15kg baggage allowance

I suppose it depends on the climate you're going to as to what you need to pack. Is that 15KG each, or 15KG for the both of you? If you take the essentials, and then buy extras such as swimming costumes when you get there, and you could even go to a launderette so you can wear things more than once?

DINNNO thanks, we're going to Menorca on 1st May. It's 15kg each.

Have a practise run now, to see what your bags would weigh if you took everything you wanted.
Then start to prioritize and cut back from there!

If you are going somewhere warm it’s easier as we always seem to take way too much. Take things that don’t crease and roll them instead of folding . Buy toiletries when you get there saves an awful lot of weight.
I’ve traveled on my own but usually to visit family. Have a lovely time.

Anything that doesn't need ironing can be quickly washed through by hand and dried in your room, so you don't need to take half a dozen of the same thing.

Buy things like shampoo and suncream when you get there, if necessary.

are you allowed a cabin bag each too? Which airline?

Wear the heaviest shoes is a start, and any mac on top of your normal clothes to go through line and the one warmer jumper- and of course take it off as soon as through.

You’ll be able to bring hand luggage as well- check the allowance. Some airlines give 10 kg, others 5 or 7. One important thing is the weight of empty case. Some can be quite heavy. When I retired and knew I was going to travel more, I invested in a lightweight one (Tripp are good). Some standard cases can weigh 5 kg- one third of allowance gone already. But you can get ones weighing only about 3 kg.

On a Greek ferry I got talking to a young lady from New Zealand. She told me she had arrived in the country with 3 suitcases - all of which she had thrown away.

She showed me a very small cot-sized quilt which she unrolled and which contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, one T-shirt and one pair of knickers.

Ever since I have aspired to this level of minimalism, but not achieved it yet!

Yes, check the weight of your empty cases,and consider buying lighter ones. Check the hand baggage limits -size and weight - as it varies between airlines and sometimes between different tour operators on the same flight. You may want to buy extra hand baggage to make the most of that allowance.

For me, the heaviest items are footwear and toiletries, and also a beach towel (which seems to gain weight with accumulated salt and sand!). If you need beach towels, you could consider buying cheap ones there and abandoning them. Take minimal toiletries and see whether you're provided with any in your accommodation; anything else you need can be bought there. Don't agonise over things like tee-shirts, which weigh very little anyway.

Wear your heaviest shoes or sandals, and whatever warmer clothing you're taking. Hand baggage can take your stuff like camera, binoculars, umbrella, guide books and novels (or take a Kindle for your reading matter). You can always pack a spare, empty lightweight shopper or carrier bag and unload your surplus clothing into it once you're through security.

If you're careful, 15kg each plus hand baggage is quite doable, it just needs a bit of thought and a trial pack a couple of days beforehand.

Check what the hotel provides and leave your hairdryer etc at home.
A small tube of travel wash is a must.

All toiletries can be bought there- so only take what you are not prepared to swap. With conditioner, I always have one ready which is 2/3rds empty- so it will last the week or two.

Same for toothpaste.

DH and I only ever take hand luggage if going to a hot country. Shorts, T-shirts, a couple of dresses and you're done. Be sure to roll everything in the case which creates more space. Travel light and there's also the added bonus of not hanging around waiting for your luggage from the carousel. Job done!

You can buy toiletries at the airport as well. We’ve flown from quite a few different airports and always found a Boots.

I think that 15kg is quite reasonable for a short trip, especially if you have cabin luggage.

We have sometimes taken cabin luggage and paid extra for one 20kg suitcase between us. I then notice other passengers, quite often older women like me, tripping along with just hand luggage on the same flight and wonder how they manage.

Our extra large suitcases are very light and on long haul we have been allowed 30kg each - but have never managed to get up to that weight even with a suitcase packed full.

15 LG’s is very adequate for a shot trip. We have just been away for 2 weeks and had to pack for cold and hot weather. Suitcases weighed around 18 LG’s fully packed and we didn’t need quite a bit of what we had taken.

We have just been in the Canaries for a week and both our cases were about 11 kilos each. Cut down on fancy shoes , take lots of flimsy tops for dinner to ring the changes. Look at any clothes that can be washed and hung up without needing ironing . A bit of our weight is taken up with books because DH likes real books despite me buying him a kindle . I could go with just the kindle . Decant shampoo etc. into small bottles . I pack a lightweight handbag and carry on a knapsack with all I need for the journey .

