Can you pack for 7days in a carryon?

[karliebug]

I really would like to try and do this next trip. We are going Jan.18-25. We are a family of 5 and our airline charges $30 for each bag checked. I would like to do just carryons but don't know if it is possible because of the time of year we are going. I think we will need some shorts and some warmer clothes,too. I always do laundry at least once when we are there. Has anyone done this?Any tips???

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Personally, would NOT be possible for me and my family!! But I do understand not wanting to pay that amount of $$ for baggage - how about UPSing a box of clothes down there beforehand? I know of plently of people who do that.

 

[tinkgirl2007]

For me it would not be possible, however, we do not do laundry on vacation so this would probably be possible for you. Also, I don't know where you are from but for this Floridian it is definitely not shorts weather yet in January so you may want to consider leaving those out. I also agree with the pp if you find that you cant get everything in the carry on it may be much cheaper to mail a box ahead.

 

[musclemouse]

Ya I'm curious, too.

I have my two boys - which are easy to pack for. Then my husband will only bring a few items. So carry ons for each of them is what we are planning.

Then there is me. I'm female and we require more luggage. HOWEVER, I'm trying to think realistically. What do I really need? I don't see myself bringing a lot of clothes. Two pair of jeans/capris, 2 shorts, few shirts. I will be wearing my fleece coat to and from. Wear while there if in need. I may do some laundry on a off day while we are there. But, then there are the weighty items..curling iron, flat iron, hair dryer, toiletries, etc...

I may have to break down and check in at least one bag for the four of us. While watching it's weight. Eek.

For food items - I will be shipping some things down.

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I definitely sympathize with you - 30 per bag seems really steep but I would be hard pressed to put everything I need for a week, even doing laundry, in a carry-on bag. My understanding is that the airlines have caught on to what people are doing (to avoid the fees) and are becoming more strict in the sizing of carry-on luggage so if it doesn't fit the guidelines (size and weight) you'd end up checking the bag anyway, paying a fee, and not taking as much as you want. If shipping costs are too much, I would try and get creative with your packing and maybe check one or two bags and then use a couple of small carryons to get everything in? Also don't forget to save room for souvenirs on the way home. Good luck!

 

[Dizisfun]

My husband says he can. He would take less clothes, maybe 3 outfits plus what he wears on the plane. We do laundry when we are on vacation anyway so he figures he could get his clothes in a carry on. I have never seen him do it.

Me, No way. I tend to over pack, which I really need to stop doing, but I'm so indecisive about what I want to take that I take about twice as much as I wear. Like 2 outfits for each day.

 

[kent285]

I do it all the time. Remember you can bring two carry-ons. I use a rolling 22" suitecase (Southwest allows 24") and a large Vera Bradley bag (miller bag). Try and wear your bulky items on the plane-sweatshirt or sweater and jeans, and your jacket that you will wear in the parks. I also use packing cubes. Rolling your clothes helps, too. I do admit, though, I don't bring a lot of different shoes, which takes up the most space. Just experiment-I think you can do it! Good luck. Try this website www.onebag.com

 

[delmar411]

I could. I did it for a 5day trip. It was tight but I also brought things like beach towels in the bags too.

In Jan you can just wear jeans the whole time so a couple pairs of jeans would do for the whole week since you won't be sweating. Then compress everything into gallon zip locks and roll them up tight.

You'd have to go minimalist but it is very do-able esp with the right kind of carry on bag.

 

[Starr W.]

We're a family of 4 and do it all the time. We have 4 22" wheelie carry-ons. I travelled for years when I was working, so I learned along time ago how to pack. I could do a 14 day business trip to Germany with one garmant bag and my small carry-on. It helps staying in DVC units with the W/D.

We do this especially when travelling during holiday times. When we went to Park City in June, we did bring "Big Red" our 24" bag and checked it. But going in early June things are a little less hectic than Thanksgiving or Easter.

 

[ComplicatedPink]

I just did a 5 day vacation to California with a carryon and extra bag (as big as I was allowed) and I was still short on clothes. Mind you I always overpack but I'd rather go home with clothes that I didn't use than worry about doing emergency laundry. I say pay for one checked bag. Plus, a lot of flights are over filled and are very strict about carryons. My last flight, I had to put my bag 5 rows back because everything was full!

 

[npmommie]

We do it, we each have a carry on and hubby and I have the extra personal size, i used a VB back pack, and hubby a regular back pack.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's not hard if you follow some basic rules.

The first one is: NO denim! It is heavy, bulky, does not keep you warm, and takes forever to dry when washed. The only reason you should ever want to take denim when travelling is if you are planning to spend time on a farm doing outdoor work/riding. Bring lightweight trousers and a pair of very thin long underwear for any really cold nights (and yes, Orlando can get cold, particularly when it rains, which it often does that time of year.)

Rule 2 is: Pack no more than one pair of shoes, and preferably none. If you can make do with the ones you are wearing to travel in, that's best of all.

If you pack fleece for any reason, compress it in space bags. (Better to wear it to travel, IMO. Layers, instead of a heavy coat. I find that a fleece covered by a windbreaker -- plus gloves and long underwear -- is enough for the cold spells I've encountered in Orlando.)

