23kg luggage allowance for 4 night trip for me and one dc - do I need one or two suitcases?

[newyorknewyorkforevernewyork]

I bought one large suitcase but I am thinking whether I need two?

It will hopefilly be a long haul flight over christmas - dc is 6.

One pair of trainers and one pair of crocs for each of us

Joggers and jeans each
Underwear
A couple of jumpers each
Maybe a spare coat

Would you think I should take two suitcases, and have to potentially lug them both about NYC

Or will one suffice?

Tia x

Take your toiletries!!!

prices in central ny are OUTRAGEOUS.
the server at the cvs told me - they charged the most in NYC cos they were in Times Square.

I was horrified at the prices.
tbh - for 4 days - I would wash my hair before getting on flight - and wash it coming home!!!!

It would likely be the tube on this side and then the subway on that side

Agree that lugging two suitcases and an excited dc would be a faff

I think some us candy (which can be bought on Oxford street anyway 😄) and some make up, plus a toy or two maybe

Really? I was expecting to spend 10 dollars and be done with it 😄😄

No need for anything fancy, just some bath stuff and creams and deoderants

It's likely to be really cold, don't underestimate that. Joggers and jeans might not be warm enough, so I'd stock up on Uniqlo Heat tech base layers with cashmere. They're reasonably priced and very light and thin, so great for packing. One case will definitely be enough. Have a great time.

Okay I think one suitcase should be enough for us then - must get luggage scales

Or is a bathroom scale going to be accurate?

I use luggage scales the hangy ones and put them in the case to weigh before coming home

Thank you 😊

Okay will look into the heat layers, especially for dc. I don't really get so cold so should be alright

Will need to get a set, plus the 100ml bottles for squash

Take your own deodorant (& other toiletries) you only need a mini travel sized ones so they won't take any space (which you have plenty of anyway!).
Toiletries in the US are crazy prices, well over $10 for a deodorant for example in CVS / Walgreens.

So did I - don’t do it/

pack and dump - don’t wait and buy

Yeah hand luggage only for sure. The 6yo will have their own allocation so even if flying Ryanair or similar, no probs. A spare coat? I only own one coat. Why would you pack a second coat for a four-day trip?

We have Sephora in the UK ...

And no, very little that we saw in shops can't be bought in the UK. From the comfort of your sofa.

Go, enjoy the shops, a token gift or two plus some souvenirs. There's so much more to NYC than dragging a kid round shops in December.

You can buy super concentrated squash in any supermarket, they come in tiny 66ml bottles.

As for weighing, I just stand on the bathroom scales on my own then again with the suitcase, works perfectly well.

Just take toiletries from home. If you don't have travel size bottles to decant into, now is a good time to get some.

Then you just put some of your normal toiletries in so no need to buy travel sizes, which are disproportionately expensive compared with full size ones, or shop for toiletries when away which is probably the dullest holiday experience I can think of and also wasteful. I can't believe that people are suggesting leaving behind barely touched toiletries.

Don't forget you'll have your travelling clothes, coat and shoes or boots, so can be factored into what you have available to wear, but I'd definitely a spare hat and gloves for DC in case they get wet or lost.

I would travel with a rucksack each on the plane then your checked in case, which is plenty for 4 days. The empty holdall in the case is a good idea in case you buy things.

You'll struggle to see the number on bathroom scales while holding a case so a hanging luggage strap is better but to be honest, if you go anywhere near 23 kg for 4 days you're hugely overpacking.

DD might want to go to American Girl or FAO Schwartz, purchased from both of which will require luggage space.

Yes there is Sephora in the UK but perhaps OP is from somewhere without one so it’s just convenient and nice to go when on holiday.

Dont bother with spare hats and gloves- they can be bought on pretty much every street corner in winter (and not expensive).

Do you know which hotel you’re staying in? If you’re planning on getting the train or Subway from the airport, this might make you consider hand luggage only as it’s much easier to navigate public transport without a large suitcase.

@newyorknewyorkforevernewyork how exciting! Tips for NYC with a small child - i’d get a licensed yellow cab from the airport - it’s a fixed price from JFK to manhattan ($70) and far easier to navigate with a small child and fatigue from travelling. Use the today Tix app if you want to get rush tickets/last minute for Broadway shows - easier and often cheaper than queuing at one of the theatre ticket kiosks. If you go to Bloomingdale’s/macy’s go to guest services and get a visitor’s discount card (you’ll need your passport) it’s valid for the day and saves you roughly the sales tax.

Have lots of fun!

Crikey I've just gone away for 5 nights with my 4 youngsters and only took 3 hand luggage how much do you need lol

Don’t use the train from JFK into manhattan, use a taxi instead. A couple of changes of trains and steps ensue.

No need for crocs shoes, wear trainers. Half the clothes and twice the money is a good mantra.

No boots equivalent at either JFK or Newark airports; they are very sparse in terms iof facilities when compared to UK airports.

I'm taking 1 suitcase for a 1 month trip for 2 adults and a child🤣

Honestly the shopping in NYC is not what it was. A decade ago I would have come back with nearly a suitcase of new stuff, this time round we bought very little. We bought a New York hoodie for one of our children, a small New York Lego set for the other, and I bought a pair of shoes from a brand that isn't in the UK. You won't want to be buying a ton of stuff (unless money is no object). Even shops that used to be great like Century 21 have gone downhill. In any event NYC will consume your money easily enough on many other things!

That's insane! I think id faint at 10 dollars for a deoderant 😭

Thank you this is so useful ❤️ especially the tax idea

$70 for a cab is steep though 😪😪, is it really that difficult to take the subway from jfk to grand central station? @Netaporter @AttilaTheMeerkat

Omg an American girl doll would be amazing!

Yeah I want the American New York experience 😄, cant wait to visit Macys!!

Hopefully a hotel at grand central station - so surely id be able to have step free access from jfk to there?

😄😄🙈🙈 i dont know

😄😄 I want my carrie Bradshaw moment for me and dd!