Flying with hand luggage only

I buy all my shampoo,sun oil & little extras at the airport AFTER all security checks.Most airlines will allow you one duty free bag as well as your hand luggage.
Also buy a meal deal at Boots - much cheaper than the airline meal & better options.

Prescription liquid is in addition to other liquid allowance.

When it comes to inhalers, though, that depends on who you're dealing with. They are classed as liquids, and they are of course on prescription, and DH usually puts them in a second plastic bag. But a few months ago a member of staff insisted he was only allowed one clear liquids bag and both his inhalers had to go in it. He managed (just) to force them in with the toiletries already in there, but she stood over him until he shut it properly and told him he'd have to ditch something if he couldn't. It's a grey area.

Watch out with the little bottles you decant things into as well. If they don't have 100ml or less stamped on them, they can be rejected, as a friend of mine found out recently to her cost.

You never know how security are going to be. I have had to dump stuff because I had 2 plastic bags while other times they don’t seem to care. I have not been allowed a ziploc bag and other times it’s ok. I think hold luggage gets to the carousel much quicker now so I never take just hand luggage even with a small case because I find the liquid thing too irritating

Dont forget that with Ryanair now you have to put your hand baggage in the hold (for free) unless you have booked priority boarding or pay £6. They get you all ways. As a PP said there is no joy in flying now. There's so much hassle and long walks before you even get on the plane. One reason we have decided to take our time and drive where we can

Small packs/bottles of all washing, sun creams and cosmetic items. If in doubt put it in the clear plastic bag. I'm sure you can take two plastic bags if you need to but for a long weekend keep it to a minimum. Don't forget if you are staying in a hotel they usually have shampoo, conditioner, shower gel etc. in the bathroom so you don't need to take it.

I left Gatwick a few days ago and was pulled up for hand sanitizer about one third full. They let me keep it in a see through bag they provided. Yippee. Just used it in a wild mountain restaurant in Pomos in Cyprus after eating BBQ'd prawns. It was in the middle of nowhere and service was excellent but they don't have finger bowls yet.

One bag - the rules are quite quite clear. That doesn’t mean you won’t get away with it but it sure doesn’t mean you will.

Like a previous poster, I holidayed in NZ for 4 weeks with just hand luggage. It was such a bonus not to have to lug big cases about between hotels or in our camper van. Some items were washed along the way but that was easy compared with carrying cases. Liquids were decanted into small plastic pots and products bought along the way. I don’t think I will ever again feel the need to take anything more than hand luggage on a plane.

We’re about to do two weeks in Zakynthos with hand luggage. The plastic bags will hold the mosquito repellant and plug ins, and everything else will be bought locally. Still cheaper than £80 for a case!
Who cares if I wear the same clothes lots of times!

I couldn't go more than a week without the big case, I'm afraid. I don't want to do laundry while I'm on holiday and need shoes and chargers and books. Respect to those of you who can do it though.

Lush do shampoo and conditioner in tablet form like soap so it can be packed in suitcase hand luggage. I really like the shampoo it lasts me a year but I don’t use the conditioner much except on holiday to save carrying liquids

Whoops Purple are you looking for a kicking????

I couldn't go more than a week without the big case, I'm afraid. I don't want to do laundry while I'm on holiday and need shoes and chargers and books. Respect to those of you who can do it though.
Me neither Maggiemaybe!
I can never 'travel light'.

And of course, it gives DH something to do. He particularly enjoyed our last holiday - 7 flights and the pull-up handle on the big case refused to pull up after the first leg. He had to use his belt to drag it along and kept worrying that his shorts were falling down.

I use a clear (one quart size) food storage bag or freezer bag. They are sold in food markets. You're only allowed as many items as one bag will hold. Items must be equal to, or less than 100 ml (2.5 oz) in size.

I usually use it for items such as nail polish, hand lotion, liquid makeup base, hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, travel size mouthwash etc.

trisher I think you’re going to be fine if they decide to spread your stuff out to scan it more easily. I did see them do that to someone with a bag, jacket & phone, tablet etc. I just meant you wouldn’t be able to take 2 trays yourself to “sneak” 2 bags of liquids through.

I dont think.lipstick counts as a lipstick. Ive always had it in my handbag with no problem and have also asked. But I did have a small round vaseline tin confiscated that I'd forgotten about.

It depends on who is checking I think pollyperkins - some are more 'jobsworths' than others.

Gma29 I’ve flown many times with hand luggage only and I always take 2 trays I could never fit case, bag, iPad, phone coat/jacket toiletries in one tray as they like them spread out it’s even been known I have 3 trays the last one containing my shoes which I’m often asked to remove.
I’ve been lucky and never been asked about the second toiletries bag. They are probably too distracted by me setting off the scanner as I have two hip implants ??

Lush do toothpaste powder, deodorant powder and solid shampoos that don’t have to go in the plastic bags. Dry shampoo too - I guess it’s if it’s in an aerosol it counts as liquid? I don’t use it, so not sure about that one.

tanith had to smile at you setting off the scanner ? I only mentioned the scanning the boarding card & putting it in the tray as this was new (to me, anyway) and they seemed to be being a bit more rigorous with the checks. Airports do vary though, sometimes they seem to do a lot more checking than others.

I use lens-cases to fill up with daycream (white side) and night-cream (blue side). Astonishing how much you get in! You can put a few of them in the plastic bag, nobody ever demands to open them! I also save up the samples I get when I buy my regular toiletries, like daycream etc., that is a start for going on holidays,

I always use one of those little travel bags like a little purse you wear round your neck I put passport, boarding card, phone in that. My purse I wear in a money belt. Saves rooting through pockets, having to squash your handbag into your case. I take a small handbag and tote bag to use on my trip which I pack in my case.

I'm a big fan of 'the jobsworths'! It's really annoying to see all the people with colossal pull along cases and huge rucksacks crushing everyone else's bags in the overhead lockers.
Nobody actually likes paying for hold baggage or waiting for the carousel at the other end. Obviously as we're considerate of others we must be stupid!! There must be a descriptive term for those who expect to cram in huge' hand luggage' items but I'm too considerate to use it! Go the jobsworths!!

the 'jobsworths' always pick me out for a search
I must look like a smuggler.