Packing Tips for Vacation, Please.

United States
March 9, 2009 12:56pm CST
I am just starting to pack for an upcoming trip. I am trying to pack light. My husband wants us to be able to just take carryon luggage so we don't have to check anything. That is what I prefer also, but I don't think I can get everything I need in that one small suitcase plus my "small personal item" (i.e. purse). Do you have any packing tips for me? Thanks.
2 people like this
8 responses
@ellie333 (21016)
10 Mar 09
Hi PHi PearlGrace, My private messages don't send using this particular browser but the pub you want to know about is in the city of Bath I will get precise details and log in on other browser but am waiting for a friends reply on it myself. As far as packing is concerned you don't mention the length of your stay for hand baggage only but I tend to roll y clothes into a holall rather than folding and will take minimal trousers and lots of different tops that will mix and match, I don't wear makeup other than lipstick and mascara now and again so that isn't a problem and I collect freebie samples for toiletries so I am not carrying heavy there. Have a lovely trip. I hope to contact you before though. When are you travelling? Huggles Ellie :D
• United States
12 Mar 09
Hi Ellie. I will be gone from home for 2 weeks. That is quite awhile for me. I like your idea about taking a few pairs of pants and rotating different tops with them. I do that also. I'm taking a blazer plus a sweater set for "dressy" dinners, 4 pairs of nice pants, 2 pairs of sightseeing pants, and 5 or 6 blouses, so far. I'm trying to stick to just 2 pairs of shoes--low black heels for dress and my walking shoes. We'll see if I follow through on that one. Yes, I love the travel size cosmetics and toiletries, they are perfect for a trip. Thanks for chasing down the other info I asked about. Take care and huggles back.
• United States
12 Mar 09
Oh and p.s., I'll pm you on the dates.
• Hong Kong
11 Mar 09
For me, I would roll the clothing items into really small bundle and that would save some space. Besides for the haircare or skincare items, I would separate a certain amount for the trip and put it in small containers, and that would be saving up a lot of space too!
• United States
12 Mar 09
I haven't tried rolling up my clothes to pack them in quite some time. I may try that on this trip. I'm going to need plenty of space. And I love those travel sizes of shampoo, deodorant, and soaps. They are so handy and space-saving.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 09
I suggest you take a limited amount of clothes, like wear one pair of underwear and pack the other set of it. You could wear one pair of socks and pack the other pair. You could wear one t-shirt and pack another one. It would be great if you could wear a skirt or pair of trousers and pack another one. Taking a travel towel and travel washing liquid would be superb. You could take a tiny wash bag with a travel sized shampoo, toothpaste and travel toothbrush in it. I advise you take your camera in your hand bag with my purse. If you must have your passport and much money it would be worth wearing a money belt. Good luck and have a lovely trip.
• United States
12 Mar 09
It sounds like you are accustomed to travelling light. That is so smart. I like the travel size cosmetics and toiletries, those are so handy. I bought a new, small camera and it seems to take pretty good pictures. Now, where's that money belt...
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
9 Mar 09
That's hard to do....when I went to Europe though my daughters told me to pack light...and I was amazed at how well I did do! LOL...I did roll alot of my clothes...they take up less room and also don't get as wrinkled....I did have to check a bag as I was staying almost two weeks..
• United States
9 Mar 09
Thanks for reminding me about the rolling tip. I've done that once or twice. I do try to pack really light but then I feel a little panicky that I haven't brought enough! I suspect I'll be checking one bag, no matter what.
• Panama
10 Mar 09
I think you should select a carry on ' hand bag ' or 'case' that has several compartments both inside and outside ( zippable ). Other than that you will be charged. Each of you take such a case, will avoid extra charge
• United States
12 Mar 09
Great idea. We are trying so hard to not have to check a bag, but that can be difficult for a 2 week trip. I have a great small travel bag that I take as my second carryon item and it has all kinds of zippered pouches and compartments, inside and out. I love that bag. It's been handy on a couple of trips we've taken.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
10 Mar 09
Hey Pearl! I sure wish you could give me some tips too! I will be making a trip to Florida soon myself and I know that I won't be able to fit everything into a carryon either! No matter how long I plan on going for I just can't ever seem to pack "light"! I just don't every know what that means! I can't ever decide what to take with me so it never ends up being something that I can carry on! So I just guess I will have to give up and check my luggage as usual!
• United States
12 Mar 09
Hi Opal! It's nice to hear from you. That is so wonderful that you'll be taking a trip to FL. Our weather right now is so nice, around 75 or 80 every day. I have learned to pack light from my husband who's traveled quite a bit. But for a longer trip, I do have difficulty keeping the number of blouses and slacks down to a minimum. I have to keep reminding myself that the hotels have same day laundry service, so we can launder as many items as we need. Good luck and have a wonderful time on your trip.
@AmbiePam (84638)
• United States
9 Mar 09
Well, hopefully the airport won't have any weird rules about what can go on a plane. Remember when they weren't letting people take toothpaste? I can't remember what had happened, but I remember a lot of common items had been banned. Anyway, I hope you guys have a good time. And if you think you haven't packed enough clothes, just remember you can always go to a laundry mat and have them washed.
• United States
10 Mar 09
My husband travels for his work so he pretty much knows all the weird rules they have. Of course, he doesn't usually fly internationally so there may be different rules. I like your reminder about the laundry. Also, one of our hotels has same day laundry service, which I'm sure we'll use.
@Jae2619 (1483)
• United States
9 Mar 09
That really depends on where you're going and what the weather is to be like on how much you can and can't get away with it. If your going somewhere warm and tropical, pack tank tops, sleeveless shirts, swim suits. Also, pack only a few pairs of pants/shorts that you can rewear a couple of times, or take change so you can go to the laundry mat in the hotel, or out some place for a quick wash and dry. Buy all your personal items, in personal/travel sizes. And when packing, roll all your clothes miltary style, it works to save alot of room, and you can get more in a suit case. Best of luck, and have a great vacation!
• United States
12 Mar 09
Several people have recommended rolling the clothes, so I might try that. I did it once years ago, I think. I love the travel size toiletries, they are easy to carry and fit nicely in the quart size bags which is required by many airlines. Your tips sound like good ones. I definitely plan on using the laundry service at the hotels.