When our hold suitcases are weighed they have never weighed more than 13 kilos despite being allowed up to 23kg. Our cases are full and heavy so can’t imagine stuffing another 10 kilos in.
You will have carry on too. Loadsa space. No worries.
For those using just carry on, and I have done that too, lush do solid shampoo and conditioner and anything else in a small plastic bottle under 100 mls is plenty.
Have a great holiday.

Farmor15 was totally right though - the weight of the suitcases is the prime factor- as some suitcases can take up a 1/3 or more of your allowance.

if you're going for a week i highly recommend taking a few airy dresses i don't think they will weigh much and that is a top and pair of pants sorted then three jumpers to go over the top and a pair of sandals and walking boots and/or trainers.

You could use a few pairs of leggings to go under the dress in case you get too cold. I don't recommend thermal pants as they're super warm.

an alternative is a few pairs of leggings (or trousers) a few t-shirts and a cardigan, maybe two airy dresses as well in case it gets too hot.

I don't recommend washing things in the sink because it could ruin your clothes I personally use launderettes for situations like these. Bringing a few outfits and having them washed in the launderette will prevent you going over the weight limit because not so many clothes.

I also think that toothbrushes, toothpaste, a pack of face wipes and moisturiser wont weigh much. Instead of spending £20 (or more) on these items alone when you get there i recommend taking them, if you have them.

*if you brush your hair don't forget your hairbrush

Slightly out of subject, I noticed some other people mentioned shampoo so I want to add some information in about that, I use an expensive shampoo brand by herbal essences, it's argon oil of morocco shampoo, it's blue and does wonders and doesn't contain anything that will do harm to hair. When I use it I don't have to wash my hair again for a week, so it's worth the price as it lasts longer.

a towel for both of you could be bought abroad but a nice one might be expensive so I suggest if you can bring one from home.

Many airlines have a max of 10kg check in luggage so 15kg is quite generous. If you change airlines partway through a flight you may have problems if they have different allowances and excess luggage charges will cost you a lot.

You also need to be able to manage your luggage yourself including your carry on luggage. Managing at the airport is relatively easy as the floors are smooth, there are lifts and trolleys. Beyond the airport you may need to manage stairs, bumpy ground, and your accommodation may not have lifts etc. The days of standing around looking helpless or hoping for porters are long since gone. I would suggest you need to rethink what you plan to take with you.

Put what you plan to take on your bed and discard half of it. Pick an overall colour scheme, make sure everything coordinates with everything else, few or no patterned items, clothes that can be layered to deal with changes in temperature. Use scarves and lightweight jewellery to dress up outfits. Take mini size cosmetics, creams shampoo etc.

Be very aware of the size limits of carry on liquids and gels. It's painful to watch oversized toiletries, gifts etc being deposited in the discard bins at the airport.

I have travelled with people whose massive amounts of luggage has made their holiday a nightmare. It's not fun for anyone. If you can't manage it by yourself don't take it.

PS. Have a great holiday.

Be ruthless - hubby and I now only travel with hand luggage, and we can do a fortnight's holiday with just a cabin bag! You don't need half of what you think you do - and buy your toiletries when you get there. It makes life so much easier...

Just bite the bullet and pay for some extra weight.
I can just manage within the 15kg but it's my choice to take a few extra clothes. I live in jeans and sweatshirts at home, like to wear pretty summer dresses when in Greece.
If you are determined to do the 15kg thing, then weigh everything you are thinking of taking well beforehand.
I know you can buy toiletries at your destination, but do you really want to?
Wear your heaviest footwear and take a pair of strappy sandals.
If it's going to be warm, then you could get away with just 4 dresses and a change of underwear!

On one of my return trips from Oz, I was quite a lot over my allotted allowance and prepared to pay what I'd worked out which was around AUD$400. I had my money ready for the excess and the chap glibly said " just 100 will do !. Without question, I gave him AUD$100 and went on my way---------thinking that wouldn't have been accounted for but who was I to argue, I'd saved 300 Aussie dollars ! Just goes to show though that those who've paid excess baggage in the past had been rather charitable to some workers.