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EasyJet cabin bag for 5 day trip - possible?

127 replies

HereWeGoAgainPart2 · 26/05/2021 20:56

I’m going on a short break with my boyfriend in a couple of weeks to Portugal, arriving middayish on Friday, leaving midday Tuesday. As we don’t have much time as it is he’s suggested we just take a carry on bag (46x36x20cm average backpack size) each.

I’ve been with him for less than a year and due to lockdown it will be the first time I’ve spent more than a couple of days with him. He seems to think I’m pretty low maintenance and I haven’t done anything to suggest otherwise. But having looked at a bag that size it will hardly fit my makeup and straighteners, let alone any clothes Sad.

Could you do it? I think if I wear leggings, trainers, jumper, jacket on the plane then in my bag I’ll just need underwear, sandals, bikini, couple of dresses, shorts and a couple of tops. It would involve very little makeup though. Straighteners are non-negotiable as I have a fringe which is determined to stick straight up.

Any tips?

OP posts:
denverRegina · 26/05/2021 21:58

"It’s only small local airport so nowhere to buy stuff once I’m through check in and I’d still need to squeeze it into my bag to be allowed to take it on."

You're obviously a novice at this Grin. You don't need to squeeze it into your bag to take it on. Just carry it in a carrier bag.

There will be a boots after security to buy things.

MamaWeasel · 26/05/2021 21:58

I adore freckles misses point of thread

HereWeGoAgainPart2 · 26/05/2021 22:04

That’s good news denverregina I thought it would have to actually be packed into the bag to allow you onto the plane. There’s definitely no Boots after security, just a little cafe and a place that sells perfume and has a couple of makeup stands.

I’d love to be able to forgo makeup but I’d just spend the whole time feeling uncomfortable and it would ruin it for me.

OP posts:
HereWeGoAgainPart2 · 26/05/2021 22:05

markruffallocrumble I think I’ll have to do that 😂. With combat trousers so I can put a bit of makeup in every pocket.

OP posts:
CharlotteRose90 · 26/05/2021 22:12

Oo I love holidays like this. Ok for security you can take 10 100ml items in the see through bay. Powders, eye shadows etc don’t count. As for shower stuff when you get to Portugal there will be a spa or supermarket there and you can grab it there cheaply. Just pack a bikini, shorts, dresses any thing flight and wear the heavy stuff onboard.

soyabean · 26/05/2021 22:18

I’m flying easyJet on an internal flight this week and the cabin bag allowance is greatly reduced since the last time I flew. You can only take a bag that will fit under the seat in front of you free. Even to put something in the overhead locker you have to pay extra. OP l think I’d do that for 4 days as it sounds like a special trip. I can manage with a small backpack (40/30/25 I think)

soyabean · 26/05/2021 22:18

Have a lovely trip!

Restlessinthenorth · 26/05/2021 22:22

I did a week in Canada with carry on luggage only. Didn't even have to wash anything when I was there. Really plan what you need and what goes with what etc, and you will be fine!

soyabean · 26/05/2021 22:25

I did a month in the States with only carry on but that was a small wheely bag. EasyJet are stingy now...

Yamashita40 · 26/05/2021 22:32

I love just taking a cabin bag. I came to the conclusion that unpacking was the worst part of travel for me so I decided to minimise our stuff. We did two weeks in Florida on just hand baggage. Admittedly you could take a hand bag too but it was so freeing.
Just roll your clothes up. Make sure items of clothing are multipurpose. I'm sure they will have shops for suncream etc. Get the travel bottles to decant your foundation etc into, primark has good ones.

RampantIvy · 26/05/2021 22:42

Why don't you fork out for one case beween the two of you to go in the hold?

If this isn't pssible could you decant some of your make up into smaller containers?

I have a bag that complies with Ryanair's cabin baggae requirements, and it is far too small for a 5 day visit to Portugal, and I don't wear much make up.

