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Tips on travelling light?

(33 Posts)
BabsAnn Wed 11-May-16 10:12:38

I'm going on holiday for a week to Spain next month. I always end up overpacking and being a bit panicky at check in wondering whether or not I'm going to be charged extra. Does anybody have any words of wisdom? Besides the obvious 'just pack less' which my husband tells me regularly grin.

giddyaunt Wed 11-May-16 10:24:53

First thing you want to do is get a lightweight suitcase. 2kgs max if you can manage it - something along these lines? www.johnlewis.com/store/antler-aire-4-wheel-68cm-medium-suitcase/p1711179?sku=234009026&colour=Aubergine&isClicked=true

- I'm guessing you're decanting your toiletries into little sizes?
- Take a sarong instead of a towel if you've got one packed for the beach
- Pare down on shoes - that's the best way to save space and weight. I only travel with two, occasionally three pairs max.

Have a lovely time!

Bobbin Wed 11-May-16 10:47:40

we have one of these to weight everything before we leave- then i can relax on our way to the airport!!! i can leave the house knowing there'll be no nasty surprises at the check in desk. wouldn't be without it www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Go+Travel+Digital+scale,+assorted+colours/225144685,default,pd.html&_$ja=tsid:44970%7Ccid:207133675%7Cagid:10144235875%7Ctid:pla-95684666515%7Ccrid:56045761315%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:18177002323997812345%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o6%7Cmt:

MiniMouse Wed 11-May-16 11:04:58

You could try IT Suitcases, they're cheaper than JL (!) and you can often get deals as well. If you need to take towels try Mountain Warehouse, or similar, for microfibre towels; they feel a bit weird compared with cotton, but are brilliant at drying and are light as a feather.

Other than that, take clothes that are colour compatible, which cuts down a lot! Think what you'd be wearing at home - do you wear a completely different set of clothes every day? could uou get away with wearing some things more than once? Can you wash clothes while you're away?

Don't forget that you can cram quite a lot into your cabin bag!

Have a great time smile

Lillie Wed 11-May-16 11:12:02

Think what you can buy when you're in Spain. We take a small suitcase to South of France and just buy towels, toiletries, flip flops etc. when we arrive and leave them behind.

JackyB Wed 11-May-16 11:18:36

This was also discussed recently in great detail here:

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1225543-Get-packing

Teetime Wed 11-May-16 12:54:22

We weigh our suitcases at home first

Thingmajig Wed 11-May-16 15:26:31

We weigh our cases at home too.

I used to take all sorts with me on holiday but have managed to get it down to the bare essentials now. I only take 2 skirts, one long and one shorter and all my tops will match either or both. We are going to an all-inclusive resort so day clothes aren't really needed. I have a beach dress which I wear over my swimmies most days, a couple of pairs of shorts and tops in case we go out for the day.
I don't feel the need to dress up on holidays so that's about all I take. A couple of pairs of flip-flops and some beach shoes is enough.
I take a little container of washing liquid for washing through undies and swimmies.

I do find that what weighs us down going out is all the toiletries! If they can be bought where we're going then we take only little bottles and buy there, but no good for all-inclusives where they charge a fortune for basic necessities.

Happy holidays!!! smile

HildaW Wed 11-May-16 15:41:17

Get a smaller suitcase than you normally use - seriously it sounds basic but we always fill our suitcases no matter what the size is.
Sort out all clothes to co-ordinate with each other - keep to one basic colour then add a few high lighting T shirts or scarves.
Cheap supermarket jewellery that blings up an outfit - honestly have just been on an river cruise where I had many compliments from some very stylish passengers for my 'statement' jewellery that was actually bought in M&S sales!

If you can afford to collect up a travelling wardrobe I'd always recommend Rohan clothing as it washes, dries quickly and is very lightweight yet hardwearing and well cut.

Nana3 Wed 11-May-16 16:06:07

I put toiletries, my shoes and travel kettle into OH 's suitcase as he takes fewer things than me grin

phoenix Wed 11-May-16 16:36:01

Strongly agree with those who have advised sticking to a couple of colours and using accessories, the "capsule wardrobe" approach!

TriciaF Wed 11-May-16 16:38:58

I'm just going to stay with family and am taking a carryon bag. Night and toilet things already at their house.
Can you have nail scissors in a carryon bag? (Flying BA.)

Lillie Wed 11-May-16 16:52:08

Yes, TriciaF, nail scissors ok.

Marmight Wed 11-May-16 16:53:22

Tricia the answer is a definite no to scissors in cabin bag!

Lillie Wed 11-May-16 16:58:17

The answer is a definite yes, unless the scissors are more than 6 cm. I never have a problem flying out of the London airports.

www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/personal-items

suzied Thu 12-May-16 05:51:31

If you roll, rather than fold, clothes you definitely get more in, and they don't crease up as much.

Shazmo24 Thu 12-May-16 09:53:59

Just use a smaller case..I can now take just a carry on bag even when I'm away for a week!! Roll your clothes and you take up less space....

TriciaF Thu 12-May-16 10:06:27

Thanks Lillie.

Reddevil3 Thu 12-May-16 10:11:52

White trousers, cut-offs, white skirt, bright cotton shirts/blouses/tops/tunics
(Both T shirts and jeans are usually too hot ) a loose shift dress , and you're ready to go most places.
Sarongs can double up as scarves to dress up in the evening, but the evenings are very warm too. June can be incredibly hot, so take mainly cotton.
Shoes and sandals are very cheap. So are beach towels.
Mind you, I am talking about Southern Spain, where I lived and worked for 12 years. Weather in the north is much more like here.
Have a lovely holiday!

Misha14 Thu 12-May-16 10:57:56

Silk is the answer. If you can wear silk as it is very light and packs down to nothing.

Nona4ever Thu 12-May-16 11:14:25

Hammam towels are incredibly light, super absorbent and come in really lovely colours. Dry in an instant. Really cheap and readily available on line. Sorted!

alternativeageing Thu 12-May-16 12:02:14

Shameless plug! I did a how to pack for carry on last November after a trip to New York, the clothes are all wrong for now but the ideas might help and there's a packing list at the bottom. Hope it helps.
www.alternativeageing.net/fashion/2015/12/16/what-to-take-for-xmas-in-a-carry-on-case

inishowen Thu 12-May-16 14:57:11

Share toiletries with your hubby. No need for two of everything. Don't bring towels, use the hotel ones. Wear things that go together i.e tops that go with skirts, trousers and shorts. Be prepared to wash them and wear again. Don't pack books, pack a Kindle.

Wilks Thu 12-May-16 15:39:36

Someone pointed out on the previous thread on this subject to remember, if you are flying hand luggage only, you can only take one see through bag of toiletries. I work out how much of things like shampoo, conditioner etc I will use and decant only what I will need. I take Bare Minerals foundation which is not liquid and toothpaste pastilles (Lush, if you can bear the pong in the shop).You can get shampoo and conditioner bars but I don't go that far. Look at some specialist travel shops for lightweight clothes. They're not all about trekking trousers. I got a plain black dress from Rohan which looks great on its own or with a scarf. Have a good time.

littleowl Thu 12-May-16 16:07:50

I go on holiday with my husband on a motorbike. I have ONE panier for my stuff and I still take too much. I take as few clothes as poss and wash what I have on holiday.. My toiletries have to multi- task. I take a few cosmetics and they double up as well. You do not need oceans of stuff.
Only thing non-negotiable is the hot hair brush.
About half way through our holiday, we usually re-assess and anything we we have over-packed we post back to the uk in a box bought at a post office. It’s worth the price of postage for the chance to free up the space.