How to pack for a week into one carry on case
DD TRAVEL: PACKING HAND LUGGAGE INFO TO AVOID HOLIDAY BLUES
1. Choose the right bag
Go for a material rather than a rigid bag because you can stuff more into it. A hard shell case can add 10lb in dead weight but does offer contents more protection from damage, thieves and sudden downpours. But a soft-sided case will look smarter for longer and is less unwieldy when storage space is limited. A bag with pockets at the front means you have easy access to your boarding card and passport.
If you’re travelling with an airline that allows a duty free bag as well as hand luggage, then factor in what you can get into that – bottle of water, snacks, a heavy book, or more toiletries once you’ve gone through passport control.
2.Check your airline’s size and weight allowances.
Ryanair has relaxed its restrictions and now you are allowed two bags (including a handbag), but the weight of your main one must be under 10kg. Easyjet’s bag size is the smallest, but it has no restrictions on how heavy it has to be.
3. Plan ahead.
Get out everything you plan to wear and lay it on your bed. Think ‘capsule wardrobe’, which just means choosing items that co-ordinate with others. Check long-term weather forecast for your destination.
4. Roll, don’t fold
Put the heaviest items (shoes) at the bottom. To save space and to avoid creases, it’s best to roll clothes instead of folding them – you’ll be surprised at how much more you can fit in. Tuck underwear and swimwear into the corners of your bag and put rolled up socks inside of a pair of shoes to save even more space.
5.Be Ruthless with Clothing
Whatever clothes you get out ready to pack for your holiday, get rid of at least a third of them – you just won’t need them.
6. Don’t Pack Unnecessary Items
Don’t pack things that will be provided for you at your destination, for example, a hairdryer or towels. There’s no point carrying extra weight and using up valuable space for things that are easily available to you.. You will only be able to take 100ml bottles of liquid, sealed in a clear plastic bag in your hand luggage, so you can either take travel-size bottles or buy things such as toiletries and sun cream once you get to your resort. It is often cheaper to do this anyway.
Suggested Packing List for a Week in the Sun
Essentials
– Passport
– Travel insurance details
– Tickets/booking confirmations – flights, accommodation etc.
– Bank cards and cash
Clothing
– Hoody/cardigan/light jacket for cool evenings (can be worn to travel in)
– Scarf/overshirt – can be used for warmth in the evenings or as a cover-up after the beach
– Trousers x 1 (can be worn to travel in)
– Closed-toe shoes (can be worn to travel in)
– Sun hat (can be worn to travel in, to avoid damage)
– Shorts x 2
– Day tops x 4
– Lightweight evening outfits x 5 – non-crease dresses or shirts
– Swimwear x 2
– Underwear x 7
– Flip flops/sandals
– Nightwear x 1
Toiletries and Medication
– Toothbrush and small toothpaste
– Small roll-on deodorant
– Hairbrush/accessories
– Make-up if necessary
– Razor
– Small moisturiser with SPF
– Diarrhoea treatment
– Paracetamol
– Antiseptic cream
– Plasters
– Any personal medication
Provided by the hotel or to be bought in resort: Shampoo; conditioner; shower gel; sun cream; after sun and bug repellent if necessary.
Everything Else
– Mobile phone/charger/headphones
– Camera/charger
– Travel adaptor
– Sunglasses
– Pen/paper
– Reading material
– Day bag/handbag
It’s also worth remembering that there is no guarantee your ‘cabin’ baggage will actually be allowed in the cabin. Quite often space is limited and those who have paid extra for priority boarding could potentially nab all the space in the overhead lockers, meaning your bag gets put in the hold. Ensure anything you need to have in-flight can be taken out and kept on your person.
Ryanair
Max size: 55 x 40 x 20cm Weight limit: 10kg
Fees for excess: £50/€50
Handbag allowed? Yes, one additional bag up to 35 x 20 x 20cm
Changing bag allowed? Yes, up to 5kg, when an infant (23 months or younger) travels on adult’s lap
EasyJet
Max size: 56 x 45 x 25cm Weight limit: N/A
Fees for excess: £30-£45
Handbag allowed? Only if you’re an easyJet Plus cardholder, FLEXI fare, Upfront or Extra passenger. Otherwise, you can take on one bag of duty free shopping
Changing bag allowed? Yes, up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm, when an infant (up to two years) travels on a parent’s lap
British Airways
Max size: 56 x 45 x 25cm Weight limit: 23kg
Fees for excess: £34-£90
Handbag allowed? Yes, one additional bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm
Changing bag allowed? Yes, infants under two are allocated one cabin bag
Virgin Atlantic
Max size: 56 x 36 x 23cm Weight limit: 10kg (more for Upper Class)
Fees for excess: £40-£50
Handbag allowed? Yes
Changing bag allowed? Yes, up to 6kg for an infant under 2 years
Thomas Cook
Max size: 55 x 40 x 20cm Weight limit: 6kg
Fees for excess: £50-£70
Handbag allowed? Yes, or a laptop bag
Changing bag allowed? No, all essentials are to be within your main cabin bag
Aer Lingus
Max size: 55 x 40 x 24cm Weight limit: 10kg
Fees for excess: £12-£45
Handbag allowed? Yes, or a laptop bag
Changing bag allowed? Only instead of a handbag
Thomson
Max size: 55 x 40 x 20cm Weight limit: 5kg
Fees for excess: £25-£40
Handbag allowed? No, separate bags aren’t allowed
Changing bag allowed? No
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