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?

Thanks everyone. I've just weighed 3 dresses, one bikini, lightweight towel and flipflops and its come to around 1.5kg so I think we'll be fine.

Are the teenage girls going to be happy to take just 3 dresses and one bikini?

It can definitely be done, but only if the teens are on board with packing the bare minimum. What you might think are luxuries that can be left behind, they might consider essentials that must be packed.

Ask the hotel to borrow a vacuum.

If Boots do the suncream you need (and other toiletries) you can do a.click and collect order to the airport. We did it when we had a week holiday hand luggage only

www.boots.com/shopping/airport-click-and-collect

I think you'll manage, assuming it's a warm place so you won't need layers?
Things will dry out overnight too so if you needed to give anything a freshen up you can use bar soap from the hotel and give them a little wash in the bath or shower.
That's what I do with my bras when I go away and it's sweaty!

All hotels and most airbnb’s will have a hoover you can borrow. I’ve used this method for the past 4 years and never had a problem. Saves so much space!

You can fit a surprising amount in one 20kg suitcase. I think you'll be absolutely fine.

JML do a battery operated vacuum with bags. I bought all my DC one as a stocking filler for Xmas. They said it’s great for hand luggage with Ryanair. Also bought exact size Ryanair backpacks from Amazon. You can fit tonnes of stuff inside. Loads of compartments for laptop, travel docs etc.

https://www.boots.com/vac-pack-go-10277361?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare---_-PMax:+UK_Smart_Shopping_Toiletries&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajXQl_Gjiz8Md97Fj9qz4nV54&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1-bz3qa4hwMVD5xQBh3JjQCKEAQYASABEgK7r_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

halfprice at Bootsjust now

This is now £40, so not super cheap. The Decathlon ones look better value if you need to buy one for each of you.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BC1HK3BK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

6 days x 4 people? No problem!
4 swimsuits
2 prs trousers each (wear 1, pack 1)
3 t-shirts each (wear 1 pack 2)
1 jacket/hoodie each (wear it)
2 prs underwear each (wear one, pack one. wash out overnight)
forget socks
wear sandals

I think it's a big risk. What if this one suitcase goes missing? You are then left with no luggage at all.

This can be done if you roll everything, stuff the insides of shoes etc with clothes and put a tube of travel wash in the checked-in luggage. Boots order to be collected from the airport after check-in is also very helpful. Vacuum seal bags are good if you get the ones that can be rolled to get the air out as well as vacuumed.

Here are some helpful links https://www.businessinsider.com/how-you-should-pack-carry-on-luggage-from-flight-attendant-2022-7

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Beckmann-100-Travel-Wash/dp/B0037S0XZE/ref=asc_df_B0037S0XZE/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697357204733&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10887057190334512095&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045942&hvtargid=pla-338434949240&mcid=e0a15d57b1ce3837b932121172d6ca1f&gad_source=1&th=1

Have a great holiday!

I don't know why it's Ryanair's fault. They do the same as other low cost airlines like easyJet.

One big suitcase plus good sized backpacks would be plenty. If your 6 year old has a trunki this would work as they fit under the chair in front.

Also you're allowed a shopping bag each from the airport. Buy your toiletries there and put small handbags into shopping bags then Ryanair are none the wiser.

We’d manage this - but would be a lot easier if staying somewhere with towels provided, are you? Agree with buy toiletries there, if not provided.

I think you do need 2x swimwear each so you can have one to wear while the other dries. And 6x pants each, but they are tiny. Nobody takes bulky shoes. Flip flops and flat sandals don’t take up much room and one pair is worn on the plane. One jumper each, worn on plane. Any long trousers/skirts are worn on plane. Teen girl summer clothes seem to be tiny anyway 😆

You actually need very few clothes on a beach holiday as so much time is in swimwear.

Honestly I couldn’t do it and I am surprised if your teenagers would be ok with wearing 3 dresses the whole week. Does the weather never change? Do you not need hoodies, jumpers, or a little jacket in the evening? Personally I would rather book another bag then stress about this. I guess if you make them wear layers and hats and pack their backpacks full you might be able to do it.
do you need to take beach towels?

It would not be possible for me because of allergies.

I would look into the cost of shipping a box ahead of time. I’ve done that before on holidays. Either shipped myself or directly from someplace, but make sure if it’s a company it is shipping locally so there are no customs issues.

You really need to make sure you are somewhere where you underwear dries overnight!

It doesn't sound like a holiday, more a punishment.

Could you pay for one family member to have priority as then you can have an extra larger bag to take on the plane as cabin bag.

2 prs underwear each (wear one, pack one. wash out overnight)

I try and pack light, but even I draw the line at that. 😂

How old are the teenage girls have you told them about the restricted packing situation?
When my dds were teenagers holidays were a big deal for them and they had their wardrobe and toiletries and hair stuff planned. However maybe yours don't mind about that.

We always do this when flying abroad, perfectly doable if you pack sensibly (also family of 4).

Totally doable. If you can get the bags that fit the exact dimensions of the under seat (you can buy them in home bargains etc)
We did a weeks holiday in May with 1 suitcase and the under seats with 2 adults and 2 kids. I fitted all the kids stuff in their under seat bags. Used the suitcase for toiletries but only took one shampoo and conditioner and 2 bottles of sun cream (don’t forget you can buy stuff like that out there) wore trainers on the plane. One pair of flip flops each. I took about 4 outfits for myself and 2 bikinis. Kids the same. Husband even less. It’s totally doable if you only take minimum and if you need anything extra just buy it there

https://www.temu.com/ie/hand-luggage-for-airplane-s.html from very cheap and cheerful to more luxurious. Available on Amazon too. I use these on Ryanair as hand luggage all the time.