If you are flying from Humberside, I know what you mean. It is tiny and has nothing like the facilities of Leeds Bradford or Manchester.

beepbeepbonk · 26/05/2021 22:45

Don't be that person. Just pay for a suitcase.

partyatthepalace · 26/05/2021 22:48

Yep. Wool and oak bags are good.

However if you don’t want to - don’t - it won’t kill you BF to wait 30 mins. And you don’t want to get into the habit of not standing up to him.

HereWeGoAgainPart2 · 26/05/2021 22:53

It’s more the time of waiting to pick up a bag that we’re worried about, cost isn’t really an issue. I’ve done plenty of breaks with just cabin bags before but other flights I’ve been on it’s been a ‘normal’ sized carry on rather than the EasyJet allowance which is just a small rucksack size and anything bought in the airport needs to be squeezed in there too.

OP posts:
jelly79 · 26/05/2021 23:03

OP double check the cabin bag policy. They have recently changed - I am going on a weekend trip and would normally take on hand luggage but they have changed it to small rucksack. I have just paid to put a case in the hold

RampantIvy · 26/05/2021 23:06

Is this information any use?

www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/cabin-bag-and-hold-luggage

Could you book extra legroom seats?

Graphista · 27/05/2021 00:02

military brat/ex wife here we are experts at packing.

1 - plan to wear your heavier/warmer items while travelling, and layer up.

Generally a good idea anyway as departure lounges and planes tend to the cool side, this includes wearing trainers/shoes/boots too, also make use of pockets for small/portable essentials like charger cables, combs, pens etc even smaller items of make up in your case

2 - multiple use clothes are your friend

Fancy flip flops maybe with a slight wedge heel so they work as both flip flops and sandals, most cases even cabin size you can unzip the lining to put shoes and anything else that might catch in that part zipped away from the clothes

Thin scarves to use as scarves, wraps, bags, sarong etc very versatile and if you get a few in the same palette you can even layer them for a thicker "proper" skirt or dress look with no chance of a "wardrobe malfunction"

vest tops to use as tops, bra subs
(I'm quite busty and I haven't worn a bra for years), layer for cooler tasks/days

swimsuits/tankini's that also can work as the top of an outfit with a skirt and wrap or even cardigan added

Other than that thin, light and either crush resistant or look better a bit crinkled items like summer strappy dresses, loose trousers/shorts, gypsy tops, underwear can be the teeny string type but even if you want to take a couple granny pants pairs they take up little space, and can easily and cheaply be bought there. If you want to get creases out as soon as you get there, twist the garment, wet your hands in cold water and wet the garment with them, then untwist and "flap" the garment and dry off quickly by drying with a hairdryer from the INSIDE of the garment in short bursts - I know twisting sounds counterintuitive but it works

3 - multiple use items -

recommended to me on here is a travel usb multiway adapter I got from amazon. It can charge up to 4 items at a time and comes with different parts to adapt to foreign power supplies think it was this one:

www.amazon.co.uk/Lencent-Charger-Universal-Adaptor-Worldwide/dp/B07QMVB2WK/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=usb+travel+adapter+lencent&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1622067629&sr=8-6

I got one for myself a few years back and I love it and then dd was going on her first adult girls holiday and I got one for her (which she initially protested) and she was very popular on the holiday!

4 - make up - pare it down to basics

A stick style foundation (given our complexion I'd recommend one with an spf included), maybe powder (use a puff instead of a brush), small eyeshadow and one lipgloss. mascara can be skipped I think as it just runs in the heat anyway, the idea to get lashes coloured before holiday is a good one. Or else a tiny slick of vaseline (a small pot is very handy for various holiday uses, I recommend sticking to the original its more versatile if you need to use for 1st aid etc) that'll keep your liquids to a minimum too.

Neutral colours work best and you can add a small pot of a shimmery gel to glam things up of an evening

I'm also a freckly redhead with a birthmark on my face to boot! embrace your natural colouring, just make sure good sun block! I also go red in the slightest hint of warmth and never tan, even fake tan looks seriously weird on me! embrace the pale and interesting, trust me the portuguese will be wowed.

