Packing Light

[zacsGranny]

Any tricks to pack very light for 5 days away and a 10Kg luggage allowance.
Specifically toiletries etc

For the record, Ryanair are now paying ground staff €2,50 per item for each “rogue” bag they identify. So stick within the rules.

Me too. Just done a fortnights holiday with cabin luggage only.
Id also suggest:
Plan outfits in advance. Stick to neutral or plain colours for easier matching. Lay out what you think you are going to take.. and then remove one item of clothing
Make use of every nook and cranny eg knickers stuffed into shoes etc.
If you can just take the one pair of shoes ( and travel in them)
Roll clothes where possible (check You tube for good techniques)

Probably a silly question, but I've never done this before? What about deodorant? Should I buy a full size one airside, and leave it there, or can I buy one which is less than 100ml? Thinking of a roll on perhaps, or a travel size spray?

Yep, you can get a travel sized 100ml one before you go or at the airport

I buy a solid stick type and have never classed it as a liquid either so don't count it toward that limit.

Although you say you're not bothered about weight I'd say this can be the killer. I borrowed an underseat bag this year. Never again. By the time it was full it probably was only 7kg or so but a cheap one invariably has crap straps etc. It was am absolute burden lugging it about. I wished I'd have taken my cabin rucksack that was an expensive buy but has proper load bearing straps.

Good point. I'm hoping to pack sensibly. One bag in overhead locker (10Kg) and an underseat bag which is oilcloth and has short straps and a shoulder strap. I have balance issues, so struggle to carry a bag up the aircraft steps, so have to be sensible.

For clothes I use compression cubes and I fold - I’ve never managed to roll and not end up with hideous creases. For hot countries I take silk which is super light and seer sucker that travels really well and doesn’t show creases. Cooler or mixed climates I take merino wool or a cashmere sweater.

I have a collection of small and very small jars and bottles to decant toiletries into. I think the last trip I had a small bar soap from a hotel rather than a gel. I wouldn’t carry full size anything for the time you’re going. Amazon have small 10ml spray bottles for any liquid hair products or body spray etc… I actually had a liquid deodorant I took once although Wild do a small travel size solid stick which is very small. Make up products like Nudistix can be good and come in a small tin although I use a pallet by Jones Road which has a lip / cheek colour and highlighter. It’s actually pretty fine with that weight limit. I even managed a mini set of straighteners. I’m off to Venice in a week and will wear the jacket on the plane and probably throw a sweater over my shoulder to save packing. Load my pockets a little bit.

@zacsGranny All this angst! Is Ryanair worth it! Cut down on toiletries and share! Take fewer bottoms and more tops and 1 pair of shoes!

I managed a 7 day trip to Spain with Ryanair under-seat baggage only:
3 jersey dresses
2 tops (to go with travelling trousers)
one pool cover-up
one bikini
one pair flip flops
7 knickers
2 bras
one shorts
travelled in wide leg trousers, adidas, vest top & over shirt, zipped hoodie with cross body bag I crossed over my back on boarding. Oh and wore my hat!

Toiletries/make up: deo stick, flannel, small hairspray, lipstick, mascara (hotel provided soap, shower gel, shampoo & conditioner and a hairdryer)
Also had a kindle & powerbank.

During the days wore the bikini and cover-up or shorts and vest top. Evenings were dresses or trousers and top, hoodie if colder. We rinsed things we wanted clean in the shower in the evening but nothing got dirty or smelly. Paid the hotel £10 deposit for pool/beach towels that we got back at the end.

I was a terrible overpacker before we started doing short 2-3 day trips abroad. I'd still pack a suitcase if going for 2 weeks, but I know I can do 7 days with a small rucksack now. If I was a wearer of make-up I'd probably wear a coat with big pockets and put a make-up bag in it - security checks that but they don't care about baggage allowance, only safety.

I don’t know about the shops where you’re going but I don’t think I’ll take many toiletries again on holiday.

We had three supermarkets close to our apartment with brands of toiletries I use. Next time I’ll check for shops nearby and buy sunscreen, deodorant, shampoo etc there.

I couldn’t do hand luggage for 5 days though, just pay for a case! I don’t understand paying for a lovely holiday and then not stumping up the cash for a hold bag.

I do that for a two week holiday, taking all my snorkelling kit including fins. Just takes practice and Jenga level packing skills.

The OP isn’t flying outbound, she is returning home.

I’ve had hold bags lost twice and damaged once. lf your bag is in the cabin with you, you know it is on the aircraft. And when you land, you are through the airport and in a taxi while others are still standing round the conveyer wondering when and if their case is going to show.

Order toiletries at boots to click and collect once you are through security. That’s what I do when I’ve only got hand luggage and I don’t purchase anything in duty free.

She’s going on holiday.

10kg is plenty for five days. Put your heavy solid things in your hand luggage and wear something with massive pockets for chargers, etc.

Apologies @youmustbeshittingme - l was confusing it with another thread. 😔

I've just been away for a week and had a 10kg allowance. I asked ChatGPT for advice for clothes. It gave me a list and I stuck to it (none of the usual 'just in case' extras!) It worked out brilliantly. For toiletries, I just bought a little toothpaste, shower gel, sun cream and deodorant. I'd already got small jars of other stuff. My case weighed 8kg.

You will never get near 10kg for that sized bag..check your handel and wheels are also within those dimensions. We recently went Ryan air. I took a normal smiggle sized school backpack and it wasn't checked either leg for under my seat. I have a Kayh Kidston foldable handbag so that was packed. Bear in mind if you want to bring anything back will it fit?

I took some some socks and nightware that was very past their best and Binned them. I had kept them from going into clothes recycling just to do that. I felt a bit bad they didn't get recycled but figured it saved on jet fuel. It's was just cotton anyway

As we was only going shorthaul we paid for 10kg check in. There was only 4 cases on the carousel for our flight. No waiting for it either end as it took seconds to offload and Ryan air had zero turn around time. When the last passenger was off, our flight boarded. Check in when you book was around £23 each way for a 10kg and no size restriction. Because it's each way you can up the weight limit for your return. Saving ten minutes at the airport arrivals isn't important to me. We normally just get on a bus to our destination

@ChocolateBoxCottage I’d rather the plane was cleaned and serviced!

With Ryanair, cleaning of aircraft during turnaround is the responsibility of the cabin crew, who are not paid for time on the ground.

They are paid from departure from the gate to gate arrival at the destination.

Me too but from my observations there is zero turnaround time. That's one reason Ryan air is so cheap. The plane was spotless. I'd prefer more service at extra cost too but when you are popping regularly to Ireland, Ryan air is sometimes the only choice. BA, Air Lingus are better and you pay for it.

There was zero time to measure or weigh bags either. People was waiting on the tarmac to board as the last passengers was walking down the stairs. That's just the business model. I was gobsmacked we departed on time. Doors was locked as we pushed back

Yes, I'm going on holiday for five days all booked by my DH for my birthday. I had no control over bags or weight.
Just don't want to be caught for excess baggage.
As I said earlier, we used to keep a boat in the Med, so left lots of things on board. I never had to think about toiletries or whether I had plenty of clothes, so this is all new to me.
I'm trying to get the best advice for staying within both size and weight restrictions.

I'd only take conditioner, make up and deodorant. The hotel will have the rest. They will probablyhave conditioner too. I honestly don't think Ryan air cared about my underseat back pack. If you feel nervous take a carrier bag for one of the airport shops as duty free isn't included. I stuff my hoodie in there knowing I can put it on if needed. I was worried I was going to have to put all my clothes on at the gate but it was fine.

Very similar here, travelling with hand luggage and taking soap bars for face and hair