If you really must have shorts, take convertible zip-off trousers. They do double-duty. (Bass Pro Shop has a value-priced selection for the entire family.)

Be ruthless when packing toiletries/makeup and take only what you absolutely must have, in tiny containers that fit in the 3-1-1 baggie. Use hotel shampoo/soap if at all possible; it is only for a few days.

 

[Misty89]

i want to do this-
but DH vetoed this plan and stands by his word. he sold me on his comment that we cannot bring as many sovies home if we only have carry on bags

i do not mind doing laundry, i like to have some quiet time on vacation by myself. I also thought it was a great idea not to have to worry about lost baggage or slow bagagge, so we could get out of the Airport quicker.

 

[Misty89]

It's not hard if you follow some basic rules.

The first one is: NO denim! It is heavy, bulky, does not keep you warm, and takes forever to dry when washed. The only reason you should ever want to take denim when travelling is if you are planning to spend time on a farm doing outdoor work/riding. Bring lightweight trousers and a pair of very thin long underwear for any really cold nights (and yes, Orlando can get cold, particularly when it rains, which it often does that time of year.)

Rule 2 is: Pack no more than one pair of shoes, and preferably none. If you can make do with the ones you are wearing to travel in, that's best of all.

If you pack fleece for any reason, compress it in space bags. (Better to wear it to travel, IMO. Layers, instead of a heavy coat. I find that a fleece covered by a windbreaker -- plus gloves and long underwear -- is enough for the cold spells I've encountered in Orlando.)

If you really must have shorts, take convertible zip-off trousers. They do double-duty. (Bass Pro Shop has a value-priced selection for the entire family.)

Be ruthless when packing toiletries/makeup and take only what you absolutely must have, in tiny containers that fit in the 3-1-1 baggie. Use hotel shampoo/soap if at all possible; it is only for a few days.

?

 

[Starr W.]

It's not hard if you follow some basic rules.

The first one is: NO denim! It is heavy, bulky, does not keep you warm, and takes forever to dry when washed. The only reason you should ever want to take denim when travelling is if you are planning to spend time on a farm doing outdoor work/riding. Bring lightweight trousers and a pair of very thin long underwear for any really cold nights (and yes, Orlando can get cold, particularly when it rains, which it often does that time of year.)

Rule 2 is: Pack no more than one pair of shoes, and preferably none. If you can make do with the ones you are wearing to travel in, that's best of all.

If you pack fleece for any reason, compress it in space bags. (Better to wear it to travel, IMO. Layers, instead of a heavy coat. I find that a fleece covered by a windbreaker -- plus gloves and long underwear -- is enough for the cold spells I've encountered in Orlando.)

If you really must have shorts, take convertible zip-off trousers. They do double-duty. (Bass Pro Shop has a value-priced selection for the entire family.)

Be ruthless when packing toiletries/makeup and take only what you absolutely must have, in tiny containers that fit in the 3-1-1 baggie. Use hotel shampoo/soap if at all possible; it is only for a few days.

That's what we do, layer, long underwear and windbreaker. It will keep you warm in MCO and works pretty well to you get to the car at Detroit Metro in January too.

To be honest I've never travelled with full size toiletries in my adult life. I have set of travel size stuff I bought and when it runs out I just refill it. Or nab a bunch of sample size stuff(I have a great salesperson at Nordstrom's who knows I'm always on the lookout for sample sizes, especially mascara!)

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Could I - Yes very easily and have done it for business on a number of occasions.

Could my wife and kids - Not a chance

 

[Starr W.]

Could I - Yes very easily and have done it for business on a number of occasions.

Could my wife and kids - Not a chance

I'm available for consultations!

 

[SomedayI'llBe]

Packed for a 7 day mission trip to Honduras in a carry-on. I credit my amazing magic carry-on though- I swear that thing is like Mary Poppin's bag! And for the record, I did pack a straightener, a Bible (I have a smaller one, but it's pretty full sized), denim (can't remember how much). You just really have to think about what you absolutely need. I knew I'd be in scrubs most of the week, so there wasn't a point in bringing too many shirts. Do you really need a curling iron or a blow dryer? Does the hotel provide a blow-dryer? Just think about it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My carryon is too small as I discovered yesterday when I tried to pack for the weekend.

I also had no space for souveniers.

I think if you had decent size carryon's you could do it. 3 outfits per person, bathroom stuff, the extra stuff you need like ponchos ect...
And then you could do laundry one day.

You could also check one bag only so you'd have space for souveniers and a few extra clothes if you wanted.

 

[*Seanaci*]

To the OP...it's possible depending on the ages of the children in your family. Especially if you plan on doing laundry at least once while you are there.

Also, not sure when your trip is, but if you have any big stuff you've been saving to put in a garage sale, put it on Craigslist and try to get rid of it now. We put some stuff on Craigslist a while ago, and the money we get from the sale of the items goes into our baggage fee and parking fee fund (as we'll be parking our van at the airport parking while we're away). Just a suggestion.