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!

I tuck a debit card down my bra on the plane to avoid rootling in my bag for my purse.

I only have a few things in a very flat cross body handbag, that is so short it goes under my jacket, it has my purse, passport, boarding cards/paper documents, a few little bits like lipstick and mirror etc.

That leaves me to have a 'personal item' handbag which is a handbag rucksack. I bouight one that you can use as an over the shoulder and it then converts into a rucksack too, then I have my carry on, and a checked in bag

I frequently go on cycling holidays where 10 days clothing needs to fit in a small bag smaller than a rucksack on the back of a bike. I can also go away for a weeks normal holiday with just one large tote bag that fits under the seat in front. I use lots of toiletries.
The trick is to buy clothing that is very lightweight and can be rolled up super small. Push items down and compress them into every corner. Take multifunctional items. For example - I have a midi skirt from Hush that is super thin, it coordinates with a matching cami which I buy in a couple of colours. These wash and dry super quickly. I take a coupe of t shirts that also coordinate with said skirt. One pair of denim shorts that goes with all camis/tshirts. One pashmina type wrap for cooler weather that can be tied round the handles of bag or worn on plane. One lightweight long sleeved button up shirt that coordinates with skirt and shorts. Sometimes one very thin pair of black trousers in soft crepe type fabric (all these fabrics work well rolled and compressed, bar T-shirts so pack those on top)
Toiletries in reusable pouches. You can get these from boots. Very small pots for others but the pouches are great. I take day and night cream, serum, SPF, mascara, eyebrow pencil, hair serum, body moisturiser, shampoo and teeny foundation in a sample pot I got from MAC years ago the size of a thimble. I put a teeny eyeshadow from boots in as well. Compact brush and comb. One pair of fit flops flip flops and All Birds trainers in black that are super light. Both are great for walking if you’re a tourist.
This is a summer pack, if I travel somewhere cold, I wear thick leggings that are fleece lined from Lovall, pair with jumper from Jaki London, wear one pair of jeans on the plain, take one button up shirt that can take a long sleeved tee underneath it and then mix and match. Wear big coat on plane, wear boots on plane, take small trainers in bag - I have gold ones I love that dress up lots of outfits well. Example of bag attached to bike below, which also includes an extra cycling kit.

Oh, I’d also lose the kindle and iPad. Buy a book on your phone and download Netflix. I’ve increase the size of my phone as I’ve aged
Then you just need your phone, passport and access to toiletries as you get to the airport.

So they ever get you to unzip your jacket to see if you are hiding a small bag underneath in addition to your under seat bag?

Rather than a tote bag I take a ruck sack and a fabric cross body bag for my phone, purse, passport. This folds up and goes in my rucksack for boarding. Ruck sack keeps both hands free. I also take a second smaller rucksack which folds down into its pocket in my case and use this when out and about on holiday.

this made me laugh!
I'd be rooting around in my giant bra for it. what a spectacle!

I once arrived in NZ from UK - I had worn flip flops onto the plane for a reason I cannot remember. When it came to getting off the plane I could only find one flip flop - the other had evaporated, never to be seen again. I had to disembark in bare feet. Lucky it was NZ so no one really noticed 🩴🤣

Ok so aside from possibly being able to rationalise not needing a kindle AND iPad (I read books on phone or iPad) the big thing that stands out for me is that straighteners in a tote bag is a right pain and you have quite a lot of ‘bulky’ items in your suitcase that aren’t doing you any favours.

With temperature ranges like that I’d have said ditch the coat entirely and wear the denim jacket, with layers underneath (a t shirt with the long sleeve top over it).

I think if you did that, the straighteners and claw clip would fit in your case and probably so would your toiletries after security.

If I was doing 5 days/4 nights away that included a fair amount of ‘going out’ I would probably check a bag unless there was a real reason not to. But I think it’s possible to do it with a cabin suitcase.

I would rethink the tote bag in future though if by tote bag you mean one with no zip on top that inevitably looks like everything is going to spill out of it! Rucksack much better.