allowance size, and just recently travelled with it - I fitted in a beach towel, a cardigan, 3 t shirts, some underwear, one pair of trousers and a pair of flipflops, just in the hand luggage alone, with room to spare. You can get a surprising amount in handluggage - just check that it doesn't 't go over the limits once packed.

You can always do a little hand washing once there, just to freshen things up.

Do you have packing cubes? I find them brilliant and I seem to be able to fit a lot more in my rucksack when using them.

Are you going out and about or largely by the pool/beach, will you go out in the evening or stay in?

If you aren't doing too much going out and about and needing proper outfits and change of clothes I think it's fine, most people over pack anyway, you only need 1 set of swimwear each and rinse and dry it over night.

Be mindful if you end up needing to buy more whilst over there it could easily add up to more than the £112 each.

Thank you! Never knew this existed!

Vacuum pack the clothes and then borrow a hoover from the hotel for the return journey.