How can I be a more organised flyer?

[Redhairandhottubs]

Just got back from 4 nights away. I took a small cabin case and a large bag. Both jammed full and weighed a ton. Really struggled getting on and off the plane, plus juggling passport, phone for boarding pass, etc.

Would be grateful for any tips on how to travel with less stuff and be generally less faffy!

a large bag as hand luggage or a bag in the hold?
I always take a small soft shouler bag that I can wear across my body for passport, boarding pass, phone,etc and then you've got it to hand easily without having to go rummaging in a backpack or case. If you're limited to the number of items you can have as carry on then make sure it fits inside your larger bag once you board.
Anything you're going to want during the flight e.g. ipad, book, headphones etc goes in a bag to go under the seat in front. Also pack any liquids that might need to be removed at security in the top so you can whip them out easily. Ditto ipad/laptop - it's useful to have a bag with a separate pocket or compartment for these. A backpack is easier than a shoulder bag, particularly if you've got a case too.
Keep your carry on case so that you don't need to open it until you arrive.

If you’re staying in hotel, take hardly any toiletries. Soap and shampoo will be provided

If your taking cabin suitcase and underseat bag only pack clothes and other stuff for arrival in suitcase. Leave under seat handbag/ small rucksack half empty. So it’s easy to rummage on plane for water, passport, headphones. And then space to shove jumper in if too warm.

I rinse clothing basics like underwear and tshirt in hotel sink. Use them to travel back in 4 days later. They will be dry. One less outfit to pack.

I travel with a case for the overhead and an underseat backpack. The backpack fits over the case handle and has a double ended zipper which goes around three sides, enabling easy access to contents. With the exception of toothpaste, lipsalve, soap and deodorant, I don't take any toiletries. These all go in my 100 ml plastic bag, in the backpack.

I have a drawstring bag which contains things I may need during the flight - earbuds, tissues, sweets, money etc. This goes in the backpack. All my travel documents go in an A5 plastic wallet which goes into the laptop pocket of the backpack. I screenshot boarding passes just in case there's an issue with the app. I keep the phone in my pocket.

Make sure you always have enough time so you don't need to rush or flap. Consistency is key, I always put things in the drawstring bag and I always put the travel documents back in the plastic wallet. It is far easier to look for specific things in specific locations than random stuff floating loose in your hand luggage. Work out a routine that works for you and then do it - every single time.

Thank you everyone. I had a cabin bag (small case) and a large tote bag to go under my seat. Good idea to get one that fits over the case handles.

Toiletries are a problem. I had my make up, day and night cream, spf, deodorant, hair serum, small toothpaste and toothbrush, plus my straighteners, in my tote bag, which all weighed a ton, but I needed it all. I also had my iPad, kindle and phone, all of which I used on my holiday, but I think I may need to sacrifice the iPad next time.

A drawstring bad for bits you need on the flight is a good idea. Thanks everyone!

I aspire to be an organised flyer and even after 40+ years of doing so I don't think I'm anywhere near there yet!!

However a few things I've found are -

Clothing - be absolutely ruthless about planning Every. Single. Outfit. I make sure every separate item can be worn more than once, keep colours similar and take one set of accessories like jewellery while wearing a second then alternate them. Ditto shoes. I even go as far as > brace yourself ... this is anal as ... < taking a picture of each "day" so I can remember what I was mixing and matching with! I've massively cut down my packing this way and absolutely nothing goes in the case that will only be worn once. For a beach type holiday I even try and plan to wear as much of the first weeks evening clothes as day outfits the following week. It helps that I've paired things down to quite casual but very smart good quality items.

Secondly - I squirrel away small pots from used lotions and lotions and decant everything. This year for a weekend in London I tried pre soaking cotton pads in eye make up remover and stacking in a small flat round container and then squeezed a glug on top of the last one. Ta da! Ready made eye makeup remover pads. Stayed lovely and wet the whole time and didn't leak.

Anyway watching this thread with HUGE interest to steal other wise MNers tips.

Oh and I second a cross body bum bag type thing for the airport ... great to stay hands free. I got an actually quite decent one from Primark last summer which has lots of room in.

Oh and I know this is Very. Very bad for the planet but I quite like to use sachets of beauty product. When you shop at the likes of L'Occitane and Clarins online you often get x samples with a purchase so I tactfully choose ones for keeping for or holidays

Tactically rather. I'm sure neither brand would be at all offended at my buying process's

Most people would not have all those toiletry items, plus hair straighteners, tbh.
As mentioned, hotels provide shampoo & shower gel, so I take a tiny wash bag, in my suitcase. I don't use day cream, night cream, hair serum. If my bag gets lost, I can buy toothpaste, toothbrush and deoderant at the other end.
Couple of lipsticks in a small carry on/handbag - that's it.
You're on holiday - you can just be "au naturel".
Worst case scenario, take travel sizes or decant into little bottles.
For clothes, remove a third to a half of what you planned to take, because I guarantee you won't wear everything.