5 - hair - keep it simple

Plan on mostly having it either loose or tied up in plaited style or loose bun, practice before going if you want to feel more confident. I have long, wavy hair that can be murder to tame, my go to easy but looks like it took more effort option is a loose chignon, brush back into a low ponytail, twist it right to the end, tuck the end in, place firmly in centre of back of head and clip in place with a barette or crocodile clip, takes mins, looks like you've taken hours once you're well practiced and its smooth and tidy.

crocodile clips also work as clothes pegs for light items, heavier items you rarely need to secure

If you really want straight hair, you don't necessarily need straighteners for this, I was straightening my hair long before they were a thing just buy severely drying it! Grin just using a hairbrush and dryer, brush to the end wind hair so it's held on the brush and dry that section, I'm sure these days there are umpteen youtube videos showing this technique

6 - toiletries

Unless you have severe allergies, just buy them there and dispose of at end of trip (try to buy small packages so not too much waste, and share things like shower gel, shampoo and even toothpaste and mouthwash, there's usually wee mugs for mouthwashing anyway), otherwise decant your favourites into small travel bottles, remember liquids rules for travelling.

first aid - the sunburn thing! I would highly recommend you rtake a small bottle of lavendar essential oil, one of calendula oil and if it can be managed a small tube of aloe vera gel in case you do burn.

They can be combined to make a very effective and soothing after sun gel, you can also put the oils in a tepid bath if you have a bath available (4 drops lavendar 3 calendula) or make a basin of tepid water in a sink, add 2 drops of each oil into the water, then pop a bedsheet or small towel in the water to place on your affected skin, could end up helping you get a decent sleep even if you do burn, its horrible getting burnt.

Hopefully you won't and you'll have a fantastic time.

stevalnamechanger · 27/05/2021 00:16

Buy sunscreen , shower gel , shampoo etc at the airport after security and doesn't count towards your liquids

Auntpodder · 27/05/2021 00:23

Where are you going in Portugal? Can you buy stuff there (sunscreen) or get it delivered to the resort/villa (risky but exciting). There are some seriously small hair straighteners out there...

RampantIvy · 27/05/2021 05:36

@stevalnamechanger

Buy sunscreen , shower gel , shampoo etc at the airport after security and doesn't count towards your liquids
The OP has stated more than once that there is no shop at the airport to do this.
denverRegina · 27/05/2021 05:42

"It’s more the time of waiting to pick up a bag that we’re worried about, cost isn’t really an issue"

Right, well then you just need to book a flexi fare ticket and make sure you're near the front of the queue getting on the plane and you'll be able to take a cabin sized bag and put it in the overhead locker!

Which uk airport doesn't have a shop for basic toiletries etc out of interest? I've flown from some small local ones but if there's no boots then WHSmith has a toiletries and sun cream section in generally.

Twilightstarbright · 27/05/2021 05:54

I could do it, but the older I’ve got I just don’t want to.
Travel products- feel unique have a huge range, travel straighteners.
Prioritise taking your spf!

whiteroseredrose · 27/05/2021 06:06

Don't they still offer 'up front' seats where you can take the cabin suitcase?

LaBellina · 27/05/2021 06:12

Fill up a mini bottle with some liquid laundry detergent so you can wash stuff in between.
Bring some easy drying synthetic stuff that doesn’t wrinkle and dries fast.
Also as pp have said, buy shower gel etc when you arrive and just leave it there when you go back. In terms of make up, you can use lipstick as blush. Skip eyeshadow and wear just mascara. If you have good skin, bring just a bit of concealer and some blotting papers (they take up almost no space) instead of primer, foundation, powder.

Hottubtimemachine · 27/05/2021 06:17

Not sure who you are flying with but most budget airlines no longer allow a carry on case for free. It is literally a small backpack that has to fit under your seat.
We have managed it but you have to buy your toiletries airside or when you get there and leave them behind when you come home.

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