I was going to give tips on packing light but you lost me at day and night cream, hair serum and straighteners. You can survive without all of those for 4 nights surely? Hotels and Airbnbs generally have hairdryers.

I put my creams into small travel size pots, but yes I could manage without one of them. If I didn't have straighteners and serum, my hair would be a mass of frizz! I'm on holiday, but still want to look nice when I go out in the evening.

the military special forces have what they call go bags, which are basic essential's, maybe just trim to the bare essentials ?

Love the idea of travelling light but rarely manage. Always let down by toiletries. Don't understand how people are saying just do without. I might do without for a day in the house but not on holiday, I want to look nice, go out for meals etc. My skin is very dry and sensitive so definitely need decent face and body moisturiser, my hair is a frizzy mess without good shampoo and straighteners, hotel soap leaves me really itchy. And not doing without make up, eek! I have got teeny travel size things though, prepacked in a bag for going through security. More hints and tips very welcome!

Agree, you're on holiday not a boot camp in the Andes

Yes I don’t bother with day or night creams for 4 days. I don’t own hair straighteners. Just wear hair up maybe instead?

I take minimal. I use locctaine mini travel bar soap.

Honestly I don’t really use products every day like face creams so I don’t miss them at all. I mean 4 days wouldn’t ruin my hair if I just washed it in bar soap or hotel shampoo. I would just slap on some face cream the evening before I left and not worry about it. A bit of extra sun cream will work fine as face cream for a few days.

it’s just easier to not worry about straight hair, than worry like op bags too heavy and can’t find passport

I pay for hold luggage.

I can't be bothered to minimise packaging, I love my own toileteries and wouldn't think of hand washing clothes/look for a laundrett.

I have one backpack as handluggage and a small cross body handbag for money, passport, phone.

What was the full content of each of your bags @Redhairandhottubs ?

These are exactly the kind of tips I need! Thank you!

I think you are me 🤣

Ok, so it was hard to pack as wasn't sure what the weather would be like. Temperatures have been fluctuating between 10 and 20 degrees. Contents as follows:
Case -
Hoodie
Denim jacket
Jeans
Cargos
Leggings
Going out tops x 2
1 long sleeve top
2 T-shirts
2 vest tops
Swim suit
Shoes
Bag with all my meds
Underwear
Pyjamas

Bag -
Straighteners
iPad
Kindle
Make up
Skincare and hair stuff
Claw clip
Hairband
Water bottle
Passport
Purse
Phone

I also had my coat to deal with as it was freezing when we left England!

I don’t like to carry too much at the airport so I almost always check in a suitcase.

I have a ‘holiday’ cross body bag that is just large enough to hold a paperback book and this becomes my handbag while we are away.

If we are going straight to a hotel at the other end then I just take that as my hand-luggage, generally with a folded nylon shopping bag inside if I buy any magazines at the airport. Reading matter is quite high priority to me!

If I am taking my laptop or travel cushion then I carry a large but lightweight fully zipped tote, which the little bag can also ride inside as needed.

A lightweight merino wool jumper is my favoured extra layer, even if going to a warm climate.

I think a checked in bag may well be the answer I'm looking for.

It doesn't look like you've packed so much?

I take all my usual toiletries in travel sizes. I never go without my own things.

For 4 nights I never take more than the free/included bag and a tiny cross body bag (which is suspect should technically count as a bag, but never has).

Wear/carry you jeans and bulkiest jumper and/or jacket. Wear you comfy shoes and take a pair of flip flops or sandals. Then it's just underwear, some clean tops and some shorts or a dress, plus toiletries.

If you don't take much , unpacking and laundry takes no time when you get home, which is an added bonus.

Oh and if you roll rather than fold clothes, they take up much less space and arrive less creased.

Coat wise - I have a super thin down jacket. It’s warm when leaving cold climates, but folds down to inside its pocket. It’s about 15 years old but really handy for when you’re leaving cold climate and arriving warmer. As can fold up and pop into bag on plane.

I would take one less pair trousers. Assuming your wearing a pair, one spare and leggings is 3 pairs for 4 days mix and matching. And if lightweight down jacket, prob no need for denim also

I mean that’s what I do for lightweight short trips. If I want or need to take more I always take checked luggage.